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MidCentury Mod Smoky Quartz Statement Pendant 14K Yellow Gold
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
statement and rings remained large as in the 1930’s and 1940’s, but the sharp geometric lines of the Art
Category

Vintage 1960s Dutch Modernist Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Quartz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Retro Fish Charm, MidCentury Whimsical Charm Pendant 14K Yellow Gold
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
. Jewels in this decade made a statement and rings remained large as in the 1930’s and 1940’s, but the
Category

Vintage 1950s Retro Pendant Necklaces

Materials

14k Gold, Yellow Gold

MidCentury Retro Golden Carriage Charm with Chalcedony Gems, Articulated Wheels
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
statement and rings remained large as in the 1930’s and 1940’s, but the sharp geometric lines of the Art
Category

Vintage 1950s Retro Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Chalcedony, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Yellow and White Gold and 1.09 Carat Diamond Ring, 1930s-1940s
Located in Bologna, IT
This stunning antique ring is a super example of the Art Deco period: it dates from the 1930s/'40s
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Art Deco Onyx and Diamond Navette Ring, 1940s Marquise Diamond Ring
Located in Rottedam, NL
: White gold Gemstone: Onyx Gem colour: Black Band colour: White Style: Art deco Weight: 3.2 g
Category

20th Century Dutch Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, White Gold, 14k Gold

Antique Art Deco White Gold Sapphire and Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Rottedam, NL
An absolutely charming and fairy tale like Art Deco engagement ring. Made in a very detailed 'cut
Category

20th Century Italian Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold

Art Deco Seven Diamond White Gold Cluster Engagement Ring
Located in Sydney CBD, AU
White gold filigree and Seven Diamond engagement ring, Art Deco era 18ct white gold 7 stone
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage Diamond Engagement Ring 14 Karat White Gold 0.40 Carat, circa 1940s
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Lovely 14k white gold bead set diamond engagement ring with .40ct round center diamond rated SI2
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco era 18K gold moonstone and diamond ring
Located in Versailles, FR
For sale an Art Deco era 18k white gold ring. At the heart of the ring is a large oval-shaped
Category

20th Century French Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Moonstone, 18k Gold

Art Deco 1.30 Carat Old Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Essex, GB
scalloped back-plate, allowing maximum light to pass through this bright, lively diamond. The white gold
Category

Mid-20th Century British Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Great Retro Red, White and Blue Gemstone 14 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Lombard, IL
Fantastic Circa 1940 Retro 14kt yellow gold and gemstone red white and blue (Very Patriotic!) dome
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Aquamarine Platinum Bypass Ring
Located in METAIRIE, LA
This Art Deco Platinum Bypass Ring features 2 focal European Pear cut Natural Aquamarines totaling
Category

Vintage 1940s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum

Ruby and Diamonds 18 Carat Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Berlin, DE
carat white- and yellow gold. Hallmarked with the purity 750. Ring size: 59 ( US 8 3/4 ). Resizable.
Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Retro Synthetic Ruby and Diamond Swirl Volute Ring 14 Karat Gold
Located in Aurora, Ontario
We love this retro ring!! It's handmade from 14 karat white gold and has seven synthetic rubies
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Gold

Multi Gemstone Gold Ring 0.3ct Diamonds Saphire Ruby Emerald and Pearls ca. 1930
Located in Goettingen, DE
Multi Gemstone Gold Ring 0.3 Carat Diamonds Saphire Ruby Emerald and Pearls ca. 1930 This
Category

Vintage 1930s German Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Multi-gemstone, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold,...

