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Edwardian Sapphire and Diamond Five-Stone Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a wonderful 18ct yellow gold five-stone ring from the Edwardian era. This antique
Category

Early 20th Century Edwardian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

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

Victorian Five Stone 0.20 Carat Diamond Ring
Located in London, GB
diamonds. The centre stone is an old mine cut and is approximately 0.10 carats. The remaining old cut
Category

19th Century Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Old Mine Cut Diamond Five Stone Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1900 The ring is crafted in 14K gold and silver. It is set with five bright white old mine
Category

Early 1900s Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Silver

Antique Five-Stone Old Cut Diamond Ring, circa 1900s
Located in London, GB
This two-tone Edwardian era five stone diamond ring showcases a lovely quintet of old cut diamonds
Category

Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Victorian English Carved Ruby Diamond Five Stone Ring
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Made of 18 karat yellow gold, this ring builds on the classic three stone style and continues
Category

Early 1900s Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Antique 1.46 Ct Diamond and 18 Ct Yellow Gold Five Stone Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique 1.46 carat diamond and 18 carat yellow gold five stone ring
Category

Early 20th Century English Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Five-Stone 0.45 Carat Old Cut Diamond Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
1920s five stone diamond ring, the balance of which is comprised of 18 carat yellow gold. The dazzling
Category

1920s British Art Deco Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Victorian Old Cut Diamond Five-Stone Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a splendid five-stone diamond ring taken from the later stages of the Victorian period
Category

Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Diamond 18k White Gold Five Stone Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Art Deco Diamond 18k White Gold Five Stone Ring. Featuring five old European cut diamonds with
Category

1920s Art Deco Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

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

Art Deco 2.35 Carat Old Cut Diamond Five Stone Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
Five glittering old cut diamonds graduate from a 0.85 carat stone at the ring’s centre to a 0.50
Category

1920s Unknown Art Deco Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Edwardian Old Cushion Cut Diamond Five-Stone Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a delightful five-stone diamond ring. This antique platinum piece features five old
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Late Victorian Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Silver Five Stone Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Late Victorian Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Silver Five Stone Ring. Featuring five old mine cut
Category

1890s Late Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

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

Victorian 0.75 Carat Old Cut Diamond Five-Stone Ring, circa 1890s
Located in London, GB
carat stone in the centre of this circa 1890s five stone diamond ring. The diamonds are G in colour and
Category

1890s Unknown Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Edwardian Ruby Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Five Stone Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Edwardian Ruby Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Five Stone Ring. Featuring three cushion mixed cut
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold

Edwardian Emerald and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Five-Stone Cluster Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
An exquisite five-stone ring set with beautiful square cut emeralds which total 1.1ct. Surrounding
Category

Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Antique 3.60 Carat Diamond Five-Stone Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have an outstanding five-stone diamond ring taken from the Victorian period. This antique
Category

19th Century Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Opal Diamond 14 Karat Yellow Gold Antique Five Stone Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Featuring five oval shaped opal cabochons measuring 3.0 x 5.0 mm Translucent white in body color
Category

19th Century Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

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

Victorian Pearl and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
A wonderful antique Victorian five-stone ring set with three pearls and two rose cut diamonds in
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold

Antique Old Cut Diamond Platinum Five-Stone Ring, Circa 1910 s
Located in London, GB
This wonderful antique platinum ring features 5 old mine cut diamonds weighing a total approximate
Category

1910s English Edwardian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Antique Victorian 20k Yellow Gold Colombian Emerald and Diamond Five Stone Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 20k Yellow Gold Colombian Emerald and Diamond Five Stone Ring. This
Category

1890s Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian 1.10 Carat Diamond Five-Stone Ring, circa 1900s
Located in London, GB
A classic Victorian five stone diamond ring, featuring old cut diamonds. The diamonds, hand cut
Category

Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Victorian Opal Cabochon Diamond 14 Karat Yellow Gold Five Stone Antique Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Featuring five oval-shaped opal cabochons, each measuring 3.0 x 4.5 mm Translucent white in body
Category

1860s Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

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

Antique 1.19 Carat Ruby and 1.15 Carat Diamond Five-Stone Dress Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive antique 1.19 carat ruby and 1.15 carat diamond, 18 carat yellow gold dress ring; part
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Old Cut Diamond Five-Stone Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have an exceptional five-stone diamond ring. This antique piece was crafted during the
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

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

Antique Five-Stone Sapphire and Old Cut Diamond Yellow Gold Ring, 1906
Located in London, GB
This antique ring features 3 royal blue sapphires accompanied by two old cut diamonds all mounted
Category

Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

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

1910s Antique 1.23 Carat Diamond and Platinum Five-Stone Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive antique 1.23 carat diamond and platinum five stone dress ring; part of our diverse
Category

1910s Unknown Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Victorian Button Pearl Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Antique Five Stone Band Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Featuring five graduate button pearls prong set east to west Ranging in size from 4.5 to 6.0 mm
Category

1870s Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian 1.36 Carat Diamond Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive antique Victorian 1.36 carat diamond and 18 karat yellow gold five stone dress ring
Category

1890s English Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold

Antique 2.30 Carat Diamond Five-Stone Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have an outstanding five-stone diamond ring taken from the Victorian period. This antique
Category

