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2.50 Carat Diamond Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
A beautiful and unusual diamond cluster ring set in 18k white gold. The ring features a central Old
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage 2.20ct Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring, c.1970s
Located in London, GB
A vivid red ruby oval cut ruby is surrounded by a diamond halo in this vintage cluster ring
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Estate Jose Hess 18K Gold Diamond Cluster Ring
By Jose Hess
Located in Houston, TX
Jose Hess ring composed of 18K yellow and white gold marked on the inside "108245 Jose Hess 18K
Category

Vintage 1970s American Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage French 1 Carat Diamond and White Gold Cluster Ring, circa 1970
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
diamond cluster ring has been crafted in 18k white gold. The vintage 1970s pierced decorated cluster
Category

Vintage 1970s French Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Sapphire and 1.00Ctw Diamond Cluster Ring in 18K Gold
Located in Towson, MD
One 18 karat yellow gold waterfall design ring set with twelve (12) brilliant cut diamonds
Category

Vintage 1970s Contemporary Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Opal Diamond Cluster Cocktail Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
set in 18K white gold. CONDITION: Pre-owned - Excellent METAL: 18k White Gold GEM STONE: Diamond 2.05
Category

Late 20th Century Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold

An Onyx And Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
, principal diamond approx. 2.11ct, ring size 7
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 1.48 Carat Emerald and 1.08 Carat Diamond White Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
1970s cluster ring has been crafted in 18k white gold. The ring displays a 1.48 carat step cut natural
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

1.00 Carat Total Diamond Cluster Ring in 14K Two Tone Gold
Located in Towson, MD
One 14-karat yellow and white gold oval cluster ring, set with ten (10) round brilliant cut
Category

Vintage 1970s Modern Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

18 Karat White Gold Diamond Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
18 karat white gold ring with round and baguette diamonds for a total of 3.30 carats / Made in
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

1970s Sculptural Diamond Two Color Gold Ring
Located in Miami, FL
14k white and yellow gold ring featuring 28 round brilliant cut diamonds weighing approximately
Category

20th Century American Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Vintage 4.18 Carat Round Brilliant Cut Diamond Cluster Ring, circa 1970s
Located in London, GB
This vintage 1970s diamond cluster ring is set concentrically with a fabulous array of 0.22 carat
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage 0.40ct Diamond and Emerald Target Cluster, c.1970s
Located in London, GB
ring is full of Vintage charm. Gemstone: Diamond Stone Shape: Round Brilliant Carat Weight: 0.40
Category

Vintage 1970s British Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

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

1970s 1.85 Carat Sapphire and 1.56 Carat Diamond White Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
color graded, very high clarity graded diamonds. The 1970's ring is a good gauge of gold and in
Category

Vintage 1970s French Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Sapphire Diamond Cluster Ring Vintage 14k Yellow Gold Round Flower Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish vintage sapphire & diamond cluster ring (circa 1960s to 1970s) crafted in 14 karat yellow
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Vintage French Ruby and Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Vintage French Ruby and Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Cluster Ring. Featuring one oval mixed cut ruby
Category

Vintage 1970s Cluster Rings

Materials

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

1970s 1.84 Carat Oval Cut Burmese Sapphire and 2.35 Carat Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
diamond, 18 karat white gold dress ring; part of our diverse antique estate jewelry collections. This
Category

Vintage 1970s French Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Buccellati 4.95 Carat Ruby Diamond 18 Karat Gold Italian Cluster Ring
By Buccellati
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Brushed band ring is designed with a dynamically rendered cluster accented by white gold forms
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Contemporary Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Vintage Emerald Diamond Ring Cluster 14k Yellow Gold Estate Fine Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish vintage emerald & diamond cocktail ring (circa 1960s to 1970s) crafted in 14 karat yellow
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald

70s Vintage 4ct Opal Diamond Cluster Ring 14k Yellow Gold Estate Fine Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish vintage opal & diamond cluster ring (circa 1970s) crafted in 14 karat yellow gold
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

1970s 2.5 Carat Diamond Freeform Ring in 14K Two-Tone Gold
Located in Towson, MD
One 14 karat yellow and white gold freeform cluster ring set with nineteen (19) brilliant cut
Category

Vintage 1970s Modern Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Vintage Sapphire and Diamond Cluster Ring, 9k Yellow Gold
Located in NEWARK, GB
A beautiful vintage 1970s Sapphire and diamond cluster ring. A decadent beauty, it has been made
Category

