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18 Karat White Gold Old Mine Diamond Engagement
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage 18K White Gold Old Mine Diamond Engagement Ring Size 6.5 This engagement ring is
Category

20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Antique Art Deco Platinum Old European Cut Diamond GIA 1.81 Carat Ring
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Art Deco platinum ring centering on an Old European cut diamond weighing 1.81 carat
Category

20th Century Unknown Art Deco Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Antique Victorian Ring Pearl Mine Cut Diamond Cluster 14k Yellow Gold Halo
Located in Torrance, CA
gold. Pearl measures 4mm, accented with 9 estimated 0.05 carat old mine cut diamonds. The total
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Antique Diamond and 18 Carat Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This sweet and classic Diamond cluster holds seven old mine cut diamonds which total 75pts and are
Category

Vintage 1910s British Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

AGL Certified 9 Carat Sapphire, Antique Gold, Platinum and Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
9 kt., one oval sapphire ap. 6.51 cts., 18 old-mine cut diamonds ap. .80 ct., signed G & T
Category

Antique Early 19th Century More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, Platinum

Edwardian Diamond Five-Stone 18 Carat Gold Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Five glistening old mine cut diamonds sit fabulously on top of a simple open work setting modelled
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Diamond and 18 Carat Gold Solitaire Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
is a great size! Ring Size: T or 9 1/2 Band Width: 7mm Height From Finger: 4mm Weight: 5.37g
Category

Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Vintage Sapphire and Diamond 9 Carat Gold Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
measure 7pts each. The two old mine cut diamonds that sit in-between these gorgeous blue stones measure
Category

Vintage 1950s British Modern Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold

Art Deco Platinum Geometric Open Work Dome Style Old Cut Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Addison, TX
Accent Gems: Type: Diamond Quantity: 9 Shape: Old Mine/Old European Carat: 1.74Cttw Color: J-L
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Antique Thai Sapphire Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
14 mm (9/16 x 9/16 in.) Total sapphire weight is 2.11 carats. Estimated combined diamond weight is
Category

Vintage 1910s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, Platinum

Antique Victorian Opal Diamond 9 Karat Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
whimsical, this luster ring features 8 Old Mine Cut diamonds, approximately 1.00 carat, I-J color, SI
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco 0.50 Carat Diamond Sapphire 18 Karat White Gold Dinner Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Elegant dinner ring centering three old mine cut diamonds Weighing in total approximately 0.50
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Retro Diamond Gold Band Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
STONE: Diamond 0.70 total carats DESIGN ERA: Retro 1950 RING SIZE: US 4.5/5 - IT 9 - FR 49 - UK J
Category

Mid-20th Century Retro Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Antique Diamond Coiled Snake Engraved Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
with a large sparkling Old mine cut Diamond eye, weight 1 Carat graded I Color Si1, and following 5
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Edwardian 1.46 Carat Fancy Color Diamond 18k Rose Gold Platinum Three Stone Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
old mine cut diamond of 1.46 carats, graded fancy brownish yellow, VS2 clarity. Accented by two old
Category

Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Brown Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, R...

Antique 18 Carat Gold Ring with a Diamond Fleur De l ys and Green Enamel Ivy
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An 18 carat gold ring with a French lily set with old cut diamonds, the shank is decorated with ivy
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Art Deco Diamond Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
Authentic and rare Art Deco engagement ring set with old mine cut diamonds totaling approximately
Category

Mid-20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold

Retro Diamond Ring, 14 Karat White Gold European Cut Vintage .42 Carat
Located in Greensboro, NC
a .32 carat European Cut natural diamond solitaire and Mine cut diamond accents with a combined .10
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Retro Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Antique Diamond Pearl Gold Vous et Moi Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
A beautiful 18k gold 'Vous et Moi' ring set with an old mine cut diamond weighing 0.40 carat I
Category

Antique Late 19th Century More Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Floral Bypass Sapphire Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
two royal blue sapphires and six sparkling old cut diamonds. Approximate total sapphire weight is
Category

Antique Early 1900s Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Victorian 5.7 Carat Garnet Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
center cabochon cut red garnet weighing approximately 5.7 carat 14 old mine cut diamonds weighing
Category

Antique 1860s Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Edwardian 14k Black Enamel and Diamond Snake Ring
Located in Hummelstown, PA
Crowned with a black enamel head set with a chunky .45 carat old mine cut diamond, this striking
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Enamel

