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Glamorous 18k Yellow Gold Three-Stone Ring w/ 2.82 Ct Natural Diamonds IGI Cert
Located in רמת גן, IL
A brilliant pave ring with a dazzling 1.66-carat oval modified natural diamond. It has 1.16 carats
Category

2010s Israeli Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

Art Deco Platinum Solitaire Geometric Engraved Arched Vintage Engagement Ring
Located in Addison, TX
of Ring: 6.00mm Center Diamond Details: Shape: Old European Cut Carat Weight: .75Ct Color: Cape
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Platinum

14k Yellow Gold Three Stone Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
set with a Pear Shaped Fancy Light Yellow Diamond, weighing 1.51 carat with two side Half Moon Shaped
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold

Tiffany Co Seven Stone Diamond Platinum Yellow Gold Band
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
-DJ1030D. Tiffany & Co’s seven-stone diamond ring (the Tiffany Forever half-round ring) can be worn by
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Art Deco 18k 1.8 Carat White Sapphire Old Cut Hand Carved Filigree Engagement
Located in Addison, TX
a 1.5+ carat old euro diamond) at a fraction of the cost while still getting a genuine mined from
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Bridal Rings

Materials

Sapphire, 18k Gold

Art Deco Single Cut Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Filigree Solitaire Vintage
Located in Addison, TX
mm at shank Finger to Top of Ring: 4.69 mm Center Diamond Details Shape: Antique Single Cut Carat
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Modern 18 Karat Gold 1.2 Carat Sapphire 0.24 Carat Diamond Half Hoop Earrings
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
features: - Sapphires: 4pcs., marquise cut, 1.20ct, B 8/3, VS - Diamonds: 6pcs., round brilliant cut
Category

Late 20th Century Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold

French Napoleon 3 Antique Crescent Moon Sapphire Diamond Brooch
Located in Poitiers, FR
collector’s piece of wonderful luminosity. Sapphires total weight: approximately 4 carats, total diamond
Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Brooches

Materials

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

Victorian Baroque Pearl 0.25 Carat Diamond Silver 14 Karat Yellow Gold Necklace
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Rolo chain necklace centers a belcher set old mine cut diamond. Weighing approximately 0.25 carat
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Pair of White Gold and Diamond Earrings
Located in New York, NY
diamond oval links, from a pave set diamond ring and half hoop. . Total diamond weight approximately 1.48
Category

Early 2000s American Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

French 1850s Antique Diamonds Brooch and Pendant
Located in Poitiers, FR
diamonds set in a closed setting and a 3-leaf plant motif is also set with 3 rose cut diamonds. On the back
Category

Antique 19th Century French Romantic Brooches

Materials

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

Three Diamond Necklace, Past Present Future Round Diamond Drop Pendant
By Five Star Jewelry
Located in Austin, TX
of almost 3/4 of a carat. The necklace has the diamonds half bezel and prong set with a simple yellow
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Bezel Set Yellow Gold Diamond Solitaire Necklace
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
for her features an over half carat near colorless round diamond encircled in a 14K yellow gold bezel
Category

2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Peridot Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Platinum Day Night Earrings
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
by 96 round brilliant cut diamonds with a total weight of approximately 1.80 carats, graded G color
Category

Vintage 1980s Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Peridot, Yellow Gold, Platinum

2.00 Carats 3 Row Diamond Gold Half Band Ring
Located in New York, NY
Stunning Half Band with 3 Rows of Diamonds The ring is 18K White Gold There are 2.00 Carats in
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Handmade White Marquise Half a Carat Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
0.56ct Marquise diamond engagement ring that looks sweet and classic. This is a perfect proposal or
Category

2010s American Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

2/3 Carat TW, 14k Gold Diamond Band, Round and Baguette Diamonds, Half Eternity
Located in New York, NY
us know your ring size preference through inbox message. Metal Weight: 2 - 3 grams Total Diamond
Category

2010s American Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

1990s 1.24 Carat Diamond Yellow Gold Half Eternity Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine vintage 1.24 carat diamond and 18 karat yellow gold, 18 karat white gold set half eternity
Category

1990s Unknown Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

18 Karat Gold Gem Blue Zircon 11.27 Carat and Half Moon Diamonds 3-Stone Ring
Located in Hong Kong, HK
color saturation and almost loupe clean. The two half moon diamonds are 0.40Cts (almost half a carat
Category

2010s Hong Kong Three-Stone Rings

Materials

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

GIA 5.25ct Natural Tsavorite Cushion Half Moon Diamond 3-Stone Fancy Yellow Ring
Located in New York, NY
beautiful green gemstones in the world. Tsavorite is roughly 200 times more RARE than emerald ( 3 carat
Category

Early 2000s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tsavorite, Yellow Gold, Platinum

