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Antique Victorian Opal Diamond Ring 9k Yellow Gold Oval Vintage Fine Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
. Natural opal measures 11mm x 7mm (estimated at 1.50 carats). 22 old mine cut diamonds total an estimated 1
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

GIA Diamond Platinum Ring Vintage Solitaire Engagement Fine Box VS Huge 2.48 Cts
Located in Sylvania, GA
Carats Gorgeous Ring 1/4 inch wide Diamond Band (6.5 MM) and Rises off of Hand 3/8 inch (9 MM
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Antique Edwardian Turquoise Diamond Ring 18 Karat Yellow Gold Bridge Chester UK
Located in Torrance, CA
. Three turquoise cabochons measure 4mm to 4.5mm, accented with four estimated 0.03 old mine cut diamonds
Category

Early 20th Century British Edwardian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

5ct Madagascar Ruby with Natural Diamond Accents in 14K Solid Gold OV 11x9mm
Located in Columbus, OH
A stunning 5 carat Madagascar Ruby takes center stage in this vintage-inspired ring, set in solid
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco 14K Rose Gold Vintage Circular Pendant with Old Cut Diamonds and Rubies
Located in Addison, TX
: 20.65mm Width: 13.94mm Thickness: 5.40mm Center Diamond Details: Shape: Old Mine Cut Carat Weight
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco More Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Rose Gold

Retro Diamond 18 Karat Gold Platinum Woven Bracelet
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
with diamonds set in platinum. Circa 1940s. The bracelet is 9 inches in length. About this Item
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Retro Retro Bracelets

Materials

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

Victorian 3.00 CTW Diamond 14 Karat Gold Antique Grape Brooch Pendant Necklace
Located in Philadelphia, PA
mine cut diamonds Weighing approximately 3.00 carats total - J/K color with VS2 to SI1 clarity
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Edwardian 1905 Art Nouveau Necklace Platinum 18Kt Gold 15.12 Ctw Peridot Diamond
Located in Miami, FL
hexagonal kite step cut (16 x 15 x 9 mm) of a natural vivid intense green peridot of 12.47 carats. Diamonds
Category

Antique Early 1900s American Edwardian Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Peridot, Platinum

Cartier Paris 1905 Edwardian Arrow Jabot In 18Kt Gold Platinum Diamonds Rubies
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
old rose cut diamonds, 0.36 carats, G/H color, SI-1 clarity. Rubies: Mounted in millegrain settings
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Edwardian Brooches

Materials

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

"Genuine Burmese Jadeite Phoenix" Baikalla Jewelry Signature Neck-Piece
Located in Portland, OR
Diamond-Cut: Round Brilliant Primary Stone: Genuine "Old Mine" Burmese Ice Jadeite Primary stone qty: 1
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Artist Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Jade, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

1 Carat Old Mine Cut Diamond Handmade Solitaire Engagement Ring Hammered Finish
By Five Star Jewelry
Located in Austin, TX
Rare Victorian Old Mine Diamond Classic Solitaire Engagement Ring with Modern Design The
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Victorian Old Mine Brilliant Cut Diamond Gold Ring, circa 1850s
Located in Stamford, CT
Victorian 1850s Diamond ring with beautiful bright sparkly old mine brilliant cut Diamonds in a
Category

Antique 1850s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Diamond Platinum Ring, 1 Carat Old European Diamond and Mine Diamond, Art Deco
Located in Austin, TX
Old Mine cut Diamonds (6) - 0.30 Carats Total Diamond Weight (estimated), I-J color and VS-2 to SI-1
Category

Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Art Deco Old Mine Diamond Sapphire Platinum Ring Wedding Engagement Target Ring
Located in New York, NY
ring is centered with a gorgeous Old Mine Cut Diamond of approximately .40 Carats. The center antique
Category

20th Century Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

Vintage 2 Carat Old Mine Cut Cluster Navette Style Ring Rose Gold
Located in Montgomery, AL
Sizable Upon Request Accented by the following gemstones 9 - 3.5mm Old Mine Cut Diamonds; JK Color; SI
Category

