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Decorative Vintage Art Deco Ruby and Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique jewelry object group: engagement ring (or anniversary ring) Condition: very good condition
Category

Vintage 1920s Belgian Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Ruby Sapphire and Diamond British Flag Ring
Located in New York, NY
diamonds, rubies and sapphires. 14K white gold and platinum. Size 7 and can be custom-sized. A
Category

Vintage 1950s American More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Platinum

1940s Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring in 18 Carat Yellow Gold and Platinum
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
This stunning antique Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring has been crafted in the 1940's. The 1.80ct Ruby
Category

Vintage 1940s British Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Audemars Piguet Gemset White Gold Royal Oak Off Shore Band Ring
By Audemars Piguet
Located in New York, NY
finest antique gold and diamond jewelry and silver for over forty years.
Category

1990s Swiss Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Victorian 1.51 Carat Ruby and Old Cut Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Essex, GB
This antique ruby and diamond ring is, quite frankly, stunning. The bright, pinkish red ruby is
Category

Early 20th Century Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Antique rose gold band with diamonds and rubies
Located in West Hollywood, CA
14K rose gold wide band circa 1940's with alternating 3 rubies & marquis shapes with round diamond
Category

American Band Rings

Antique, Art Deco, 18 Carat White Gold, Fire Opal and Diamond Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
Type 18 carat white gold Marks Indistinct maker's mark Date Of Manufacture 1920 Period Of
Category

Early 20th Century British Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold

1.04 Carat Ruby and 0.80 Carat Diamond Cluster Ring, 18 Carat Gold, London, 2009
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
set raised slightly it can sit neatly next to most wedding rings. The ruby measures 7.1mm x 5.2mm x
Category

Early 2000s British Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian Acrostic "Dearest" Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
This splendid mid-Victorian acrostic ring is set with stones that spell out the romantic sentiment
Category

Antique 1870s English Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Amethyst, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Topaz, Yellow Gold

Edwardian Ruby and Diamond Three-Stone Halo Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
This wonderful antique three-stone cluster ring dates to the late Edwardian era, c.1910. Made in
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco 0.63 Carat Old Cut Diamond and Ruby Target Cluster Ring
Located in Essex, GB
A stunning antique ruby and diamond ring. The old cut diamond in the centre, graded by HRD as F
Category

Early 20th Century French Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Antique Art Deco European Cut Diamond with Ruby Halo Engagement Ring 18 Karat
Located in Manchester, NH
This incredible Art Deco engagement ring is a truly rare find! Crafted from 18k yellow gold, the
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco 1.71 Carat Cushion Cut Diamond Ruby Three-Stone Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
weight, and again with great colour. Modelled in 18k white gold, this ring would make a fantastic vintage
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique Victorian Acrostic Diamond Adore Cluster Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
A rare and beautiful antique Acrostic ring, the principal stones spell out the popular romantic
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Amethyst, White Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

French, 1950s, 18 Carat White Gold, Diamond Cluster Engagement Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
COMPLIMENTARY ORIGINAL ANTIQUE RING BOX WITH EVERY PURCHASE - A COMPLIMENTARY RE-SIZE AVAILABLE We have a huge
Category

Mid-20th Century French Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique, Victorian, 18 Carat Gold, Pink Sapphire and Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
. It is surrounded by old mine-cut diamonds, and set in silver on gold, which is testament to its late
Category

Antique 1880s British Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold

Victorian "Red White and Blue" Multigem Tricolor Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
An unusual antique triple-row ring, set with a tricolor of coloured gemstones: red rubies, white
Category

Antique 19th Century English Late Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Most Elegant Engagement Ring with Rubies and Diamonds a So-Called toi et moi
Located in Antwerp, BE
) for April and ruby for July. Hallmarks: "18" indicating 18K gold Dimensions: length of top of ring
Category

Antique Early 1900s Belgian Fashion Rings

Materials

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

Antique Gold Bow Ring with Pearl and Enamel
Located in Chicago, IL
Love Ring with Bow and Flowers France (?), c. 1650-1680 Gold, enamel, pearl Weight 4.8 gr
Category

Antique Mid-17th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Pearl, Gold, Enamel

Antique, Art Deco, Viennese 14 Carat Gold, Diamond Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
Diamond ring, Austria, 1930s. The design of this ring, with its bicoloured gold setting and its
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Austrian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Rose Gold

Midcentury, 18 Carat White Gold, Colombian Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
carat white gold Date Of Manufacture 1945 - 1955 Period Of Manufacture Mid Century Condition Very
Category

Mid-20th Century British Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, White Gold

