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18 Karat White Gold Round Brilliant Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: custom Material: 18K white gold Diamond: 1 round brilliant cut = 1.00ct Color: I Clarity
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Engagement Ring Set Baguette Cut Diamonds White Gold 18 Karat
Located in Vannes, FR
This magnificent engagement ring in 18-carat white gold is a real gem. It is magnificently adorned
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

14 Karat White Gold Round Brilliant Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
: SI2 GIA 2225830137 Diamond: 24 round brilliant cut = 0.24cttw Color: G Clarity: VS1-2 Ring Size: 6.5
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

18 Karat Yellow Gold Round European Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: custom Material: 18K yellow gold Diamond: 1 round European cut = 3.40ct Color: O/P
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

2.81 Carat Apatite Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Engagement Ring
By Roshe Jewels
Located in Los Angeles, CA
the ring is 2.81 carats. The ring is made in 18K Yellow Gold and weighs approximately 4.2 grams
Category

2010s American Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

14 Karat Yellow Gold Princess Cut Diamond Three Stone Engagement Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: custom Material: 14K yellow gold Diamond: 1 princess cut = 1.51ct Color: I Clarity: VVS1
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

18 Karat Yellow Gold Fancy Yellow Radiant Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: custom Material: 18K yellow gold Diamond: 1 radiant cut = 5.25ct Color: Fancy Yellow
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Retro Forties Diamond Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1940s, 14k, American. This elegant forties engagement ring, with its wonderful post-Deco
Category

Vintage 1940s American Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 14k Gold

Sapphire Diamond Halo Engagement Ring, 14K White Gold, Ring
Located in McLeansville, NC
A 14 karat white gold sapphire and diamond halo engagement ring. This natural sapphire ring
Category

Early 2000s Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Invisible Set Princess Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Towson, MD
One 10-karat yellow and white gold engagement style ring set with fourteen (14) baguette diamonds
Category

Late 20th Century Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 10k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Portuguese Sapphire Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
This exquisite blue sapphire and diamond engagement ring boasts delightful symmetry and glows with
Category

Late 20th Century Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Gold

18 Karat Yellow Gold Panther Ring Size 7.75 #18060
Located in Washington Depot, CT
18 Karat Yellow Gold Panther Ring Size 7.75 This beautifully crafted panther ring is accented with
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

14 Karat Yellow Gold and Natural Sapphire Ring Size 5.25 #17066
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage 14 Karat Yellow Gold and Sapphire Ring Size 5.25 This elegant ring features 21 baguette
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

14 Karat Yellow Gold and Ruby Ring Band Size 7 #17970
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14 Karat Yellow Gold and Ruby Ring Size 7 This lovely band features 13 round natural rubies set in
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

14 Karat White Gold Aquamarine and Diamond Ring Size 5.25 #17149
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14 Karat White Gold Aquamarine and Diamond Ring Size 5.25 This stunning ring features one emerald
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Edwardian 1.40 Carats Diamond Ruby 18k Karat Yellow Gold Target Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Edwardian 1.40 Carats Diamond Ruby 18k Karat Yellow Gold Target Ring. Featuring one old
Category

Vintage 1910s Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Gabriel Co. 14 Karat White Gold and Diamond Ring Size 6.5 #14685
By Gabriel Co.
Located in Washington Depot, CT
This sparkling ring features 24 round brilliant cut diamonds set in 14K white gold. Shank: 1.5 mm
Category

20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

Edwardian GIA 1.44 Carats Old Mine Cut Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Edwardian GIA 1.44 Carats Old Mine Cut Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Ring. Featuring one GIA old
Category

Vintage 1910s Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

18 Karat White Gold Filigree and Diamond Art Deco Ring Size 7.25 #18241
Located in Washington Depot, CT
18 Karat White Gold Filigree and Diamond Art Deco Ring Size 7.25 This stunning ring features one
Category

20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

14 Karat Gold, 1 Carat Sapphire and .30 Carat Diamond Navette Statement Ring
Located in McLeansville, NC
A 14 karat yellow gold, sapphire an diamond navette statement ring. This ring features a prong set
Category

Vintage 1970s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

New 18 Karat White Gold GIA 2.17 Carat Triple Ex Round Diamond Solitaire Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
This classic and absolutely spectacular diamond engagement ring is newly crafted in solid 18k white
Category

2010s American Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

14 Karat Rose Gold 1.00 Carat Diamond Band
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: custom design Material: 14k rose gold Diamonds: 24 round brilliant cut = 1.00cttw Color
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

14K White Gold, Sapphire Diamond Ring
Located in McLeansville, NC
A 14 karat white gold, sapphire and diamond ring. This ring features a prong set, round cut
Category

