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1859 Nordic Signet Ring Red Onyx solid 20K Gold Ø US5 / 1.7 gr
Located in SE
diamonds can chip or stones fall out if proper care is not taken. WEIGHT OF THE STONES The cuts of the
Category

Antique 1850s Swedish Aesthetic Movement Signet Rings

Materials

Onyx, 22k Gold

Antique German Ring natural 0.7 ctw Emeralds solid 18K Gold Ø 8US / 1.7 gr
Located in SE
and old Diamond cut. German, early XX century. Hallmarked with old Swedish customs hallmark and 750
Category

Vintage 1930s Swedish Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Emerald, 18k Gold

1946 Poison Ring natural 1ct Green Sapphire Garnets solid 18K Gold Ø US6.5 / 5gr
Located in SE
STONES The cuts of the stones that you may see on many of the older jewelry items are usually of older
Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Garnet, Green Sapphire, 18k Gold

1910 Alliance Ring 1ctw natural Sapphire solid 18K Gold Ø 8.25 US / 2.2 gr
Located in SE
Antique Alliance Ring featuring solid 18K Yellow frame holding 5 bezel set natural Sapphires cut
Category

Vintage 1910s Swedish Art Nouveau Solitaire Rings

Materials

Sapphire, 18k Gold

1960 Men Unisex Ring Green Chalcedony solid 18K Gold Ø US 7.5 / 5.2 gr
Located in SE
Dark Green Chalcedony stone Ø 7.5 mm x 5 mm deep /ca. 2.5 ct. This stone is rather hard, durable, and
Category

Vintage 1960s Swedish Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Chalcedony, 18k Gold

Krementz Co. Art Nouveau Solid Gold Repousse Diamond Lorgnette
By Krementz Co
Located in Narberth, PA
head is set with 3 old Mine Cut diamonds, and 2 additional stones are set in the center of 2 of the
Category

Antique Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Vanity Items

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

18th cent. Cross Crucifix 12K Gold Gilt Silver Cut Steel Diamonds / 10 gr
Located in SE
. WEIGHT OF THE STONES The cuts of the stones that you may see on many of the older jewelry items are
Category

Antique Late 18th Century European Renaissance Revival Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Gold, Silver, Cut Steel

Antique Art Deco Platinum Square Aquamarine Diamond Pearl Long Necklace
Located in Montclair, NJ
pearls, and original old cut diamonds. It comes together perfectly and is absolutely stunning in style
Category

Vintage 1910s Art Deco Chain Necklaces

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, Pearl, Platinum

European Round Dangle Earrings natural Red Coral solid 14K Rose Gold / 5 gr.
Located in SE
day, both indoors and outdoors. Stones of the rings photographed alone may look a bit differently when
Category

Vintage 1930s European Art Nouveau Dangle Earrings

Materials

Coral, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Edwardian Emerald Diamond Gold Mesh Purse
Located in Narberth, PA
milgrain detail surrounds the stones and lines the stem. Three old Mine Cut diamonds and two beautiful
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian Vanity Items

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold

Vintage Earrings natural Citrine Diamonds solid 18K Gold / 2gr
Located in SE
cut natural Diamonds Ø 1mm / ca. 0.005 ct each or ca 1.18 ctw total weight. Color ca.F,G /VVS Each
Category

Vintage 1970s European Retro Stud Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Citrine, 18k Gold

Antique European stud Halo Earrings Sapphires Diamonds solid 18K Gold / 3.3 gr
Located in SE
diamonds can chip or stones fall out if proper care is not taken. WEIGHT OF THE STONES The cuts of the
Category

Vintage 1930s European Retro Stud Earrings

Materials

Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage Earrings 3 ctw natural Emeralds solid 18K Yellow Gold / 5gr
Located in SE
. WEIGHT OF THE STONES The cuts of the stones that you may see on many of the older jewelry items are
Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Retro Lever-Back Earrings

