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Yellow Gold and Platinum Daisy Ring with Emerald and Diamonds
Located in MONTMORENCY, FR
: Floral / Daisy motif Materials: 18K yellow gold, platinum 950‰, emerald, brilliant-cut diamonds Metal
Category

Vintage 1970s French Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold, Platinum

18K Yellow Gold Ring with Emerald and White Diamonds
By Olivo Micheletto
Located in Milano, Lombardia
This exquisite ring features a lush emerald at its center, framed by sparkling white diamonds, all
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian More Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Emeralds, Diamonds, Rose Gold and Silver Ladybug Shape Ring
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Gorgeous ladybug shape ring in 9 karat rose gold and silver structure mounted with two emeralds as
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Vintage 18KT White Gold Colombian Emerald Diamond Cluster Ring, 1970s
Located in Braintree, GB
searching for a luxury emerald diamond ring, a statement emerald cut ring, or high-quality emerald rings for
Category

Vintage 1970s Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 1.35ct Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring, c.1970s
Located in London, GB
This captivating Vintage 1970s cluster ring showcases a vibrant 1.35 carat emerald cut emerald at
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Vintage Brutalist Yellow Gold Emerald European Cut Diamond Fingermate Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
–Stone(s): – (6) Natural Genuine Emerald - Pear Shape - Prong Set - Very Nice Green Color - Natural
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Handcraft Emerald 18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamonds Cocktail Ring
Located in Marcianise, IT
assembled with emerald and baguette diamonds Ring total weight 6 grams Emerald weight 0.90 karat Diamonds
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Artisan Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Mauboussin Emerald and Diamond Cocktail Ring, French, 1978.
By Mauboussin
Located in London, GB
Mauboussin emerald and diamond cluster ring. Set with one octagonal emerald-cut natural Zambian
Category

Vintage 1970s French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 1970s 7.00 Carat Colombian Emerald and 4.00 Carat Diamond Ballerina Ring
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in platinum with an AGL certified Colombian Emerald weighing 7.00 carats, set in a
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Emerald, Diamonds, Rose Gold and Silver Fly Shape Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
, an emerald as body and wings studded with diamonds. This ring was totally handmade by Italian master
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

14 Karat White Gold Ring with Emerald Stones and Diamonds
Located in Tel Aviv, IL
14 Karat White Gold Ring with Emerald Stones and Diamonds Elegant white gold ring with 5 rows of
Category

Vintage 1970s French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, White Gold

Vintage Emerald and 0.45 CT Diamond 14 CT Yellow Gold Twist Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
. This impressive vintage emerald and diamond ring is supplied with an independent diamond and gemstone
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold

Vintage 1970s 3.05 Carat Emerald Diamond White Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
cocktail ring is fine quality, set with a stunning natural emerald and very high color graded diamonds. The
Category

Vintage 1970s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

Retro Yellow Gold 10 Carat Amethyst Natural Diamond Ballerina Ring Circa 1970
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A bold retro 14K yellow gold ballerina-style cocktail ring centered with an emerald-cut natural
Category

Vintage 1970s Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Emeralds, Diamonds, 14 Karat Rose Gold and Silver Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
surrounded by diamonds and emeralds. This ring was totally handmade by Italian master goldsmiths and they are
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Vintage 18 Kt. White Gold Diamonds Emerald Cocktail Ring
Located in Rome, IT
. 2,24 Peso oro 18 kt. gr. 17,30 Misura anello: US 7.75 - French 56 L'anello è ridimensionabile. 1970 ca
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

Luxurious Royal Blue Emerald Cut Sapphire Baguette Diamond Ring in Platinum
Located in Boston, MA
A striking statement ring featuring a 5.10 carat blue sapphire, expertly cut in an emerald style
Category

Vintage 1970s Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum

Enamel Diamonds Emerald Yellow Gold 14 Karat Cocktail Ring
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
. Ring total weight 9.60 grams Diamonds weight 0.30 karat Emerald weight 1.13 grams Ring size 15 ITA
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

1970s Chatham Emerald Diamond Gold Free Form Ring
Located in New York, NY
1970s 18k gold free form ring with Chatham emeralds and approx. 0.32ctw in diamonds. One stone has
Category

