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1970s French 2.20 Carat Emerald Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
diamonds in millegrain settings. At each side of this design on the beginning of the ring band are 2 other
Category

Vintage 1970s French Retro Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Vintage 18 Carat Gold Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
An exquisite vintage cluster ring. Centrally set with a magnificent emerald measuring approximately
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

3.50 Carat Emerald Cut Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Striking cocktail ring crafted in platinum featuring an emerald cut diamond weighing approximately
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Onyx, Emerald, Diamonds, 9 Karat Rose Gold Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
between diamonds. On it, a white gold structure studded with an emerald surrounded by diamonds. This ring
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, 9k Gold, Rose Gold

Emeralds, Diamonds, Onyx, 14 Karat White Gold Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
central emerald surrounded by diamonds alternated with onyx. This ring was totally handmade by Italian
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, 14k Gold, White Gold

Estate Platinum 12.53ctw GIA Tanzanite Emerald Diamond Cocktail Statement Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
quality emeralds and diamonds make this ring extremely unique, rich and guaranteed to turn heads. This is
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Tanzanite, Platinum

Emeralds, Sapphires, Diamonds, 14 Karat White Gold Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
mounted with emeralds and sapphires in the central part surrounded by leaves studded with diamonds. This
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Emerald Diamond gold Cluster Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A cascading waterfall design, true to the 1970's, this ring has lovely round emeralds weighing
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cocktail Rings

Yellow Gold, South Sea Pearl, Diamond and Emerald Ring
Located in New York, NY
An 18 karat yellow gold, south sea pearl, diamond and emerald ring.
Category

Vintage 1970s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Bulgari Emerald and Diamond Trombino Ring, ca. 1970s
By Bulgari
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
An emerald and diamond ring in yellow gold by Bulgari, ca. 1970s. The Trombino is a very popular
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold

Handcraft Emerald 18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamonds Cocktail Ring
Located in Marcianise, IT
emerald and old cut diamonds. Ring total weight 4 grams Emerald weight 0.65 karat Diamonds weight 0.27
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Green Emerald and Diamond 14 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Addison, TX
This beautiful vintage ring 14 karat yellow gold ring includes a natural emerald center weighing
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Art Deco Fashion Rings

Materials

Emerald, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Snake Ring 18K Yellow Gold w Diamonds and Center Emerald
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Snake Ring 18K Yellow Gold w Diamonds and Center Emerald
Category

Vintage 1970s Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

An Cabochon Emerald And Old Cut Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
Collet-set to the centre with an oval cabochon emerald weighing approximately 2ct, framed by rows
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald

Bulgari 1970s Ruby Emerald Diamond Cocktail Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Bal Harbour, FL
emerald and is further embellished with cabochon rubies and diamonds. The gold mounting has attained a
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Cocktail Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold

1 Ctw Sapphire Emerald Diamond Ring, 18K Yellow Gold, September
Located in McLeansville, NC
Stones: - sapphire, 1 stone - oval cut - 5.25 x 4 mm - approximately .50 carat - emerald, 2 stones
Category

Vintage 1970s Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow 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

50 Carat Cabochon Emerald Diamonds 18 Karat Gold Ring Whimsical
Located in Herzelia, Tel Aviv
Immense fine green 50Ct Cabochon Emerald set in the 18K Gold cast with floral motives and lots of
Category

Vintage 1970s Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold, Gold

Retro Platinum 2.29 Carat Columbian Emerald and Diamond Ring
Located in Cape May, NJ
Era: Retro Composition: Platinum Primary Stone: Natural Emerald Origin: Columbia Carat
Category

Vintage 1970s Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

French 1970s White Gold Emerald Diamond Retro Marquise Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
emerald surrounded by 10 brillant cut diamonds. Emerald weight : 1 carat approximately, total weight of
Category

Vintage 1970s French Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

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

1970s Buccellati Sugarloaf Emerald Diamond Gold Ring
By Buccellati
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Stunning cocktail ring created by Buccellati in Italy in the 1970's. Features a gorgeous over 10
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

David Webb Coral Diamond and Emerald Ring
By David Webb
Located in Bethesda, MD
From David Webb, this magnificent carved coral ring. The ring boasts a center carved salmon coral
Category

Vintage 1970s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Vintage Platinum 3.07ctw GIA Emerald Cut Diamond Baguette Sides Engagement Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
. It features an absolutely breathtaking, GIA certified, emerald cut diamond solitaire neatly set with
Category

Vintage 1970s Retro Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

David Webb Carved Emerald Diamond Gold Platinum Ring
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
1970s David Webb ring set in platinum and 18k yellow gold, center carved emerald - measures approx
Category

Vintage 1970s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, Platinum

David Webb Lapis Emerald Diamond Cocktail Ring
By David Webb
Located in Palm Beach, FL
surrounded by pave-set pear-shaped emeralds and round brilliant-cut diamonds. Lapis measuring 22mm in
Category

Vintage 1970s American Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Onyx, Emerald, Diamonds, 14 Karat White Gold Band Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
a central emerald surrounded by diamonds. This ring was totally handmade by Italian master
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, 14k Gold, White 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

GIA Certified 7 Carat Colombian Emerald and Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
This extraordinary cocktail ring exhibits a staggering GIA certified 7 carat Colombian emerald that
Category

Vintage 1970s Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

1970s Ruser Ring with Center GIA Emerald Cut Diamond, Coral and Onyx
Located in New York, NY
The ring is finely crafted in platinum with GIA diamond emerald cut weighing approximately total of
Category

Vintage 1970s American More Rings

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, Platinum

18 Karat White Gold Ladies Diamond and Emerald Cluster Ring
Located in Braintree, GB
18kt white gold ladies diamond and emerald cluster ring Circa 1970's Dimensions - Size: 3 x 2.4 x
Category

