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Antique Art Deco 18 Karat White Gold Diamond and Jade Shield Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
: 18K White Gold Weight: 3.4 Grams Total Diamond Weight: Approximately 0.15 cts Ring Size: 6 1/4
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold

IGI Cert 1.37 Ct + 0.42 Ct Old Mine Cut Diamond 18K White Gold Statement Ring
Located in Bangkok, TH
artisans, this remarkable ring is forged from 7.95 grams of lustrous 18K White Gold, ensuring both
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Original Art Deco 18ct Gold Ruby Diamond Navette / Marquise Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Original Art Deco 18ct Gold Marquise Ring Rose Gold Circa 1920’s Fabulous Marquise/Navette
Category

Early 20th Century English Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold

Antique 17.39 Carat Zircon Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
18 ct gold. The ring is supplied with an independent diamond grading report card. Images do not
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Zircon, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 18ct White Gold French Diamond Single Stone Engagement Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Engagement Ring 18ct White Gold-French Eagles Head Stamped Circa 1920’s Fabulous
Category

Early 20th Century French Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique 18ct Gold Platinum Original Art Deco Sapphire Diamond Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Sapphire Deco Ring 18ct Gold & Platinum Stamped Circa 1920’s This ring is an exquisite piece
Category

Early 20th Century English Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique Deco Diamond Sapphire Ring 18 Karat Gold Platinum Shield Cocktail Ring
Located in Torrance, CA
Elegant & finely detailed Art Deco era ring (circa 1920s to 1930s), crafted in 18 karat white gold
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco Sapphire and Diamond-Set Platinum over Gold Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1920s, Platinum over 18k, American. With its platinum top and 18k yellow gold body, this eye
Category

Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Edwardian GIA 0.84 Carat Old Mine Cut Diamond 18 Karat Rose Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
. And this beauty is a gorgeous example of an Edwardian Diamond Rose Gold Engagement Ring. This ring was
Category

Vintage 1920s Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Antique Deco Asscher Emerald Diamond Engagement Ring .78ct GIA 18k Original 1920
Located in Dearborn, MI
Genuine Original Antique from 1920's-1930's GIA Certified .78ct Diamond 18K Art Deco Engagement
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique Art Deco 18K White Gold 1/2 Carat Old European Cut Diamond Engagement Ri
Located in Cape May, NJ
Rare Authentic Antique Art Deco 18K White Gold 1/2 Carat Old European Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Art Deco Three Stone Sapphire and Old Cut Diamond Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
This circa 1920s three stone ring centres a 2.60 carat, bright blue, oval-shaped sapphire between a
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Vintage Diamond Ring Set in Platinum with 18 Karat White Gold Shank
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Circa 1920's vintage Diamond ring with 3 center Old European Cut diamonds weighing approximately 1
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco More Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco 0.75 Carat Diamond Solitaire with Baguette Shoulders, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
Carat Weight: 0.75 Colour: I Clarity: SI1 Metal: 18ct White Gold, Platinum Age: 1920s Size: P
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Diamond Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1920s, 18k and platinum, France. This chic Art Deco ring is all about the 2.0 carats total
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Déco Platinum 18 Karat White Gold Emerald Diamond Dress Cocktail Ring
Located in Zurich, CH
Adorable platinum and 18 karat white gold emerald diamond dress cocktail ring from the Art Déco
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco GIA 1.16 Carat Old European Cut Diamond Ruby Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
. Featuring a 1.16 carat old European cut diamond that is GIA certified as K color, VVS2 clarity. Accentuated
Category

Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Antique Art Deco Style Diamond Platinum Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
ring is an original Art Deco piece from the 1920's and has been repurposed into a ring more recently
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Art Nouveau Men s Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
A heavy 18K yellow gold ring with superbly carved floral designs in Art Nouveau taste set with
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond

Antique 18ct Gold Platinum Art Deco Diamond Single Stone Engagement Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Square Engagement Ring 18ct Gold & Platinum Stamped Circa 1920s This 18ct gold
Category

Early 20th Century English Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Platinum and 18 Carat Gold Ladies Ring with Emerald and Diamonds
Located in Braintree, GB
Art deco platinum & 18 ct gold ladies ring with emerald and diamonds Hallmarked PLAT & 18 CT
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1920s, 18k, possibly Swiss. The crowning glory of this elegant Art Deco ring is its brilliant
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco Diamond Ruby 18 Karat Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
ruby diamond ring. Circa 1920s. Created in 18k gold, size 7 3/4 and may be re-sized to fit. Flawless
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Art Deco Diamond White Gold Platinum Old European Cut Band Ring, circa 1920
Located in Cape May, NJ
18k White Gold Platinum 1.75 Carat 5 Old European Cut Diamond Ring Band. The ring is in excellent
Category

Vintage 1920s Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique Art Deco Platinum and 18 Karat Gold Diamond and Emerald Cocktail Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Metal: Platinum and 18K Yellow Gold Weight: 3.7 Grams Total Diamond Weight: Approximately 0.50 cts
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Aquamarine and Diamond Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1920s, 18k, American. This sleek 18k yellow gold ring has the distinctive visual geometry of
Category

Vintage 1920s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique 18ct Yellow Gold, Art Nouveau Three Stone Aquamarine Diamond Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Art Nouveau Ring 18ct Yellow Gold Tested Circa 1920s Introducing a stunning 18ct gold
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Aquamarine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Sapphire and Diamond Five-Stone Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
The graduated oval-shape sapphire line, with rose-cut diamond point double spacers. Total sapphire
Category

Early 20th Century British Edwardian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 18ct Gold Platinum 3 Stone Diamond Heart Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique 3 Stone Heart Ring 18ct Gold & Platinum Stamped Circa 1920’s Pretty, antique three
Category

Early 20th Century English Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

1.56 Carat Cushion Cut Engagement Ring with Set Shoulders, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
18 carat yellow gold. Gemstone: Diamond Stone Shape: Old Cushion Cut, Pear Carat Weight: 1.56 Centre
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Old European Cut Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Original Art Deco engagement ring crafted in 18 karat white gold. The .99 carat Old European cut
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Belais Round Diamond Cluster Ring Vintage 18 Karat White Gold
By Belais Brothers
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed vintage Art Deco era ring (circa 1920s to 1930s), crafted in 18 karat white gold
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco Style 18K White Gold 2.35 Carat Aquamarine and Sapphire Ring
Located in Cape May, NJ
Art Deco style 18k white gold 2.35 carat aquamarine and sapphire ring Era: Art Deco Style
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco More Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Sapphire, White Gold

French Art Deco 3.57ct No Heat Sapphire and Diamond Set Gold Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1920s, 18k, France. This fabulous Art Deco ring has compelling visual authority and superb
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Antique 2.63 Carat Diamond and 18k Yellow Gold Trilogy Ring Circa 1925
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Analyzer) and verified as 18 karat gold and platinum. This impressive trilogy ring with diamond shoulders
Category

Vintage 1920s Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum

French 19th Century Diamond Rose Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 carat rose gold and platinum. This lovely antique ring is set with a brilliant-cut
Category

Antique 1870s French Napoleon III Solitaire Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Filigree Emerald Accent Cocktail Ring
Located in Boca Raton, FL
This elegant Art Deco elongated cocktail ring is crafted from 18-karat white gold and features
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

18K Gold Topaz Amethyst Garnet Citrine Peridot Rhodolite Multicolor Rainbow Ring
By Vaibhav Dhadda
Located in Jaipur, Rajasthan
either side along with diamonds, this ring was extremely popular in 1920’s, 1990’s and is so even today
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Topaz, Peridot, Garnet, Diamond, Citrine, Amethyst, Rhodolite, Yellow Go...