Antique Belle Époque, Platinum, 14 Carat Gold, Natural Pearl and Diamond Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
: 11mm Dimensions of setting at front: 13mm x 13mm Metal Type 14 carat white gold Marks '585' for 14
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, White Gold, Platinum

Midcentury, 1940s 18 Carat White Gold Colombian Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
(gross) - A COMPLIMENTARY ORIGINAL ANTIQUE RING BOX WITH EVERY PURCHASE - A COMPLIMENTARY RE-SIZE
Category

Mid-20th Century British Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique Victorian Emerald Diamond Chequerboard Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
A fine Victorian chequerboard ring set with two rows of alternating emeralds and old cut diamonds
Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

18 Carat White Gold, Color-Change Sapphire and Diamond Ring, Late 20th Century
Located in Rochford, Essex
COMPLIMENTARY ORIGINAL ANTIQUE RING BOX WITH EVERY PURCHASE - A COMPLIMENTARY RE-SIZE AVAILABLE We have a huge
Category

Late 20th Century British Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

1920 s Diamond Set Eye Aesthetic Ring in 18ct White and Yellow Gold
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
, such an unusual and intriguing style antique ring in an 18ct White Gold setting leading to an 18ct
Category

Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco 14ct Gold, Rudy and Diamond Three Stone Ring
Located in Lancashire, Oldham
A very attractive 14ct yellow and white gold Art Deco ruby and diamond three stone ring ring set
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold

Antique, Art Deco, Platinum, Emerald and Diamond Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
its corners and a simple fine band of 18 carat white gold set with single-cut diamonds, this lush
Category

Early 20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Anglo-Indian Snake Ring
Located in New York, NY
find in antique jewelry, as most black diamonds today are heat treated) and white diamonds in 18kt gold
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, 18k Gold

Antique, Art Deco, Platinum, Burmese Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
touch for this sophisticated and elegant ring. METAL 18 carat white gold and platinum STONE Sapphire
Category

Early 20th Century British Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

Antique, Art Deco, 14 Carat Yellow Gold, Diamond Set Band
Located in Rochford, Essex
detailing. The ring is beautifully made, the diamonds are set in a geometric white gold frame with a
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

1.15ct Cushion Cut Diamond Art Deco Ring
By Shreve, Crump Low
Located in Chestnut Hill, MA
Platinum and 18 karat yellow gold Art Deco ring, circa 1920, consisting of an antique cushion cut
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, White Diamond, Platinum

Antique, Art Deco, Platinum, South Sea Pearl and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
18ct white gold, platinum Marks No marks Date Of Manufacture 1920 - 1930 Period Of Manufacture Art
Category

Early 20th Century British Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum

Antique Victorian Ruby Pearl Drop Earrings, circa 1880s, 15 Carat Gold
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
From the Victorian era a pair of ruby and diamond antique drop earrings featuring a central bombe
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Pearl, Ruby, 15k Gold, Gold

Antique Victorian Locket, Ruby and Pearl Surround, 15 Carat Gold, circa 1890
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
pretty ruby and pearl bordered edge styled with eight semi-circles set with white pearls grain set to a
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Pearl, Ruby, 15k Gold, 9k Gold

15 Carat Victorian Era Ruby and Pearl Necklet 9 Carat Vintage Gold Chain
Located in Hamilton, AU
Carefully modified from a 15 carat yellow gold, silver topped, Victorian era, antique brooch, is
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, 15k Gold

A Fine Antique Mughal Ruby and Diamond l Pendant
Located in London, GB
enamel with seven tulips against a white ground separated by green leaves.Blue and gold leaves ring the
Georgian 8.20 Carat Diamond Sentimental Hand Museum Drop Earrings
Located in Napoli, IT
Georgian era, high carat gold, such an amount of antique cut Diamonds picked up and selected at the time to
Category

Antique Early 1800s Georgian Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Antique Ruby Diamond Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Tampa, FL
A beautiful low profile antique fashion ring featuring a .80ct. apx. antique round natural ruby
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold

Antique Victorian Ruby Diamond Double Cluster Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
An adorable antique double cluster ring, set with two natural rubies and old cut diamonds. The two
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

1940s Retro Diamond Rubies 18K Yellow White Gold Tank Cocktail Ring
Located in Pamplona, Navarra
and white gold, diamonds and rubies. Circa 1935-1940 Old European diamond cut and rond cut rubys
Category

Vintage 1930s French Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Antique Diamond Ruby Art Deco 18 Karat Gold Snake Ring
Located in Crownsville, MD
Beautiful Art Deco era circa 1920s - 1930s 18K yellow gold snake wrap ring with 8 round cut
Category

