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Antique Old European Cut Diamond Ring (Approx. 0.4-Carats), 18k Yellow Gold
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite antique Art Nouveau ring, handcrafted in France circa 1900, showcases a harmonious
Category

Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Antique Edwardian 18K Yellow Gold 0.91ctw Old European Cut Diamond 5 Stone Ring
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
An Edwardian diamond, and yellow gold ring, comprising five, graduating old European cut diamonds
Category

Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1.39 Carat Diamond and 18k Yellow Gold Trilogy Ring - Antique Circa 1900
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique 1.39 carat diamond and 18 carat yellow gold trilogy ring; part of our
Category

Early 1900s Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Art Nouveau Navette Ring Diamonds 0.75 Carat Vienna, Austria, circa 1900
Located in Vienna, AT
era's classic Navette Ring Form. BEST QUALITY AND HIGH VALUE ! Vienna / Austria, made circa 1900
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

An Antique Diamond Three-Stone Ring Circa 1900 s
Located in Firenze, IT
Crossed ring in 18K yellow gold and silver centered by three old mine cut diamonds approx. 0.50
Category

Early 1900s Italian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Antique Platinum Engagement Ring with 1.00cttw Old European cut Diamonds VEG #78
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Ring Size: 6 Metal Type: Platinum Weight: 2.75 grams Main Diamonds Details Shape
Category

Early 1900s Art Deco Antique Rings Europe 1900

Antique Ruby and Old European Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Bethesda, MD
This exquisite 14kt antique ring features a vibrant oval ruby weighing 1.30 carats, characterized
Category

Early 1900s Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold

Art Nouveau Ring Gold 585 Diamonds 0.60 Carat Vienna, Austria, circa 1900
Located in Vienna, AT
Golden Art Nouveau Ring of most elegant appearance with many diamonds attached in decorative manner
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Antique Edwardian Mixed Metals Four Old European Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Houston, TX
Gender: Ladies Metal Type: White Gold, Palladium, Silver Ring Size: 6 Width: 9.30 mm tapering to
Category

Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Mixed Metal, Silver, Palladium, Gold

Edwardian 0.45 CTW Old European Diamond Platinum Bow Basket Engagement Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering an old European cut diamond weighing approximately 0.45 carat - G color with VS2 clarity
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Antique Edwardian Platinum 3.21ctw GIA European Diamond Mosaic Domed Dinner Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
This is an absolutely breathtaking antique engagement or dinner ring that was very well crafted in
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

3 Carats Green sapphire and diamond cluster ring circa 1900 - 1910
Located in Uccle, BE
Sapphire cluster ring circa 1910. Bicolor 18 Karat white gold on top and yellow gold for the body
Category

Early 1900s European Belle Époque Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

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

Antique Edwardian Gold Platinum 2.5ctw Old European Diamond Long Dinner Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
European cut diamonds that are pave and bezel set throughout the elongated floral design. The ring is
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Platinum

Estate Art Deco Platinum GIA 1.12ct Old European Diamond Ring - VEG#58a
Located in Hicksville, NY
Estate Art Deco Platinum GIA 1.12ct Old European Diamond Ring - VEG#58a Item Details: Year: 1902s
Category

Early 1900s Art Deco Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Circa 1900s Center 1.00ct GIA Old European Three Stone Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1900s Item Details: Ring Size: 6.5 Metal Type: 18k Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested
Category

Early 1900s Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Old Cut Diamond Three Stone Gold Ring Italian c.1900
Located in Firenze, IT
central diamond of 1.30 ct, in old round European cut. The setting of the ring is in 18 kt yellow gold and
Category

Early 1900s Italian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Antique 18ct Yellow Gold, Shield Sardonyx Signet Ring, Circa 1900
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Sardonyx Signet Ring Circa 1900 18ct Gold Makers Mark HC A classic signet ring set with
Category

Early 20th Century European Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Edwardian 14k Gold Plat GIA European Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
This stunning antique solitaire engagement ring was crafted in solid 14k yellow gold and platinum
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Belle Époque Platinum Three Stone Old Cut Diamond Ring 1900 s
Located in Firenze, IT
The polylobed top bears three brilliant-cut (old-cut) oval diamonds in a surround of rose-cut diamonds. Set in platinum. Gross weight: 4.39 g. Size 7 Top dimensions: 2.2 x 1.8 cm. ...
Category