Late 20th Century British Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

14k Yellow Gold Nugget Style 1.75ctw G-H SI Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Sewickley, PA
vertical rows of additional diamonds, creating striking symmetry. A polished white gold top enhances the
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Contemporary Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow 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 Contemporary Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Estate Victorian Revival 1.42 Carat Diamond Cluster Engagement Ring
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
This wonderful estate cluster engagement ring sparkles like your love; unique and powerful. Crafted
Category

Vintage 1970s Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver

5.5 Carat Ceylon No Heat Royal Blue Sapphire and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Banbury, GB
2 carats Current size: UK N ½ ( we offer free resizing ) A classic 18ct gold ring made in the 1970s
Category

Vintage 1970s British Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 1.10ct Diamond Halo Ring, c.1970s
Located in London, GB
diamonds are held within 18 carat white gold claws, while the band is made of 18 carat yellow gold. This
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

1970s 4.45 Carat Sapphire 1.15 Carat Diamond Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
yellow gold and 18 karat white set dress ring; part of our vintage jewelry and estate jewelry collections
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Modern Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 1.35 Carat Sapphire and Diamond White Gold Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
vintage sapphire and diamond cluster ring has been crafted in 14k white gold. The pierced decorated
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Natural Emerald and 2.5 CTW Diamond Ring with Superfit Shank, 1970s
Located in Towson, MD
One 14-karat white and yellow gold cluster style ring with a finger size 5 Superfit shank. The
Category

20th Century Modern Cluster Rings

Materials

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

1970s 1.25 Carat Opal and 1.65 Carat Diamond Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
, 18 karat white gold set cocktail ring; part of our vintage jewelry and estate jewelry collections
Category

Vintage 1970s British Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Vintage 1.80ct Sapphire and Diamond Halo Ring, c.1970s
Located in London, GB
, 18ct White Gold Age: 1970s Size: N
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Vintage Florentine Gold Diamond Engraved Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
Beautiful Florentine cluster ring, handcrafted in 18k yellow and white Gold, featuring 1.20 carat
Category

Vintage 1980s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Bvlgari Roma Cocktail Ring in 18Kt White Gold with VS Round Diamonds
By Bulgari
Located in Miami, FL
Bvlgari. This ring is part of the Diamonds Privee collection and was carefully crafted in solid white gold
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modernist Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

2.65 Carat Sapphire and Diamond White Gold Platinum Set Dress Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive 2.65 carat sapphire and 0.56 carat diamond 18 karat white gold platinum set
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

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

3 Carat Sapphire Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
A fine and impressive 18k white Gold, Sapphire and Diamond Ring, set in the center with an oval-cut
Category

Late 20th Century Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Chic Regional Peranakan-Straits Chinese Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
Chinese style, this bohemian chic diamond ring has a sophisticated, one-world tribal look. Melding Chinese
Category

Vintage 1970s Chinese Cluster Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 22k Gold

Coral Diamond Gold Platinum Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
carats. The head of the ring is platinum and the shank is 14k white gold. Ring is size 5 1/2 and can
Category

Vintage 1970s American Cluster Rings

Materials

Coral, 14k Gold, Platinum

Carved Ruby Diamond Gold Swan Feathers Ring
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
A carved rubies and diamond white gold ring, beautifully designed in the form of swan feathers. The
Category

Vintage 1970s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Vintage Natural Burma Ruby Diamond Engraved Gold Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
Beautiful Florentine Engraved ring, handcrafted in 18k yellow and white Gold, featuring in the
Category

Vintage 1980s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold

Vintage Italian Sapphire Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
This Italian 18K yellow gold cluster ring is centered with a nice cornflower blue sapphire framed
Category

20th Century Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Large Natural Opal Diamond Ring Vintage 18 Karat Gold Oval Cocktail Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish vintage opal & diamond cocktail ring (circa 1970s to 1980s) crafted in 18 karat yellow gold
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Abstract 1960s Diamond Emerald Ring 14 Karat Gold Organic Branch Vintage Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed vintage emerald & diamond cocktail ring (circa 1960s to 1970s), crafted in 14 karat
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Van Cleef Arpels Fleurette Diamond and Sapphire Double Flower Yellow Gold Ring
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Bethesda, MD
From the Van Cleef & Arpels Fleurette collection, a sapphire and diamond double flower ring. The
Category