Vintage 1920s Swiss Art Deco Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Antique French Ruby and Diamonds Ring
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Lovely antique ring, made in France Circa 1910, Belle Epoque Era / Edwardian. Mounted with yellow
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby

Sabine Getty Ruby Diamond Gold "Love" Ring
By Sabine Getty
Located in London, GB
Sabine Getty ‘Love’ ring in 18k rose gold set with diamonds and rubies Diamond: 0,65 Ruby: 1,26
Category

2010s Italian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, Rose Gold

Tiffany Co. Ruby Diamond Gold Wide Band Ring
By Tiffany Co.
Located in New York, NY
diamonds and .61 cts. of brilliant French-cut rubies. 18K white gold. 5/8" wide. Size 6 1/4 and can be
Category

1990s American Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique Edwardian Certified 5.89 Carat Burma Ruby Engagement Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
A stunning Edwardian era cluster ring set with a 5.89 carat Burma ruby. The principal stone is
Category

Early 20th Century French Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Antique Victorian Ruby Diamond 18 Carat Ring, circa 1900
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
This fabulous 18ct Yellow Gold ring is set with a natural Cabochon Ruby and surrounded by old cut
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique, Art Deco, White Gold, Vivid Tourmaline and Diamond Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
Width of setting at front: 14.2mm x 12mm Metal Type Platinum, White Gold Date Of Manufacture 1920
Category

Early 20th Century German Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tourmaline, 14k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

Antique, Art Deco Style, 18 Carat White Gold, Huge Diamond Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
beautiful diamonds. This ring displays incredible craftmanship, each diamond is set perfectly in 18ct white
Category

Late 20th Century American Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Antique, 1950s, 18ct White Gold, Extraordinary Mint Quartz and Diamond Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
request, please don’t hesitate to contact us. - A COMPLIMENTARY ORIGINAL ANTIQUE RING BOX WITH EVERY
Category

Mid-20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Quartz, White Gold

Mine Cut Diamond and Ruby Ring
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique mine cut diamond and ruby ring. There are 10 mine-cut diamonds that weigh 2.00cts total
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique Art Deco, French, 18 Carat White Gold, Cobalt Spinel and Sapphire Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
: 13.3mm x 14.5mm Metal Type 18ct white gold Marks French mark of an eagle Date Of Manufacture 1920 - 1930
Category

Early 20th Century French Engagement Rings

Materials

Sapphire, Spinel, White Gold

Art Deco, 18 Carat White Gold, Diamond and Sapphire Cluster Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
18 carat white gold. STONE Sapphires: not possible to gauge due to the limitations of the setting
Category

Mid-20th Century British Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold, 18k Gold

Authentic Art Deco Vintage Diamond and Ruby Engagement Ring
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique jewelry object group: engagement ring (or anniversary ring) Condition: very good condition
Category

Vintage 1920s Belgian Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Antique, Georgian, 18 Carat Gold, Onyx Intaglio Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
, please don’t hesitate to contact us. - A COMPLIMENTARY ORIGINAL ANTIQUE RING BOX WITH EVERY PURCHASE
Category

Antique 18th Century British Signet Rings

Materials

Onyx, Gold

1960s, Sapphire Star Cabochon and Diamonds Halo 18k white Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Pamplona, Navarra
Classic 1960s, Ruby star cabochon and diamonds halo 18k white gold cluster ring. A classically
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold

Antique Victorian, 18 Carat Yellow Gold, Opal and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
approximately), a wonderful contrast to the white diamonds, all set in a gold claw-style setting. Further
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

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Antique White Gold Ruby Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

Surely you’ll find the exact antique white gold ruby ring you’re seeking on 1stDibs — we’ve got a vast assortment for sale. Every item for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using gold, white gold and 18k gold. Our collection of these items for sale includes 685 vintage editions and 213 modern creations to choose from as well. Finding the perfect antique white gold ruby ring may mean sifting through those created during different time periods — you can find an early version that dates to the 18th Century and a newer variation that were made as recently as the 21st Century. Finding an appealing antique white gold ruby ring — no matter the origin — is easy, but Tutti Frutti Jewellery, Natkina and Baume each produced a popular version that is worth a look. An antique white gold ruby ring can make for a versatile accessory, but a selection from our variety of 605 diamond versions can add an especially stylish touch. Today, if you’re looking for a round cut version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes oval cut and antique cushion cut alternatives. If you’re browsing our inventory for an antique white gold ruby ring, you’ll find that many are available today for women, but there are still pieces to choose from for unisex and men.

How Much is a Antique White Gold Ruby Ring?

Prices for an antique white gold ruby ring can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $60 and can go as high as $680,000, while this accessory, on average, fetches $3,949.

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.