Antique 2.62 Carat Emerald Diamond Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
2.62 ct Colombian emerald of a very nice deep bluish-green color surrounded by 14 sparkling old mine
Category

Early 20th Century Russian Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald

Victorian 2.50 Carat Natural Ruby Diamond Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
weighing 2.50 carats of outstanding color, light and clarity, surrounded by 9 Old Mine cut Diamonds each
Category

Antique 1890s English Late Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Art Deco Sapphire Diamond Platinum Vintage Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
diamond weight is 0.84 carat. The bezel measures 20 x 15 mm (3/4 x 9/16 in.) Marked with French mask
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum

British Victorian Ruby Diamond 18 Karat Gold Gypsy Band Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Wide band ring centers a graver set old mine cut diamond; in a starburst motif Weighing
Category

Antique 1890s British Victorian Band Rings

Materials

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

Belle Époque Diamond 14K Yellow Gold Toi Et Moi Ring
Located in Aventura, FL
and platinum. The ring features one Sigle-cut and one old mine diamonds, totaling approximately 0.20
Category

Vintage 1910s Belle Époque Engagement Rings

Materials

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

GIA Certified 1.92 Carat Diamond Sapphire White Gold Men s Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
GIA certified raised crown diamond men's ring in a 20k white gold setting with sapphire accents
Category

Vintage 1920s Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, White Gold

Antique 8.66 Carat Sapphire Diamond Engagement Cluster Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
sparkling bright white old mine cut diamonds (G-H color, SI clarity). The ring is marked with maker’s
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Russian Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire

Art Deco Diamond and 18 Carat Gold Three-Stone Gypsy Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
a lovely sparkle and are set in star settings. The central diamond is old mine cut and the ones
Category

Vintage 1910s British Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

1890s Victorian Yellow Gold GIA Certified .63 Carat Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Diamond Details GIA CERTIFIED Center Diamond - Certificate #5171927780 Shape: Old Mine Brilliant Carat
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 9k Gold

1880s GIA Certified .39 Carat Ruby Diamond Yellow Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Details GIA CERTIFIED Center Diamond - Certificate # 2185257207 Shape: Old Mine Brilliant Carat Weight
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

1940s Diamond Buckle Ring 14 Karat Yellow Gold Retro Estate Fine Jewelry Belt
Located in Torrance, CA
estimated 0.10 carat old mine cut diamond is set into the band (estimated at I-J color and I1 clarity). One
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Band Rings

Materials

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

Jabel Retro 1.50 Carat Sapphire Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Bypass Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Bypass swirl mounting comprised of prong set old mine cut diamonds weighing approximately 0.50 carat
Category

Vintage 1940s Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Siberian Amethyst Diamond Antique Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
framed by chunky old mine cut diamonds. The amethyst measures 9.35 x 8.94 x 6.26 mm and is approximately
Category

Antique 1880s Cluster Rings

Materials

Amethyst, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold

Antique Edwardian Diamond Emerald Ring Moi et Toi 14k Gold Gemstone Band Sz 6.5
Located in Torrance, CA
(circa 1910s to 1920s). The larger Old mine cut diamond is estimated at 0.40 carats, flanked with a
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

1920s Sapphire Diamond filigree Platinum Ring
Located in Greenwich, CT
set with 69 old-mine diamonds. The center stone is a Natural Round Ceylon Sapphire (unheated) weighing
Category

Vintage 1920s Sri Lankan Romantic Cocktail Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Sapphire, White Diamond, Platinum

Diamond Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
cluster of diamonds with 19 old mine cut diamond in total. Ring Size: IT 19 59 FR UK R US 8.5-9 Can
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Diamond Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
ct of old mine cut diamonds, with additional diamonds tapering down the shoulders. Hand crafted in
Category

Early 20th Century Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Diamond Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
primary stone to the best effect. Featuring an old mine cut diamond weighing approximately 0.55 carats
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Retro Diamond Gold Band Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
A gorgeous Retro band ring modelled in 18k Gold and set with a 0.70 ct old mine cut diamond I color
Category

Mid-20th Century Retro Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian Snake Ring 14k Yellow Gold Serpent Band Fine Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
1880s to 1900s). Old mine cut diamond is estimated at 0.25 carats (estimated at L-M color and SI2
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Band Rings

