Skip to main content

Black Onyx And Diamond 18k Gold Ring

to
104
620
201
500
414
220
138
87
71
62
51
35
27
24
23
23
21
19
19
7
7
6
5
3
2
2
1
1
1
89
77
24
23
19
Sort By
VAN CLEEF ARPELS Onyx and Diamond Gold Ring
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Southampton, NY
round diamonds framed in high-polish 18K yellow gold, and centered on a wide black onyx band flanked on
Category

Vintage 1980s French More Rings

Materials

Onyx, Diamond, 18k Gold

VAN CLEEF ARPELS Gold Diamond and Onyx Ring
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Southampton, NY
This brilliant 18 karat yellow gold Van Cleef & Arpels ring is close-set with sparkling round
Category

Vintage 1980s French More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold

SALAVETTI ONYX AND DIAMOND RING
By Salavetti
Located in NY, NY
18KW SALAVETTI CONTEMPORARY BLACK AND WHITE DIAMOND, ONYX-CENTER RING, 17.88 dwt., 5.18ct. TW
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Dome Rings

Materials

Onyx, Diamond, 18k Gold

GUCCI Onyx and Diamond Horsebit Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an amazing ring from Gucci. The huge black onyx stone goes through the two diamond loops
Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold

Van Cleef Arpels Black Onyx and Diamond Dress Ring
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Greenwich, CT
onyx panels, mounted in 18k yellow gold, numbered C5062X5, signed Van Cleef & Arpels. Diamonds weighing
Category

Late 20th Century French Fashion Rings

Materials

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

Loree Rodkin Onyx Diamond Gold Ring
By Loree Rodkin
Located in Lambertville, NJ
18k white gold top of the ring 31mm X 25mm decorated with diamonds and black onyx. ring size - 8 1
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold

Verdura Black Onyx and Diamond "Polka Dot" Ring
By Verdura
Located in Greenwich, CT
Cabochon black onyx "Polka Dot" cocktail ring, mounted in polished 18k yellow gold with bezel-set
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 18 Karat White Gold Black Onyx and Diamond Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a vintage 18kt white gold black onyx and diamond ring. Carved black onyx with a white gold
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Russian Russian Revival Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Paloma Picasso for Tiffany Co. Black Onyx and Diamond Ring
By Paloma Picasso for Tiffany Co.
Located in Dallas, TX
Classic 18 Karat Yellow Gold and White Gold Black Onyx and Diamond Ring featuring (1) 15.5 MM Round
Category

Late 20th Century American More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold

BARBARA ANTON Onyx and Diamond Ring
By Barbara B. Anton
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Unique Barbara Anton black onyx and diamond ring in a handmade 18kt. yellow gold mount. The organic
Category

Late 20th Century American Dome Rings

Materials

Onyx, Diamond, 18k Gold

Van Cleef Arpels Black Onyx Diamond "Checkerboard" Ring
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Greenwich, CT
Cocktail ring, featuring a "checkerboard" pattern of inlaid black onyx and round brilliant-cut
Category

20th Century French Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Van Cleef Arpels Black Onyx Diamond "Philippine" Ring
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Greenwich, CT
borders, to the carved black onyx bombé-style shoulders, in 18k yellow gold, numbered 'B5001X885' and
Category

Vintage 1970s French Dome Rings

Materials

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

Chantecler Onyx Diamond Gold Joyful Wrap Ring
By Chantecler
Located in Lambertville, NJ
An 18k rose gold ring, crafted by Chantecler, decorated with 11mm x 15mm black onyx and
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold

Van Cleef Arpels 18 Karat Yellow Gold, Black Onyx and Diamond Alhambra Ring
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Van Cleef & Arpels 18k Yellow Gold, Black Onyx & Diamond Alhambra Ring Sz 5.5 7.8g For sale is a
Category

1990s Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Yellow Gold

Black Onyx and Round Brilliant Diamonds 18 Carat Yellow Gold Vintage Dome Ring
Located in Hamilton, AU
Carefully crafted in 18 carat yellow gold is this gorgeous Art Deco inspired onyx and diamond dome
Category

20th Century Unknown Modern Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

18 Karat Yellow Gold, Onyx and Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in New York, NY
Quality? Check. Fashionable? Check. Value? Check, check! This stylish c1970 ring with black onyx
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold

Amulette de Cartier 18 Karat Rose Gold Black Onyx Diamond Ring
By Cartier
Located in Dallas, TX
Amulette de Cartier black onyx and diamond ring was created "as a gift to oneself as a personal
Category

2010s French Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Modern Black Onyx and Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Ring - Size 6 1/2
Located in St. Louis Park, MN
This modern 18 karat white Gold ring features Black Onyx surround four invisible set 3mm princess
Category

20th Century Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold

Modernist Onyx Diamond Ring
Located in Lambertville, NJ
a modernist design. The ring is set with three bezel set triangles of black onyx and prong set with
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Modernist Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold

Art Deco Onyx Diamond Gold Navette Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Thornton is a unique authentic Late Art Deco (Circa 1935) navette style 18k white gold ring
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold

