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Victorian 18 Karat Gold Agate Round Locket Pendant
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
rings to rose-cut diamond brooches, also costume jewellery: Chanel, Christian Dior, Christian Lacroix
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Agate, Gold, 18k Gold

Victorian 14 Karat Gold Porcelain Lady Miniature Portrait Oval Pin Brooch
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
Deco, Art Nouveau, Edwardian, Georgian, Victorian styles, from engagement rings to rose-cut diamond
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Gold, 14k Gold

Victorian 14 Karat Gold Lady Wearing Pearls Signed Miniature Portrait Pin Brooch
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
, including Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Edwardian, Georgian, Victorian styles, from engagement rings to rose-cut
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Victorian Brooches

Materials

Gold, 14k Gold

Victorian 18 Karat Gold Woven Hair Pearl Locket Multi-Strand Chain Bracelet
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
rings to rose-cut diamond brooches, also costume jewellery: Chanel, Christian Dior, Christian Lacroix
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Victorian Chain Bracelets

Materials

Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold

Victorian Etruscan 15 Karat Gold Blue Enamel Pearl Star Motif Locket Pin Brooch
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
styles, from engagement rings to rose-cut diamond brooches, also costume jewellery: Chanel, Christian
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Brooches

Materials

Pearl, 15k Gold, Enamel

Jean-Moïse Badollet Co. 1886 Geneva Hunter Pocket Watch In 18Kt Gold With Enamel
Located in Miami, FL
), mechanical hand winding. Diamonds: Mount in flush incrusted settings, with 4 European rose cut diamond of
Category

Antique 1880s Swiss Belle Époque Pocket Watches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Victorian Pearl Emerald Ruby Diamond Ring
Located in London, GB
A mid nineteenth century emerald, ruby, diamond and bouton pearl ring, comprising a claw-set
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Cultured Pearl, Ruby, Rose Gold

Victorian Five Stone Sapphire Diamond Gold Ring
Located in London, GB
and two cushion shape faceted sapphires weighing a total of 1.67 carats with eight rose-cut diamonds
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Emerald and Diamond Five-Stone Half Hoop Ring
Located in London, GB
An emerald and diamond five-stone Victorian style ring, the three old octagonal-cut emeralds
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century British High Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold

A Late Victorian Five Stone Diamond Ring
Located in London, GB
A late Victorian five stone diamond ring, the five old European-cut diamonds graduating from the
Category

Antique 19th Century English Late Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Late Victorian Emerald, Ruby and Diamond Twin Heart Ring
Located in London, GB
ruby estimated to weigh 0.12 carats, both claw-set to the centre of a rose-cut diamond cluster surround
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Silver

Late Victorian Pearl Diamond Gold Twin Heart Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
hearts, each set to the centre with a natural pearl to a rose-cut diamond-set border, with diamond-set
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold

A Georgian Bague au Firmament blue enamel and diamond ring
Located in London, GB
with an oval rose-cut diamond, surrounded by six round rose-cut diamonds all diamonds cut-down silver
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Bridal Rings

Materials

18k Gold, Silver

A Victorian Garnet And Diamond Scarab Pin/ring
Located in London, GB
A Victorian garnet and diamond scarab pin/ring, the body of the scarab formed by a red cabochon-cut
Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Brooches

Materials

18k Gold, Silver

Royal Blue Enamel and Diamond Bracelet
Located in London, GB
-shaped diamond with rose-cut diamonds forming a star motif, all grain set in silver, on a royal blue
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Chain Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Victorian Heart-Shaped Blue Enamel Pendant-Necklace
Located in London, GB
centrally set with a round pearl surrounded by eight rose-cut diamonds on light-blue enamel background
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 15k Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel

A Victorian heart-shaped blue enamel pendant-necklace
Located in London, GB
centrally set with a round pearl surrounded by eight rose-cut diamonds on light-blue enamel background
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

15k Gold, 18k Gold

19th Century Amethyst Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
, supported by two rose-cut diamonds edged with pearl. The start of the ring is a thin twist. Height: 12.7 mm
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Engagement Rings

Materials

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

French 19th Century Napoleon 3 18 Karat Rose Gold Hematite Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
resize, please contact us. Authentic antique ring - French work of the second half of 19th century
Category

Antique 1850s French Napoleon III Engagement Rings

Materials

Hematite, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

19th Century Onyx Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Vest Buttons Brooch Set
Located in Poitiers, FR
onyx each supporting a line of 7 rose- cut diamonds . The brooch has a pin with pump system. Each of
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Brooches

Materials

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

Napoleon III Turquoise Natural Pearl 18 Karat Yellow Gold Horseshoe Brooch
Located in Poitiers, FR
small rose-cut diamonds. The clasp is a pin. Height: 21 mm, width: 17 mm, thickness: about 2.2 mm. Total
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Brooches

Materials

Pearl, Natural Pearl, Turquoise, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold,...