Vintage 1970s More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold

14K Yellow Gold Cabochon Emerald and Diamond Ring
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
A bold vintage ring crafted in 14K yellow gold, centering a richly hued cabochon-cut emerald
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 4.50ct Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring, c.1970s
Located in London, GB
This vintage cluster ring features a stunning 4.50 carat emerald at its centre, encircled by a halo
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Vintage 1.20ct Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring, c.1970s
Located in London, GB
A vibrant green emerald sits central in this vintage cluster ring. The classic emerald cut stone
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

18K White Gold Diamond Band Ring, Emerald Cut, Circa 1950-1970, Italy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
18 karat white gold band ring with a central large diamond of 1 carat in emerald cut, and contour
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Emerald and Diamond Cocktail Ring Set in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Miami, FL
A cocktail ring Ca. 1970 featuring a bypass design with lines of diamonds and emeralds. The ring is
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 1.85ct Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring, c.1970s
Located in London, GB
Dating to the 1970s, this beautiful cluster ring features a radiant green emerald in the centre
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Emeralds, Rubies, Sapphires, Diamonds, 14 Karat Rose Gold Ring
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Gorgeous ring in 14 kt rose gold structure mounted with emeralds,rubies and sapphires and, between
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Vintage 1.85ct Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring, c.1970s
Located in London, GB
This beautiful emerald cluster dates to the 1970s. The natural emerald is a classically emerald cut
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Vintage 18K Rope Ring, 0.25ct Emeralds 0.20ctw Diamonds, Size 6.25
Located in Miami, FL
central section is flanked by two diamond rows, anchored by a vertical emerald accent bar, offering
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Tiffany Co. Antique Platinum Emerald and Diamond 1 Carat Cluster Ring
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
This exceptional antique Tiffany Co. ring showcases a striking natural emerald set at the
Category

Vintage 1970s American Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Topaz, Emeralds, Rubies, Sapphires, Diamonds, Rose Gold and Silver Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
frame of diamonds,emeralds, rubies and sapphires. This ring was totally handmade by Italian master
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Topaz, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Vintage 18k Emerald Diamond Ring
Located in Narberth, PA
, full cut diamonds, which beautifully complement the central emerald. The rings of the shoulder feature
Category

Vintage 1970s Engagement Rings

Materials

18k Gold

Vintage 14K Gold Emerald Diamond Ring 0.84 TCW Bypass Design
Located in Miami, FL
emerald measuring 4mm × 6mm (approx. 0.40ct) surrounded by 11 round brilliant-cut diamonds, each about
Category

Vintage 1970s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald

Emerald (est 1.20ct) Diamond (est .60ct) Cluster Ring, 18K Yellow Gold ...
Located in Canterbury, England
This beautifully designed emerald and diamond cluster ring from the 1970's is set in 18K Yellow
Category

Vintage 1970s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold

.65 Carat Oval Emerald Diamond Gold Cluster Engagement Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
Emerald and diamond engagement ring. .65cts center oval emerald with triangle of 6 clustered
Category

Vintage 1970s Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Vintage GIA 13.07ct Emerald Minor with 8.90ct Diamonds Ring 18k White Gold
Located in BEVERLY HILLS, CA
Vintage emerald with diamonds high jewelry ring, circa 1970's.   Approximately 21.97ct total
Category

Vintage 1970s American Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Vintage Emerald and Diamond 9 Carat Gold Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
but shimmering diamond shoulders. The diamonds total approx 6pts. The ring is modelled in 9ct gold
Category

Vintage 1970s British Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold

14.10 Carat Emerald with Diamonds Vintage Ring 18 Karat White Gold
Located in BEVERLY HILLS, CA
Vintage emerald with diamonds ring, circa 1970's. Approximately 14.10ct emerald apx F2 surrounded
Category

Vintage 1970s Contemporary Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

Diamond and Emerald 14K Yellow Gold Starburst Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
diamonds are six round brilliant-cut emeralds, totaling 0.50 carats, which add a lush green contrast to the
Category

Vintage 1970s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Handcraft Ruby 18 Karat Yellow Gold Emeralds Diamonds Cocktail Ring
Located in Marcianise, IT
ruby,emeralds and diamonds. Ring total weight 6.70 grams Emeralds weight 0.60 karat Ruby weight 0.60
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Artisan Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

11.80 Carats Total Emerald Diamond Cocktail Ring in White Gold Platinum
Located in New York, NY
A vintage cocktail ring, showcasing a 3.80 carats rectangular emerald certified by AGL as Colombian
Category

Vintage 1970s American Empire Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, White Gold, Platinum

Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Emerald and Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
A striking vintage cocktail ring crafted in 18K yellow gold, centering a vivid emerald cut emerald
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

