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.50 Carat Old European Cut Diamond Art Deco Filigree Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
1940's diamond engagement ring. Old European cut center diamond in a filigree late Art Deco 14k
Category

Early 20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Gold

1940s Vintage Star Sapphire Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Santa Monica, CA
1940s vintage cocktail ring featuring a large 12.00 carat blue-gray star sapphire that casts a
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Star Sapphire, Sapphire, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold

Geometric Art Deco ring with Old European diamonds and sapphires
Located in Chorzów, PL
. Ring made of 14-karat white gold (0.585 fineness) and platinum. Weight: 3.78 g, Ring size: 59 - ask
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

1940s French Zircon Diamond Emerald and White Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
18 karat white gold, platinum set cluster ring; part of our diverse gemstone jewelry collections
Category

Vintage 1940s French Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Vintage 1940s 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Ring
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
A charming 18K yellow gold ring from the 1940s, featuring a sparkling white gemstone of
Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Diamond and Filigree Flower Ring
Located in Denver, CO
Crafted in the 1940s from 10K white gold carved with intricate filigree design, this stunning band
Category

Mid-20th Century Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 10k Gold, White Gold

White Gold Diamond Art Deco Wedding Band - 14k Single Cut .18ctw
Located in Greensboro, NC
- 1940s Metal Content: 14k White Gold Stone Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .18ctw Cut: Single
Category

Vintage 1930s Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Art Deco Sapphire Diamond Filigree Cocktail Ring Belais
By Belais
Located in Montgomery, AL
white gold jewelry during the early 1900's. Ring Details Material: 18K White Gold Era: Art Deco 1920
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Vintage 1940s Sapphire and Diamond Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
14k white gold setting. The pierced decorated, Art Deco style setting is ornamented with a feature
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold

Circa 1940s 14K White Gold Filigree .40ct Old European Brilliant Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1940s Item Details: Ring Size: 7.75(Sizable) Metal Type: [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight
Category

Vintage 1940s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

European Cut Diamond Sapphire Art Deco Filigree Gold Three-Stone Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
flat top set with two Sapphires and one old European cut diamond center. Late Art Deco circa 1940's 1
Category

Early 20th Century Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold, Gold

French 1940s Sapphire Diamonds 18 Karat Rose Gold Tank Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
opinion : A sapphire diamond ring that perfectly illustrates the french work done in the early 1940's
Category

Vintage 1940s French Retro Signet Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco Three-Stone Diamond and Filigree Ring
Located in Denver, CO
This late Art Deco gem crafted in the 1940s is designed around a trio of Old European-cut diamonds
Category

Mid-20th Century Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Retro Deco 1940 18kt gold Pyramid Ring with Diamonds
Located in Aventura, FL
. Period: 1940's Style: Retro Deco Metal: 18Kt Yellow Gold Stone: Natural Diamonds Ring size: 5 1/2
Category

Vintage 1940s Art Deco Fashion Rings

Materials

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

Retro Deco 1940 18kt yellow Gold Chevalier Ring with Diamonds
Located in Aventura, FL
of the Retro Deco era.  Period:1940's Style: Retro Deco Metal: 18Kt Yellow Gold Stone: Natural
Category

Vintage 1940s Art Deco Fashion Rings

Materials

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

0.25 Carat Total Old European Cut Diamond Art Deco Black Onyx Fashion Ring
Located in New York, NY
0.25 carat total. Finely made with an 18K white gold mounting. Size 5.25 US, resizable upon request. 
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco 1.40ct Purple Sapphire and Diamond Cluster Ring, c.1920s
Located in London, GB
This beautiful Art Deco cluster ring showcases a striking central baguette cut, purple sapphire
Category

Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Purple Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

14 Karat White Gold Bypass Ring with Two Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds
Located in Addison, TX
This lovely 14 karat white gold vintage bypass ring features two round brilliant cut diamonds
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco Engagement Wedding Diamond Ring Set. Antique DELICATE Wedding Ring Set.
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
color: Gold Adjustable Style: Art deco About this item Antique Engagement Set. Appraised at 1800
Category

Early 2000s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond

EGL Certified .64 Carat Diamond White Gold Three-Stone Engagement Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
) this ring captures the essence of the late Art Deco 1940's era. 1 old European cut diamond, I-J VS
Category

Early 20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

Certified Authentic Vintage Art Deco 1.92 Carat Old Mine Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
of time and are exceptionally rare. Cut entirely by hand in the 1930’s to 1940’s, this diamond is
Category

2010s Italian Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold

EGL Certified .84 Carat Diamond Sapphire White Gold Men s Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
Diamond and sapphire original mens Art Deco style white gold ring. EGL certified Old European
Category