3 Ct. Yellow Sapphire and Diamond Classic Half Eternity Band Ring in 18K Gold
Located in Bangkok, TH
Here is a ring you will fall in love for an eternity. This.. 3 carat Asscher cut yellow sapphire
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

9.66 Carat of Old European Cut Diamonds 3-Stone Half Hoop Ring by Hancocks
By Hancocks
Located in London, GB
three stone diamond ring with a beautifully hand crafted 18ct yellow gold carved half hoop setting, the
Category

2010s British Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Edwardian Pearl and 18 Carat Gold Half Hoop Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This sweet ring holds a total of five graduated pearls which each have two diamond points in
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold

Vintage Tiffany Co. Diamond and Sapphire Half Eternity Ring
By Tiffany Co.
Located in London, England
A beautiful vintage Tiffany & Co. diamond and sapphire half-eternity channel ring set in 18k yellow
Category

2010s Modern Band Rings

Materials

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

Vintage Diamond, Platinum and 18 Carat Gold Half Eternity Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
hallmarked London 1977. Ring Size: L or 5 3/4 Band Width: 4.5mm Weight: 3.6g
Category

Vintage 1970s British Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Platinum

Diamond and 18K Yellow Gold, Platinum Set Half Eternity Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive 0.95 carat diamond, 18 karat yellow gold, platinum set, half eternity ring
Category

Early 2000s English Contemporary More Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Vintage Art Deco Half Carat Old European Cut Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Addison, TX
highlighting the stunning solitaire. The brilliant center Old European cut diamond is just under a half carat
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

GIA 4.14 Carat Estate Colombian Green Oval Emerald Diamond 3-Stone Ring
Located in New York, NY
Estate 3 Stone Engagement Anniversary GIA 4.14ctw Colombian Emerald Diamond Ring. Buy her this
Category

2010s Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

1936 Vintage Diamond Platinum Half Eternity Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Diamond and platinum half eternity ring dated 1936.* Love it because it caught your eye, and we
Category

Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

18k White Gold Half Eternity Band Ring w/ 1.01 Carat Natural Diamonds IGI Cert
Located in רמת גן, IL
An elegant half-eternity ring with dazzling 1.01-carat round brilliant diamonds. The jewelry is
Category

2010s Israeli Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco 1930 Half Eternity Ring In Platinum With 1.02 Ctw Diamonds And Emeralds
Located in Miami, FL
Eternity ring band with natural Gemstones. A beautiful and colorful half eternity band ring
Category

Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

4.55 Carat Lavender-Blue Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Located in San Francisco, CA
A contemporary take on a classic 3-stone design, this platinum ring showcases a beautiful
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

French Napoleon 3 1850s Emerald Diamond Duchess Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 carats yellow gold, eagle's head hallmark. Called Duchess, this beautiful antique ring
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Elegant 1.01ct Diamonds Half Eternity Ring in 18k White Gold - IGI Certified
Located in רמת גן, IL
Elegant 1.01ct Diamonds Half Eternity Ring in 18k White Gold - IGI Certified Indulge in timeless
Category

2010s Israeli Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

14k Rose Gold Half Eternity Ring with 0.84ct Natural Diamonds AIG Certificate
Located in רמת גן, IL
A stunning half eternity ring with a dazzling 0.84 carat round brilliant diamonds. The jewelry is
Category

2010s Israeli Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Vintage Cartier Half Diamond Maillon Panthère Ring Set in 18k White Gold
By Cartier
Located in London, England
ring is comprised of 3 rows of 18 open work panels which lie comfortably on the finger. Uniquely, half
Category

2010s Modern Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique Old-European Cut Diamond Sapphire Half Eternity Ring in 18K Gold
Located in London, GB
cut diamonds, approximate total weight 0.75 carats, assessed colour H/I, assessed clarity SI UK ring
Category

Vintage 1930s British Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Art Deco, Rare Antique Cushion Cut GIA 3, 89 Carat E/VS1 Diamond Ring, C. 1920
Located in Paris, FR
quality cut for the art deco period and the beautiful Antique Half-Moon diamonds (0.45 carat each
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

2.73 total natural diamond carat - White gold 3 Stone Fancy Color Ring -IGI Cert
Located in רמת גן, IL
An elegant cluster ring with a dazzling 2.01-carat square cushion-modified natural diamond. It has
Category

2010s Israeli Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

GIA 1.01 Carat Cushion Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
By Made by Verma Group
Located in Hicksville, NY
Custom made in-house this year (2016) 14 karat Diamond Engagement Ring featuring sleek modern halo
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

GIA 4.40ct Estate Vintage Oval Diamond 3 Stone Engagement Wedding Ring Plat/18k
Located in New York, NY
3 Stone Estate Vintage GIA 4.40ct Oval Diamond Wedding Engagement 18k/Plat Ring. A Breathtaking
Category