Antique 5.74 Carat Old Cut Marquise Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
cut roound diamonds, set in 18k white gold. The center diamond is 5.74ct and is approximately N-O in
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Midcentury 1950s 2.75 Carat Diamond Marquise Baguette Cluster Ring
Located in Shaker Heights, OH
This beautiful Art Deco 1940s / 1950s retro ring is set in 18k gold with a stunning array of 2.75
Category

Vintage 1950s American Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Platinum

Jean Despres French Art Deco Gold Cufflinks
By Jean Despres
Located in New York, NY
white gold attached by an oval ring to the small side with martele surface and square corners
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Cufflinks

Materials

18k Gold

Jean Despres French Art Deco Gold Cufflinks
By Jean Despres
Located in New York, NY
The martele base in yellow gold has applied to it a convex double bar in white gold attached by an
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Cufflinks

Materials

18k Gold

Ladies 14 Karat White Gold and Diamond Longines Wittnauer Estate Timepiece
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exquisite 14K white gold Longines Wittnauer timepiece circa 1940s contains 28 single cut
Category

Vintage 1940s Swiss Art Deco More Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco Diamond Engagement Ring Mined .35ct Original 1940 s 14K White Yellow
Located in Dearborn, MI
Genuine Original Art Deco Antique from the 1940's Diamond Engagement Ring .35ct 14K White & Yellow
Category

Vintage 1940s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Diamond Engagement Ring Mined 1/3ct Original 1940 s 14K White Yellow
Located in Dearborn, MI
Genuine Original Art Deco Antique from the 1940's Diamond Engagement Ring 1/3ct 14K White & Yellow
Category

Vintage 1940s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

14K White Gold Diamond Art Deco Ring
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a 14 K White Gold Diamond Art Deco Ring. It depicts a wide white gold band adorned by three
Category

20th Century Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco Diamond Engagement Ring Mined .54ct RBC Original 1940 s 14K
Located in Dearborn, MI
Details 100% Natural Mined Diamonds .54 Carat Diamond Weight  14K White Gold Circa 1940's The Art
Category

Vintage 1940s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 14ct White Gold 1940’s Aquamarine Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Vintage Aquamarine Cocktail Ring 14ct White Gold Tested Circa 1940’s Gorgeous, vintage
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, 14k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco ring, France, 1930s/1940s.
Located in Chorzów, PL
An old Art Deco ring made of platinum and 0.750 white gold and diamonds A geometric composition
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco Diamond Engagement Ring Wedding Band Set Mined 2/3ct Original 1940 s 14
Located in Dearborn, MI
Genuine Original Art Deco Antique from 1940's Diamond Engagement Ring Wedding Band Set 2/3ct 14K
Category

Vintage 1940s Art Deco Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco 1940s 18K White Gold 1.1ct Cabochon Emerald, Onyx Diamond Panel Ring
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
An Art Deco emerald, onyx and diamond ring in white gold, comprising of one oval cabochon emerald
Category

Vintage 1940s Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
and G color. Entirely hand crafted in 18k gold, this beautiful ring dates to the 1940's. CONDITION
Category

Vintage 1940s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Art Deco Diamond Cluster Dress Ring, circa 1940s
Located in London, GB
work is all made in platinum, whilst the shank is actually in 18 carat white gold. Gemstone: Diamond
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
Authentic Art Deco engagement ring. The ring is centered with a prominent 1.50cts old mine-cut
Category

Mid-20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

1940 s Retro 1.26 CaratsDiamond Ruby 14 Karat Two-Tone Band Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Maker's mark and stamped 14K for 14 karat gold Circa: 1940s Ring Size: 10 1/2 & sizable Measures: 11.8
Category

Vintage 1940s Art Deco Band Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco Diamond Cluster Engagement Ring, circa 1940s
Located in London, GB
. Their combined weight is 0.06 carat. This art deco design is perfect as an engagement ring and will
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Late Art Deco Three-Stone Engagement Ring, circa 1940s
Located in London, GB
Total Colour: G-H Clarity: VS-SI Metal: 18ct White Gold Age: 1940s Size: M
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Art Deco Diamond Anniversary Wedding Band Ring .25ct Original 1940s 14K
Located in Dearborn, MI
Genuine Original Antique Art Deco from 1940s Anniversary Band .25ct Diamond 14K White & Yellow Gold
Category

Vintage 1940s Art Deco Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Late Art Deco Marquise Diamond Solitaire Ring, circa 1940s
Located in London, GB
: VS2 Metal: 18ct White Gold Age: 1940s Size: L
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Art Deco Diamond Anniversary Wedding Band Ring .25ct Original 1940s 14K
Located in Dearborn, MI
Genuine Original Antique Art Deco from 1940s Anniversary Band .25ct Diamond 14K White & Yellow Gold
Category