Mid-20th Century Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 14K White Gold Diamond and Ruby Target Ring
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
A striking vintage diamond and ruby ring crafted in 14K white gold, designed with a bold, geometric
Category

Vintage 1940s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

EGL Certified .65 Carat Round Brilliant Cut Diamond White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
Late Art Deco 1940's diamond engagement ring. EGL certified .65ct round brilliant cut center
Category

Mid-20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

GIA Certified 5.00 Carat Cabochon Star Sapphire White Gold Men s Dome Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
Immerse yourself in the timeless elegance of our Art Deco 1940's GIA certified 5.00ct cabochon
Category

Mid-20th Century Dome Rings

Materials

Star Sapphire, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold

Platinum Art Deco .50 Carat Old European Brilliant Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1940s Item Details: Ring Size: 5 Metal Type: 14K White Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Diamond and sapphire ring has a classic Art Deco style target design ring
By Antinori Fine Jewels
Located in Chicago, IL
This diamond and sapphire ring has a classic Art Deco style target design and features a gorgeous
Category

2010s Italian Modern Solitaire Rings

Materials

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

14k Rose And White Gold Vintage Estate Diamond Ring
Located in Houston, TX
This exquisite vintage estate ring from the 1940s features a unique three-stone diamond design set
Category

Vintage 1940s Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold

Old European Cut Diamond Retro Bypass Ring in 14K White Gold
Located in Chicago, IL
solid 14K white gold, the ring’s sculptural lines and high-polished curves wrap gracefully around the
Category

Vintage 1950s North American Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

14k Yellow Gold Ruby and Diamond Three Stone Ring, circa 1940s
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Ring Size: 9.75 Metal Type: 14k White Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 9.6 grams
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold

2.34 Carat Round Brilliant Cut Diamond 14K White Gold Engagement Ring Band Set
Located in Chicago, IL
2.34 Carat Round Brilliant Cut Diamond 14K White Gold Engagement Ring & Band Set A timeless
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Diamond Daisy Cluster Elevated on Ring. 10k Art Deco Diamond Pave square
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
Adjustable Style: Art deco Beautiful Diamond Ring. Made sometime in 1940s, Condition: Shows limited signs
Category

Early 2000s Fashion Rings

White gold ring with old cut diamond 0.25 ct (VS clarity, H color)
Located in Chorzów, PL
Ring with old cut diamond made of 18-karat white gold (0.750 fineness). Diamond in old brilliant
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Deco Coral Onyx Diamond Ring 18K
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Coral ring was made at the end of the Deco period around late 1930's to early 1940's. It is made with a
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold

Deco Coral Onyx Diamond Ring 18K
Deco Coral Onyx Diamond Ring 18K
$2,880 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage Art Deco 0.23ct OLD Mine Cushion Cut Diamond Engagement Ring Palladium
Located in New York, NY
than gold and nearly 15 times rare than platinum and was often metal of choice in 1940s. The ring is
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Palladium

Art Deco 1940s Diamond and White Gold Pendant
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive Art Deco 0.06 carat diamond and 14 karat white gold drop style pendant; part of our
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

Late Deco 1.40ct Diamond Trilogy Ring, c.1940
Located in London, GB
This stunning trilogy was crafted in the late Art Deco period, and features three glistening
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Two-Tone 14K White Yellow Gold Three-Stone Diamond Ring
Located in Denver, CO
An Old European-cut diamond dazzles at the center of this late Art Deco ring measuring
Category

Mid-20th Century Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 1.22ct Emerald Diamond 14K Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Scotts Valley, CA
the 1930-1940's. Vintage emerald and diamond ring set in 14K yellow gold, with white gold setting
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Two-Stone Diamond Cocktail Ring, circa 1940
Located in Firenze, IT
single-cut diamond pave', each diamond approximately 0.80 carats, ring size 7
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Solid Gold Light Fancy Yellow Men s Ring with Independent Appraisal
Located in Long Beach, CA
STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt. White Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's CENTER STONE
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco More Rings

18K Retro-Era 0.96 Carat Total G/VS Diamond Solid White Gold Ring
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
in the 1930’s and 1940’s, but the sharp geometric lines of the Art Deco era softened into curved
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Masonic 10k Yellow Gold Men s Ring .85ct Genuine Natural Diamond Eagle #J4838
Located in Big Bend, WI
Masonic ring with applied white gold featuring a round brilliant cut diamond weighing about .85cts and
Category

20th Century Art Deco More Rings

Materials

Diamond, 10k Gold

Diamond Ruby Ring 14K Rose Gold Spiral Cocktail Retro Old Mine cut
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Diamond Ruby Ring 14K Rose Gold Spiral Cocktail Retro Old Mine cut This vintage ring circa the
Category