2010s American Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

0.52 Carat Diamond 18Kt White Gold Stefan Hafner Initial N Cocktail Ring
By Stefan Hafner
Located in Florence, IT
This unique 0.52 Carat Diamond Stefan Hafner Initial 'N' cocktail ring, is initialled with a half
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

GIA Certified 1.19 Carat Diamond with Sapphire Halo in Deco-Style Platinum Ring
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
diamonds are very small -- probably around a half point each -- and add just a hint of sparkle without
Category

2010s Argentine Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum

Stefan Hafner 0.51 Carat, Set in 18kt White Gold Diamond Flower Cocktail Ring
By Stefan Hafner
Located in Florence, IT
A stunningly unique, 0.51 Carat diamond Flower Cocktail Ring. Set in 18 kt white Gold. The diamond
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Cartier 1895 Dots Diamond Half Eternity Set in 18k Yellow Gold
By Cartier
Located in London, England
A lovely vintage Cartier ‘1895 Dots’ round brilliant cut diamond half eternity band set in 18k
Category

2010s Unknown Modern Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Wedding Band Diamond Platinum Ring
By Peter Suchy
Located in Stamford, CT
"U" shaped common prong set low to the hand, smooth substantial half round shank. Incredible
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Four Stone Diamond 0.12 Carat Traditional Ring/Band 14 Karat White Gold
Located in New York, NY
Four Stone Diamond Traditional Ring/Band 14 Karat White Gold Four Princess cut diamonds next to
Category

2010s Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco Platinum 1.33 Carat Old European Diamond Blue Sapphire Engagement Ring
Located in Addison, TX
ring features a stunning 1.33 Carat Old European cut diamond set beautifully in a highly detailed
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum

18th cent. Ring 8ct White Sapphire 3 ct Diamonds 10K Gold Silver Ø 5.25US /8.3gr
Located in SE
diamonds ,diameters ranging 1.25mm - 3 mm with a total carat weight of approximately 3 carats. Weight
Category

Antique Late 18th Century European Romantic Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

1850s 18 Carat Rose Yellow Gold Diamond Emerald Fleur de Lys Band Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 carats yellow and rose gold. This lovely antique ring is set on its asymmetrical outline
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Wedding Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco Ruby and Diamond 18 Carat Gold 1/2 Eternity Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This half eternity band holds five rich red square rubies totalling 50pts and diamonds measuring a
Category

Vintage 1910s British Art Deco Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold

Pink Sapphire Champagne Rose Cut Diamond Gold Ring
By Faye Kim
Located in Darien, CT
. Width of ring is 3/4" with a half round shank. Size 7. Ring can be sized.
Category

2010s American Contemporary More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold

David Yurman Blue Topaz and Diamonds Sterling Silver Petite Wheaton Ring
By David Yurman
Located in Hicksville, NY
David Yurman Petite Wheaton Ring with Blue Topaz, Diamonds, Sterling Silver Features a 10 x 8
Category

2010s American Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Topaz, Sterling Silver

Vivid Green Emerald and Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Double Flower Ring
Located in Tustin, CA
.03 carats. The ring is approximately 1.35 carats total stone weight. Diamonds are G-H color and VS
Category

Late 20th Century American Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

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

Triple Heart Diamond White Gold Ring
Located in Houston, TX
with three (3) square and six (6) half moon shaped diamonds. Also, there are a total of 73 round
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Tiffany Co. Platinum True Cut Diamond Engagement Ring .59ct TW FVS1
By Tiffany Co.
Located in New York, NY
featuring a cushion brilliant diamond center weighing 0.50 carats , F color , VS1 clarity set in a 4 prong
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Vintage Boucheron ‘Quatre Radiant’ Diamond Solitaire Ring
By Boucheron
Located in London, England
travels half way around the band. Set centrally is a 0.20 carat rub over set round brilliant cut diamond
Category

2010s Unknown Modern Solitaire Rings

Materials

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

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3 And A Half Carat Diamond Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact 3 and a half carat diamond ring you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Every item for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using gold, 18k gold and yellow gold. Our collection of these items for sale includes 643 vintage editions and 740 modern creations to choose from as well. Making the right choice when shopping for a 3 and a half carat diamond ring may mean carefully reviewing examples of this item dating from different eras — you can find an early iteration of this piece from the 18th Century and a newer version made as recently as the 21st Century, both of which have proven very popular over the years. There have been many well-made iterations of the classic 3 and a half carat diamond ring over the years, but those made by Tiffany Co., Shreve, Crump Low and Gems Paradise are often thought to be among the most beautiful. 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 cushion cut alternatives. There aren’t many items for men if you’re seeking a 3 and a half carat diamond ring, as most of the options available are for women and unisex.

How Much is a 3 And A Half Carat Diamond Ring?

Prices for a 3 and a half carat diamond ring can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $1 and can go as high as $1,875,000, while this accessory, on average, fetches $4,390.

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.