Skip to main content

1920s Diamond 18k Gold Ring

to
82
1,863
1,770
739
606
473
1,806
379
319
154
153
21
1,761
116
16
25
1,182
70
6
9
4
18
8
5
1,152
742
12
521
264
155
92
76
to
17
11
11
9
9
1,267
46
44
35
24
12
8
8
5
3
2
1,901
5
998
866
Sort By
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

Antique 1920s 4.81 Carat Diamond and White Gold Three-Stone Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A magnificent antique 4.81 carat diamond and 18 karat white gold three stone dress ring; part of
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco Diamond Three-Stone Engagement Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
: G Clarity: VS2 Metal: 18ct White Gold Age: 1920s Size: K
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Art Deco Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
an 18 carat yellow gold collet. It is then beautifully haloed by a collection of 8-cut diamonds. The
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
treatment, making it hugely desirable! It is perfectly claw set within a made hand 18 carat yellow gold
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco 1.60ct Diamonds Five Stone Ring, c.1920s
Located in London, GB
claws, highlighting the white colour of the diamonds. The ring is finished with an 18 carat yellow gold
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco More Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

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

Antique Emerald and Diamond Platinum Coronet Cluster Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
This beautiful hand made emerald and diamond coronet cluster ring features an oval shaped emerald
Category

Vintage 1920s English Edwardian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

1.33 Carat Transitional Cut Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
shines through. The band is made of 18 carat white gold, a popular feature of the 1920s. The hoops which
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco 0.72 Carat Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
hand in the 1920s. This is a classically art deco engagement ring! Gemstone: Diamond Stone Shape: Old
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

1920s Antique 1.28 Carat Diamond Yellow Gold Platinum Set Cluster Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive antique 1.28 carat diamond, 18 karat yellow gold, platinum set dress ring; part of
Category

Vintage 1920s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Art Deco 0.55 Carat Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
the centre diamond. There is lovely detailing on the 18 carat white gold setting, which was crafted by
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Art Deco Diamond Three-Stone Engagement Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
Shape: Old Cut Carat Weight: 1.65 total Colour: G Clarity: VS1 Metal: 18ct White Gold Age: 1920s Size: K
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Art Deco 1.70ct Peridot and Diamond Ring, c.1920s
Located in London, GB
platinum, while the band is made of 18 carat white gold. This ring was made in the 1920s, at the height of
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, Platinum

1920s 1.18 Carat Opal Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive antique 1920's 1.18 carat opal and 0.38 carat diamond, 18 carat yellow gold and
Category

Vintage 1920s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Three-Stone Diamond Engagement Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
Three old cut diamonds sparkle in this 18 carat white gold art deco engagement ring. The centre
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

18ct Yellow Gold and Platinum 1920s Art Deco Sapphire and Diamond Target Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Sapphire and Diamond Target Ring 18ct Gold & Platinum Stamped Circa 1920s Introducing
Category

Early 20th Century English Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

1920s Antique 2.93 Carat Sapphire and Diamond White Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
impressive 1920's sapphire and diamond ring has been crafted in 18k white gold. The pierced decorated
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco Aquamarine and Diamond Dress Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
Carat Weight: 8.30 Main Metal: 18ct Yellow Gold, Platinum Age: 1920s Size: M 1/2
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique 1920s 2.04 Carat Diamond and White Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
impressive diamond engagement ring has been crafted in 18k white gold. This 1920s ring displays a feature
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco 1.85 Carat Carre Cut Diamond Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
setting which leads into an 18 carat white gold band with tapered shoulders. Gemstone: Diamond Stone Shape
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Art Deco Rub over Set Diamond Solitaire Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
made in 18 carat white gold and also features a similar engraved design, all hand crafted. The ring
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Rub over Set Diamond Solitaire Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
This beautiful ring dates to the 1920s and features an old cut in the centre. The diamond weighs
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

1920s Art Deco Emerald Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
A platinum topped 18K gold ring centered with a bezel set old cut oval diamond (7 x 6.35 x 4.5 mm
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald

0.64 Carat Art Deco Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
A beautifully handmade ring dating back to the 1920s. It features an old cut diamond in the centre
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Diamond and Sapphire Twist Engagement Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
. The hand made ring has been crafted from 18 carat white gold. Gemstone: Diamond Stone Shape: Old Cut
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Art Deco 1.50ct Old European Cut Diamond Engagement Ring in 18k Gold
Located in Towson, MD
. Our Master craftsman has set this 18-karat white gold filigree engagement ring mounting with a 1.50
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

0.51 Carat Art Deco Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
Dating back to the 1920s, this diamond solitaire boasts a 0.51 carat transitional cut diamond in a
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Marquise and Old Cut Diamond Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
shank is made in 18 carat yellow, classic of the period. The ring dates to the 1920s. Gemstone: Diamond
Category

Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco 1.07 Carat Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
Certification: EDR #E1812156060 Metal: 18ct Yellow Gold, Platinum Age: 1920s Size: L
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco 0.93ct Old European Cut Diamond Filigree Engagement Ring in 18k Gold
Located in Towson, MD
. Our Master craftsman has set this 18-karat white gold filigree engagement ring mounting with a 0.93
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

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

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco 1.50ct Diamond Three Stone Twist Ring, c.1920s
Located in London, GB
ring was made by hand in the 1920s, and is a unique Art Deco era piece. Gemstone: Diamond Stone
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Art Deco Antique 1920s Diamond and Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
plain 18k yellow gold shank. This 1920's Art deco diamond ring has been independently tested using
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco 2.05 Carat Diamond Three-Stone Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
classic engagement ring style special. They are claw set in platinum, which is on an 18 carat white gold
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco 0.50 Carat Diamond Two-Stone Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
of sparkle to the band. The setting is made of 18 carat white gold and platinum. Gemstone: Diamond
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

1920 s Art Deco 0.20 Carat Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Pierced Butterfly Engagem
Located in Philadelphia, PA
engraving at shoulders With maker's mark and stamped 18K for 18 karat gold Circa: 1920's Ring Size: 4
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Antique 1920s 2.95 Carat Sapphire and Diamond Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
for 18k gold (18ct). This impressive gemstone dress ring is supplied with an independent diamond
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

1920s 1.18 Carat Blue Zircon and Diamond Yellow Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
hallmarked with the 18k gold hallmark. This blue zircon dress ring is supplied with an independent diamond
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Zircon, Blue Zircon, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco 2.00 Carat Sapphire and Diamond Signet Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
Dating to the 1920's, this signet ring is embellished with a 2.00 carat blue sapphire surrounded by
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco 1.10 Carat Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
made in both 18 carat white gold and platinum and dates to approximately the 1920s. Gemstone: Diamond
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco 1.32 Carat Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
carat. The ring has been handmade from both 18 carat white gold and platinum. Gemstone: Diamond
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

0.25 Carat Old Cut Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
Metal: 18ct Yellow Gold, Platinum Age: 1920s, Art Deco Size: P 1/2 / 8 1/4
Category

Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique Edwardian Opal Diamond Ring Demantoid Garnet 18k Yellow Gold Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
gold. The ring is hallmarked "18" for 18k gold.
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Garnet, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco 3.20ct Jade and Diamond Cocktail ring, c.1920s
Located in London, GB
diamonds sitting on each shoulder. A band of 18 carat white gold rounds this show stopping Art deco ring
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco 1.18 Carat Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
Carat Weight: 1.18 Colour: G Clarity: SI2 Metal: 18ct White Gold, Platinum Age: 1920s Size: L
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco 0.60ct Sapphire and Diamond Cluster Ring, c.1920s
Located in London, GB
colour and VS in clarity. Finishing the ring is a contrasting band of 18 carat yellow gold giving a
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

Five-Stone 0.45 Carat Old Cut Diamond Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
1920s five stone diamond ring, the balance of which is comprised of 18 carat yellow gold. The dazzling
Category

Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique 1920s 1.25 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Platinum Set Solitaire Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
18k gold (PLAT 18CT). This antique 1920's diamond solitaire ring is supplied with an independent
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco 1.00ct Diamond Trilogy Ring, c.1920s
Located in London, GB
Three charming transitional cut diamonds are rub over set in this wonderful 1920s trilogy ring. In
Category

Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Antique 18ct Gold Platinum, 1920s Art Deco Diamond Three Stone Trilogy Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Diamond Three Stone Ring 18ct Yellow Gold & Platinum Circa 1920s Crafted in platinum
Category

Early 20th Century European Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco 1.20ct Sapphire and Diamond Halo Ring, c.1920s
Located in London, GB
Weight: 1.20 Metal: 18ct White Gold, Platinum Size: L Age: 1920s
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco 1.25ct Diamond Trilogy Ring, c.1920s
Located in London, GB
seamlessly flow into a band of 18 carat white gold to complete the ring. Gemstone: Diamond Stone Shape: Old
Category

Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold, White Gold

Circa 1920 s Art Deco 18K Two Tone Vintage Bypass Sapphire Fashion Ring
Located in Addison, TX
the item and note the size in the message section. Item Details: Ring Size: 8 Metal Type: 18K
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Fashion Rings

Materials

Sapphire, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Art Deco 1.35ct Sapphire and Diamond Cluster Ring, c.1920s
Located in London, GB
Stone Shape: Old Cut Carat Weight: 1.35 Metal: 18ct White Gold, Platinum Age: 1920s Size: P
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

1920s Antique 1.35 Carat Ruby and Diamond White Gold Twist Ring French
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
impressive antique ruby and diamond ring has been crafted in 18k white gold with a platinum setting. The
Category

Vintage 1920s French Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

1920s Antique 1.12 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Trilogy Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
plain ring shank. The ring is hallmarked to the interior with the maker's mark 'T&S' and the 18k gold
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

  • 1
  • ...
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "1920s Diamond 18k Gold Ring", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

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.