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Certified Emerald and Diamond Three-Stone Ring
Located in New York, NY
Certified Emerald & Diamond Gold Three Stone Ring set in 18k Yellow Gold Emerald Weight: 7.48 Cts
Category

Vintage 1980s Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Square Cut Emerald Diamond Ring Platinum
Located in Dallas, TX
Square Cut 2.63ct Emerald & Diamond Ring Platinum. The emerald is accented by 0.60ctw of brilliant
Category

Vintage 1980s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Vintage 1980s 3.00 Carat Cabochon Emerald Ring with Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18K yellow gold with a Cabochon Emerald weighing approximately 3.00 carats
Category

Vintage 1980s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Vintage French Emerald and Diamond Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
impressive vintage emerald and diamond ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold. This vintage gemstone ring
Category

Vintage 1980s French Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Marquise Emerald Diamond Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
marquise-cut emerald, accented with round brilliant-cut and baguette-cut diamonds of an estimated 1.36
Category

Vintage 1980s American More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Certified Emerald 21.80cts Diamond Platinum Sugarloaf Floral Cocktail Ring
Located in Miami, FL
This stunning platinum emerald and diamond floral halo cocktail ring radiates elegance and luxury
Category

Vintage 1980s Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Vintage 1980s 3.00 Carat Cabochon Emerald Ring with Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold with a Cabochon Emerald weighing approximately 3.00 carats
Category

Vintage 1980s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Vintage Ruby Diamonds Emerald Cut Band 2.85 CTTW 18 Karat Yellow Gold 9.5 Grams
By Harbor Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
18 Karat yellow gold 5 section band featuring alternating Rubies weighing 1.50 carats and Diamonds
Category

Vintage 1980s Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 2.70 Carat Diamond and Emerald Panther Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage 2.70 Carat Diamond & Emerald Panther Ring. The craftsmanship on this ring is very detailed
Category

Vintage 1980s Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Cartier Toi Et Moi Emerald and Diamond Ring
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
18K Yellow Gold Diamond Pave By-Pass 'You and Me' Ring Containing One Pear-Shaped Diamond and One
Category

Vintage 1980s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Bvlgari 4.59cts Emerald Diamond Platinum Estate Pinky Bulgari Cocktail Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Miami, FL
Rare Bvlgari emerald ring, which can be the perfect pinky ring for a gentleman or the modern
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Vintage Emerald Diamond Petite Cocktail Ring
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
This vintage emerald cocktail ring is a beautiful and affordable statement piece for any jewelry
Category

Vintage 1980s Retro Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Emerald Diamond Engagement Ring Solitaire Setting in Platinum ~2.02ctw
Located in Fairfield, CT
Vintage Emerald Diamond Engagement Ring Solitaire Setting in Platinum ~2.02ctw This Elegant
Category

Vintage 1980s Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Impressive 12.43ct Emerald and Diamond Platinum Vintage Aletto Bros. Ring
By Aletto Brothers
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
A dynamic and most impressive 12.43 carat emerald and diamond ring by the venerable Aletto Brothers
Category

Vintage 1980s Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Vintage 2.54 Carat Diamond and 14k White Gold Ring Circa 1980
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
cluster ring; part of our vintage diamond jewelry collection. This stunning, fine and impressive vintage
Category

Vintage 1980s Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold, Platinum

Unique 18k White Gold Vintage Diamond and Emerald Ring
Located in Houston, TX
Beautiful pre-owned and renewed vintage-style diamond and emerald ring, crafted in 18K white gold
Category

Vintage 1980s Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, White Gold, 18k Gold

5.01 Carat Colombian Cabochon Emerald Diamond Platinum Cocktail Ring
Located in New York, NY
Beautifully designed and masterfully handcrafted platinum emerald diamond cocktail ring featuring a
Category

Vintage 1980s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Vintage 5.04 Carat Cabochon Emerald Baguette Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage 5.04 Carat Oval Emerald Cabochon & Baguette Cut Diamond Ring composed of 18k yellow gold
Category

Vintage 1980s Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 1.77 carat emerald diamond platinum and yellow gold ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage 1980s ring showcases a stunning 1.77 carat emerald cut emerald, flanked by baguette
Category