Vintage 1950s Retro Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Green Beryl Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
this captivating vintage green beryl ring. Crafted in luxurious 18 karat yellow gold, this ring
Category

Vintage 1980s Engagement Rings

Materials

Beryl, Diamond, White Diamond, Green Beryl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1.34 Carat Pear Shape Diamond White Gold Engagment Ring GIA I/SI2 Solitaire
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Pear shape diamond engagement ring crafted in 14 karat white gold. The ring features an 1.34 carat
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vivid Diamonds AGL Certified Colombian Emerald Ring
By Vivid Diamonds
Located in Miami, FL
Spectacular Vivid Diamonds halo ring crafted in 18 karat white gold, showcasing an AGL certified
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

18K WG Sapphire Diamond Heart Ring Size 9 #15379
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage 18 Karat White Gold Sapphire and Diamond Heart Ring Size 9 JAGi Certified- This elegant
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

GIA Certified 0.40 Carat Faint Pink VS1 Clarity Diamond Ring
Located in บางรัก, TH
18kt white gold ring with diamonds Gold colour & karat: White gold 18kt Weight: 7.71 grams
Category

2010s Asian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

GIA Light Green Radiant Diamond Double Halo Fancy Intense Pink Diamond Ring
By Harbor Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
GIA Certified engagement ring featuring one Radiant Light Green Diamond weighing 1.04 Carats
Category

2010s Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Pink Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Platinum

GIA Certified 0.98 Carat Faint Pink SI2 Clarity Diamond Ring
Located in บางรัก, TH
18kt white gold ring with diamonds Gold colour & karat: White gold 18kt Weight: 5.765 grams
Category

2010s Asian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

GIA Certified 0.92 Carat Very Light Pink VS2 Clarity Diamond Ring
Located in บางรัก, TH
18kt white gold ring with diamonds Gold colour & karat: White gold 18kt Weight: 3.684 grams
Category

2010s Asian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

GIA Certified 0.53 Carat Fancy Brownish Yellow SI2 Clarity Diamond Ring
Located in บางรัก, TH
18kt white gold ring with diamonds Gold colour & karat: White gold 18kt Weight: 3.45 grams
Category

2010s Asian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

EGL Certified 3.37 Carat Old European Cut Diamond Solitaire "Optimist s" Ring
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
the 18 karat white gold and the modern-cut halo and side stones is actually quite stunning and that
Category

2010s American Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Stunning GIA Certified 8.38 Carat Natural Fancy Yellow Oval Shaped Diamond Ring
Located in Tustin, CA
karat white and yellow gold mounting with 1.30 carats of sparkling fine quality white diamonds. Ring
Category

Early 2000s American Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

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

GIA Certified 3.19 Carat Fancy Light Greenish Yellow I1 Clarity Diamond Ring
Located in บางรัก, TH
18kt white gold ring with diamonds Gold colour & karat: White gold 18kt Weight: 5.99 grams
Category

2010s Asian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Retro Forties Diamond and Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1940s, 14k, American. This elegant forties engagement ring, with its wonderful post-Deco
Category

Vintage 1940s American Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Antique Victorian Turquoise Diamond Ring Double Halo 14 Karat Gold Vintage 7
Located in Torrance, CA
), crafted in 14 karat yellow gold. Cabochon cut turquoise measures 6mm (each), accented with 24 estimated
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 9 Karat Gold 19.00 Carat Tanzanite 0.70 Carat Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is a vintage cocktail ring crafted in 9K gold. Circa 1960. The piece features: - 1 tanzanite
Category

Mid-20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tanzanite, Gold, 9k Gold

Poiray 18 Karat White Gold Citrine 0.20 Carat Diamond Rectangle Cluster Ring
By Poiray
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
It is a modern design rectangle cluster ring designed by French jewellery house “Poiray”. Circa
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Cluster Rings

Materials

Citrine, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco 14 Karat Gold 1.00 Carat Opal 0.36 Carat Rose Cut Diamond Dome Ring
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is a stunning Art Deco dome ring crafted in 14K slightly yellowish gold. It features 1ct
Category

20th Century French Art Deco Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold

Dated 1946 Vintage Carved 14 Karat Yellow Gold Band
Located in Addison, TX
Here we have a vintage carved piece that is in beautiful condition. Crafted in 18 karat yellow gold
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Band Rings

Materials

Yellow Gold

Dated 1946 Vintage Carved 14 Karat Yellow Gold Band
Located in Addison, TX
Here we have a vintage carved piece that is in beautiful condition. Crafted in 18 karat yellow gold
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Band Rings