20th Century Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Antique Victorian Old Mine Cut Diamond Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
approximately 0.60 plus carat, J color, SI2 clarity. Accented by 9 Old Mine Cut diamonds approximately 1.35
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Edwardian Diamond and 9 Carat Gold Gypsy Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This gorgeous glossy 9ct gold band holds a bright, clean old mine cut diamond measuring 35pts
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Art Deco style Ring with old mine cut and rose cut diamonds 14k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
14 kt bicolour gold ring set with old mine cut and rose cut diamond 0.30 ct G/H SI - ring size US
Category

Vintage 1910s Dutch Art Nouveau Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Platinum Art Deco Diamond Ring and Wedding Band, 900 Mine Cut .95 Carat
Located in Greensboro, NC
) Diamonds' Cuts & Carats: Mine Cut Solitaire: 0.73ct Baguette Cut Accents: 0.06ctw Single Cut Accents
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Vintage Turquoise and Diamond 9 Carat Gold Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
total approx 18pts. Fully hallmarked Sheffield 1979 and modelled in 9 carat gold. Ring Size: N 1/2 or
Category

Vintage 1970s British Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, Gold

Cluster Ring Spanish S.XIX Diamond 0.72 Ctw. Old mine Cut Yellow Gold 18 Karat
Located in MADRID, ES
good proportions, center with natural diamond old mine cut 0.25 carat (3.50 x 3.35 x 2.30 mm) and 8
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Spanish Late Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Diamond 9 Carat Gold Three-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
The diamonds in this band total 24pts. The stones are all within the 9carat gold band. Ring Size
Category

Antique 1890s British Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Antique Russian 1910s Ruby and Old Mine Cut Diamond Ring
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
is encircled by twelve old mine rose-cut diamonds, totaling approximately 0.60 carats, which add a
Category

Vintage 1910s European Russian Empire Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold

Ring with Tourmaline and old mine cut diamonds up to 1.50ct 10k gold and silver
Located in The Hague, ZH
investigated for this specific object. - 9 x 3.5 mm old mine cut diamond approximately 1.50 carats color G/H
Category

Antique 1880s Dutch Early Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tourmaline, 10k Gold, Silver

Antique Diamond and 9 Carat Gold Star Setting Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This classic style band is modelled in 9carat gold and the old mine cut diamond which is set in the
Category

Antique 1880s British Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Art Deco Diamond and 9 Carat Rose Gold Solitaire Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This old mine cut diamond solitaire is simply stunning. The old mine cut diamond measures approx
Category

Vintage 1910s British Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Rose Gold

Vintage Opal and Diamond 9 Carat Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This pretty cluster ring holds a gorgeous opal at the centre of a stunning halo of shimmering old
Category

Vintage 1950s British Modern Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 9k Gold

Edwardian Diamond and 9 Carat White Gold Daisy Cluster Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
A sweet daisy cluster set with old mine cut diamonds totalling approx 70pts. The ring is modelled
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Art Deco 4 Carat Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
1920/1930, featuring in the center a sparkling old mine-cut Diamond weighing approx. 2.50 carats
Category

Mid-20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage Snake Ring 9 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond Emerald Alternative Wedding Band
Located in Torrance, CA
: One estimated 0.05 carat old mine cut diamond (estimated at I-J color and SI2 clarity), is accented
Category

Mid-20th Century British Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold

Edwardian Diamond and 9 Carat Gold Five Stone Star Setting Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This gorgeous 9ct gold band holds five diamonds totalling 9pts. They are set in star settings and
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Art Deco Opal and Diamond 9 Carat Gold Three-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
sits a pair of old mine cut diamonds. They are set in simple claw settings and all modelled in 9ct gold
Category

Vintage 1910s British Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Gold

GIA Certified .91 Carat Art Deco Diamond 14 Karat Yellow Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 9 Metal Type: 14K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 3.0 grams Center Diamond
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Antique Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Coral Gables, FL
Antique 18 Karat Yellow Gold Cluster Ring Featuring 9 Old Mine Cut Diamonds of VS/SI Clarity and H
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Platinum and Diamond Ladies Bypass Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1915 - 1920 Platinum Ladies Bypass Ring, Set with Old Mine cut Diamonds each being
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Victorian French diamond 18k yellow gold cluster ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This enchanting Victorian cluster ring boasts 9 sparkling old mine cut diamonds set in rich 18k
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

