Skip to main content

8 Carat Round Diamond Ring

to
857
8,686
3,915
3,627
3,876
3,794
10,051
1,670
1,715
985
902
9
157
3,849
6,374
119
134
216
232
161
222
218
420
291
353
6
6,910
3,294
189
4915
1178
651
490
294
to
7
313
230
156
155
115
1,662
1,468
1,230
280
274
149
73
50
25
23
18
17
8
7
7
10,345
48
7,470
1,710
Sort By
Natural Diamond Flower Ring G SI 14 Karat White Gold
Located in New York, NY
Round Cut Diamond Ring 1.00CT G-H SI 14K White Gold prong style 3.70 grams 3/8 inch in width
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Antique GIA 0.68ct Diamond Sapphire Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
This elegant platinum ring centers a sparkling GIA certified round brilliant cut diamond that
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

Vintage Ruby Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
faceted rubies possessing a rich pinky colour tone. Finally, an array of round brilliant cut diamonds
Category

20th Century Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold

Diamond Pavé Domed Cocktail Ring in 18K White Gold
Located in Chicago, IL
crafted in luxurious 18K white gold. The design showcases an impressive 8 carats of natural round
Category

2010s American Contemporary Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Crown of Light Crown Diamond Garnet Stackable Band- Yellow Gold 14k .75ctw Ring
Located in Greensboro, NC
: Crown Stackable Band Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold Stone Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Estate Diamond Bombé 18K Gold Dome Ring
Located in Houston, TX
18K yellow gold bombé style ring with 50 round diamonds totaling 3.50 carats; H-J color and VS1-SI1
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Fancy Yellow, White and Black Diamond Flower Ring
Located in Honolulu, HI
' set with natural black round diamonds and features 8 petals with each petal set with 8 diamonds. The
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage 1960s Bypass Tahitian Pearls and Diamonds Ring
Located in New York, NY
Round Brilliant cut Diamonds weighing approximately a total of 5.00 carats. Circa 1960s Size 8
Category

Vintage 1960s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Black Pearl, 18k Gold

Art Deco Diamond and 18 Carat Gold Solitaire Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
gold. Fully hallmarked Birmingham 1911. Ring Size: Q or 8 Band Width: 8mm Height: 5mm Weight: 4.8g
Category

Vintage 1910s British Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

1920s Antique French Diamond and Platinum Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Diamond Content 0.74 carat Dimensions Height of Setting 5.2mm/0.2" Ring Size UK Size Q 1/2 USA Size 8 1
Category

Vintage 1920s French Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Vintage Diamond Yellow Gold Five Stone Ring, circa 1940
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique 0.84 Carat diamond and 18 karat yellow gold five stone ring; part of
Category

Vintage 1940s Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Alternating Pink Sapphire and Diamond Eternity Band Ring
By GEMME
Located in New York, NY
8 Pink Sapphires weighing 2.55 Carats 8 Round Diamonds weighing 1.94 Carats. Set in Platinum. Size
Category

2010s Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Platinum

Yellow Gold Ruby Diamond Ring 18k Oval .70ctw
Located in Greensboro, NC
Stone Information Natural Ruby Treatment: Heating Carat(s): .60ct Cut: Oval Natural Diamonds Carat(s
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1/4 Carat Diamond Band in 14 Karat White, Rose, Yellow Gold
By Five Star Jewelry
Located in Austin, TX
. .27 carat total diamond weight 1/2 eternity band
Category

2010s American Contemporary Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Yellow Gold Sapphire Diamond Ring - 10k Marquise 1.00ctw
Located in Greensboro, NC
Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .10ctw Cut: Round Brilliant Color: G - H Clarity: SI2 - I1 Total Carats
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 10k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Diamond and White Gold Cluster Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive vintage 1960s 0.76 carat diamond and 18 karat white gold cluster style cocktail ring
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Estate 18k Emerald and Diamond Halo Ring
Located in Narberth, PA
A spectacular emerald and diamond halo ring! Crafted in vibrant 18k yellow gold, this ring features
Category

20th Century Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Men s 10K Yellow Gold 1.00 Cttw Cluster Black and White Diamond Statement Ring
Located in New York, NY
, Setting: Prong, Shape: Round, Total Carat Weight: 0.49, Treatment: Color Treated • Diamond 3 Clarity: I2
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Cluster Rings

Materials

Black Diamond, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 10k Gold, Gold

LB Exclusive 14K White Gold 0.10 Ct Diamond Ring
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
is made with 14K white gold and set with a cluster of round-cut diamonds over the face of the ring
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Cabochon Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Located in Cincinnati, OH
, approximately 1.40 carat, set horizontally 6 round diamonds approximately .36 total diamond weight Stamped "14K
Category