Vintage 1940s Art Deco Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

1940’s Buccellati Diamond Single Stone Engagement Ring
By Buccellati
Located in Firenze, IT
weighing approx 1.5 cts Mounted in 18Kt white gold Signed Buccellati Finger size: 8 3/4 Weight: 8.10
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco Diamond Engagement Ring Mined .30ct 1930-1940 14K White Yellow Gold
Located in Dearborn, MI
Genuine Original Art Deco Antique from the 1930's-1940's Diamond Engagement Ring .30ct 14K White
Category

Vintage 1940s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

1940s 14 Karat White Gold Diamond Ring
Located in Lexington, KY
This absolutely gorgeous 1940's ring is in classic Deco , with three center stones surrounded by a
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco 1940s French 1.60 Carat Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning vintage French Art Deco 1.60 carat diamond and 18 karat white gold cocktail ring; part
Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

1940s Diamond and White Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive Art Deco 0.73 Carat diamond and 18 karat white gold cocktail ring; part of
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

1940 s Old European Cut Diamond Floral Cluster Ring 14 Karat White Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
The 1940's Old European Cut Diamond Cluster Ring is a beautiful example of vintage elegance
Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Late Art Deco 0.97 Carat Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring, circa 1940s
Located in London, GB
setting is made of 18 carat white gold. This is a gorgeous vintage solitaire engagement ring! Gemstone
Category

Vintage 1940s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Art Deco White Gold .52 Carat Emerald Cut Engagement Ring
Located in Cape May, NJ
Era: Art Deco c. 1940s Composition: 14k White Gold Primary Stone: Diamond Stone Carat: .52 Carat
Category

Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Double Round Sapphire Art Deco Gold Filigree Engagement Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
2 round blue sapphire engagement ring. Handmade 14k white gold 1940’s Art Deco filigree setting
Category

20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco 0.70 Carat Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring, circa 1940s
Located in London, GB
This art deco ring dates back to approximately the 1940s and features a sea green emerald in the
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Diamond Blue Spinel Art Deco Style Navette Ring 14K Rose White Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Diamond and blue spinel vintage ring handcrafted in 14 karat white and rose gold. The navette shape
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Spinel, Rose Gold, White Gold

Art Deco Diamond and Sapphire Set Gold Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
white diamonds, this period Art Deco ring beguiles the eye with its distinctive landscape of curved and
Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Late Art Deco Baguette Cut Diamond Full Eternity Ring, circa 1940s
Located in London, GB
Dating back to the 1940s, this art deco piece has a total of 3.60 carats of baguette cut diamonds
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Late Art Deco Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring, circa 1940s
Located in London, GB
Colour: F Clarity: VS1 Metal: 18ct Yellow Gold, Platinum Age: 1940s Size: J 1/2 / 5 1/4
Category

Vintage 1940s British Art Nouveau Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Late Art Deco 2.47ct Sapphire and Diamond Halo Ring, c.1940s
Located in London, GB
This stunning sapphire and diamond halo ring dates back to the late Art Deco era. Set in platinum
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

1940s Sapphire and Diamond White Gold Dress Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning antique Art Deco 0.62 carat sapphire and 0.33 carat diamond, 18 karat white gold dress
Category

20th Century Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco Inspired Diamond and Onyx Ring, circa 1940s
Located in London, GB
Quintessentially Art Deco in style, but dating from the 1940s, this distinctive ring centres a 1.07
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold

Diamond Encrusted Geometric Art Deco Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
ring from the 1930's. Art deco is a popular design that started in the 1930's and 1940's and often uses
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

French 1940s 18 Karat White Gold Sapphire Diamonds Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 carats white gold, eagle's head hallmark. Ring of the 1940s, it is set on a rectangular
Category

Vintage 1940s French Retro Signet Rings

Materials

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

Late Deco 0.65ct Diamond Solitaire Ring, c.1940s
Located in London, GB
This timeless Late Deco engagement ring features a 0.65 carat diamond, highlighted by diamond set
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

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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.