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French 1930s Art Deco Sapphire Diamonds Platinum Brooch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Brooch in platinum, dog head hallmark, and 18 karat white gold, eagle head hallmark. Long antique
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Brooches

Materials

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

French Art Deco Diamonds 18 Karat White Gold Pendant Necklace
Located in Poitiers, FR
Pendant in 18 karat white gold, eagle head hallmark. Of geometrical shape, this antique pendant has
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Pendant Necklaces

Materials

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

Antique Earrings Pearls Diamonds solid 18K Gold / 2.36gr
Located in SE
A pair of antique European stud Earrings hand - made ca .1930s in 18K Yellow /White Gold (tested
Category

Vintage 1930s German Art Deco Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco 1.27 CTW European Diamond Sapphire 18 Karat White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Tested as 18 karat gold Circa: 1930s Ring Size: 4 1/2 & sizable Measures: North to South 11.5 mm and sits
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, White Gold

1930s Antique 5.31 Carat Amethyst and Diamond Gold Silver Set Pendant
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
pendant with 18 karat white gold chain; part of our diverse antique jewelry collections. This fine and
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Gold, 9k Gold, White Gold, Silver

1920 s Art Deco Bracelet in 18k Gold platinum with Diamonds
Located in Aventura, FL
craftsmanship of this remarkable Jazz Age treasure. • Period: Art Deco (1920s-1930s) • Metal: 18K Yellow Gold
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Link Bracelets

Materials

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

Modern Cultured Pearls Opals 18 Karat White Gold Clasp Necklace
By Baume
Located in Poitiers, FR
beads. The clasp is in 18 Karat white gold, eagle-head hallmark, ratchet with safety chain. It is
Category

2010s French Modern Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Cultured Pearl, Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco Diamond Ruby Enamel 18 Karat White Gold Vintage Torch Charm
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Completed by jump ring bale Tested as 18 karat gold Circa: 1930s Measures: 1 3/16 x 3/8 inches - including
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Charm Bracelets

Materials

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

Antique Dangle Earrings Banded Chalcedony solid 18K Gold / 6 gr
Located in SE
A pair of pendants / dangles in solid 18K Yellow Gold decorated with drop shaped and polished
Category

Vintage 1920s European Art Deco Dangle Earrings

Materials

Chalcedony, 18k Gold

Lacloche Ruby and Diamond Ring
By LaCloche
Located in New York, NY
timeless creation. Details: Brand: Lacloche Frères Metal: 18K White Gold Gemstones: Square-cut rubies
Category

Vintage 1930s French Retro Retro Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Antique Blue Enamel White Gold Locket Flower Pendant Chain Necklace
Located in Miami, FL
in solid 18K White Gold, and the link chain necklace with white & blue enamel is 14K White gold
Category

Vintage 1910s Art Deco Drop Necklaces

Materials

White Gold, Enamel

Antique Bracelet 5.5 ct Sapphire 2.3ctw Diamonds 18K Gold Platinum /17.7cm/9.4gr
Located in SE
Beautiful German Art Deco period bracelet made in the 1920s -1930s. Solid 18K Yellow Gold and
Category

Vintage 1930s German Art Deco Link Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

1930s Russain Pill Vanity Box 875 Silver Enamel / 32.5 gr
Located in SE
1930's Soviet period hallmarks, head of worker, 875, factory of Leningrad. In perfect used condition
Category

Vintage 1930s Russian Aesthetic Movement Boxes and Cases

Materials

Silver, 18k Gold, Enamel

Antique 1930s Diamond and Platinum Pendant
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
pendant suspends from a contemporary 18k white gold 16" trace chain via a flared ring loop to the upper
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

1930s Art Deco Onyx and Diamond Platinum Pendant
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
" 18k white gold trace chain via an integrated ring loop to the upper border of the design, and secures
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Platinum

Bulgari Diamond Burma Ruby Bombe Earrings GIA Certified in 18 Karat Gold
By Bulgari
Located in Dallas, TX
diamonds, all set in 18 karat yellow gold. Two large oval rubies are of richly-saturated color and
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Clip-on Earrings

Materials

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

Art Deco 0.76Ct Diamond and 14k Yellow Gold Pendant - Circa 1930
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
platinum set Art Deco pendant design suspends from a 17.5" 18k white gold chain via a ring loop to the
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum

French Art Deco Sapphire and Diamond Earrings
Located in Poitiers, FR
For pierced ears. Pair of platinum earrings, dog head hallmark and 18 carat white gold, eagle head
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Stud Earrings

Materials

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

Boucheron Ruby And Diamond Earrings Day Night Vintage Jewelry
By Boucheron
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
” design. These vintage earrings are crafted in 18k yellow gold and showcase a vibrant arrangement of
Category