Early 1900s Italian Belle Époque Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

18 Karat Gold Diamond and Sapphire Three-Stone Ring, circa 1900
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
A wonderful antique three-stone ring crafted circa 1900. The central sapphire measures
Category

Early 1900s British Late Victorian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

1900s GIA 2.87ctw Antique Edwardian OLD EUROPEAN Diamond Cluster 14KYG Pl Ring
Located in New York, NY
Antique Edwardian GIA 2.87ctw OLD EUROPEAN Diamond Cocktail Cluster 14K Gold Platinum Ring, Circa
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Platinum

Antique Diamonds Pearl Gold Flower-Shaped Ring, Austria, around 1900
Located in Vienna, AT
Antique flower-shaped old brilliant-cut diamond ring with a centered pearl: two old brilliant-cut
Category

1890s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Rose Gold

Antique Edwardian French Plat 18k Gold 1.7ct GIA European Diamond Solitaire Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
This breathtaking, all original, antique diamond engagement ring was crafted in France from solid
Category

Early 1900s French Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Platinum, White Gold, 18k Gold

Antique Edwardian 14k Two Tone Gold Old European Diamond Filigree Repousse Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (5) Natural Genuine Diamond - Old European & Old Mine Cut - Pave Set - White Nice
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

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

Antique Edwardian 14K Gold European Diamond Filigree Engraved 3 Stone Band Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
This outstanding antique band ring was crafted during the Edwardian period in solid 14k yellow gold
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Edwardian 18 Carat Gold and Platinum Old European Cut Diamond Three-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This diamond three stone ring is beautiful and the diamonds are bright and sparkly. The central
Category

Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

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

Circa 1900s 1.25cttw Old European Brilliant Diamond Three Stone Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1900s Item Details: Ring Size: 7.25 Metal Type: 14K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Edwardian Platinum 2.33ctw GIA Sapphire Old European Diamond Scroll Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
) Natural Genuine Diamonds - Old European Cut - Prong Set - VS2-SI2 Clarity - J/K Color - 1.25ctw (approx
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

Circa 1900s Edwardian 18K Yellow Gold .60ct Old European Cut Diamond Engagement
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1900s Item Details: Ring Size: 6.5 (Sizable) Metal Type: 18K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and
Category

Early 1900s Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Yellow Gold Diamond Edwardian Bypass Ring - 14k European and Mine .50ctw
Located in Greensboro, NC
: 14k Yellow Gold & 14k White Gold Stone Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .50ctw Cut: European
Category

Early 1900s Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Circa 1900s 14K Yellow Gold Edwardian 1.08ct Old European Diamond Engagement Rin
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1900s Item Details: Ring Size: 7.25 (Sizable) Metal Type: 14K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Edwardian 18K Gold 2.28tgw Unheated Ruby Old European Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
An Edwardian unheated ruby, diamond, and yellow gold ring, comprising one large cushion shaped ruby
Category

Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1902 Antique European Ring solid 20K Gold Ø 6.75 US / 5.3 gr
Located in SE
Old ring in solid 20K Yellow Gold. Hand - engraved contentious floral ornament on the band. Unisex
Category

Early 1900s Swedish Art Deco Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

22k Gold

Edwardian Old European Cut Diamond (Approx 0.20-Carats) Antique, 18k Yellow Gold
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite antique ring, dating back to the Edwardian era circa 1900, showcases an elegant
Category

Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Antique European Ring 1.3 ctw / 5Diamonds 23K/18K Gold Silver ØUS 5.25/ 2.8gr
Located in SE
Beautiful Antique Diamond Ring, Renaissance styled. Dates to ca. 19th - early 20th century. Perfect
Category

Early 1900s European Art Nouveau Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, 24k Gold, Silver

1904 Antique European Wedding Ring solid 18K Gold Ø 9.5 US / 4.3 gr
Located in SE
Fine 18K Antique Rose Gold Wedding Ring . Engraved cross/flowers ornament around the shank. Made
Category

Early 1900s Swedish Art Nouveau Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

