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Mens Art Deco Masonic Gold, Diamond and Onyx Ring
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Art Deco mens Mason ring circa 1940. It is 10 karat yellow and white gold, black onyx and
Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Signet Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 10k Gold

Art Deco Diamond Bypass Ring, 14 Karat White Gold Vintage European .96 Carat
Located in Greensboro, NC
white gold Art Deco ring is fashioned in a graceful bypass design which showcases two radiant diamonds
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

1940s 1.61 Carat Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Art Deco ring has been crafted in 18 karat white gold. This 1940's ring displays a feature 1.15 carat
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

1940s 10 Karat White Gold Diamond and Black Onyx Rectangle Ring
Located in McLeansville, NC
A 1940's 10 karat white gold diamond and black onyx rectangle ring. This ring features a black onyx
Category

Vintage 1940s Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 10k Gold, White Gold

1940s Era, 18 Karat White Gold, Cabochon Opal, and Diamond Ring
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
A fine late Art Deco period cocktail ring crafted from 18 karat white gold. The 27 stone ring is
Category

20th Century Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Vintage 1940 s Signed First Lady Diamond Filigree Ring 14K Yellow Gold
Located in Montgomery, AL
We are loving this vintage beauty!!! Ring Details Material: 14K Rose & White Gold Signed: First
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Late Deco Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring, circa 1940s
Located in London, GB
set and the entire ring has been made in 18 carat white gold. Gemstone: Emerald Stone Shape: Oval
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Art Deco Ring, 18 Karat White Gold Vintage European Cut Diamond .25 Carat
Located in Greensboro, NC
vintage engagement ring. This exquisite Art Deco piece dates from the 1930’s-1940’s, an era known for
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Late Deco Sapphire and Diamond Cluster Ring, circa 1940s
Located in London, GB
of the ring is made from 18 carat yellow gold, whilst the white metal is platinum. Gemstone
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco .50 carat Diamond Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
white diamond (H color, SI1 clarity). Replete with visual notes of both Art Deco and Retro, the look is
Category

Vintage 1940s American Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 14k Gold

Late Deco 3.50ct Sapphire and Diamond Ring, c.1940s
Located in London, GB
clarity. This ring is crafted entirely in 18 carat white gold for a wonderfully Deco look. Gemstone
Category

Vintage 1940s British Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Late Deco 2.07 Carat Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring, circa 1940s
Located in London, GB
This beautiful late deco solitaire ring, c.1940s, features a claw set, 2.07 carat round brilliant
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

1940s Early Retro Diamond Ruby Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
eras - Art Deco and Retro. Strong geometrical design softened by warmth of the rose gold. Stylish
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

White gold ring with an old-cut diamond 0.40ct I-VS2, Scandinavia, 1940s.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Ring with a diamond and diamonds made of 0.585 white gold. Decorated with a beautiful round
Category

Vintage 1940s Scandinavian Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

White Gold

Late Deco 3.22 Carat Asscher Cut Diamond Ring, circa 1940s
Located in London, GB
1940s and has been made in 18 carat white gold. Gemstone: Diamond Stone Shape: Asscher Cut Carat Weight
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Late Deco 1.20ct Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring, c.1940s
Located in London, GB
A luscious red ruby takes centre stage in this 1940s cluster ring. The oval cut ruby is 1.20 carat
Category

Vintage 1940s British Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1940s 15.23 Carat Aquamarine Diamond Gold Dress Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
, fine and impressive aquamarine ring has been crafted in 14k white gold. The iconic stepped Art Deco
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Ruby and White Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful group of 6 rubies surrounding a center stone set in 18 kt gold
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Ruby, 18k Gold

1940s 2.99 Carat Sapphire and Diamond White Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
cut blue sapphire ring has been crafted in 18k white gold. The pierced decorated, Art Deco design
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Late Deco 0.85ct Ruby Diamond Three Stone Ring, c.1940s
Located in London, GB
A natural, unenhanced ruby proudly stands out in this 18ct white gold three stone ring. The
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Art Deco 18kt Black Opal + Diamond Ring
Located in Narberth, PA
A statement ring from the Art Deco (ca1940s) era! Crafted in 18kt white gold, a Black Opal cabochon
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum

Late Deco Aquamarine and Diamond Cluster Ring, circa 1940s
Located in London, GB
A geometric and wonderful art deco ring all made in 18 carat white gold. It features an aquamarine
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold

Georg Jensen Wendel 1940 Art Deco Ring 18Kt Gold 49.41 Cts Diamonds Citrine
By Georg Jensen Wendel
Located in Miami, FL
cocktail ring has been crafted with strong geometrical art deco patterns in solid white gold of 18 karats
Category

Vintage 1940s Danish Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Topaz, Citrine, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 18 Karat White Gold French Cut Sapphires Eternity Band, circa 1940s
Located in Addison, TX
Description: This piece is a 1940s era Art Deco style eternity band with channel set French Cut
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Band Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Art Deco Platinum Diamond 2 Stone Ring Wedding Band Set Mined .75ct Original 194
Located in Dearborn, MI
Genuine Original Art Deco Antique from 1940's Diamond 2 Stone Ring Wedding Band Set .75ct Platinum
Category

Vintage 1940s Art Deco Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Blue Zircon Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Barbara, CA. Condition: Very Good Era: Art Deco, Retro Year: 1930s Metal: 18K Yellow & White Gold
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco Old European Cut Diamond Cluster Cocktail Ring
Located in Montgomery, AL
. Ring Details Era: Art Deco 1920 - 1940 Material: 14K White Gold Head Length: 15mm Head Width: 15mm Head
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

Retro and Deco Ruby, Sapphire and Diamond Ring in Rose and Platinum, circa 1940s
Located in Wailea, HI
Wonderful Circa 1940's Retro and Deco Ruby. Sapphire and Diamond Ring in Rose Gold and Platinum
Category

Mid-20th Century Retro More Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco Diamond Engagement Ring Wedding Band Set Mined .55ct Original 1930-1940
Located in Dearborn, MI
Ring 100% Natural Diamonds  .55 Carat Diamond Weight  14K White Gold Circa 1930's-1940's Art
Category

Vintage 1940s Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco 18.52ct Green Aquamarine Cocktail Ring, c.1920s
Located in London, GB
touch of sparkle to the ring. Crafted from 18 carat white gold, this 1940s ring exemplifies the opulence
Category

Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

EGL Certified .40 Carat Diamond White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
1940's Art Deco style diamond engagement ring. 14k white gold, EGL certified center stone with 8
Category

Mid-20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco Opal and Diamond Halo Ring, 14 Karat Yellow Gold Vintage 2.01 Carat
Located in Greensboro, NC
collection! Crafted in the 1930s - 1940s, this vintage 14k yellow and white gold ring showcases a lively opal
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

1940s 0.78 Carat Emerald and 0.28 Carat Diamond, 18k Yellow Gold Dress Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This fine and impressive Art Deco style emerald ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with a
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Vintage Art Deco Geometric 3 Diamond Two-Tone 14 Karat Wedding Band, circa 1940s
Located in Addison, TX
Here we have a beautiful 1930's Art Deco piece in a unique geometric design, the diamonds are set
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Vintage Art Deco 9 Diamond Channel 14 Karat Two-Tone Wedding Band, circa 1940s
Located in Addison, TX
Here we have a beautiful 1930's Art Deco piece that contains 9 gorgeous diamonds set in a 14K
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Art Deco Style Diamond and Sapphire Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
This Art Deco-inspired cluster ring was recently handmade in 18 carat white gold to centre a round
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Art Deco Diamond Engagement Ring Wedding Band Set Mined .55ct Original 1930-1940
Located in Dearborn, MI
Ring 100% Natural Diamonds  .55 Carat Diamond Weight  14K White Gold Circa 1930's-1940's Art
Category

Vintage 1940s Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 2.00 Carat Sapphire and Diamond Engagement Ring, circa 1940s
Located in London, GB
White Gold Age: 1940s Size: M
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