Mid-20th Century Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

GIA 4.70 Carat Antique Vintage Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring in 18 Karat Gold
Located in New York, NY
A Breathtaking Vintage 18K White Gold (tested) Elongated Oval Ruby ring. CIRCA 1940s. The RUBY is
Category

Vintage 1940s North American Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, White Gold

Retro Diamond, Sapphire and Ruby Ring
Located in New Orleans, LA
set in striking two-tone 14K rose and white gold. Reflecting the post-Art Deco shift toward more
Category

20th Century Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Rose Gold, White Gold

Certified 40 Carat Natural Unheated Ceylon Yellow Sapphire Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Lisbon, PT
cocktail ring in 14kt yellow gold. Made in an unusual warm alloy that is in between yellow and white gold
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

EGL Certified .65 Carat Old European Cut Diamond Gold Filigree Engagement Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
Discover the timeless elegance captured in our 1940's Art Deco old European cut diamond filigree
Category

Early 20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold

Antique Ring natural 0.5ct Diamond 1 ctw Zircone solid 18K Gold Ø 6.75US / 4.6gr
Located in SE
Antique Three - Stone Ring featuring solid 18K Yellow and White Gold frame holding 3 gem stones
Category

Vintage 1930s European Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Zircon, 18k Gold

Cartier Paris Diamond "Panthère Griffe" Ring
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
A design dating from the 2000s, this Cartier "Panthère Griffe" ring is composed of 18K white gold
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Rare Art Deco 14K White Gold Suite with Colombian Emeralds Old-Cut Diamonds
Located in Miami, FL
under-galleries — an unmistakable marker of pre-WWII workmanship. RING • Metal: 14K white gold • Size
Category

Vintage 1930s Colombian Art Deco Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold

1.56 Carat Ruby 1.02 Carat Diamond Ladies Cocktail Watch in White Gold Art Deco
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
vintage cocktail watch has been crafted in 9k white gold. This 1940s wristwatch has an unusual, geometric
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 9k Gold, White Gold

Cartier Paris 1940 Art Deco Necklace In 18Kt Gold With Diamonds Coral Onyxes
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
during the late art deco period, back in the 1940. The necklace was crafted by the jewelry house of
Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Drop Necklaces

Materials

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

1.05 Carat Round Beaded Diamond White Gold Open Work Brooch Pendant Necklace
Located in Stamford, CT
Stunning 1940's diamond pendant. Adorned with 58 round mixed diamonds. Can be worn at a pendant or
Category

Early 20th Century Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Gold

ART DECO 1940 Pendant-Brooch In Solid Platinum With 7.52 Ctw In VS Diamonds
Located in Miami, FL
ring to wear in a chain. Country: United States. Period: Art Deco 1935-1940. Diamonds: Mounted in
Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum

Bareback Bronco Horse Framed Mid 20th Century Rodeo Cowboy Original Painting
By John Rattenbury Skeaping
Located in Sutton Poyntz, Dorset
the Art Deco influence of the era. He also did stone carvings of animals during this time. During the
Category

Mid-20th Century American Impressionist Animal Paintings

Materials

Paper, Gouache

Retro Modernist Vintage Bracelet, 14K Bicolor Gold
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
1940’s, but the sharp geometric lines of the Art Deco era softened into curved outlines. In the 50s and
Category

Vintage 1960s Retro Bangles

Materials

White Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

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1940s Art Deco Ring White Gold For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact piece of 1940s art deco ring white gold you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Each design created in this style — which was crafted with great care and often made from Gold, White Gold and 18k Gold — can elevate any look. Making the right choice when shopping for an item from our selection of 1940s art deco ring white gold may mean carefully reviewing examples of this item dating from different eras — you can find an early iteration of this piece from the 20th Century and a newer version made as recently as the 20th Century, both of which have proven very popular over the years. Creating a choice in our collection of 1940s art deco ring white gold has been a part of the legacy of many jewelers, but those produced by Antinori Fine Jewels and Buccellati are consistently popular. An object in our assortment of 1940s art deco ring white gold of any era or style can lend versatility to your look, but a version featuring Diamond, from our inventory of 76, is particularly popular. An old european cut version of this piece has appeal, but there are also round cut and cabochon versions for sale. Most of our 1940s art deco ring white gold for sale are for women, but there are 47 pieces available to browse for men.

How Much is a 1940s Art Deco Ring White Gold?

On average, a piece of 1940s art deco ring white gold at 1stDibs sells for $2,973, while they’re typically $290 on the low end and $23,280 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.