Materials

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

Antique Edwardian Era Emerald Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
emerald set in a gold bezel framed by sparkling old mine cut diamonds. The shoulders of the ring are
Category

Early 20th Century French Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald

Art Deco Pink Sapphire Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
diamond weight 1 carat. The sapphire and diamond top measures 17 x 14 mm (11/16 x 9/16 in.) The ring
Category

Vintage 1920s Polish Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire

Victorian Ceylon Sapphire Diamond Yellow Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
Circa 1880's Ceylon Sapphire and Diamond ring in 15k Yellow Gold, stamped KS. There are 14 old mine
Category

Antique 1850s Unknown High Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold

ART DECO 1925 Geometric Ring In 18Kt Gold With Diamonds Sapphires
Located in Miami, FL
ring is set with a selection of twenty-five natural earth mined gemstones such rose cut diamonds
Category

Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, Yellow Gold, Plat...

Victorian Lion Head Ruby Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
with ruby-set eyes and an old mine-cut diamond within the grip of its fangs, the diamond weighing
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 10k Gold

Antique Colombian Emerald Diamond Engagement Cluster Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
sparkling old European and old mine cut diamonds. The shoulders of the ring are accented with two old rose
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Austrian Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold

Art Deco 14 Karat White Gold Diamond Ring
Located in Washington Depot, CT
is beautifully detailed. The ring is set with an old mine diamond .37 carats and SI1 clarity, I
Category

20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Antique Demantoid Garnet Diamond Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
exhibiting very desirable emerald green color (and well matched), framed by twenty old mine-cut diamonds
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Cluster Rings

Art Nouveau Carnelian Diamond 14 Karat Gold Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
orange Accented with an old mine cut diamond weighing approximately 0.15 carat, eye-clean and white In
Category

Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings

Materials

Carnelian, Diamond, 14k Gold

Antique Diamond and Sapphire Silver Top Gold Cluster Ring
Located in New York, NY
that weighs 3.03 carats, and 12 old mine-cut diamonds with an approximate total weight of .85 carats
Category

Antique 1890s Cluster Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Diamond, 15k Gold, Silver

Art Deco Rose Cut Diamond Platinum Navette Dinner Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
approximately 1.00 carat, graded fancy light brown, SI1 clarity. Accented by two old mine cut diamonds with a
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Edwardian Opal Diamond 14 Karat Yellow Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
weighing approximately 0.65 carat. Accented by 14 old mine cut diamonds with a total weight of
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian 22 Karat Yellow Gold 2.59 Carat Old Mine Cut Diamond Bracelet
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
10) ~0.17ct 11) ~0.12ct In total these old mine cut diamonds weight: ~2.59ct. Central gem is
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Bangles

Materials

Diamond, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Russian Diamond Sapphire Openwork Gold Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
mine cut diamonds between two rows of blue sapphires. The shoulders of the ring are embellished with
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Russian Victorian Cluster Rings

Diamond Platinum Ring Vintage Princess Solitaire Wedding Engagement Fine VS
Located in Sylvania, GA
Clarity, Approx: 0.34 Carats 9 Natural Earth-Mined Diamonds Grade VS-SI Clear and H-I Approx: 0.16 Carats
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

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9 Carat Old Mine Diamond Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

Surely you’ll find the exact 9 carat old mine diamond ring you’re seeking on 1stDibs — we’ve got a vast assortment for sale. Frequently made of Gold, Platinum and 18k 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. You’re likely to find the perfect 9 carat old mine diamond ring among the distinctive items we have available, which includes versions made as long ago as the 18th Century as well as those produced as recently as the 21st Century. For this particular piece, .5 Carat and 1 Carat are consistently popular carat weights. Finding an appealing 9 carat old mine diamond ring — no matter the origin — is easy, but Mark Broumand, Antinori Fine Jewels and Hancocks each produced a popular version that is worth a look. See these pages for an old mine cut iteration of this accessory, while there are also cushion cut cut and round cut cut versions available here, too. There aren’t many items for men if you’re seeking a 9 carat old mine diamond ring, as most of the options available are for women and unisex.

How Much is a 9 Carat Old Mine Diamond Ring?

Prices for a 9 carat old mine diamond ring can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $347 and can go as high as $1,091,830, while this accessory, on average, fetches $6,304.

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.