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19th Century Ruby Diamonds 18 Karat Rose Gold You and Me Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
rose-cut diamonds give the start of the ring. Ruby weight : approximately 0.30 carat, weight of the
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Engagement Rings

Materials

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

French 19th Century Rose-Cut Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Snake Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
represents an openwork decoration of a coiled snake whose head is set with a rose- cut diamond. Height: 11.4
Category

Antique 1850s French Napoleon III Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Victorian Rose Gold Opal Rose Cut Diamond Diamond Ring
Located in Montgomery, AL
gemstones 5 - Cabochan Cut Opal Gemstones 16 - Rose Cut Diamonds Item: 768TMV7-M
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Fire Opal, Gold, 10k Gold, Rose Gold

Victorian Rose Cut Diamond Navette Ring
Located in London, GB
This is a Victorian rose cut diamond navette ring. The ring is set with multiple rose cut diamonds
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

19th Century Sapphire Diamond 18 Karat Rose Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
, with claws of an intense blue sapphire in an antourage of rose-cut diamonds. Total weight of the
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Engagement Rings

Materials

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

19th Century French 6.20 Carat Hessonite Garnet Rose Cut Diamonds Antique Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
hessonite orange garnet surrounded by rose-cut diamonds. On both sides, the start of the ring forms a fleur
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Cluster Rings

Materials

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

19th Century French 4.50 Carat Garnet Rose Cut Diamonds Antique Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
center of an oval garnet in an entourage of rose-cut diamonds. The start of the ring is formed on either
Category

Antique 1870s French Napoleon III Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Early Victorian Rose Cut Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
cut diamond that is elevated by intricately hand crafted 18k gold, with numerous matching rose cut
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Unknown Early Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Mid-19th Century Step Cut Emerald and Rose Cut Diamond Enamelled Cluster
Located in London, GB
This striking antique gold cluster ring dates to the mid-19th century. The ring is crafted in 18K
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Early Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Enamel

19th Century Platinum 18 Karats Rose Gold Diamond Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
- Work of the second half of the 19th century. Our opinion: This antique diamond ring is full of charm.
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Bridal Rings

Materials

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

19th Century Opal Diamonds 18 Karat Rose Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
front with an antique- cut diamond, an oval cabochon opal supported by 2 rose- cut diamonds. Height : 11
Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Engagement Rings

Materials

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

French 19th Century Square Diamonds 18 Karat Rose Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karats rose gold ring. Lovely antique ring, it is set on a square platter of rose cut
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Victorian Garnet Rose Cut Diamond gold Ring
Located in San Francisco, CA
Charming 14k yellow gold antique ring features a 1.05 carat garnet in a halo of 20 rose cut
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, 14k Gold

18 carat gold ring with 7 old cut diamonds "roses"
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
an 18-carat rose gold ring, set with 7 old-cut "rose" diamonds the largest measures approximately
Category

Antique 19th Century European Retro Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Antique Five-Stone Rose Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
covered by the seller (customs duties included). The silver topped collet set five stone rose cut
Category

Antique Early 19th Century British Georgian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond

Antique Georgian Rose Cut Diamond Cluster Ring c1820
Located in Chicago, IL
An elaborate openwork 18K gold ring, circa 1820, is set with eight antique rose cut diamonds. Ring
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Georgian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond

19th Century 18 Karat Rose Gold Diamond Solitaire Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat rose gold. Finely openwork, the ring separates into three parts and holds on the
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Solitaire Rings

Materials

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

French 19th Century Diamonds 18 Karat Rose Gold Bangle Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
rose- cut diamonds. This antique ring is engraved inside with the inscription: "Perronne L. Paris Avril
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Band Rings

Materials

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

Victorian Era Rose Gold Colombian Emerald Rose Cut Diamond Ring GIA
Located in Montgomery, AL
2231384118 18 - 2.5mm Rose Cut Diamonds Item: 768TMV8-AEA
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

