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1920s Diamond 18k Gold Ring

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Art Deco Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
Dating to the 1920s, this beautiful engagement ring features a 0.68 carat diamond in a rub over
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Edwardian Opal Diamond Ring 18K Yellow Gold
Located in Montgomery, AL
was crafted in the early 1900’s and is accented by old mine cut diamonds. Ring Details Material: 18K
Category

Early 20th Century Edwardian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Diamond and Pearl Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
A stunning diamond and pearl ring, dating back to the 1920s. This art deco period bought about a
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold

Art Deco Diamond Solitaire Certified Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
A stunning single diamond solitaire ring, with full EDR certification. The centre stone has been
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique 1920s Sapphire and Diamond Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
diamond ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with a platinum setting. The pierced decorated cluster
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

French 1920s Antique Round Diamond Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Platinum ring and 18 carats white gold, dog and eagle head hallmarks. This gorgeous round antique
Category

Vintage 1920s French Belle Époque Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, White Gold, Platinum

Antique 1920s 1.28 Carat Diamond and White Gold Twist Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning antique 1920s 1.28 carat diamond and 18 karat white gold twist style dress ring; part of
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
have been made in platinum whilst the shank is in 18 carat yellow gold. Gemstone: Diamond Stone Shape
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique 1920s 18ct Rose Gold Large Aquamarine Diamond and Ruby Cocktail Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Cocktail Ring 18ct Rose Gold Circa 1920’s Fabulous 1920’s art deco, aquamarine
Category

Early 20th Century European Cocktail Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

French 1920s Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Platinum Art Deco Solitaire Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat white gold, eagle head hallmark and platinum, dog head hallmark. Delightful
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

1920s Diamond and Black Onyx Yellow Gold Art Deco Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
diamond and black onyx ring has been crafted in 18 k yellow gold with an 18 k white gold setting. The
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco 1.90ct Diamond Cluster Ring, c.1920s
Located in London, GB
ring itself is artfully crafted from 18ct white gold and platinum. Gemstone: Diamond Stone Shape: Old
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

French 1920s Pearl Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold You and Me Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold. Charming antique you and me ring, it is set with claws on its top, of
Category

Vintage 1920s French Belle Époque Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco 0.90ct Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring, c.1920s
Located in London, GB
Cut Carat Weight: 0.90 Colour: G Clarity: SI1 Metal: 18ct White Gold, Platinum Age: 1920s Size: K 1/2
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Diamond 1.25 Carat Diamond Cluster Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
yellow gold. The ring currently has sizing balls, which can be removed if necessary. Gemstone: Diamond
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Jabel 1920s 0.90 Carat Diamond 18 Karat Gold Engagement Ring
By Jabel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Fully signed Jabel Stamped 18k Circa 1920's Ring Size: 10 & Sizable Measures: 6.2 mm and sits 5.5 mm
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Art Deco 1.81ct Oval Diamond Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
into platinum collets which then adjoins to an 18ct yellow gold band. This stunning engagement ring
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

1920s Antique 1.01 Carat Diamond and White Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive antique 1920s 1.01 carat diamond and 18 karat white gold cluster style dress ring
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco 0.80ct Ruby Diamond Ring, C.1920s
Located in London, GB
gold finishes off this Art Deco ring. Gemstone: Ruby Stone Shape: Oval Carat Weight: 0.80 Metal: 18ct
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Art Deco 0.90ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, c.1920s
Located in London, GB
diamonds each, adding a little extra finesse to an already beautiful piece. Crafted in 18 carat white gold
Category

Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco Amethyst and Diamond Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
: 18ct White Gold, Platinum Age: 1920s, Art Deco Size: M
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Diamond Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
This beautiful cluster diamond ring dates 1920s. The pretty flower head sparkles with around 1.00
Category

Early 20th Century Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Art Deco 0.92ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, c.1920s
Located in London, GB
from contrasting 18 carat yellow gold. Gemstone: Diamond Stone Shape: Emerald Cut Carat Weight: 0.92
Category

Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Art Deco 0.50ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, c.1920s
Located in London, GB
ring is finished with a band of 18 carat white gold. Gemstone: Diamond Stone Shape: Old European Cut
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique 1920s Diamond and White Gold Three-Stone Trilogy Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique 0.80 carat diamond and 18 karat white gold, platinum set trilogy ring
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco 0.54ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, c.1920s
Located in London, GB
ring design, showcasing the beauty of 1920s design. Gemstone: Diamond Stone Shape: Transitional Cut
Category

Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Art Deco 0.55ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, c.1920s
Located in London, GB
contrasting band of 18 carat yellow gold completes this lovely ring in a traditional, timeless fashion
Category

Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Two-Stone Diamond Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
: 18ct Yellow Gold, Platinum Age: 1920s Size: M / 6 1/2
Category

Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco 1.79ct Diamond Cluster Ring, c.1920s
Located in London, GB
This glittering diamond cluster ring dates back to the 1920s. Seven 0.15 carat, old diamonds sit at
Category

Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Art Deco 0.92ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, c.1920s
Located in London, GB
. Gemstone: Diamond Stone Shape: Old Cut Carat Weight: 0.92 Colour: G Clarity: VS1 Metal: 18ct White Gold
Category

Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold, White Gold

1920s Antique 1.53 Carat Diamond Cluster Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique French 1.53 carat diamond, 18k yellow gold ring, 18k white gold set
Category

Vintage 1920s French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco 1.50ct Diamond Cluster Ring, c.1920s
Located in London, GB
: Platinum & 18ct White Gold Age: 1920s Size: L 1/2
Category

Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco 0.65ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, c.1920s
Located in London, GB
: I Clarity: VS2 Metal: 18ct White Gold, Platinum Age: 1920s Size: M
Category

Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco 18k white gold diamond filigree ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
gold shank Era: Art Deco Circa: 1920's Gram weight: 3.60 Ring size: 7 and can be resized
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique Five-Stone Old Cut Diamond Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
This lovely circa 1920s ring sparkles with five graduating old cut diamonds separated by
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Art Deco 0.40 Carat Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
. Gemstone: Diamond Stone Shape: Old Cut Carat Weight: 0.40 Colour: G Clarity: VS1 Metal: 18ct White Gold Age
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

1920s Diamond Yellow Gold and White Gold Set Five-Stone Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
diamond band ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with an 18k white gold setting. The pierced
Category

20th Century Unknown Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold

Art Deco 1.80ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
cut diamond. The substantial diamond has been graded as a K in colour and VS2 in clarity. This
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco 1.10 Carat Diamond Solitaire Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
A lovely 1920s engagement ring featuring a 1.10 carat old cushion cut diamond. The diamond is H
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

1920s Emerald and Diamond Yellow Gold Trilogy Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
gold and platinum (18ct PLAT). This antique trilogy ring is supplied with two independent diamond
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Five-Stone Old Cut Diamond Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
This lovely circa 1920s ring sparkles with five graduating old cut diamonds separated by
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Art Deco 0.80 Carat Old European Cut Diamond 1920s White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Towson, MD
European Cut Diamond with K-L color and SI2 clarity. Crafted in 18kt white gold, the open work gives the
Category

Vintage 1920s North American Art Deco Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco 0.65ct Diamond Daisy Cluster Ring, c.1920s
Located in London, GB
SI. A slim band, of 18ct white gold completes the ring in perfect Art Deco Style Gemstone: Diamond
Category

Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold, White Gold

1920s Antique 4.60 Carat Diamond Yellow Gold Platinum Set Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
for 18 k gold and platinum (18ct PLAT). This stunning antique four stone diamond ring is supplied
Category

20th Century Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Diamond and Sapphire Cluster Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
remainder of the cluster is rose cut diamonds, weighing 0.20 carat. The band of the ring is made of 18
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

1920s French Art Deco 2.60 Carat Emerald Diamond Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in platinum and 18 karats white gold, eagle's head hallmark. Rectangular, this beautiful
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Platinum, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