Bulgari Pavé Diamond Black Onyx Flip Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Greenwich, CT
"Bvlgari-Bvlgari" flip ring in polished 18k white gold, with pavé diamonds on one side and black
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Unusual 1970s Diamond and Black Onyx Cocktail Ring
Located in New York, NY
An eye-catching jet black onyx and diamond two stepped 18k gold cocktail ring...very chic and most
Materials

Diamond

Andreoli Black Onyx Emerald Tsavorite Garnet Diamond 18 Karat Gold Cocktail Ring
By Andreoli
Located in New York, NY
Andreoli Black Onyx Emerald Tsavorite Garnet Diamond 18 Karat Gold Cocktail Ring. This statement
Category

2010s Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, Onyx, Tsavorite, Gold, 18k Gold...

Van Cleef Arpels Black Onyx Diamond Rose de Noel Ring
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Greenwich, CT
"Rose de Noel" flower cocktail ring, featuring five carved black onyx petals surrounding
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

18 Karat Yellow Gold Domed Black Onyx Mother-of-Pearl Diamond Ring
Located in Dallas, TX
A domed fashion ring with all the right trimmings. This fashion ring is domed, has 3 black onyx
Category

Vintage 1980s Unknown Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

18 Karat Gold Cocktail Ring w/ London Blue Topaz, Black Onyx Diamonds
By Doves by Doron Paloma
Located in Great Neck, NY
Art-Deco Style Cocktail Ring featuring Round London Blue Topaz, Black Onyx, and Diamonds, set in
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Topaz, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold

Van Cleef Arpels Paris Onyx Diamond Gold Navette Ring
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels Paris 18k gold ring with a center navette black onyx surrounded by 16 round
Category

Vintage 1970s French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Onyx, White Diamond, 18k Gold

VAN CLEEF ARPELS Black Onyx "Philippine" Ring
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
The narrow band ring with pavé-set diamond center, flanked by carved segments of black onyx
Category

Vintage 1970s French Band Rings

Materials

Onyx, Diamond, 18k Gold

David Webb Impressive large onyx diamond Gold Platinum Ring
By David Webb
Located in Lambertville, NJ
4.00-4.20ctw in G/VS diamonds and black onyx. Ring is a size 7, ring top is 23mm x 28mm, sits approx
Category

20th Century American More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Platinum

GIA Certified 1.5 Carat Diamond Onyx and Lapis Platinum Rose Gold Ring
Located in Aliso Viejo, CA
This ladies diamond engagement or cocktail ring has gorgeous deep blue and black and white color
Category

2010s American Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Onyx, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Platinum

Antique Edwardian Diamond Onyx Panel Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
A stunning Edwardian era onyx & diamond panel ring crafted in platinum throughout. The deep black
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

18 Karat Yellow Gold 2.00 Carat Diamond Onyx Swirl Ring
Located in Dallas, TX
Circa 1980's Onyx 18 karat yellow gold swirl ring set with 53 round brilliant cut diamonds (2.00
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco Green Turquoise Onyx Diamond Ring
Located in London, GB
centrally on rods of Black Onyx. The Ring has an attractively engraved gallery to a slender shank stamped
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Turquoise, 18k Gold

BOUCHERON Rock Crystal, Onyx Diamond Twin Ring
By Boucheron
Located in Greenwich, CT
Twin ring, one side set with carved, fluted rock crystal and the other with carved black onyx
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold

Solid 18 Karat Yellow Gold Genuine Diamond and Black Onyx Ring 6.3g
Located in Manchester, NH
Solid 18K Yellow Gold Genuine Diamond & Black Onyx Ring 6.3g Size 6.75 Excellent condition. This
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Fashion Rings

Van Cleef Arpels Onyx and Diamond Ring
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Edgy and sophisticated Van Cleef & Arpels black onyx and diamond ring in 18k textured gold, 23
Materials

Diamond

Van Cleef Arpels Chrysoprase Onyx Diamond Band Ring
Located in Greenwich, CT
Band ring, with a three-lobed top in light green chrysoprase, black onyx and pavé diamond, the
Category

Vintage 1970s French Band Rings

Materials

Chrysophrase, Diamond, Onyx, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Christian Dior Pre Catalan Collection Onyx Roses and Gemstone Gold Bee Ring
By Christian Dior
Located in New York, NY
Dior 18k gold ring from the "Pre Catalan" collection set with two carved black onyx roses and a
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Fashion Rings

Materials

Onyx, White Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold

Spectacular Austro Hungarian Art Deco Diamond and Onyx Panel Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
century Skilfully hand crafted of solid 18 Kt white gold with platinum top. Bears Austro Hungarian
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco More Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Solid 18 Karat Gold Genuine Diamond and Black Onyx Stack Ring by Fopa 12.1g
Located in Manchester, NH
diamonds on the first ring, 3 genuine oval cabochon black onyx on the second ring and 24 more genuine round
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Fashion Rings