J.E.Caldwell Natural Unenhanced Emerald Cabochon and Diamond Ballerina Ring
By J.E. Caldwell Co.
Located in London, GB
Emerald cabochon and diamond ballerina ring. Set to centre with a natural unenhanced oval cabochon
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Rubies, Emeralds, Sapphires, Tsavorite, Diamonds, Rose Gold and Silver Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Amazing ring in 9 kt rose gold and silver structure mounted with rubies, emeralds and sapphires on
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Tsavorite, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Vintage 2.60 Carat Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring, circa 1970s
Located in London, GB
A lustrous 2.60 carat Emerald features central to this vintage cluster ring. The emerald cut stone
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Van Cleef Arpels Colombian emerald and diamond cluster ring, circa 1975
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in London, GB
Van Cleef & Arpels Colombian emerald and diamond cluster ring. Set to centre with an octagonal
Category

Vintage 1970s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

18K Yellow Gold Ring with Diamonds and Natural Emerald
Located in Tel Aviv - Jaffa, IL
18K Yellow Gold Ring with Diamonds Material: 18K Yellow Gold Center stone: Natural Emerald Weight
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Pearl, Sapphires, Diamonds, Emeralds, Rubies, 14 Karat White Gold Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
frame of diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires. This ring was totally hanmdade by Italian master
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Sapphire, Ruby, Pearl, Emerald, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold

Topaz, Rubies, Emeralds, Sapphires, Diamonds, Rose Gold and Silver Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
diamonds, rubies,emeralds and sapphires. This ring was totally handmade by Italian master goldsmiths and it
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Topaz, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Estate Colombian Emerald Diamond Onyx Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
- Diamonds DESIGN ERA: circa 1970 RING SIZE: US 7-7,5 - IT 15 - FR 55 - UK O, Resizable on request, free of
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold

CLASSIC Cocktail Ring In 18Kt Gold With 2.30 Ctw Diamonds Colombian Emeralds
Located in Miami, FL
A classic cocktail ring with diamonds and emeralds. This is a very handsome colorful cocktail ring
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Modernist Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Vintage 1.25ct Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring, c.1970s
Located in London, GB
This beautiful cluster ring dates to the 1970s and centres around a lively green emerald. The 1.25
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

14k Floral Ring with Diamonds and Emeralds circa 1970s
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Beautiful 1970's custom made floral motif ring designed with 14 karat gold, 4 white diamonds .25
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

18k David Webb Diamond Cabochon Emerald Ruby Hammered Cocktail Ring 7.75
By David Webb
Located in Winter Springs, FL
A name that’s speaks for itself. This original David Webb ring has been done in 18K yellow gold
Category

Vintage 1970s Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold

Vintage Emerald and Diamond 9 Carat Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
stone are diamonds totalling 28pts. All modelled in 9carat gold and stones set in platinum. Ring Size
Category

Vintage 1970s British Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold

French 1970s Emerald Diamond 18 Carat White Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
splendid vintage ring is set with claws of an emerald oval surrounded by 8 modern brilliant cut diamonds
Category

Vintage 1970s French Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Vintage Emerald and Diamond 9 Carat Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This stunning cluster boasts a 35pt emerald at the centre of it. Surrounding the beautiful green
Category

Vintage 1970s British Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold

Diamonds, Sapphires, Rubies, Emeralds, Stones, Pearls, Gold and Silver Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
. This ring was totally handmade by Italian master goldsmiths and it is in perfect conditions. Diamonds
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

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1970 Ring Emerald Diamond For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact 1970 ring emerald diamond 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, 18k Gold and Yellow Gold — can elevate any look. Our collection of these items for sale includes 662 vintage editions and 3 modern creations to choose from as well. If you’re looking for a 1970 ring emerald diamond from a specific time period, our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and you’ll find at least one that dates back to the 20th Century while another version may have been produced as recently as the 21st Century. A 1970 ring emerald diamond from David Webb, Van Cleef Arpels and Bulgari — each of whom created a beautiful version of this treasured accessory — is worth considering. Today, if you’re looking for an emerald cut version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes round cut and oval cut alternatives. When shopping for a 1970 ring emerald diamond, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for unisex or men today than there are for women.

How Much is a 1970 Ring Emerald Diamond?

The price for a 1970 ring emerald diamond starts at $434 and tops out at $455,000 with these rings, on average, selling for $4,264.

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.