Skip to main content

Antique Rings Europe 1900

to
133
459
328
856
856
844
5
4
4
2
1
8
1
1
1
1
Sort By
14k Yellow Gold Old European Cut Diamond Band Ring Ca. 1900
By Non Branded
Located in Lexington, KY
white Old European cut diamonds. The ring has 1.28 carats total of sparkly diamonds that make this band
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

1900 Antique Old European Cut Diamond Ring (Approx 0.10-Carats), 18k Yellow Gold
Located in New York, NY
A stunning elongated diamond and sapphire ring from the Edwardian era, handcrafted circa 1900 in
Category

Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Old European Cut Diamond Solitaire Ring, 9.62 Carat, I-VS2, circa 1900
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
An antique old European cut diamond solitaire ring, ca. 1900. The single diamond weighs 9.62 carats
Category

Early 1900s Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond

1900 Antique Old European Cut Diamond Ring (Approx 0.10-Carats), 18k Yellow Gold
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite antique ring is a masterpiece of Edwardian-era craftsmanship, dating back to circa
Category

Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Diamond tourbillon ring circa 1900 - 1910
Located in Uccle, BE
Tourbillon ring circa 1900 - 1910. Ring set with a center old European cut diamond of
Category

Early 1900s European Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Toi Moi diamond ring circa 1900
Located in Uccle, BE
, circa 1900. The ring is set with two old European cut diamonds weighting approximately 0.50 Carats
Category

Early 1900s European Victorian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

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

Old mine diamond gypsy ring, circa 1900.
Located in London, GB
Old mine diamond gypsy ring. Set to centre with a cushion shape old mine diamond, in an open back
Category

Early 1900s European Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Circa 1900s Edwardian Old European Diamond Filigree Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1900s Item Details: Ring Size: 8.75 (Sizable) Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested
Category

Early 1900s Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Blue Diamond, Platinum

Edwardian 1.51CTW Diamond Engagement Ring in Platinum Circa 1900
Located in Boston, MA
Aston Estate Jewelry Presents: An exquisite engagement ring featuring a 1.27 Carat European cut
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Antique Edwardian Platinum Old European Diamond Filigree Engagement Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Edwardian Platinum Old European Diamond Filigree Engagement Ring. This beautiful
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Edwardian Platinum Old European Cut Diamond Navette Shaped Ring
Located in Venice, CA
This stunning Edwardian diamond engagement ring features approximately 2.5 carats of Old European
Category

Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Edwardian French Navette Diamond Cluster Ring Circa 1900
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edwardian French Navette Diamond Cluster Yellow Gold Platinum Ring, circa 1900. The French
Category

Early 1900s French Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique Edwardian French Platinum Old European Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Edwardian French Platinum Old European Diamond Engagement Ring. This gorgeous
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Pink Diamond, Platinum

Antique 2.70 Carats diamond ring circa 1900
Located in Uccle, BE
Antique Diamond ring circa 1900. The ring is set with a very nice center old mine diamond of
Category

Early 1900s European Belle Époque Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

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

Circa 1900s GIA .94ct Old European Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1900S Item Details: Ring Size: 8.25 Metal Type: 14K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested
Category

Early 1900s Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Edwardian Platinum Old European Diamond Filigree Engagement Ring - GIA
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Edwardian Platinum Old European Diamond Filigree Engagement Ring - GIA. This
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

1900s Edwardian 14K Yellow Gold Old European Diamond Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1900s Item Details: Ring Size: 5.25 (Sizable) Metal Type: 14k Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

GIA Edwardian 4.45ctw Old European Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
Antique Vintage GIA 4..45ctw OLD EUROPEAN Diamond Platinum Edwardian Ring. Edwardian Rings
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Art Nouveau / Belle Epoque 1900 Diamond Ring in 18Karat Gold
Located in OVIEDO, AS
Art Nouveau / Belle Epoque Diamond ring in 18 Karat Gold. Ca. 1900 Belle Epoque (Spanish or French
Category

Early 1900s European Art Nouveau Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Circa 1900s GIA Fancy Brown Old European Brilliant Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Circa 1900s GIA Fancy Brown Old European Brilliant Diamond Engagement Ring - VEG#43b Item Details
Category