Art Deco Chrysoprase Scarab Rose Cut Diamond Halo Ring Egyptian Revival
Located in New York, NY
Green Chrysoprase of great beauty. The Scarab is surrounded by a halo of sparkling Rose Cut Diamonds
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Chrysophrase, 14k Gold, Gold

Georgian Rose Cut Diamond Silver Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
This is an exceptional Georgian era large-scale diamond ring, circa 1800-1820. Three sizable rose
Category

Antique Early 19th Century British Georgian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, 15k Gold

Victorian Rose Cut Diamond Pink Sapphire Ring
Located in Solvang, CA
Antique Victorian rose cut diamond & pink sapphire ring, circa 1880. This Victorian ring is crafted
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver

Antique Rose Cut Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
with organically raw Old Rose cut Diamonds totaling approx. 1.00 carat of H/J color - VS/SI clarity
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Georgian 0.50 Carat Rose Cut Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Essex, GB
triangular shaped rose cut diamond which sits in the centre of a eight further circular rose cuts in cut away
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Antique European Rose Cut and Old Mine Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Warrington, PA
Ladies original antique ring from a European estate set with old mine cut diamonds and Rose cut
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Spanish Art Nouveau Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Platinum

Georgian 1.2 carat Center Dome Rose Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Joelton, TN
An Antique Georgian Dome Rose Cut Diamond Ring. Boasting a splendid center stone that captures the
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond

Georgian 1 Carat Rose Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This diamond ring dates to the late 18th or early 19th century. Made in 14k lightly rose-tinted
Category

Antique Early 19th Century British Georgian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian Rose Cut Diamond Tiara Ring .86 ctw
Located in Joelton, TN
A Belle Époque Pear and Round Rose Cut Diamond Tiara Ring in 14ct Yellow Gold Unlock the charm of
Category

Antique 19th Century Dutch Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Gold Rose Cut Diamond Ring Art Deco Revival
Located in Los Angeles, CA
18k Gold Rose Cut Diamond Ring Art Deco Revival A stunning Art Deco Revival, with an elegant
Category

Antique 19th Century Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Nouveau Giardinetti Rose Cut Diamond Ruby Ring, Solid 9K Rose Gold Lyre Ring
Located in Rottedam, NL
was widely popular in 17 -19th century jewelry. A statement ring that evokes the spirit of romance
Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Art Nouveau Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 9k Gold, Rose Gold

Victorian Rose Cut Diamond Silver Gold Fox Ring
Located in Boston, Lincolnshire
A Lovely Victorian Silver, Rose cut Diamonds and Ruby Fox head stick pin conversion ring on 18
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Silver

19th Century Moval Old Mine Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century moval old mine cut diamond cluster ring. The central moval diamond stone is surrounded
Category

Antique Early 19th Century British Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver

Rose Cut Diamond and Ruby Ring Art Deco
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rose cut Diamond and Ruby Ring Beautiful art deco revival ring with a 0.40 carat rose cut diamond
Category

Antique 19th Century American Art Deco Dome Rings

Materials

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

Antique Rose-Cut Diamond, Silver-Topped Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Lombard, IL
yellow gold. Set with seven (7) crimped collet and prong closed-back majestic rose-cut diamonds of
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Unknown Georgian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Victorian Rose Cut Diamond Silver Gold Ring
Located in Madison area, WI
Victorian Diamond Ring 1870 - 14k yellow gold, silver, 26 rose-cut diamonds with a combined
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Unknown Georgian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sterling Silver, 14k Gold

Antique Georgian Rose Cut Diamond Cluster Ring in 1.5ct Total
Located in Kendal, GB
features a glittering rose cut diamond in the centre (approx. 0.70ct) with eight smaller rose cuts haloing
Category

Antique 19th Century European Georgian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Victorian Sapphire and Rose Cut Diamond Ring 18k Gold Ring
Located in Joelton, TN
Victorian five stone Sapphire and Rose Cut Diamond Ring. The Center Sapphire is approximately .40
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire

Vintage Diamond Cluster Ring with Big Rose Cut Diamonds
Located in Antwerp, BE
This 18K bi-colour gold Victorian ring centres a grand oval shaped rose cut diamond as the foil set
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Belgian Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Georgian Pink Topaz and Rose Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Essex, GB
, surrounded by twenty-six rose cut diamonds in cut-down settings in dark, oxidised silver. The stylish
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Topaz, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Old-cut diamond marquise ring in 18 karats rose gold
Located in PARIS, FR
Old-cut diamond marquise ring in 18 karats rose gold. Oval-shaped ring set with 27 old-cut diamonds
Category