19th Century Emerald Diamonds 18 Karat Rose Gold Pompadour Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
the second half of the 19th century. Our opinion: A thin antique cluster emerald diamond ring
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Antique Georgian Rose Cut Diamond Wedding Ring
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
Metal: 14k Yellow Gold 9 Rose Cut Diamonds 0.21 carats total Color:J Clarity: SI Ring Size: 8.25
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Georgian Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Russian Demantoid and Rose Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Hummelstown, PA
. Beautifully fabricated in 14k rose gold, this ring centers on a lively 1.2 carat marquise rose cut diamond
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Antique 18ct Rose Gold, Georgian Rose Cut Diamond Ruby Snake Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
boasts a beautiful pear-shaped rose-cut diamond set head and two natural ruby eyes, which sparkle in the
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Georgian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

French 19th Century Ruby Diamonds 18 Karat Rose Gold 3 Rings Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat rose gold. Lovely antique ring, it consists of 3 gold rings that meet at the base
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Band Rings

Materials

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

Victorian Rose Cut Diamond and Ruby Solitaire Ring
Located in London, GB
This is an antique 18ct rose gold, rose cut diamond and ruby ring. The rose cut diamond sits in a
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Rose Gold

French Antique Jade Rose Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
engraved oval jade centre surrounded by rose cut diamonds. The shoulders are attractively decorated with a
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold, Silver, Gold, Yellow Gold

Rose Gold Georgian Style Solitaire Engagement Ring with Rose Cut Diamond
Located in Old Tappan, NJ
center one rose cut salt and pepper diamond weighing approximately 0.55 carats. * Finger size 6.75
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Unknown Georgian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Blue Sapphire Rose Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Cape May, NJ
18K Gold Silver Top Blue Sapphire Rose Cut Diamond Ring. The ring is in excellent estate condition
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Georgian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver

Victorian Rose Cut Diamond Clover Ring
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful, 18ct yellow gold diamond clover ring. The ring features a central old cut
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pink Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Georgian GIA 1.29 Round Rose Cut Diamond Cluster Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
If you love and appreciate Georgian era jewelry, this Georgian Style Rose Cut Diamond Cluster Ring
Category

Antique 19th Century Georgian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

French 19th Century Diamond Rose Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 carat rose gold and platinum. This lovely antique ring is set with a brilliant-cut
Category

Antique 1870s French Napoleon III Solitaire Rings

Materials

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

19th Century Natural Pearl Diamonds 18 Karat Rose Gold Daisy Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat rose gold. Adorable antique ring, it is set in the center of a natural button
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Early Victorian Five-Stone Rose Cut Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
A lovely early Victorian five stone Rose cut diamond band ring circa 1850. The band is set with 5
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Unknown High Victorian Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver

Antique Rose Cut Diamond Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
Of round outline, the central stone weighing approximately 1,5cts, it is bordered by nine smaller stones weighing approximately 0,90cts, claw set in 18kt yellow gold. Weight: 5.9 gr ...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Gold

Victorian Antique Rose Cut Diamond Serpent Snake Ring
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
karat yellow gold and adorned with 182 single rose-cut diamonds. A surviving relic of the 1800s sure to
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Silver

Antique Rose Cut Diamond Solitaire Ring Victorian Georgian Engagement Ring
Located in London, GB
This beautiful piece was made in France and dates to the early 19th century. The ring is set with
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Early Victorian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

An Antique Rose-Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
design to a carved gallery and three other diamonds for each side. Mounted in yellow gold England
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Italian Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Sparkling Rose Cut Diamond Ring with Black Enamel
Located in Lucerne, CH
Charming ring in 18 karat gold featuring a 1.20 carat rose cut diamond of K color and si clarity
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Georgian 18K Rose Gold, Rose Cut Diamond Amethyst Ring
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Cut Diamonds in an antique bezel & prong set combination. The Amethyst plaque ring is over two
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Georgian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