1920s Lapis Lazuli and Diamond, Enamel Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
impressive lapis lazuli ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with a platinum setting. The iconic Art
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Sapphire and Diamond Cluster Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
This unique cocktail ring dates back to the Art Deco era, around the 1920s. It is amde in 18 carat
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Art Deco 1.60 Carat Diamond Cluster Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
: 1.60 Colour: G Clarity: VS Metal: 18ct Yellow Gold, Platinum Age: 1920s Size: P
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

1920 s Art Deco Multi-Gem 18 Karat White Gold Heart Band Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
, emerald, and rubies Shank engraved with burst and wheat motifs Stamped 18k for 18 karat white gold
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18...

Art Deco Diamond and Sapphire Cluster Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
This is a gorgeous triple halo cluster ring, dating back to the 1920s. The centre stone is an oval
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

1920s 0.30 Carat Old European Cut Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering an old European cut diamond weighing approximately 0.25 carats total, H color and VS2
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Art Deco Three-Stone Diamond Engagement Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
made in 18 carat yellow gold, a typical feature of the era. Gemstone: Diamond Stone Shape
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

1920 s Art Deco 0.35 Carat 18 Karat White Gold Floral Engagement Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
stylized floral shoulders Stamped 18K for 18 karat gold Circa: 1920s Ring Size: 5 1/4 & sizable
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Solid 18K White Gold 0.88ctw European Cut Diamonds Ring Band
Located in Addison, TX
Presenting A: Solid 18K White Gold 0.88CTW European Cut Diamonds Ring Band Size 5.5 The ring has
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Wedding Rings

Materials

18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco 2.10 Carat Diamond Daisy Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
surrounding eight-cut diamonds are 0.20 carat each. Each diamond is rub-over set in 18 carat white gold
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Art Deco 1.20ct Diamond solitaire twist ring, c.1920s
Located in London, GB
Carat Weight: 1.20 Colour: I Clarity: SI1 Metal: 18ct White Gold, Platinum Age: 1920s Size: M 1/2
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

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1920s Diamond 18k Gold Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

On 1stDibs, you can find the most appropriate 1920s diamond 18k gold ring for your needs in our varied inventory. Every item for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using Gold, 18k Gold and White Gold. You can easily find a 2586 antique edition and 1 modern creations to choose from as well. You’re likely to find the perfect 1920s diamond 18k gold ring among the distinctive items we have available, which includes versions made as long ago as the 20th Century as well as those produced as recently as the 21st Century. For this particular piece, .5 Carat and 1 Carat are consistently popular carat weights. There have been many well-made iterations of the classic 1920s diamond 18k gold ring over the years, but those made by Tiffany Co., Belais and Cartier are often thought to be among the most beautiful. An old european cut version of this piece has appeal, but there are also round cut and old mine cut versions for sale. If you’re browsing our inventory for a 1920s diamond 18k gold ring, you’ll find that many are available today for women, but there are still pieces to choose from for unisex and men.

How Much is a 1920s Diamond 18k Gold Ring?

On average, a 1920s diamond 18k gold ring at 1stDibs sells for $2,801, while they’re typically $325 on the low end and $350,000 for the highest priced versions of this item.

Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship

Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself. 

Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.

Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.

For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.

Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.

In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so. 

Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.

Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle. 

BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.

A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in

Since Van Cleef Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.

Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.

Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.

The Legacy of Diamond in Jewelry Design

Antique diamond rings, diamond tiaras and dazzling vintage diamond earrings are on the wish lists of every lover of fine jewelry. And diamonds and diamond jewelry are primarily associated with storybook engagements and red-carpet grand entrances — indeed, this ultra-cherished gemstone has a dramatic history on its hands.

From “A Diamond Is Forever” to “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” pop culture has ingrained in our minds that diamonds are the most desired, the most lasting and the most valuable gemstone. But what makes the diamond so special? Each stone — whether it’s rubies, sapphires or another stone — is unique and important in its own right. April babies might claim diamonds for themselves, but just about everyone wants this kind of sparkle in their lives!