Materials

Yellow Gold

Art Deco Etched Design 18 Karat White Gold Wedding Band
Located in Addison, TX
Here we have a genuine Art Deco wedding band crafted in 18 karat white gold! This beautiful ring
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Band Rings

Materials

18k Gold, White Gold

Gübelin Vintage 18 Karat Gold Sapphire Diamond Floral Pin Brooch
By Gubelin
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
crafted in 18K yellow gold. It features 24 round blue sapphires and 11 diamonds. Markings: “Gübelin-750
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Vintage 18 Karat Gold 26.00 Carat Ruby 0.16 Carat Diamond Drop Earrings
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
styles, from engagement rings to rose-cut diamond brooches, also costume jewellery: Chanel, Christian
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold

14 Karat White Gold Diamond and Sapphire Engagement Ring
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage 14 Karat White Gold Diamond and Sapphire Engagement Ring Size 7.25- This lovely ring
Category

20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold

24 Karat Yellow Gold Black Opal Ring Size 7 #15907
Located in Washington Depot, CT
24 Karat Yellow Gold Black Opal Ring Size 7 JAGi Certified- This elegant ring features one oval
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Opal, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold

6.52 Carat Blue Topaz Pink Sapphire Diamond 14 Karat White Gold Engagement Ring
By Roshe Jewels
Located in Los Angeles, CA
the ring is 6.52 carats. This unique beauty is set in 14 Karat White Gold and weighs approximately
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Topaz, 14k Gold, White Gold

6.52 Carat Blue Topaz Pink Sapphire Diamond 14 Karat White Gold Engagement Ring
By Roshe Jewels
Located in Los Angeles, CA
the ring is 6.52 carats. This unique beauty is set in 14 Karat White Gold and weighs approximately
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Topaz, 14k Gold, White Gold

Ladies 18K White Gold Cluster Invisible Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Houston, TX
18K white gold diamond cluster engagement ring with a half round shank. The metal was tested and
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

1930s Art Deco GIA Certified .60 Carat Diamond White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
This ring is set in 18 Karat white gold and is in original condition. Part of the inscription has
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, White Gold

Fana Ladies 14K White Gold Halo Accented Diamond Oval Semi Mount Engagement Ring
Located in Houston, TX
Polish: Very Good Symmetry: Very Good Pavé set in 14 Karat White Gold with: Twenty-four (24) round
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

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

14 Karat Yellow Gold and Ruby Ring Size 6 #17969
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14 Karat Yellow Gold and Ruby Ring Size 6 This lovely ring features 11 natural ruby gemstones set
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

14 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond Ring Size 4.75 #14676
Located in Washington Depot, CT
classic 14K yellow gold. Width: 10 mm. Shank: 2 mm. Approximate total diamond weight: .24 ct. Diamond
Category

20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

14 Karat Yellow Gold Sapphire and Diamond Flower Ring Size 5.5 #17146
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14 Karat Yellow Gold Sapphire and Diamond Ring Size 5.5- This stunning 14K yellow gold ring
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Gin Grace 10K Yellow Gold Natural Diamond Peridot Ring for Women
Located in New York, NY
with round-cut accent diamonds set in 10 karat yellow gold. Finished to a highly polished finish, this
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Peridot, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold

ART NOUVEAU 1900 Floriated Scrolls Ring In Sculpted 14Kt Yellow Gold And Diamond
Located in Miami, FL
An American art nouveau scrolled ring with diamonds. This is a heavy 18 karats yellow gold ring
Category

Antique Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Engagement Rings

Materials

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

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24 Karat Gold Engagement Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

You are likely to find exactly the 24 karat gold engagement ring you’re looking for on 1stDibs, as there is a broad range for sale. Every item for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using gold, yellow gold and 18k gold. In our selection of items, you can find a vintage example as well as a contemporary version. If you’re looking for a 24 karat gold engagement ring from a specific time period, our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and you’ll find at least one that dates back to the 19th Century while another version may have been produced as recently as the 21st Century. There have been many well-made iterations of the classic 24 karat gold engagement ring over the years, but those made by DGI, Cartier and Fabergé are often thought to be among the most beautiful. A 24 karat gold engagement ring can make for a versatile accessory, but a selection from our variety of 262 diamond versions can add an especially stylish touch. 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 old european cut alternatives. If you’re browsing our inventory for a 24 karat gold engagement ring, you’ll find that many are available today for women, but there are still pieces to choose from for unisex and men.

How Much is a 24 Karat Gold Engagement Ring?

Prices for a 24 karat gold engagement ring can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $256 and can go as high as $1,176,500, while this accessory, on average, fetches $3,150.

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.