Early 1900s Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Brown Diamond, Platinum

Antique Edwardian 1900s 1.00 Carat Old European Cut Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in platinum with an Old European cut Diamond weighing approximately 1.00 carat and 6
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Antique Edwardian Platinum Old European Cut Diamond Halo Engagement Ring - GIA
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Edwardian Platinum Old European Cut Diamond Halo Engagement Ring - GIA. This
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Circa 1900s GIA 1.62ct Old European Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1900s Item Details: Ring Size: 9.5 Metal Type: 14K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Yellow Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 0.98Ct Diamond and 18k Yellow Gold Ring Circa 1900
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique 0.98 carat diamond and 18 karat yellow gold marquise shaped ring
Category

Early 1900s Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Circa 1900s GIA .92ct Old European Brilliant Diamond Engagement Ring - VEG#25b
Located in Hicksville, NY
Circa 1900s GIA .92ct Old European Brilliant Diamond Engagement Ring - VEG#25b Item Details: Year
Category

Early 1900s Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Art Nouveau natural Burmese sapphire diamond ring, circa 1900.
Located in London, GB
Art Nouveau Burmese sapphire and diamond ring. Set with one central oval cabochon natural
Category

Early 1900s European Art Nouveau Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold, Silver

Certified natural sapphire and diamond ring circa 1900
Located in Uccle, BE
Sapphire and diamond cluster ring circa 1900-1910. Bicolore gold 18 Karat ring set with a center
Category

Early 1900s European Belle Époque Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

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

Edwardian Old European Cut Diamond Ring (Approx. 1.40-Carats) Antique, Platinum
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite Edwardian-era ring, handcrafted in platinum circa 1900, showcases the timeless
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Antique Edwardian 1900s 1.79 Carat Old European Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in platinum with an Old European cut Diamond weighing 1.79 carats, H color, SI2
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Antique Edwardian Platinum 2.99ct GIA European Diamond Bezel Pave Platter Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
This is an absolutely jaw dropping antique platter ring crafted in solid platinum during the
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Antique Edwardian Platinum 1.49ct GIA European Diamond Tulip Sides Engraved Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
This is an absolutely breathtaking, highly detailed, antique engagement ring that was crafted from
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Antique Edwardian 18K Gold Old European Diamond Buttercup Engagement Ring - GIA
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Edwardian 18K Gold Old European Diamond Buttercup Engagement Ring - GIA. This
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Circa 1900s GIA 1.54ct Old European Diamond Engagement Ring - VEG#35a
Located in Hicksville, NY
Circa 1900s GIA 1.54ct Old European Diamond Engagement Ring - VEG#35a Year: 1900s Item Details
Category

Early 1900s Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Edwardian 1900s 0.80 Carat Old European Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 14k yellow gold with an Old European cut Diamond weighing approximately 0.80
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Antique Edwardian 1900s 0.94 Carat Old European Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold with an Old European cut Diamond weighing 0.94 carat, J color
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

English Victorian 3.61 Ct. GIA Old European Cut Diamond Belcher Engagement Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
English Victorian era 3.61 Ct. Old European Cut Diamond "Belcher" Engagement Ring composed of 15k
Category

Early 1900s English Victorian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 1.32Ct Diamond and 15k Yellow Gold Twist Ring Circa 1900
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
European cut diamond twist ring is hallmarked to the interior shank with the French import marks for gold
Category

Early 1900s Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Antique 1.00 Carat Diamond and 18k Yellow Gold Twist Ring Circa 1900
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
0.48ct Old European cut diamond, individually claw-set in a diagonal twist formation. The curved ring
Category

Early 1900s Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Antique Natural Unenhanced Marquise Ruby Diamond Ring, circa 1900
Located in London, GB
Antique marquise ruby and diamond ring. Vertically set to the centre with two round old cut
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Art Nouveau French Old Cut Diamond Snake Ring, 1900’s
Located in Firenze, IT
finely working. Gross weight: 13.58 g. Finger size : 8 1/2 Old cut diamond and 18K yellow gold snake ring
Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Old European Cut Diamond Ring (Approx. 0.3-Carats) Cocktail, Platinum
Located in New York, NY
allure. Handcrafted circa 1900, this ring is a remarkable example of Edwardian artistry, characterized
Category

Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Circa 1900s 14K Yellow Gold .90ct Old European Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1900s Item Details: Ring Size: 4 (Sizable) Metal Type: 14K Yellow Gold and White Gold Head
Category

Early 1900s Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

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

Late Victorian Era 1.52 Carat GIA Old European Cut Diamond 3-Stone Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Original Antique Victorian 1.52 Ct. Old European Cut Diamond 3-Stone Ring composed of 18k yellow
Category

Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Platinum Engagement Ring with 1.00cttw Old European cut Diamonds VEG #78
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Description: Here we have an amazing engagement ring, which is very unique. It has two center
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

14K Yellow Gold GIA 1.09ct Old European Diamond and Turquoise Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Edwardian 1900s 14K Yellow Gold GIA 1.09ct Old European Diamond and Turquoise Engagement Ring - VEG
Category

Early 1900s Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Edwardian 18K Gold Hand-Hammered Rubover Setting Old European Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Venice, CA
This Edwardian ring has all of the elements that are most often desired in today’s quest for the
Category

Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Edwardian 14K Gold and Platinum Old European Diamond Wide Cluster Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Edwardian 14K Gold and Platinum Old European Diamond Wide Cluster Ring. This
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

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

Antique Edwardian 18K Gold and Platinum Toi et Moi Old European Diamond Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Edwardian 18K Gold and Platinum Toi et Moi Old European Diamond Ring. This
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

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

Circa 1900s GIA 1.59ct 14K Yellow Gold Old European Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1900s Item Details: Ring Size: 8.5 Metal Type: 14K Rose Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight
Category

Early 1900s Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Old European Cut Diamond Ring 14k Yellow Gold
Located in Bernardsville, NJ
Beautiful antique ring crafted with old European cut diamonds set in 14k gold. This gorgeous late
Category

Early 1900s Late Victorian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Antique Edwardian 14K Rose Gold Old European Diamond Halo Engagement Ring - GIA
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Edwardian 14K Rose Gold Old European Diamond Halo Engagement Ring - GIA. This
Category

Early 1900s Art Deco Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Antique Old European Cut Diamond Ring (Approx. 0.7-Carats), Platinum 18k Gold
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite Edwardian-era ring, handcrafted circa 1900, features a stunning approx. 0.7-carat
Category

Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

14K Antique 1/2 Carat European Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Big Bend, WI
14K yellow gold diamond ring featuring an European cut diamond weighing about 1/2 carat. The
Category

Early 1900s Unknown Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Edwardian 18K Two Tone Gold Old European Five Diamond Wedding Band Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Edwardian 18K Two Tone Gold Old European Five Diamond Wedding Band Ring. This
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

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

Victorian 1.00ct Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring, hallmarked 1900
Located in London, GB
This Victorian cluster ring features hallmarks dating to 1900. At its’s centre sits an old cut ruby
Category

Early 1900s British Victorian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow 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 Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Edwardian Platinum 1.26ctw GIA European Diamond Filigree Engagement Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
This is a gorgeous antique engagement ring that was crafted from solid platinum during the
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

  • 1
  • ...
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Antique Rings Europe 1900", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Antique Rings Europe 1900 For Sale on 1stDibs

You are likely to find exactly the antique rings europe 1900 you’re looking for on 1stDibs, as there is a broad range for sale. Every item for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using Gold, 18k Gold and Platinum. You’re likely to find the perfect antique rings europe 1900 among the distinctive items we have available, which includes versions made as long ago as the 19th Century as well as those produced as recently as the 20th Century. As it relates to this specific piece, our collection includes designs that are universally popular, but .5 Carat and 1 Carat carat weights, specifically, are sought with frequency. Creating an antique rings europe 1900 has been a part of the legacy of many jewelers, but those produced by Neil Lane Couture and Nikolai Nemirov-Kolodkin 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 round cut alternatives. When shopping for an antique rings europe 1900, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for unisex or men today than there are for women.

How Much is a Antique Rings Europe 1900?

Prices for an antique rings europe 1900 can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $788 and can go as high as $65,112, while this accessory, on average, fetches $5,548.

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.