There are several factors that set diamonds apart from other stones, and these points are important to our gem education.

Diamonds are minerals. They are made up of almost entirely of carbon (carbon comprises 99.95 percent; the remainder consists of various trace elements). Diamonds are the hardest gemstones, ranking number 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Even its name, diamond, is rooted in the Greek adamas, or unconquerable. The only object that can scratch a diamond is another diamond. Diamonds are formed deep within the earth at very high temperatures (1,652–2,372 degrees Fahrenheit at depths between 90 and 120 miles beneath the earth’s surface) and are carried up by volcanic activity. Diamonds are quite rare, according to the Gemological Institute of America, and only 30 percent of all the diamonds mined in the world are gem quality.

In the 1950s, the Gemological Institute of America developed the 4Cs grading system to classify diamonds: clarity, color, cut and carat weight. Not all diamonds are created equal (there are diamonds, and then there are diamonds). The value of the diamond depends on the clarity (flawless diamonds are very rare but a diamond's value decreases if there are many blemishes or inclusions), color (the less color the higher the grade), cut (how the diamond’s facets catch the light, certain cuts of diamonds show off the stone better than others) and carat weight (the bigger, the better).

When you start shopping for a diamond engagement ring, always prioritize the cut, which plays the largest role in the diamond's beauty (taking the time to clean your diamond ring at least every six months or so plays a role in maintaining said beauty). And on 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement ringsvintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings

Shop antique and vintage diamond rings, diamond necklaces and other extraordinary diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.  

Finding the Right Rings for You

Antique and vintage rings have long held a special place in the hearts of fine jewelry lovers all over the world.

No matter their origin or specific characteristics, rings are timeless, versatile accessories. They’ve carried deep meaning since at least the Middle Ages, when diamond rings symbolized strength and other kinds of rings were worn to signify romantic feelings or to denote an affiliation with a religious order. Rings have also forever been emblematic of eternity.

Over time, rings have frequently taken the form of serpents, which have long been associated with eternal life, health and renewal. Italian luxury jewelry house Bulgari has become famous for its widely loved Serpenti motif, for example, and its Serpenti ring, like the other accessories in the collection, began as an homage to jewelry of the Roman and Hellenistic eras. The serpent is now a popular motif in fine jewelry. Jewelry devotees have long pined for rings adorned with reptiles, thanks to antique Victorian rings — well, specifically, Queen Victoria’s illustrious engagement ring, which took the form of a gold snake set with rubies, diamonds and an emerald (her birthstone). Designs for Victorian-era engagement rings often featured repoussé work and chasing, in which patterns are hammered into the metal.

Engagement rings, which are reliably intimidating to shop for, are still widely recognized as symbols of love and commitment. On 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement ringsvintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings

The most collectible antique engagement rings and vintage engagement rings are those from the Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco eras. Named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who in succession ruled England starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign), antique Georgian rings, be they engagement rings or otherwise, are also coveted by collectors. Pearls, along with colored gemstones like garnets, rubies and sapphires, were widely used in Georgian jewelry. The late-1700s paste jewelry was a predecessor to what we now call fashion or costume jewelry

The Art Nouveau movement (1880–1910) brought with it rings inspired by the natural world. Antique Art Nouveau rings might feature depictions of winged insects and fauna as well as women, who were simultaneously eroticized and romanticized, frequently with long flowing hair. Art Deco jewelry, on the other hand, which originated during the 1920s and ’30s, is by and large “white jewelry.” White metals, primarily platinum, were favored over yellow gold in the design of antique Art Deco rings and other accessories as well as geometric motifs, with women drawn to the era’s dazzling cocktail rings in particular.

Whether you’re hunting down a chunky classic for a Prohibition-themed cocktail party or seeking a clean contemporary design to complement your casual ensemble, find an exquisite collection of antique, new and vintage rings on 1stDibs.