18 Karat Gold Vintage Art Deco 0.10 Carat Single Cut Diamond Floral Wedding Band
Located in Addison, TX
Here we have a genuine late Art Deco wedding band! Featuring 10 channel set antique single cut
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Diamond Estate Ring 14 Karat White and Yellow Gold Vintage Ring, circa 1940
Located in Austin, TX
fashion trends and Art Deco design. This 14 karat gold and diamond ring embodies the true Art Deco 1940's
Category

Vintage 1940s Art Nouveau Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Quartz Citrine Diamond Rose Gold Ring c1940
Located in Firenze, IT
Disigned as a stylized butterfly with quartz citrine wings and old cut diamond body Size 7 Weight 15.1 gr.
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Art Deco Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Quartz, Rose Gold, White Gold

Retro Emerald Diamond Gold Cocktail Mesh Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
Unusual and beautiful cocktail ring dated 1940, handmade in 18k white and yellow Gold showcasing an
Category

Vintage 1940s Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Vintage Diamond Engagement Ring .26ct D-F/SI1 Ideal Lovebird 18k Antique Deco
Located in Dearborn, MI
Vintage Antique .26ct Diamond 18K White Gold Lovebird Solitaire Art Deco Engagement Ring
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Handmade Palladium Art Deco 14mm Mabe Pearl and Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Victoria, BC
Here is a beautiful Vintage Handmade Palladium Art Deco Mabe Pearl and Diamond Cocktail Ring These
Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Pearl, Palladium

Vintage 14k White Gold 2.32ct Old European Bezel Diamond Wide Cocktail Band Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
This is an absolutely gorgeous vintage cocktail ring that is crafted in solid 14k white gold
Category

Vintage 1940s Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

1.20 Carat Colombian Emerald Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
An exquisite Art Deco ring set in 18k white Gold featuring a 1.20 ct Emerald-cut natural Colombian
Category

Mid-20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

18 Karat White Gold Ladies Ring with Natural Aquamarine and Diamonds
Located in Braintree, GB
18kt white gold ladies ring with natural aquamarine and diamonds. Circa 1940's No hallmark, tested
Category

Vintage 1940s Art Deco Dome Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold

1.06 Carat Diamond and White Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive vintage 0.88 carat diamond and 18k white gold Art Deco ring; part of the
Category

Vintage 1940s Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

1.25 Carat Marquise Sapphire Diamond Platinum Gold Three-Stone Engagement Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
two tapered baguette diamond side diamonds. The center head basket is 14k white gold. Circa 1940's. 1
Category

Vintage 1940s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Vintage Diamond Ruby Snake Band Ring 14 Karat Two-Tone Gold
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Fabulous vintage diamond ruby snake ring fashioned in 14 karat white and yellow gold. The three
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco Band Rings

Materials

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

.42 Carat VVS Old European Cut Diamond Art Deco Style Filigree Bow, circa 1940
Located in Addison, TX
- VVS2 Florescence - None Ring Details: Finger size - 5.5 Material - White Gold Purity - 14K Weight
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Retro Forties Diamond Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1940s, 14k, American. This elegant forties engagement ring, with its wonderful post-Deco
Category

Vintage 1940s American Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 14k Gold

Vintage Art Deco Two-Toned Contoured Wedding Band with Geometric Details
Located in Addison, TX
Here we have a beautiful 1940's Art Deco piece in a unique geometric design, the diamonds are set
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Emerald Cut Diamond Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Cape May, NJ
Antique Art Deco 14K White Gold Emerald Cut Diamond Engagement Ring. The ring is in excellent
Category

Vintage 1940s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Diamond Flower Ring
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful group of 6 diamonds surround a center stone and set in white gold This ring can be worn
Category

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Rare No Heat 11 Carat Blue Zircon Diamond Vintage Estate Ring
Located in Boca Raton, FL
x13.2mm, and is set in a beautiful handmade mounting fashioned in 18 karat white gold. The mounting
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Retro Diamond Ring and Wedding Band, 14 Karat Gold GIA Old European 1.58 Carat
Located in Greensboro, NC
gold, this exquisite set from circa 1940’s-1950’s features an engagement ring with a GIA-certified 1.15
Category

20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White 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.