4 Carat Engagement Ring
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Engagement Rings
21st Century and Contemporary Zambian Engagement Rings
Emerald, 18k Gold
2010s American Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
20th Century Indian Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1970s Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Engagement Rings
White Gold
20th Century Indian Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Engagement Rings
Diamond
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Vintage 1910s French Belle Époque Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald
20th Century Engagement Rings
Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
2010s Engagement Rings
Diamond, Rose Gold
2010s Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Gold
2010s North American Engagement Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
2010s North American Engagement Rings
Diamond, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century British Engagement Rings
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Platinum
Antique 19th Century Indian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
20th Century Indian Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
Early 2000s American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Tourmaline, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White...
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Engagement Rings
Diamond
Antique 19th Century Indian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s French Art Deco Engagement Rings
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
2010s Israeli Art Deco Fashion Rings
Diamond, Black Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Tourmaline, Platinum
2010s Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Modern Engagement Rings
Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Platinum
2010s Italian Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald
Vintage 1980s Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1980s Retro Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Russian Art Deco Engagement Rings
1990s Contemporary Engagement Rings
Alexandrite, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Early 20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Aquamarine, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
20th Century American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
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4 Carat Engagement Ring For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a 4 Carat Engagement Ring?
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 rings, vintage 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 rings, vintage 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 8, 2023The 4Cs of engagement rings are cut, color, clarity and carat weight, but this doesn�t pertain solely to engagement rings. Established by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the 4Cs are the guidelines that determine how diamonds are graded. A diamond�s cut pertains to how the stone�s facets interact with the light. There are five main categories of color (judged on the tone and saturation): colorless, near colorless, faint, very light and light. According to the GIA, �clarity is the relative absence of inclusions and blemishes� in a diamond (inclusions are internal features and blemishes refers to surface irregularities). Also per the GIA, �Diamonds are weighed to a thousandth (0.001) of a carat and then rounded to the nearest hundredth, or point. Over a carat, diamond weights are usually expressed in carats and decimals.� Keep in mind that because a three-carat gem can be less valuable then a one-carat stone, weight is not the most important signifier of a stone�s value. Explore a large collection of engagement rings on 1stDibs.
- Is a 4 carat ring big?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Whether or not a 4-carat ring is big is largely a matter of personal opinion. However, 4-carat stones usually do have larger dimensions. Diamonds of this size are usually quite expensive due to their size. Shop a large selection of gemstone rings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 14, 2023The most popular carat size for engagement rings varies from country to country. In the US, the average size is around one carat. However, engagement rings tend to be smaller in other places. For example, the average is 0.6 carats in the UK and around 0.5 carats in western Europe. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of engagement rings.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023Whether 2-carat is a good size for an engagement ring is a matter of personal opinion. Due to its size, a 2-carat gemstone will likely stand out and get noticed. However, some people prefer smaller engagement rings, especially if they work with their hands. Carat weight is also not the most important signifier of a stone’s value. A three-carat gem can be less valuable than a one-carat stone, for example, if all of the other attributes are of lesser quality in the larger diamond. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of engagement rings.
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Colorful Gemstones Are a Brilliant Choice for Engagement Rings
If diamonds don’t seem right, what about a magnificent sapphire, ruby or emerald?
Our Guide to Fancy-Colored Diamond Engagement Rings
Accounting for just 1 percent of all diamonds, these marvels of nature are exceedingly rare and gorgeously complex.
Our Guide to Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco Engagement Rings
Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.