19th Century Yellow Sapphire Diamonds 18 Karat Rose Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
yellow oval sapphire in an entourage of rose-cut diamonds. Total weight of the sapphire : approximately
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Antique 18k Gold Rose Cut Diamond Ring, circa 1890
Located in Toronto, ON
Antique 18K gold rose cut Diamond Ring C.1890. The ring of lozenge form set with 19 rose cut
Category

Antique 19th Century Georgian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Victorian Russian Rose Cut Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
The 14K rose gold ring features a bright white and sparkling antique rose cut diamond of irregular
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century High Victorian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond

19th Century 18 Karat Rose Gold Platinum Diamonds Daisy Engagement Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
of the head, on the start of the ring, are set 2 x 1 antique brilliant- cut diamond on a fleurdelysé
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Georgian 14 Karat Gold Silver Ruby Rose Cut Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
gem is surrounded with rose cut diamonds. Weight: 4.60g Size: 18 (US 7.75) IMPORTANT: Cannot be
Category

Antique 19th Century Georgian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Silver

Rose Cut Diamonds Gold Flower Cluster Ring
Located in Miami, FL
with 9 genuine rose cut Diamonds approx: 1.55cttw, G-H color, VS1 clarity, and 8 genuine round cut
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Edwardian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 22k Gold

Victorian 14 Karat Gold Rose Cut Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is a Victorian cluster ring crafted in 14K gold. Circa 1890. The piece features rose cut
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Rose Cut Diamond Amethyst Intaglio Ring Rose of Sharon Antique Victorian Flower
Located in New York, NY
with Gold and set with Rose Cut Diamonds in a Rose of Sharon flower motif. Craftsmanship required to
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Amethyst, 10k Gold

Victorian Vous et Moi Heart Diamond Rose Cut and Garnet Gold Ring
Located in Geneva, CH
Rose cut and a Garnet on Gold Ring. Late 19th Century. Ring size: 3. Former collection of a French
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Gold

Rose Gold Morganite Diamond Ring, 14k Cushion Cut 1.47ctw
Located in Greensboro, NC
Information Genuine Morganite Carat: 1.37ct Cut: Cushion Color: Pink Size: 6.9mm (square) Natural Diamonds
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Morganite, Rose Gold

Antique Edwardian French Platinum Rose Cut Diamond Pearl Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Edwardian French Platinum Rose Cut Diamond Pearl Ring. This beautiful ring has
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Unknown Edwardian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Platinum

Antique Rose Cut Diamond Floral Cluster Ring
Located in Cape May, NJ
Gold Foil Backed Rose Cut Diamond Floral Cluster Ring Of English Origin Composition: 15K
Category

Antique Early 19th Century British Georgian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold

French 19th Century Natural Pearl Diamonds 18 Karat Rose Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
on the top of 3 half natural pearls and 4 rose- cut diamonds in geometrical setting on both sides of
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Bridal Rings

Materials

Pearl, Natural Pearl, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

French 19th Century 1.10 Carat Diamonds 18 Karat Rose Gold Platinum Daisy Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
daisy diamond ring is set in the center with an antique cushion-cut diamond surrounded by 10 antique
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Engagement Rings

Materials

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

French 19th Century Citrine Diamonds Surrounding 18 Karat Rose Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
oval citrine surrounded by rose-cut diamonds set with descended claws. Weight of the citrine : 3,60
Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Cluster Rings

Materials

Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver, Ster...

Antique Rose Cut Diamond Ring of 18k Gold
Located in Lewisburg, PA
Elegant in its simplicity, this ring showcases a 0.28ct rose-cut diamond dating to the Georgian era
Category

Antique Early 1800s Georgian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Georgian Rose Cut Diamond Cluster Ring c1820
Located in Firenze, IT
The round rose-cut diamond surrounded by small rose cuts border, within foiled closed-back settings
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sterling Silver, 18k Gold

Antique Russian Rose Cut Diamond Ring c. 1830
Located in Chicago, IL
The ring is centered with a foil-backed old rose cut diamond (5.9 - 5.5 x 3 mm, approximately 0.80
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Georgian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond

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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.