Skip to main content

Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

to
12
748
156
517
517
393
303
223
124
101
82
66
26
20
13
6
5
4
3
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
Sort By
Edwardian Diamond and 18 Carat Gold Five-Stone Band Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Set in this 18carat gold ring are five diamonds. The central diamond measures 60pts and the
Category

Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Edwardian Diamond and 18 Carat Gold Five-Stone Band Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Set in this 18carat gold ring are five diamonds. The central diamond measures 7pts and the smallest
Category

Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

18ct Gold, Birmingham Hallmarked, Victorian Sapphire Diamond Five Stone Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
gold ring, set with three round-cut sapphires and two old-cut diamonds in alternating order. Each stone
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold

Victorian 1.05ct Sapphire and Diamond Five Stone Ring, c.1880s
Located in London, GB
This enchanting Victorian ring features central sapphire flanked by old cut diamonds. The central
Category

1880s Unknown Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

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

Edwardian 0.50ct Emerald and Diamond Five Stone Ring, c.1910s
Located in London, GB
Three characterful emeralds are separated by old cut diamonds in this wonderful Edwardian ring
Category

1910s British Edwardian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

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

Victorian 1.40ct Diamond and Ruby Five Stone Ring, c.1880s
Located in London, GB
A trio of old cut diamonds are set between a pair of vibrant rubies in this Victorian five stone
Category

1880s Unknown Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Antique 14ct Yellow Gold, 1920s Opal Diamond Five Stone Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Opal Ring 14ct Gold Circa 1920s This exquisite antique ring, crafted in the 1920s
Category

Early 20th Century European Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Edwardian 0.95ct Diamond and Ruby Five Stone Ring, c.1910s
Located in London, GB
Dating back to the Edwardian era this five stone alternates between glistening diamonds and
Category

1910s Unknown Edwardian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

Victorian Pearl and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This sweet pearl ring holds six pearls and above and below this row are old mine cut diamonds. The
Category

1880s British Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold

Edwardian Ruby and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Set in this glossy 18ct gold ring are three Diamonds and two Rubies. The three diamonds total 30pts
Category

Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold

18ct Gold Birmingham Hallmarked Victorian Sapphire Diamond Five Stone Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Victorian 18ct yellow gold five-stone ring is a true work of art. The ring is set with a combination of
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold

Victorian 2.40ct Five Stone Ring, c.1880s
Located in London, GB
This exceptional Victorian diamond ring, featuring five old cut diamonds. Starting in the centre is
Category

1880s Unknown Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Late Victorian Sapphire and Diamond Five-Stone Ring, circa 1900s
Located in London, GB
This five stone ring has 3 beautifully deep blue sapphires, complimented by two lovely old cut
Category

Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique Diamond, Silver and Gold Five Stone Carved Ring, Circa 1900
Located in London, GB
An antique diamond and gold five stone carved ring, with old-cut diamonds, in claw and grain
Category

Early 1900s British Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver

Victorian 1.0 Ct. Diamond 1.0 Ct. Sapphire Five Stone Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
This gorgeous antique Victorian period ring is 1890 ca. Traditional five stone setting hand crafted
Category

Late 19th Century European Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

1910s 0.45Ct Ruby 0.60Ct Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Five Stone Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
design. The tapering shoulders of this five stone ruby and diamond ring integrate with the main setting
Category

1910s Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold

Victorian 18 Carat Gold Sapphire and Diamond Five Stone Band Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This ring holds two blue sapphire and three diamonds. The central diamond measures 7pts and the
Category

1880s British Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold

Antique 18ct Yellow Gold Stamped, Victorian Ruby Diamond Five Stone Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Ruby & Diamond Ring 18ct Gold Stamped Circa 1900 This antique five-stone ring, stamped
Category

Early 20th Century European Edwardian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Five Stone Old Cut Diamond and Platinum Ring, circa 1900
Located in London, GB
We date this beautiful antique five stone old cut diamond ring to around the turn of the twentieth
Category

Early 20th Century English Late Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Antique 18ct Gold, Ruby Diamond Five Stone Ring, Hallmarked Chester 1918
Located in Brighton, GB
five stone ring is a true testament to timeless elegance, crafted from luxurious 18ct yellow gold
Category

Early 20th Century English Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold

Victorian 0.60ct Pink Sapphire and Diamond Five Stone Ring, hallmarked 1897
Located in London, GB
This beautiful Victorian five stone ring features a trio of intense pink sapphires, separated by a
Category

1880s British Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian 15K Yellow Gold Sapphire Old European Diamond Five Stone Ring
Located in Cape May, NJ
Weight: Approximately 2 Carats In Total Accent Stones: Two Old European Cut & Eight Rose Cut Diamonds
Category

Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian 0.70ct Diamond and Pink Sapphire Five Stone Ring, c.1880s
Located in London, GB
This Victorian five stone ring features a stunning combination of old cut diamonds and pink
Category

1880s Unknown Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold

Edwardian Turquoise and Diamond Point Five-Stone 15 Carat Gold Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This wonderful turquoise five stone ring is modelled in 18ct gold and features eight small diamond
Category

Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Gold

Art Deco Sapphire and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This gorgeous ring holds two deep blue sapphires measuring 35pts each and three diamonds. The
Category

Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold

Antique 18ct Yellow Gold Stamped, Victorian Ruby Diamond Five Stone Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
stunning 18ct gold Victorian five-stone ring, featuring alternating natural rubies and diamonds, each stone
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Sapphire and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This gorgeous ring holds two deep blue sapphires measuring 25pts each and three diamonds. The
Category

Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold

Art Deco Ruby and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
The three rubies in this five stone are a gorgeous red/pink and Total 20pts. The rose cut diamonds
Category

1910s British Art Deco Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold

Antique 18ct Yellow Gold, Victorian Sapphire Diamond Carved Five Stone Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Victorian five-stone ring, meticulously crafted in 18ct yellow gold. This stunning piece showcases a
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Five Stone 1.80 Ct. Diamond Natural Pearl Half Hoop ring
Located in Napoli, IT
stone ring as for Victorian tradition, high in quality, set with a selection of Natural not nucleated t
Category

1880s European Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold

Art Deco Diamond Five Stone Ring and 18 Carat Gold with Sapphires
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This gorgeous diamond five stone ring has pairs of sapphires in between each stone. The ring is
Category

1910s British Art Deco Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold

Antique Ruby And Diamond Graduating Five Stone Ring English c.1900
Located in Firenze, IT
, mounted in gold, total ruby weight approxiamtely 0.90cts, total diamond weight approximately 1ct Ring size
Category

Early 1900s British Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Edwardian Turquoise Five-Stone 9 Carat Gold Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This wonderful turquoise five stone ring is modelled in 9ct gold and features bright oval turquoise
Category

Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, Gold

Victorian Ruby and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Five-Stone Star Setting Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
either side of this stone measure 7pts each. Ring Size: Q or 8 Band Width: 6.5mm Weight: 3.6g
Category

1890s British Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold

Edwardian 14K Yellow White Gold Five Stone Old European Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique gold and 5-stone diamond ring. In 14 karat yellow gold with white gold elements
Category

Early 20th Century Edwardian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Old Mine Cut Diamond (Approx. 0.80-Carats) Five-Stone Ring, Platinum
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite antique platinum five-stone ring is a stunning example of Art Deco craftsmanship. At
Category

1920s Unknown Art Deco Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Antique 18ct White Gold and Platinum, Sapphire Diamond Five Stone Band Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Art Deco era with this striking five-stone ring. Crafted in a refined blend of platinum and 18ct
Category

Early 20th Century European Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

HM 1905 Chester 18K Five Stone Cushion Cut Diamond Ring 4.2 g
Located in Baltimore, MD
This is an antique Hallmarked Chester 1905, 18K yellow gold 5 stone diamond ring, size 7 1/4. A
Category

Early 1900s British Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Ruby Diamond Five-Stone Ring in 14ct Rose Gold, Victorian Style
Located in London, GB
This exquisite antique ruby and diamond five-stone ring in 14ct rose gold is a true treasure for
Category

Late 19th Century European Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

1.20 Carat Basaltic Sapphire 1.59 Carat Diamond, 18k Yellow Gold Five Stone Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
karat yellow gold five stone ring; part of our diverse diamond jewelry and estate jewelry collections
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold

Antique 18ct Gold Stamped, Edwardian Ruby Diamond Five Stone Boat Shaped Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Ruby & Diamond Ring 18ct Yellow Gold Circa 1910 This exquisite Edwardian-era ring showcases a
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold

Original Antique Art Deco Diamond Five Stone and Calibre Sapphire Ring, 1920s
Located in OVIEDO, AS
Original Antique Art-Deco Diamond Five Stone and Calibre Sapphire Ring 1920s Mounted and tested in
Category

1920s European Art Deco Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

Georgian Amethyst and 18 Carat Gold Five Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This ring holds five amethyst stones totalling approx 1carat. Modelled in 18 carat yellow gold
Category

1830s British Georgian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Gold, 9k Gold

2.00 Carat White Opal and Diamond Five Stone Ring in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
five stone ring; part of our antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This fine and impressive
Category

Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold

Late Victorian Five-Stone 0.50 Carat Old Cut Diamond Ring, circa 1900s
Located in London, GB
gold band at the heart of this late Victorian era ring. The diamonds, which are old cut stones, have a
Category

Early 1900s Unknown Late Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco 0.75 Carat Old Cut Diamond Five-Stone Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
little ring shine. Gemstone: Diamond Stone Shape: Old Cut Carat Weight: 0.75 total Colour: F Clarity: VS2
Category

1920s Unknown Art Deco Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

.62 Carat Diamond Sapphire Victorian Wedding Engagement Ring Five-Stone 18 Karat
Located in New York, NY
This is a stunning antique Victorian Wedding Engagement Ring with 1.08 Carat of Old European Cut
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

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

Victorian Five-Stone Old Cushion Cut Ring, circa 1900s
Located in London, GB
This beautiful, handmade, Victorian ring, has five old cushion cut diamonds within a claw setting
Category

Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique 3.15 Carat Basaltic Sapphire and Diamond Five Stone Ring in Yellow Gold
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
, 15 karat yellow gold five stone ring; part of our antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections
Category

1910s Unknown Edwardian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Old Cut Diamond 18 Carat Yellow and White Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in London, GB
This 18 carat gold five-stone ring is truly stunning, seamlessly combining antique charm with
Category

1920s English Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

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

Victorian Five Stone Mine Cut Diamond Opal Band Ring in 14K Yellow Gold
Located in Boston, MA
A victorian five stone opal and diamond band ring. Centered with a trio of cabochon cut opals
Category

Mid-19th Century Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ruby and Diamond Five-Stone Half Hoop Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This breathtaking antique Ruby and Diamond ring is Victorian, Circa 1880. The ring is adorned with
Category

Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

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

3.82 Carat Coral and 0.16 Carat Diamond and 18k Yellow Gold Five Stone Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
) and verified as 18k gold. This antique five stone coral ring is supplied with an IDGL diamond and
Category

Early 1900s Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Yellow Gold

Antique Blue Sapphire and Old Cut Diamond 18ct Yellow Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in London, GB
-stone ring. The fantastic piece features three old cut diamonds, with an approximate combined weight of
Category

1890s English Late Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique English 18 Karat Yellow Gold Opal Five-Stone Ring
Located in New York, NY
Antique five stone opal ring with English hallmarks accented by rose cut diamonds set in 18k gold
Category

1890s British Late Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold

Edwardian Chrysoprase and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Five-Stone
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
The chrysoprase stones set within this ring are so glossy and complemented by a hint of sparkle
Category

Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Chrysophrase, Diamond, Gold

Victorian Carved 1.25 Ct Five Stone Boat Ring 18 KT
Located in Napoli, IT
This Gorgeous late Victorian five stone ring is 1900 ca. Enchanting boat shape skilfully carved and
Category

Late 19th Century European Late Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

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

Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

You are likely to find exactly the antique five stone diamond ring you’re looking for on 1stDibs, as there is a broad range for sale. Frequently made of Gold, 18k Gold and Yellow Gold, this item was constructed with great care. If you’re looking for an antique five stone 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 20th Century. Creating an antique five stone diamond ring has been a part of the legacy of many jewelers, but those produced by Single Stone are consistently popular. Today, if you’re looking for an old european cut version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes old mine cut and round cut alternatives. There aren’t many items for men if you’re seeking an antique five stone diamond ring, as most of the options available are for women and unisex.

How Much is a Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring?

The price for an antique five stone diamond ring starts at $295 and tops out at $61,250 with these rings, on average, selling for $2,502.

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.