Antique 1880s European Late Victorian Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, Rose Gold

1850s Victorian Men s Ring with Rose Cut Diamond Surrounding an Old European Cut
Located in Miami Beach, FL
charming rose cut diamonds surrounding an old European cut, estimated .9 cts. Ring displays approximately
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Russian Early Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Early 19th Century Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Austin, TX
Early Victorian diamond ring. 16 Old mine cut diamonds with 2 rose cut diamonds in a cluster design
Category

Antique Early 19th Century British Early Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver

Red Ruby 0.30K Rose Cut Diamonds 0.22K Florentine Style Cocktail Ring
Located in Firenze, FI
-style ring decorated with oval motifs with a central red ruby 0.30 carats and rose-cut diamonds 0.22
Category

20th Century Italian Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver

Victorian 3.10 Carat Natural Ruby and Rose Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Essex, GB
ruby shows no indication of heating. Cut – Oval cut ruby and rose cut diamonds. . Colour – The
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

19th Century Tourmaline Diamond Gold Cluster Ring
Located in San Francisco, CA
This mixed metal ring sets an array of old mine cut diamonds, with a round tourmaline center stone
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Tourmaline, White Diamond, 14k Gold

Antique Victorian Era 1891 Rose Cut Diamond Five Stone Ring 18 Carat Yellow Gold
Located in Hamilton, AU
hundred years of history. The Ida Ring Gem Details The five rose cut diamonds are estimated to weigh 0.10
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Late Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Victorian 18ct Gold Rose Cut Diamond Forget Me Not Mourning Ring, Circa 1869
Located in Lancashire, Oldham
A very pretty Victorian 18ct yellow gold, rose cut diamond and black enamel mourning ring dating
Category

Antique 1860s English High Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian Engagement Ring with Rose Cut Diamonds and Cabochon Opals
Located in Antwerp, BE
duplicating. With the glistening of 20 surrounding rose cut diamonds set in platinum, this whimsical jewel
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Belle Époque Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Georgian Ring Set with 15.50 Carat Aquamarine and 0.66 Carat Rose Cut Diamonds
Located in Warrington, PA
Georgian Ring in 14 karat rose gold with silver top set with 15.50 carat emerald cut natural
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Georgian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver

Victorian Ruby and Diamond 18 Karat Rose Gold Ring
Located in Antwerp, BE
A 19th century Victorian ring in 18 karat rose gold and silver set with a center old European cut
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Ruby Diamond Marquise Ring in Rose Gold and Silver, Wedding Ring
Located in PARIS, FR
Ruby diamond marquise ring in rose gold 18 karats and silver. Antique ring centred by a line of
Category

Antique 1890s French Late Victorian Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Antique Belle Époque, 18 Carat Gold, Cabochon Sapphire and Rose-Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
-cut diamonds and a deep blue cabochon sapphire, this beguiling ring beautifully embodies this spirit
Category

Early 20th Century British Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold

Victorian Antique Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Rose Gold Aigrette Engagement Ring
Located in Antwerp, BE
A 19th century Victorian ring with "Aigrette" design in 18 karat yellow and rose gold set with 2
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold

French Antique Diamond and 18 Karat Rose Gold Solitaire Ring, 1880s
Located in Antwerp, BE
: 18K red gold Diamonds: One old European cut diamond with an estimated weight of approx. 1.37 crt
Category

Antique 19th Century French Victorian Solitaire Rings

Materials

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

Victorian 0.70 Carat Old Cut Diamond Solitaire Ring
Located in Theydon Bois, Essex
A wonderful Victorian diamond ring steeped in history. The square cushion shaped old mine diamond
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

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19th Century Rose Cut Diamonds Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

On 1stDibs, you can find the most appropriate 19th century rose cut diamonds ring for your needs in our varied inventory. Frequently made of Gold, 18k Gold and Silver, this item was constructed with great care. Making the right choice when shopping for a 19th century rose cut diamonds ring may mean carefully reviewing examples of this item dating from different eras — you can find an early iteration of this piece from the 19th Century and a newer version made as recently as the 20th Century, both of which have proven very popular over the years. There have been many well-made iterations of the classic 19th century rose cut diamonds ring over the years, but those made by Single Stone are often thought to be among the most beautiful. Today, if you’re looking for a rose cut version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes old mine cut and antique cushion cut alternatives. When shopping for a 19th century rose cut diamonds ring, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for unisex or men today than there are for women.

How Much is a 19th Century Rose Cut Diamonds Ring?

Prices for a 19th century rose cut diamonds ring can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $266 and can go as high as $110,000, while this accessory, on average, fetches $2,800.

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.