19th Century Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Late Victorian 2.30 Carat Five Stone Old Cut Diamond Ring, circa 1900s
Located in London, GB
This stunning example of a late Victorian era five stone diamond ring dates from the first years of
Category

Early 1900s Unknown Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

2.13Ct Diamond and 18k Yellow Gold Five Stone Ring - Antique Circa 1900
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
five stone diamond ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with a platinum setting. The elevated
Category

Early 1900s Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1.67Ct Diamond 18k Yellow Gold, 18k White Gold Set Five Stone Ring - Antique
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
karat white gold set five stone diamond ring; part of our diverse diamond jewelry and estate jewelry
Category

1910s Unknown Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 1920s Five Stone 18ct Gold Platinum 0.25ct Diamond Ring
Located in London, GB
Immerse yourself in the timeless elegance of the 1920s with this splendid five-stone diamond ring
Category

1920s English Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Platinum

Antique 18ct Gold Platinum Edwardian Five Stone Diamond Target Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Five Stone Ring 18ct Gold & Platinum Tested Circa 1910 Beautiful, Edwardian five stone
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Victorian Old Mine Cut Diamond Five Stone Gold Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Victorian old mine cut diamonds and yellow gold five-stone gold ring circa 1900. * ABOUT THIS ITEM
Category

Early 1900s Late Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold

C1870, 18K French Five Stone Old Cut Diamond Half Hoop Ring
Located in Baltimore, MD
Dainty five stone diamond ring of French origin, this slender open backed diamond band with five
Category

1870s French Belle Époque Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique 15 Karat Platinum Diamond Ring, circa 1920
Located in Toronto, ON
Antique 15K and Platinum (top) Diamond Ring, C.1920. The five stone diamond Ring set with old
Category

Early 20th Century British Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, 15k Gold, Platinum

Antique Diamond and Yellow Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
five stone diamond ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold. The elevated plain ‘c’ shaped multi-claw
Category

1890s English Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Platinum Vintage Five Stone Graduated Diamond 0.30 Carat Ring Size 6
Located in New York, NY
A vintage platinum five stone diamond ring A row of graduated brilliant cut diamonds set to a
Category

Early 20th Century British Contemporary Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

1910s Antique Sapphire and Diamond Yellow Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
plain ring shank. This impressive five stone diamond ring has been independently tested using state of
Category

1910s Unknown Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

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

0.88Ct Diamond and 18k Yellow Gold Five Stone Ring - Antique Circa 1900
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique 0.88 carat diamond and 18 karat yellow gold five stone ring; part of
Category

Early 1900s Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1900s 1.13 Carat Diamond Yellow Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique Edwardian 1.13 carat diamond, 18k yellow gold five stone ring; part
Category

Early 1900s British Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 1912 1.63 Carat Diamond Yellow Gold Five Stone Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique 1.63 carat diamond and 18 karat yellow gold five stone cocktail ring
Category

1910s English Romantic Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1858 Antique 1.51 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive antique Victorian 1.51 carat diamond and 18 karat yellow gold five stone dress ring
Category

1850s English Romantic Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1910s Antique French Diamond and White Gold Platinum Set Five-Stone Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive 0.72 carat diamond and 18 karat white gold, platinum set five stone ring
Category

1910s French Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

1920s 3.06 Carat Diamond and 18k White Gold Five Stone Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This stunning, fine and impressive antique five stone diamond ring has been crafted in 18k white
Category

1920s Unknown Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique 1910s 1.31 Carat Diamond and 18 k Yellow Gold Five Stone Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine antique 1.31 carat diamond and 18 karat yellow gold, 18 karat white gold set five stone
Category

1910s Unknown Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 1910s 2.06 Carat Diamond Five-Stone Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
gold set, five stone ring; part of our diverse collection of antique diamond rings This stunning, fine
Category

1910s Unknown Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

1900s Antique 2.01 Carat Diamond Yellow Gold Five Stone Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive 2.01 carat diamond and 15 karat yellow gold, platinum set five stone cocktail ring
Category

Early 1900s Unknown Romantic Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

1880s Victorian 2.74 Carat Diamond and 18 Karat Yellow Gold, Five-Stone Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique 2.74 carat diamond, 18k yellow gold, silver set five stone
Category

1880s Unknown Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Inspired 2.82 Carat Diamond Gold Wedding Band
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Elegance and beauty radiates from this classic five stone diamond ring, inspired by the historic
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

1.33 Ct Diamond and 18 k Yellow Gold Five Stone Ring - Antique Circa 1915
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
antique five stone diamond ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with a platinum setting. The
Category

1910s Unknown Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 1.67Ct Diamond and 18k Yellow Gold Five Stone Ring Circa 1910
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique Edwardian 1.67 carat diamond and 18 karat yellow gold five stone ring
Category

1910s Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Antique 1.83 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
five stone diamond ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with a platinum setting. The pierced
Category

1910s Unknown Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

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

Victorian Diamond Five Stone Ring
Located in London, GB
This is a wonderful 18ct yellow gold Victorian diamond five stone ring ring. The diamonds are
Category

19th Century Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Five-Stone Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Elegance and beauty radiates from this classic five stone ring that is inspired by the 19th century
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Belle Époque Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Five-Stone Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Elegance and beauty radiates from this classic five stone ring that is inspired by the 19th century
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Belle Époque Antique Five Stone Diamond Ring

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

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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.