1990s American Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold

Gold, Emerald, and Diamond Ring
Located in Princeton, NJ
-Centering a 3.75 carat emerald -Featuring 22 round brilliant diamonds, natural -Ring size 8, can be
Category

20th Century American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold

Antique Diamond and Platinum Solitaire Engagement Ring, circa 1930
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive 0.63 carat diamond and platinum solitaire style engagement ring; part of our diverse
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Art Deco Diamond Ring
Located in London, GB
A platinum ring set with one central round old cut diamond in a claw setting with square surround
Category

Vintage 1930s French Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Vintage 1980s South Sea Pearl Ring with Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold with a South Sea Pearl and pave-set Round Brilliant cut Diamonds
Category

Vintage 1980s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold

Elegant 0.16ct Natural Diamond Ring in 9K White Gold
Located in רמת גן, IL
stone: 5 stones Natural Diamonds Main stone carat weight: 0.16ct Shape: Round brilliant Color grade: G-H
Category

2010s Singaporean Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Flower Diamond Ring in 14k Solid Yellow Gold
Located in Chicago, IL
Flower Diamond Ring 14k Solid Gold Bridal Wedding Ring Gold Diamond Ring Gift Light weight can be
Category

2010s Indian Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold

Stackable Diamond 14k White Gold Bridal Ring Enhancer
Located in Chicago, IL
Stone Creation: Natural Occasion: Engagement Metal: White Gold Ring Size: 8 Diamond Weight: 0.07 Cts
Category

2010s Indian Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold

Diamond Band Ring, Eternity Band, 14 Karat White Gold, Wedding, Fashion
By Five Star Jewelry
Located in Austin, TX
This stunningly beautiful diamond band ring would make anyone thrilled to receive it! These
Category

2010s American Modern Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

14k Solid Rose Gold Diamond Engagement Ring Band
Located in Chicago, IL
Shape: Round Secondary Stone: Diamond Style: Statement Clarity: SI1 Ring Shape: Flower Main Stone
Category

2010s Indian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Rose Gold, 14k Gold

Art Deco Style 1.74ct TW Diamond Platinum Ring
Located in Scotts Valley, CA
is one (1) diamond with the following characteristics: Cut: Round Brilliant Cut Carat Weight: 0.90
Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Elegant 18K Yellow Gold Twin Pearl Diamond Bypass Ring
Located in Miami, FL
8.25mm. The design is enhanced with round brilliant diamonds totaling 0.054 carats and marquise-cut
Category

Vintage 1980s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Diamond Wrap Ring 14k Gold Spiral Handmade NS22
Located in Chicago, IL
: Yellow Gold Ring Size: 8 Main Stone Shape: Round Main Stone: Diamond UPC: Does not apply
Category

2010s Indian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold

Yellow Gold Ruby Diamond Ring - 14k Oval 5.06ctw
Located in Greensboro, NC
Note: opaque Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .30ctw Cut: Round Brilliant Color: J - K Clarity: I1 - I2
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Ruby and Diamond 9 Carat White Gold Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
there are six diamond points set within them. Ring Size: P 1/2 or 8 Face Width: 7mm Height Off Finger
Category

Vintage 1980s British Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, White Gold

14K Yellow Gold Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring 1.20ct
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
gross weight. The diamond is a round brilliant cut, 1.20 carats, H to I color, i1 clarity, and good
Category

Late 20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Yellow Gold Diamond Zig-Zag Cluster Cocktail Band 14k Rd 1.12ctw ChannelSet Ring
Located in Greensboro, NC
Gold Stone Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): 1.12ctw Cut: Round Brilliant Color: G - H Clarity
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

1920s Diamond and Sapphire Yellow Gold Art Deco Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Feature Diamond Color G Clarity SI1 Cut Old European round Content 0.18 carat Dimensions 3.33mm x 3.28mm x
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold, 14k Gold

14K White Gold Vintage Diamond Cluster Ring 1.50ct
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
diamonds are round brilliant cuts, 1.50 total carats, i to j color, Si to i1 clarity. The ring measures
Category

Mid-20th Century Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

18K White Gold Multi-Band Diamond Ring 0.50ct
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
tester. The gross weight is 9.4 grams. The diamonds are round brilliant cuts, .50 total carats, h, i, j
Category

Mid-20th Century Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Platinum Sharvit Diamond Ring 1/3 Ct. Tw
Located in San Francisco, CA
This ring features 8 Baguette cut diamonds interwind with 8 round brilliant diamond to create a
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Platinum Sharvit Diamond Ring 
1/3 Ct. Tw
Platinum Sharvit Diamond Ring 
1/3 Ct. Tw
$979 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Antique 0.63Ct Diamond and 18k White Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive antique 0.63 carat diamond and 18 carat white gold cocktail ring; part of our diverse
Category