Vintage 1970s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

Emeralds, Diamonds, Rose Gold and Silver Ladybug Shape Ring
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
wings are studded with diamonds. This ring was totally handmade by Italian master goldsmiths and it is
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

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

Vintage Platinum 6.49ctw GIA Columbian Emerald W/ Diamond Cluster Cocktail Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
Here we have a truly jaw dropping vintage emerald and diamond cocktail ring, crafted in solid
Category

Vintage 1970s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Vintage Baguette Green Emerald and Diamond 14 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Addison, TX
This beautiful vintage ring 14 karat yellow gold ring includes 2 Baguette cut green emeralds and 1
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Art Deco Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

1.89 Carat Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Towson, MD
emerald and twenty-eight (28) round brilliant cut diamonds, approximately 1.54 carat total weight with
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Contemporary Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold

CARTIER PARIS 18k Yellow Gold, Cabochon Emerald Sapphire Diamond Bypass Ring
By Cartier
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Cartier Paris 18k Yellow Gold, Emerald, Sapphire & Diamond Bypass Ring 1970s Vintage Here is
Category

Vintage 1970s French Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire

Rubies, Emeralds, Sapphires, Diamonds, 14 Karat Rose Gold Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
mounted with diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires. This ring was totally handmade by Italian master
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Dome Rings

Materials

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

Emeralds, Diamonds, Pearl, Rose Gold and Silver Retrò Ring
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
structure mounted with a central pearl surrounded by diamonds and emeralds. This ring was totally handmade
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Onyx, Sapphires, Emerald, Diamonds, 14 Karat White Gold Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
emerald. This ring was totally handmade by Italian master goldsmiths and it is in perfect conditions
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Sapphire, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 1.50 Carat Emerald and Diamond Ring, circa 1970s
Located in London, GB
A vibrant 1.50 carat emerald is the focus of this beautiful vintage ring. It is emerald cut, and
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

DAVID WEBB Emerald Diamond Gold and Platinum Ring
By David Webb
Located in New York City, NY
approx. 8.5 carats in weight, emerald-cut shape. Further accentuating the ring are diamonds of round
Category

Vintage 1970s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum, 18k Gold

Mauboussin 18K Yellow Gold, Diamond Emerald Ring
By Mauboussin
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
18K Yellow Gold, Diamond & Emerald Ring by Mauboussin - 1.51 carat center Diamond, Ten French-Cut
Category

20th Century French Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Vintage 18K Emerald and Diamond Flower Motif Cluster Ring Yellow Gold
Located in Fairfield, CT
Emerald and Diamond Flower Motif Cluster Ring This Emerald and Diamond Flower Motif Cluster Ring
Category

Vintage 1970s Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Vintage GIA Columbian Step Cut Emerald Diamond Platinum Ballerina Cluster Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Make a statement as you walk into the room. This striking vintage emerald and diamond ring will not
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

2.05 Carat Emerald and 1.45 Carat Diamond Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning 2.05 carat emerald and 1.45 carat diamond, 18 carat yellow gold dress ring; part of our
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Emerald Diamond Platinum Cluster Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French Emerald and Diamond Ring In a mounting that epitomizes classic styling, a very pretty and
Category

Vintage 1970s French Contemporary Cluster Rings

Van Cleef Arpels Emerald Diamond Gold Ring, 1970s
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
karat gold, emerald and diamond exact weight.
Category

Vintage 1970s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Emerald Diamond Rope Design Ring in 14K Yellow Gold
Located in Towson, MD
One 1970s 18 karat yellow and white gold rope style ring set with one (1) 2.77 carat square emerald
Category

Vintage 1970s Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Emeralds, Diamonds, 14 Karat Rose Gold and Silver Retrò Ring
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
structure mounted with a central diamonds surrounded by diamonds and emeralds. This ring was totally
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro More Rings

Materials

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

Emeralds, Diamonds, 14 Karat Rose Gold and Silver Retrò Ring
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
and silver structure mounted with a central diamonds surrounded by diamonds and emeralds. This ring
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro More Rings

Materials

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

Vintage emerald cabochon and diamond fancy cocktail ring by David Morris
By David Morris
Located in Malmö, Skåne län
This ring is unique and bold! With step cut, lozenge-shaped emeralds set amidst the diamond melee
Category

Vintage 1970s English Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Vintage French Emerald Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Bezel Set Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Vintage French Emerald Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Bezel Set Ring. Featuring one octagonal
Category

Vintage 1970s French Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage French Emerald Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Bezel Set Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Vintage French Emerald Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Bezel Set Ring. Featuring one octagonal
Category

Vintage 1970s French Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, Yellow Gold

GIA 5.22 carat emerald diamond 18k yellow gold three stone ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage 18k yellow gold three-stone ring showcases a stunning Zambian emerald flanked by
Category

Vintage 1970s Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Cartier 18 Karat Yellow Gold, Emerald and Diamond Ring Vintage, circa 1970s
By Cartier
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Here is your chance to purchase a highly collectible 18k yellow gold, emerald & diamond ring by
Category

Vintage 1970s American Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Vintage 1.40ct Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring, c.1970s
Located in London, GB
This vintage cluster ring features a vivid green emerald enveloped by a halo of sparkling diamonds
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Natural Emerald European Cut Diamond Dome Ring in Platinum
Located in Towson, MD
natural emerald, approximately 1.05 carat, and twenty-four (24) European cut diamonds, approximately 1.50
Category

Vintage 1970s Contemporary Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

1970s 1.50 Carat Emerald and 1.12 Carat Diamond Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
seamlessly with the plain 14k white gold shank. This 1970’s emerald ring is supplied with an independent
Category

Vintage 1970s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold

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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.