Materials

Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Necklace 13 Natural 14ctw Gems solid 14/ 18K Gold / 5.8gr
Located in SE
: 1. Only one Citrine, old mixed square cut: 9 mm x 7.5 mm x 3.3mm / ca. 4ct 2. Three old diamond cut
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Citrine, Garnet, Sapphire, Spinel, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, 14k Gold, Silver

Vintage Danish 18K Dangle drop Earrings Citrine solid 18K Gold /2.2gr
Located in SE
. WEIGHT OF THE STONES The cuts of the stones that you may see on many of the older jewelry items are
Category

Vintage 1970s Danish Retro Dangle Earrings

Materials

Citrine, 18k Gold

Antique von Belfrage Brooch Intaglio Carnelian solid 18K Gold /10 gr
Located in SE
. WEIGHT OF THE STONES The cuts of the stones that you may see on many of the older jewelry items are
Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Baroque Revival Brooches

Materials

Carnelian, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1879 Four Antique Russian solid 84 Silver Vodka Stopka Shots Beakers / 159gr
Located in SE
. WEIGHT OF THE STONES The cuts of the stones that you may see on many of the older jewelry items are
Category

Antique 1870s Russian Russian Empire Barware

Materials

Silver

Art Deco Negligee Necklace Citrine Gilt Silver / 37.5 cm / 5.4gr
Located in SE
. WEIGHT OF THE STONES The cuts of the stones that you may see on many of the older jewelry items are
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Citrine, Silver, Gold-filled

Vintage European stud Earrings 1.5ctw Emeralds solid 18K Gold / 3.65 gr
Located in SE
. WEIGHT OF THE STONES The cuts of the stones that you may see on many of the older jewelry items are
Category

Vintage 1970s European Retro Stud Earrings

Materials

Emerald, 18k Gold

1954 Vintage Retro Finish Earrings Citrine solid 14K rose Gold / 1.68 gr
Located in SE
STONES The cuts of the stones that you may see on many of the older jewelry items are usually of older
Category

Vintage 1950s Finnish Retro Dangle Earrings

Materials

Citrine, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Antique Vintage Creole Earrings solid 18K Yellow Gold / 2.32gr
Located in SE
day, both indoors and outdoors. Stones of the rings photographed alone may look a bit differently when
Category

Vintage 1930s Danish Art Nouveau Dangle Earrings

Materials

18k Gold

Antique German Locket Pendant Picture solid 14K Gold oval / 3.3gr
Located in SE
STONES The cuts of the stones that you may see on many of the older jewelry items are usually of older
Category

Antique Early 1900s European Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

14k Gold

1864 Nordic Eternity Knot Pendant Picture Locket solid 18K Yellow Gold/ 4gr
Located in SE
indoors and outdoors. Stones of the rings photographed alone may look a bit differently when on hand
Category

Antique 1860s Swedish Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

18k Gold

Vintage Drop Earrings solid 18K Gold/ 3 gr
Located in SE
. WEIGHT OF THE STONES The cuts of the stones that you may see on many of the older jewelry items are
Category

Vintage 1920s European Etruscan Revival Dangle Earrings

Materials

18k Gold

Antique Russian Egg Pendant 2.5ct Emerald Enamel 56 Gold 14K Silver/ 4.4gr
Located in SE
diamonds can chip or stones fall out if proper care is not taken. WEIGHT OF THE STONES The cuts of the
Category

Antique Early 1900s Russian Russian Empire Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Emerald, 14k Gold, Silver, Enamel

Old Mine Cut Victorian Era Diamond Quatrefoil Ring
Located in Austin, TX
Victorian era 5 Stone old mine cut diamond ring. Set in 14k gold in a quatrefoil design, each old
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Edwardian Old Mind Cut Three-Stone Diamond Trefoil Ring
Located in Austin, TX
Edwardian three stone ring in the form of a trefoil. Three transitional old mine cut diamonds with
Category

20th Century British Edwardian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Art Deco 2.52 Carat Old Cut and Pear Cut Diamond Trilogy Ring
Located in Essex, GB
Oh wow! An awesome vintage three stone ring. The cushion shaped old mine cut diamond in the centre
Category