Vintage 1920s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Yellow Gold Diamond Crecent Moon Star Band - 18k Rd Marq .30ctw Ring SZ 6
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 6 Metal Content: 18k Yellow Gold Stone Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .30ctw Cut
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Crown Diamond Ring with the Tiara Look on 1/2 of the Ring, VS Clarity Diamonds
By Five Star Jewelry
Located in Austin, TX
, There are diamonds going three-fourths the way around the ring and have a total weight of .34 carats
Category

2010s American Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold

GIA Certified Alexandrite Florentine Engraved Diamond Ring
Located in Lynchburg, VA
alexandrite measuring 1.97 carats. It is surrounded by 30 round, full-cut diamonds measuring .78 carats. The
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Regency Fashion Rings

Materials

Alexandrite, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

1930s Diamond Yellow Gold Marquise Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive antique 0.39 carat diamond and 14 karat yellow gold, 14 karat white gold set marquise
Category

20th Century Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

1950s, Vintage Diamond and White Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive vintage 0.62 carat diamond and 18 karat white gold cocktail ring; part of our
Category

Vintage 1950s Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Diamond Vintage Style Floral Cluster 14K Yellow Gold Ring
By Unbranded
Located in Oakton, VA
) Ring size: US 3 8 available Center Gemstones Type: Diamond Average Color: H Average Clarity: SI Shape
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Platinum 8ct Aquamarine And Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
13.5×13.5mm and weighing approximately 8 carats, claw-set with four small round brilliant-cut diamonds
Category

Vintage 1920s Italian Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum

Vintage 2.73Ct Diamond and Platinum Full Eternity Ring Circa 1990
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
brilliant round cut diamonds, totalling 2.73 carats. This claw set eternity ring has been independently
Category

1990s Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

14K Yellow Gold Rolex Design Diamond Ring 0.75ct
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
carats, H to I color, Vs clarity, and good symmetry. The ring size is 8 and can be sized up to 10 for an
Category

Late 20th Century Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Yellow Gold Diamond Crecent Moon Star Band - 18k Rd Marq .30ctw Ring SZ 6
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 6 Metal Content: 18k Yellow Gold Stone Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .30ctw Cut
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Black Diamond Ring 14K Yellow Gold Plated Silver
Located in Punta Gorda, FL
= 0.20 Carats Metal: 14K Yellow Gold Plated Sterling Silver Ring Size: 8* US *It can be resized
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Signet Rings

Materials

Diamond, Black Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold, Silver,...

1.30 Carat Emerald Half Bezel East West Set 14K Gold Unisex Ring
Located in Miami, FL
: Round Carat: 0.30 Carats (total) Quantity: 4 stones on each side (total 8) Measurements: Emerald: 7.9 x
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cocktail Solid 14k Gold Engagement Ring Genuine Diamond
Located in Chicago, IL
Cocktail Solid 14k Gold Engagement Ring Genuine Diamond Wedding Jewelry Gift Light weight can be
Category

2010s Indian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold

Natural Diamond Two Finger Ring 14k Gold Bridal
Located in Chicago, IL
Natural Diamond Two Finger Ring 14k Gold Bridal Wedding Ring Double Finger Ring Light weight can be
Category

2010s Indian Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold

Gold, Tanzanite, and Diamond Ring
Located in Princeton, NJ
approximately 9.27 carat cushion shaped tanzanite resting in a halo of 16 round brilliant cut diamonds which
Category

Late 20th Century American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tanzanite, Gold, 18k Gold

1.25 Carat Aquamarine Emerald Cut Diamond Accents 10K White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
millimeters wide x 8 millimeters high Eight round-cut Natural diamonds each measure 1 millimeter in diameter
Category

20th Century Chinese Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Emerald, 10k Gold, White Gold

  • 1
  • ...
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "8 Carat Round Diamond Ring", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

8 Carat Round Diamond Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

On 1stDibs, you can find the most appropriate 8 carat round diamond ring for your needs in our varied inventory. Frequently made of gold, white gold and 14k gold, this item was constructed with great care. In our selection of items, you can find a vintage example as well as a contemporary version. Finding the perfect 8 carat round diamond ring may mean sifting through those created during different time periods — you can find an early version that dates to the 18th Century and a newer variation that were made as recently as the 21st Century. As it relates to this specific piece, our collection includes designs that are universally popular, but .5 carat and 1 carat carat weights, specifically, are sought with frequency. Creating a 8 carat round diamond ring has been a part of the legacy of many jewelers, but those produced by Unbranded, LB Exclusive and Cartier are consistently popular. A round cut version of this piece has appeal, but there are also oval cut and brilliant cut versions for sale. When shopping for a 8 carat round diamond ring, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for unisex or men today than there are for women.

How Much is a 8 Carat Round Diamond Ring?

Prices for a 8 carat round diamond ring can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $0 and can go as high as $940,000, while this accessory, on average, fetches $2,882.

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.