18 Karat White and Yellow Gold and Diamond Men s Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
diamonds have old mine cut, for a total of 1.5 carats Made in Italy, 1940s Ring size US 9
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Deco Mermaid Ring Signet 14 Karat Gold Diamond Vintage Fine Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
old mine cut diamond is estimated at 0.20 carats (estimated at H-I color and SI2 clarity). The ring
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Heart Diamond Wedding Engagement Ring 18 Karat White Gold Edwardian
Located in New York, NY
jewelry artisanship. The ring has a spectacular sparkling .1 Carat Old Mine Cut Diamond in the center of
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco Diamond and 18 Carat Gold Three-Stone Gypsy Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
lovely sparkle and are set in star settings. Ring Size: S or 9 Band Width: 6.5mm Weight: 4.7g
Category

Vintage 1910s British Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Vintage Diamond and 18 Carat Gold Three-Stone Star Setting Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This gorgeous 18ct gold band holds three old mine cut diamonds totalling 24pts with the central
Category

Vintage 1970s British Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Antique Russian Diamond Yellow Gold Engagement Ring Circa 1910
Located in Los Angeles, CA
creativity. SPECIFICATIONS: DIAMONDS: 1 Old European cut diamond weighing approximately 0.40 carat
Category

Antique Early 1900s European Russian Empire Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique French Turquoise Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
turquoise cabochon of approximately 1.60 carat. Accented by 20 old mine cut diamonds with a total weight of
Category

Antique 1870s Cluster Rings

Materials

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

1930s Green Tourmaline Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
tourmaline weighing approximately 2.50 carats, accented by eight old Old Mine-cut diamonds totaling
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold

Art Deco Diamond Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
classic design of that era. The ring features a center 1.00 carat old mine cut diamond K color Vs clarity
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Platinum 3.54cttw Diamond Flower Motif Cocktail Ring
Located in New York, NY
2.50 carats. The ring is a size 9, ready to adorn the hand of someone who appreciates not only the
Category

20th Century American Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Natural Pearl Diamond Sapphire Victorian Gold Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
7.77 mm, set within a halo comprising cushion shaped sapphires alternating with old mine cut diamonds
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 15k Gold

Retro French Diamond 18K Rose Gold Constellation Ball Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Center Stone: 9 Old Mine, Single, and Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds Weight: Approximately .30 Carats
Category

Vintage 1940s Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Art Deco 18 Karat White Gold, Diamond and Glass Cocktail Ring
Located in North Miami, FL
This lovely art deco period 18 karat white gold ring has 9 round old mine cut diamonds of .45 carat
Category

Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

PAUL DITTSHEIM 1905 Enameled Lady Pocket Watch In 18Kt Yellow Gold With Diamonds
Located in Miami, FL
white metals like platinum and white gold. Diamonds often had an Old Mine or European cut and sapphires
Category

Antique Early 1900s Swiss Edwardian Pocket Watches

Materials

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

1910s Sapphire and Diamond Twin Snake Ring
Located in New York, NY
A platinum and 18 karat rose gold twin snake ring is set with an old mine diamond weighing
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique Edwardian Platinum Old Mine Cut .97 Carat Center Diamond Ring
Located in Daytona Beach, FL
Antique Edwardian Platinum Old Mine Cut 1.62 tcw Diamond Ring Period: (Antique) Edwardian c1901
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Authentic Victorian 1.80 Carat Old Mine Diamond Trilogy Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
mounting made of solid 18 KT gold and platinum prong work Boasting a magnificent old mine cut Diamond of
Category

Antique Early 1900s Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Victorian Old Mine Cut Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Austin, TX
Victorian era diamond ring with 9 old mine cut diamond stones set in a cluster pattern. All prong
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 9k Gold, Rose Gold

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

18 Carat Gold VS1 Old Cut Diamond Solitaire Ring
Located in St Helens, GB
A true antique diamond and 18ct gold solitaire gypsy ring. Solid 18 carat gold example, English
Category

Antique 19th Century British Late Victorian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Midcentury Rose Cut and Old Cut Diamond Five-Stone Ring
Located in Essex, GB
to a slim, white gold shank. Cut – Rose cut diamond in the centre, with two pairs of old mine cuts
Category

Mid-20th Century French Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

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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.