Vintage 1980s French Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1930s Diamonds 18 Karat Rose White Gold Lever- Back Earrings
Located in Poitiers, FR
Earrings in 18 karats rose and white gold, eagle's head hallmark. Antique drop earring, each is set
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Lever-Back Earrings

Materials

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

1925s Art Deco Antique Diamond Lapis Lazuli Platinum Brooch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Brooch in platinum, mascaron hallmark, and 18 karats white gold, owl hallmark. Rectangular shape
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum, White Gold

French 1930s Art Deco Diamonds 18 Karat White Gold Platinum Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat white gold, eagle head hallmark, and platinum, dog head hallmark. Round shape
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

1930 s Diamond White Gold Wedding Ring
Located in Berlin, DE
-diamonds with a total weight of ca. 1,20 carats. Prong setting. In 18 K white gold. Hallmarked inside with
Category

Mid-20th Century Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique 18 Karat White Gold and Diamond Navette Ring, 1930s
Located in Bologna, IT
This very elegant and beautiful navette ring is modelled in 18K white gold throughout and dates
Category

Vintage 1930s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

1930 s Diamond Solitaire Ring Diamond set Shoulders in 18ct White Gold and Plat
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
This gorgeous Diamond ring that was made in the 1930's. Such a good quality example of an Art Deco
Category

Vintage 1930s British Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

Vintage 18K WG Diamond Engagement Ring 18K WG 0.50ct I-SI1 1930s
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A very pretty 18K white gold setting with approximate 0.50ct Old European Cut center diamond. I
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, White Gold

Vintage Ring 18 Karat White Gold 0.45 Carat Transitional Cut I-SI1, circa 1930s
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This gorgeous 18K white gold engagement ring features a 0.45ct Transitional Cut diamond, I-SI1
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

1930s White Gold and Diamond Engagement Ring 0.46 Carat Old European Cut
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This engagement ring is set in 18k white gold with a beautiful 0.46 carat old European cut diamond
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Belais Engagement Ring 18 Karat White Gold 0.37 Carat H-VS2, circa 1930s
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Beautiful 18k white gold diamond engagement ring manufactured by “Belais” set with 0.37ct round
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

0.35 Carat Old European Cut Diamond White Gold Engagement Ring, circa 1930s
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Beautiful Art Deco 18k white gold engagement ring set with very bright 0.35ct transitional round
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

1930s Pink Sapphire Diamond Gold Ring
Located in San Francisco, CA
A 1930s ring setting 1.10ct antique European cut diamonds with a 1.40ct pink sapphire cushion, set
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Pink Sapphire, White Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage Art Deco 18K Engagement Ring 0.50ct Old European Cut G-VS1 circa 1930s
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This gorgeous antique 18K white gold engagement ring is a classic example of Art Deco style- bold
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique Engagement Ring .50 Carat. Diamond 18K White Gold Art Deco
Located in Tampa, FL
. The meticulous filigree and design make this ring extraordinarily beautiful! Primary Stone(s
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage 18K White Gold Diamond Engagement Ring 0.40 Carat circa 1950s
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This stunningly beautiful 18K white gold vintage engagement ring is set with a very bright 0.40ct
Category

Vintage 1950s Unknown Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold

Original Art Deco Fancy Cognac White Diamonds 18k Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Woodland Hills, CA
Original Art Deco Fancy Cognac White Diamonds 18K Yellow Gold Ring. This ring has a beautiful and
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Yellow Gold

18 Karat Gold, Emerald 4ct and Diamond 2.3 Carat Cluster Ring, 1930s-1940s
Located in Bologna, IT
ring is entirely modelled in 18K gold; specifically, the bezel is in yellow gold, while the rest is in
Category

Early 20th Century Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Rare Yellow and White Gold Ring by Boivin
By René Boivin
Located in New York, NY
projecting white elements that sparkle when they catch the light. Ring size: 5.5.
Category

20th Century French Art Deco Band Rings

Materials

White Gold, 18k Gold

Art Deco 18K gold platinum diamond pearl ring
Located in Versailles, FR
For sale an elegant 18K yellow gold and platinum Art Deco ring. The ring shows an unconventional
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum

Vintage Diamond Engagement Ring 0.48 Carat Old European Cut Circa 1930s
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Beautifully detailed 18K white gold antique engagement ring featuring a stunning 0.48 carat old
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

1930s Diamond Marquise Shaped Cluster Ring
Located in Potts Point, NSW
diamonds on the shoulders to a 1.5mm shank. Circa 1930's
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold

Diamond Ruby Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Berlin, DE
3 small rubies. Mounted in 18 K white gold. Hallmarked with the purity 750. Total weight: 3,26 g
Category

Mid-20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Engagement Ring 18K 0.55ct Intense Fancy Yellow-VS2 Transitional Cut
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Classic Art Deco vintage 18k white gold engagement featuring a stunning 0.59ct fancy intense yellow
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco 1930s Onyx and Diamond Unique Engagement Ring
Located in Antwerp, BE
The sober composition of this 18K white gold Art Deco ring from 1930 assures its contemporary
Category

Vintage 1930s Belgian Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco Australian Sapphire Old European Cut Diamond white gold Ring
Located in Sydney CBD, AU
Gorgeous! Art Deco Era, Diamond and Sapphire white gold engagement or cocktail ring - 18ct white
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Stunning Vintage Art Deco Diamond and Green Stone Engagement Ring, 1930s
Located in Antwerp, BE
decorative. Period: ca. 1930 Material: 18K white gold (touchstone tested) Diamond(s): One old European cut
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco 18 Karat Gold Blue Zircon Diamond Ring
Located in Boston, Lincolnshire
A Stunning Art Deco approx 4 Carat Blue zircon ring in 18 Carat yellow and white gold and on
Category

Vintage 1930s British Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Zircon, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Original 1930s Coral Pearl and Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Melbourne, AU
One Original 1930’s 18ct yellow gold, white gold set, coral, cultured pearl and rose cut diamond
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Unknown Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold

Vintage 1.75ct Transparent Sapphire and Diamond Cocktail Ring, circa 1930s
Located in Lewes, DE
: Moderately strong Treatment: Evidence of heat Setting: 18 kt yellow & White gold mounting (7.81g gross
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Vintage 18 Karat Diamond Wedding Band 0.15 Carat, circa 1930s
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This lovely vintage 18k white gold diamond wedding band is adorned with seven petite bead-set
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Bridal Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Original Art Deco White Gold, Onyx and Old Cushion Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Melbourne, AU
ne, Art Deco, 18ct white gold, onyx and old cushion cut Diamond ring. Featuring, one old cushion
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold

GIA Certified 0.30 Carat Diamond Ring 18 Karat White Gold by Birks
By Birks
Located in Aurora, Ontario
family in the 1930s for some time. This ring is made from 18 karat white gold, and like all of Birks
Category

Vintage 1950s Canadian Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Art Deco Ring Diamonds and Sapphires 18 Karat White Gold, 1920s
Located in Antwerp, BE
. Period: ca. 1920 Material: 18K white gold (touchstone tested) Diamond(s): 18 old mine brilliant cut
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

1930s 1.77ct Round Brilliant Cut Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring in 18ct&Plat
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
weighing 1.77ct and is set in 18ct White Gold and Platinum in an eight claw setting. The stone is quite
Category

Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Diamond 18 Carat Gold Ring
Located in Berlin, DE
. Embellished with 16 small brilliant-cut diamonds weighing ca. 0,18 ct. Mounted in 18 K yellow- and white gold
Category

Mid-20th Century Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Ring with 3 Brilliant Cut Diamonds in 750 White Gold
Located in rijssen, NL
This beautiful Art Deco ring comes from a collection from the 1930s-40s from an old inventory of an
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

18 Karat Gold Art Deco Jade Ring
Located in Oxford, GB
An Art Deco 18k white gold, natural apple green jade ring, the ring can be resized and posted out
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Jade, 18k Gold

Vintage 18 karat Gold Ruby and Diamond Tank Ring
Located in Jerusalem, IL
tested 18 karat gold. In the top of the ring we have a white gold panel set with 4 2 point diamonds. On
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold

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1930s Ring 18k White Gold For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact piece of 1930s ring 18k white gold you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Every item for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using Gold, 18k Gold and White Gold. For this particular accessory, there are many different carat weights to choose from, but .5 Carat and 1 Carat versions are of considerable interest. An item from our selection of 1930s ring 18k white gold from Cartier, Gubelin and Jabel — each of whom created a beautiful version of this treasured accessory — is worth considering. Take a look at a choice in our collection of 1930s ring 18k white gold featuring Diamond from our inventory today to add the perfect touch to your look. An old european cut version of this piece has appeal, but there are also round cut and brilliant cut versions for sale. There aren’t many items for men if you’re seeking an object in our assortment of 1930s ring 18k white gold, as most of the options available are for women and unisex.

How Much is a 1930s Ring 18k White Gold?

Prices for a piece of 1930s ring 18k white gold can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $300 and can go as high as $100,298, while this accessory, on average, fetches $2,801.

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.