Van Cleef Arpels Vintage Alhambra Diamond Onyx 18K Yellow Gold Ring Size 57
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Cleef & Arpels. The ring has been luxuriously sculpted from 18k yellow gold and lined with beads along
Category

2010s French Contemporary More Rings

Vintage Circa 1950s 18 Carat Yellow Gold Rectangular Onyx Diamond Narrow Band
Located in Hamilton, AU
Forged in 18 carat yellow gold, this darling vintage ring sees a shimmering rubover set Old Cut
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Signet Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

Cartier Geometry and Black Lacquer 18k Rose Gold Ring Size 53
By Cartier
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
ring is cast in 18k rose gold, and the design is detailed with coral, onyx, and diamonds. Includes
Category

2010s Italian Aesthetic Movement Cocktail Rings

Cartier Diamond and Sapphire Panthère Ring
By Cartier
Located in Greenwich, CT
set with pear-shaped emeralds and nose with cabochon-cut black onyx, mounted in 18k yellow gold
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, Sapphire, White Diamond, 18k Gold...

18 Karat Gold Monan Another World 8.53 Carat Diamond Ring
By Monan
Located in Istanbul, TR
18 Karat white gold 'Another World' limited edition Panda bear ring created by Monan with 4.80
Category

2010s Turkish Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Onyx, Black Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Vintage, 18 Carat White Gold, Ruby and Diamond Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
comfortable and practical to wear day-to-day. Ring size: US: 7.25. / UK: ‪N 1/2‬ Metal 18ct White gold
Category

Late 20th Century British Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold

Gucci Le Marché des Merveilles Black Onyx Ladies Ring YBC502868004
By Gucci
Located in Wilmington, DE
Gucci Le Marché des Merveilles Black Onyx Ladies Ring in 18k Yellow Gold and Diamond Diamond 0.05
Category

2010s Cocktail Rings

Antique, Victorian, 18 Carat Yellow Gold, Natural Pearl and Diamond Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
in a simple but beautifully executed 18ct yellow gold setting with rose-cut diamonds interspersed
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Midcentury, 1940s 18 Carat White Gold Colombian Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
Emerald and diamond ring, circa 1940. This classic floral cluster centres on an excellent Colombian
Category

Mid-20th Century British Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique, Art Deco, 18 Carat White Gold, Fire Opal and Diamond Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
Fire opal and diamond ring, 1920. Fire opals are an unusual variety of opal, found primarily in
Category

Early 20th Century British Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold

Antique, Edwardian, 18 Carat White Gold, Ruby and Diamond Five-Stone Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
alongside more contemporary rings as part of a ring stack. MARKS 18ct METAL 18 carat white gold STONE
Category

Early 20th Century British Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold

18 Carat White Gold, Color-Change Sapphire and Diamond Ring, Late 20th Century
Located in Rochford, Essex
Colour-change sapphire and diamond ring, 20th century. This unheated Sri Lankan sapphire appears a
Category

Late 20th Century British Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique Art Deco, 18 Carat Gold, Royal Blue Sapphire and Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
Sapphire and diamond cluster ring, circa 1900. A wonderful example of a classic engagement ring set
Category

Early 20th Century British Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold

French, 1950s, 18 Carat White Gold, Diamond Cluster Engagement Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
Diamond ring, 1950’s. The diamond cluster is an enduring classic of jewellery design. The prongs
Category

Mid-20th Century French Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Cartier Panther Diamond Gold Ring
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
emeralds and nose with cabochon-cut black onyx, mounted in 18k yellow gold, numbered 90204, signed Cartier
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Emerald

Antique, Victorian, 18 Carat Yellow Gold, Old Cut Diamond Half Hoop Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
diamonds (1.60ct total) in an intricately carved yellow gold setting. This style of ring is called a carved
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

VAN CLEEF ARPELS Gold, Black Onyx Diamond Suite
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
A suite consisting of "shrimp" earclips and matching ring, set with carved domed black onyx
Category

Vintage 1980s French Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Onyx, Diamond, 18k Gold

  • 1
  • ...
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Black Onyx And Diamond 18k Gold Ring", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Black Onyx And Diamond 18k Gold Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

On 1stDibs, you can find the most appropriate black onyx and diamond 18k gold ring for your needs in our varied inventory. Each design created in this style — which was crafted with great care and often made from Gold, 18k Gold and Rose Gold — can elevate any look. You can easily find a 79 antique edition and 59 modern creations to choose from as well. You’re likely to find the perfect black onyx and diamond 18k gold ring 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 21st Century. Finding an appealing black onyx and diamond 18k gold ring — no matter the origin — is easy, but Royaal Stones Ltd, Van Cleef Arpels and BARE Fine Jewelry each produced a popular version that is worth a look. A round cut version of this piece has appeal, but there are also cabochon and cushion cut versions for sale. When shopping for a black onyx and diamond 18k gold ring, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for unisex or men today than there are for women.

How Much is a Black Onyx And Diamond 18k Gold Ring?

Prices for a black onyx and diamond 18k gold ring can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $700 and can go as high as $60,000, while this accessory, on average, fetches $3,600.

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.