Vintage 1970s French Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

BVLGARI Roma Serpenti Ring In 18Kt Rose Gold With Diamonds Box Papers
By Bulgari
Located in Miami, FL
rose gold of 18 karats with high polished finish. The ring is embellished with a great selection of
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modernist Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, White Diamond, Gold, Rose Gold, 18k Gold

1970 Amethyst Diamond Sapphire 18K Gold Floral Cocktail Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Amethyst, Diamond, and Sapphire Floral Cocktail Ring crafted 18K yellow and white gold. The
Category

Vintage 1970s American Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Cartier 1970 by Oscar Heyman Cocktail Ring 18Kt Gold with 1.62 Ctw VVS Diamonds
Located in Miami, FL
Diamonds cocktail ring designed for Cartier by Oscar Heyman. Wonderful rare ring, created in New
Category

Vintage 1970s American Modern Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Vintage 10.66 Ct Ceylon Sapphire Diamond Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
The ring is crafted in 14K white gold. It features an excellent natural unheated 10.66 ct blue
Category

Late 20th Century Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold

Van Cleef Arpels 1970 Paris Vintage Ring 18Kt Gold with Black Onyx and Diamond
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Miami, FL
after the mid-century period, circa early 1970's, This handsome ring was crafted by the house of Van
Category

Vintage 1970s French Modernist Cluster Rings

Materials

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

OSCAR HEYMAN FOR J.E. CALDWELL Sapphire Diamond Ring
By Oscar Heyman
Located in Chicago, IL
18K Yellow Gold ring by Oscar Heyman for J.E. Caldwell, set with Natural Pink and Blue Ceylon
Category

Vintage 1970s American Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

David Webb Cocktail Ring 18Kt Gold Platinum with 44.36 Cts Diamonds Rock Quartz
By David Webb
Located in Miami, FL
New York city at the jewelry atelier of David Webb, back in the 1970's. This statement piece has been
Category

Vintage 1970s American Modernist Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

3.15 Carats Fancy Yellow Diamond Ruby Emerald Sapphire Platinum 18 Karat Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
1970's. Ring size: 6 1/2 and sizable. Measures: North to South 19.5 mm and sits 10.5 mm high. Total
Category

Vintage 1970s Contemporary Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sa...

French 1970s Modernist Sapphire Diamonds White Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karats white gold, eagle's head hallmark. This beautiful retro ring is set with a deep
Category

Vintage 1970s French Retro Engagement Rings

Materials

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

1970 s Diamond Cluster 18K Gold Dome Nugget Cocktail Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Luxurious Extra sparkle with Extra white Diamonds! This 1970's cluster-inspired, nugget-textured
Category

Vintage 1970s American Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

French 1970s Retro 18 Karat White Gold Platinum Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karats white gold, eagle's head hallmark, and platinum, dog's head hallmark. Daisy shape
Category

Vintage 1970s French Retro Engagement Rings

Materials

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

2.76 Carats Diamonds White Gold Cluster Cocktail Ring, circa 1970s
Located in London, GB
This glamorous cocktail ring scintillates in 18 carat white gold with 2.76 carats of diamonds! The
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

1970s 4.18 Carat Sapphire and Diamond White Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning vintage 4.18 carat blue sapphire and 0.95 carat diamond, 18 karat white gold cluster
Category

Vintage 1970s Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

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1970s White Gold Diamond Cluster Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

You are likely to find exactly the 1970s white gold diamond cluster ring you’re looking for on 1stDibs, as there is a broad range for sale. Frequently made of Gold, White Gold and 18k Gold, this item was constructed with great care. Making the right choice when shopping for a 1970s white gold diamond cluster ring 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. A 1970s white gold diamond cluster ring from René Kern, Buccellati and Joseph Kutchinsky — each of whom created a beautiful version of this treasured accessory — is worth considering. Today, if you’re looking for a round cut version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes oval cut and mixed cut alternatives. Finding a 1970s white gold diamond cluster ring for sale for women should be easy, but there are 49 pieces available to browse for unisex as well as men, too.

How Much is a 1970s White Gold Diamond Cluster Ring?

Prices for a 1970s white gold diamond cluster ring can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $347 and can go as high as $33,482, while this accessory, on average, fetches $3,342.

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.