Art Deco Three-Diamond Sapphire Accent Cocktail Ring 18 Karat White Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Original Art Deco cocktail ring features 3 Old European cut Diamonds (1.00 carat total weight
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Old European Cut Yellow Diamond Platinum Gold Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
circa 1920's. Brand new handmade Platinum ring from the Peter Suchy workshop designed and made just for
Category

Vintage 1930s American Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Diamond-set Snake Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1920s, 18k. Mixing ancient aesthetics with Deco simplicity, this chic ring is visually
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

French Ruby Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle's head hallmark. Lovely ring, it is set in the center of an
Category

Vintage 1980s French Belle Époque Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco Old European Cut Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Filigree Cocktail Ring
Located in Boca Raton, FL
stunning filigree open design crafted from lustrous 18 karat gold. The 11 Old European cut diamonds are
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco 1.46-Carat Diamond Solitaire Ring
Located in Denver, CO
this exquisite Art Deco solitaire ring accented with fine filigree. Set in 18K white gold. The diamond
Category

Mid-20th Century Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

French Art Deco Diamond Set Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1920s, platinum, France. Delightfully French, this charming octagonal ring has a
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Bridal Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

Antique Deco Diamond Ring 18 Karat White Gold Wedding Band Pinky Vintage
Located in Torrance, CA
Elegant vintage Art Deco era ring (circa 1920s to 1930s), crafted in 18 karat white gold. 7
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Deco Sapphire-set Gold Snake Rings
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1920s, 18k. Mixing ancient aesthetics with Deco simplicity, this chic ring is visually
Category

Vintage 1920s Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold

Antique Deco Diamond Band 18 Karat White Gold Ring Vintage Fine Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Elegant vintage Art Deco era ring (circa 1920s to 1930s), crafted in 18 karat white gold. 7
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Headline Art Deco Diamond Platinum Toi et Moi 18 Karat White Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Art Deco Diamond Platinum Toi et Moi 18 Karat White Gold Ring. Featuring one 0.92 carat old
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Antique English Diamond Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1920s, 18k, England. Bright and cheerful. the diamonds in this ring are sparkly white (G-H
Category

Vintage 1920s English Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Deco Diamond Wedding Band Ring Vintage 18 Karat Gold Estate Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Elegant vintage Art Deco era ring (circa 1920s to 1930s), crafted in 18 karat white gold. 7
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Nouveau Fancy Green Old European Diamond Ring
Located in Cape May, NJ
Art Nouveau 18K White Gold 1.49 Carat Fancy Color Old European Diamond Engagement Ring The fancy
Category

Vintage 1920s American Art Nouveau Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Art Deco 3 Stone Diamond Ring Mined .43ct French Cut Sapphire 18K Original 1920
Located in Dearborn, MI
Carats Diamond and Sapphire Weight  18K White Gold Circa 1920's-1930's The Art deco Era in Jewelry
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

White Gold .80 Carat Solitaire Diamond Art Deco Filigree Engagement Ring
Located in Addison, TX
! Item Details: Ring Size: 5 1/4 Metal Type: 18K White Gold Weight: 2.10 grams Hallmarks: 18K Engraving
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Antique Spanish Amethyst and Diamond Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1920s, 18k/Silver, Spain. This Renaissance Revival twenties ring from Spain features
Category

Vintage 1920s Spanish Renaissance Revival Fashion Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Vintage Deco Diamond Sapphire Ring Antique 18 Karat White Gold Dinner Plaque
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed vintage Art Deco era diamond & sapphire ring (circa 1920s to 1930s) crafted in 18k
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco Vintage Diamond and Sapphire Halo Etched 18 Karat White Gold Ring
Located in Addison, TX
our 1st Dibs family! Item Details: Ring Size: 8 Metal Type: 18K White Gold Weight: 2.9 grams
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

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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.