18k Gold

Antique Band, 1.50 Carats, Yellow Gold, Old European Cuts
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful antique band, featuring three old European cut diamonds weighing 1.50 carats total
Category

Early 1900s Unknown Contemporary Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Old-Cut Emerald Ring
Located in Firenze, FI
This is a Victorian 18kt/Sterling Old-Cut Diamond + Emerald ( colombia ) Bypass Ring . This
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Emerald, 18k Gold

Antique Old-Cut Emerald Ring
Antique Old-Cut Emerald Ring
$5,553 Sale Price
20% Off
Late Victorian (c. 1880–1900) Ruby Sapphire Diamond Cluster Ring in 18 K Yello
Located in MONTMORENCY, FR
‰) Period: Late Victorian Era (c. 1880–1900) Style: Cluster halo ring with graduated ruby–diamond–sapphire
Category

1890s French Victorian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Antique Circa 1900s 14k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
has G-H vs-s1-s2 clarity. Ring size is US 6. We can make any size. Box is not included. Please contact
Category

Early 1900s European Victorian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Belle Epoque Diamond Gold Shuttle Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
Beautiful 18k Gold handmade genuine Belle Époque ring. It features two rows of Old European Cut
Category

Early 1900s European Belle Époque Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Antique Edwardian Platinum Old Euro Diamond Filigree Engagement Ring - GIA
Located in Great Neck, NY
incredible Edwardian old European cut diamond engagement ring is crafted in platinum. This beautiful ring
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Ruby and Diamond Pharaoh Ring of 14k Gold
Located in Lewisburg, PA
adorned with rubies and a single old European cut diamond accent. Originally dating back to circa 1900 as
Category

Early 1900s Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold

Antique 2.30 Carat Diamond Cocktail Ring in Platinum
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning and impressive antique 2.30 carat diamond and platinum cocktail ring; part of our
Category

Early 1900s Unknown Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Antique Diamond Solitaire Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a striking solitaire ring featuring a centralised round faceted old European cut
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

1.43 Carat Diamond and Platinum Cluster Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
displays a feature antique (circa 1900) 0.83Ct Old European round cut diamond, ten claw set in relief to
Category

Early 1900s Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Antique Edwardian Platinum Old Euro Diamond Sapphire Engagement Ring - GIA
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Edwardian Platinum Old Euro Diamond Sapphire Engagement Ring - GIA. This gorgeous
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

Victorian 1.50 Ct. Diamond Twisted 18 Kt Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
This fabulous late Victorian ring is 1900 ca Beautiful carved twisted mount hand made of solid 18
Category

Early 1900s European Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

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

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Art Nouveau rose gold diamond ring
Located in Malmö, Skåne län
- 0.3 ct. H/si Shank in 14 karat rose gold A Hand-made European ring made in the first quarter of the
Category

Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Rose Gold

Antique Victorian Enamel Swallow Ring
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This antique Diamond Enamel Swallow started life as a brooch, which I converted to a ring. This is
Category

Early 1900s European Victorian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Enamel

Antique Diamond Coiled Snake Engraved Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
Gorgeous design ring, dated '1900, handcrafted in 18K gold. The head of the snake is embellished
Category

Early 1900s European Retro Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

C1880 18K Five Stone Half Hoop Ruby Ring
Located in Baltimore, MD
Pristine 18K (stamped and tested) Edwardian five stone ruby ring, also known as a half hoop five
Category

Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Ruby, 18k Gold

Edwardian Diamond and Faux Ruby Ring
Located in Riverdale, NY
Edwardian Diamond and Faux Ruby Ring circa 1900. A diamond shaped motif is set with knife edge
Category

Early 1900s American Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver

.81 Carat Diamond Yellow Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 6.75 Metal Type: 14K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 2.6 grams Center
Category

Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Edwardian 18k/Platinum Diamond Engagement Ring 1.02ct
Located in Narberth, PA
platinum,, this ring features a solitaire 1.02ct old European cut diamond. The beautiful stone is held
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

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

Antique Edwardian Platinum Old Euro Cut Butterfly Motif Engagement Ring - GIA
Located in Great Neck, NY
incredible Edwardian old European diamond butterfly motif engagement ring is crafted in platinum. This
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Rings Europe 1900

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

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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.