Early 20th Century French Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco 1.28 Carat Old Cut Diamond Trilogy Crossover Ring
Located in Essex, GB
An utterly divine old cut diamond trilogy crossover ring. The central cushion shaped stone is
Category

Early 20th Century British Three-Stone Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco Emerald and Old Mine Cut Diamond Trilogy, circa 1920
Located in Essex, GB
and clean old mine cut diamonds are set in eight-claw coronet collets leading to a slim and tapering
Category

Early 20th Century British Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Art Deco 0.94 Carat Old Cut Diamond Trilogy Ring, circa 1925
Located in Essex, GB
classic of rings apart. Accompanied by an independent jewellery report for IGR (#30307036). Cut – Old
Category

Early 20th Century Three-Stone Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco 1.83 Carat Fancy Intense Yellow Old Cut Diamond Trilogy Ring
Located in Essex, GB
A glowing trio of fancy yellow old cut diamonds. The centre stone, of approximately 1.03 carat, is
Category

Mid-20th Century Three-Stone Rings

Materials

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

Ruby Old Cut Diamond Gold Trilogy Ring
Located in Theydon Bois, Essex
enhancement. Cut – Oval shaped ruby and old mine / miner cut diamonds Colour – Diamonds are F
Category

Mid-20th Century Revival Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Art Deco 2.20 Carat Cognac and White Old Cut Diamond Trilogy Crossover Ring
Located in Essex, GB
– Old mine cuts. Colour – The centre diamond is a light brownish yellow, with G to I colour diamonds
Category

Mid-20th Century Three-Stone Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco Old Cut Diamond gold Trilogy Ring
Located in Theydon Bois, Essex
One of the most impressive three stone rings we’ve ever listed. The central cushion shaped old mine
Category

Early 20th Century British Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique Victorian Old Mine Cut Diamond 5-Stone Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
fantastic antique engagement ring, or worn as part of a daily stack. STONES Old Mine Cut Diamonds Total
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Band Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco 2.34 Carat Old Cut Diamond Trilogy Ring, circa 1940
Located in Theydon Bois, Essex
Exceptional. The trio of cushion shaped old cut diamonds are wonderfully bright, vibrant and
Category

Mid-20th Century Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Palladium, Platinum

Art Deco 2.59 Carat Old Cut Diamond Gold Platinum Trilogy Ring
Located in Theydon Bois, Essex
So, so impressive. This trio of old cut diamonds look utterly fantastic on the finger. The 1.06
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco 0.90 Carat Sapphire and 1.20 Carat Old Cut Diamond Trilogy Ring
Located in Theydon Bois, Essex
. Flanked by a matching pair of white and lively old mine cut diamonds. A beautiful contrast of shapes and
Category

Mid-20th Century Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Victorian 18 Karat Gold Opal and Diamond Three Stone Gypsy Ring, circa 1890
Located in Lancashire, Oldham
A delightful Victorian 18 Karat yellow gold opal and diamond seven stone gypsy ring. All the
Category

Antique 1890s British Late Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

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

Victorian Emerald Old Mine Cut Diamond 5-Stone Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
This splendid antique five-stone ring is set with three vibrant emeralds and two old mine cut
Category

Antique 1880s British Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Emerald, 18k Gold

Edwardian 1.81 Carat Fancy Intense Yellow Diamond Platinum Three Stone Ring
Located in San Francisco, CA
Measurements: 7.21 x 6.77 x 4.93 mm Cut/Shape: Old Mine Cut Clarity: VS1 Color: Fancy
Category

Early 20th Century Edwardian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond

Early 20th Century 18ct Gold, Opal and Diamond Three Stone Ring, Circa 1910
Located in Lancashire, Oldham
the finger OPALS - 7 x 5mm centre stone 2 (5 x 4mm stones) DIAMONDS - Old Mine cut diamonds Total
Category

Early 20th Century British Edwardian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold

Early 20th Century 18ct Gold Opal and Diamond Seven Stone Ring Circa 1910
Located in Lancashire, Oldham
flashes of purple and green. The sparkling diamonds are old mine cut that are typical of this particular
Category

Early 20th Century Edwardian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Three sapphires totaling 2 carats and two Old Mine cut diamonds totaling 0.50 carat are quite the
Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Antique Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Located in Lambertville, NJ
approx. .80cts. edged by 12 old mine cut diamonds totaling approx. 1.ct. The ring is circa 1900, size 5 1
Category

20th Century American Edwardian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Sapphire, Diamond, 14k Gold

4.02 Carat Cabochon Emerald Diamond Gold Platinum Ring
Located in Theydon Bois, Essex
cabochon emerald. Old mine / miner cut diamonds Colour – The emerald is a verdant green with undertones
Category

Mid-20th Century Revival Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique Edwardian Old Mine Cut Diamond Five-Stone Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
This classic Edwardian bezel set 5-stone ring is set with gorgeous old mine cut diamonds. The side
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

3.54-Carat Old Mine Cut Diamond Tiffany Co Ring
By Tiffany Co.
Located in New York, NY
a GIA-certified 3.54-carat old mine cut diamond of J color, VS1 clarity. The stone is set in a 6
Category

Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Antique Victorian Old Mine Cut Diamond Mourning Enamel Ring
Located in Rottedam, NL
seven old mine cut diamonds and pearls. This ring comes from a private collection in Italy and is
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Italian Late Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Enamel

Antique Edwardian Old Mine Cut Diamond Five-Stone Millegrain Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
This classic Edwardian bezel set 5-stone ring is set with gorgeous old mine cut diamonds. The side
Category

Early 20th Century British Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Antique Victorian Old Cut Diamond Five-Stone Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
The Chunkiest of 18k Gold Victorian Old Mine Cut Diamond 5-Stone Rings. Two carats of deep
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Band Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold

Mociun Old Mine Cut Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Brooklyn, NY
One of a kind diamond ring Center, old mine cut white diamond weighs 4.04ct (UV/SII) 5 accent old
Category

2010s American Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Belle Époque Old Cut Diamond Two-Stone Ring
Located in Essex, GB
A belle époque ring that just exudes quality. A pair of high white and clean old mine cut diamonds
Category

Early 20th Century Belle Époque Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Victorian Emerald Old Mine Cut Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Frederick, MD
Old Mine Cut Vintage Ring Size 5 Yellow Gold ·Composition: 18k Gold Acid Tested ·Gem Stone
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian 1.69 Carat Old Cut Diamond Five-Stone Ring
Located in Essex, GB
A top grade example of a Victorian five stone diamond ring. The graduating line of old mine cuts
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Edwardian 1.70 Carat Old Cut Diamond Five-Stone Ring
Located in Essex, GB
A charming Edwardian five stone diamond ring. The graduating line of old mine cuts are very lively
Category

Early 20th Century British Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

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5 Stone Old Mine Cut Diamond Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

You are likely to find exactly the 5 stone old mine cut diamond 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, 18k gold and platinum. In our selection of items, you can find a vintage example as well as a contemporary version. If you’re looking for a 5 stone old mine cut diamond 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 18th Century while another version may have been produced as recently as the 21st Century. For this particular piece, .5 carat and 1 carat are consistently popular carat weights. Finding an appealing 5 stone old mine cut diamond ring — no matter the origin — is easy, but Peter Suchy, Emilio! and Tiffany Co. each produced a popular version that is worth a look. A 5 stone old mine cut diamond ring of any era or style can lend versatility to your look, but a version featuring diamond, from our inventory of 714, is particularly popular. An old mine cut version of this piece has appeal, but there are also old european cut and oval cut versions for sale. Most of our 5 stone old mine cut diamond ring for sale are for women, but there are 226 pieces available to browse for men.

How Much is a 5 Stone Old Mine Cut Diamond Ring?

The price for a 5 stone old mine cut diamond ring starts at $386 and tops out at $999,999 with these rings, on average, selling for $2,833.

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.