Vintage 1980s Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Vintage 1980s 2.00 Carat Emerald Cur Sapphire Ring with Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
. The ring features pave-set Round Brilliant cut Diamonds weighing a total of approximately 4.00 carats
Category

Vintage 1980s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Vintage 5.60 carat emerald diamond 18k yellow gold cocktail ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage 18k yellow gold and platinum cocktail ring features a certified 5.60-carat emerald cut
Category

Vintage 1980s Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Vintage 7.08ct Colombian Emerald Diamond Ring 18K Gold
Located in Miami, FL
A truly commanding vintage statement ring showcasing a richly saturated Colombian emerald of
Category

Vintage 1980s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Unique 14k White Gold Vintage Diamond and Emerald Ring
Located in Houston, TX
. The total diamond carat weight is 1.25 ctw, perfectly complemented by vibrant marquise-cut emeralds
Category

Vintage 1980s Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold

Emerald, Diamonds, 14 Karat White Gold Contrarié Ring
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Elegant contrarié ring in 14 karat white gold structure mounted with a diamond and an emerald
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco diamonds and Colombian Muzo emerald ring
Located in PARIS, FR
Vintage yellow gold ring with diamonds and Muzo emerald Art Deco style ring in 18k gold (750
Category

Vintage 1980s Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

14k White Gold Emerald and Diamond Ring with GIA Report
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Ring Size: Metal Type: 14K White Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 7.5 grams
Category

Vintage 1980s Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, White Gold

Certified 6.86 Carat Emerald and Diamond Ballerina Cocktail Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Certified 6.86 Carat Emerald and Diamond Ballerina Ring. The ring is 14k solid gold and weights
Category

Vintage 1980s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold

Important 17 Carat Emerald Diamond Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
An important ring, showcasing an exceptional old mine Colombian emerald (with insignificant
Category

Vintage 1980s Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Emerald, White Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage Tiffany Co. Diamond GIA Emerald 18 Karat Cocktail Ring
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Miami, FL
carats, this domed ring has pave set Diamonds running throughout. Diamonds weigh approx. 3.52 carats of
Category

Vintage 1980s American Dome Rings

Materials

Emerald, 18k Gold

Diamonds Emeralds Pearl White and Rose Gold Ring
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
ct emerald stones, 0.06 ct diamonds and a 1.2 g pearl as centerpiece. Total weight g 8.8 Smeraldo ct
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Vintage GIA 2 carat Colombian emerald diamond 18k yellow gold ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage Italian 18k yellow gold ring features a GIA-certified 2-carat emerald cut Colombian
Category

Vintage 1980s Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Handcraft 18 Karat White Gold Diamonds Emeralds Cocktail Ring
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
ring grams 9.70 Diamonds baguette cut Kt. 1.91 Brasilian rectangular and square Emeralds cut Kt. 3.50
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 6.65 Carats Zambian Emerald diamond ring
Located in Uccle, BE
inside of the ring). The ring is set with 6 princess shape diamonds for a total of approximately 0.48
Category

Vintage 1980s European Retro Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1980 s 12.25 CTW Imperial Topaz Diamond 14 Karat Gold Vintage Cocktail Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering and emerald cut topaz weighing approximately 11.55 carats Transparent medium orange in
Category

Vintage 1980s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Topaz, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

1980 s 5.40 CTW Sapphire Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Vintage Wide Band Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering an emerald cut sapphire weighing approximately 3.02 carats - transparent deep blue in
Category

Vintage 1980s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Emerald and Diamond 9 Carat Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
stone are diamonds totalling 30pts. All modelled in 9carat gold. Ring Size: L or 5 3/4 Cluster
Category

Vintage 1980s British Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold

1980s 1.33 Carat Emerald and Diamond Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
, elevated shoulders blend seamlessly with the plain ring shank. The vintage emerald and diamond cluster
Category

Vintage 1980s Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Natural Diamond Colombian Emerald Ring 18K Gold Band
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Natural Diamond Colombian Emerald Ring 18K Gold Band This vintage ring is crafted in solid 18K
Category

Vintage 1980s Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Emerald and Diamond 18 Carat White Gold Solitaire Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
The Emerald in this ring measures 1ct and is a great colour. The total diamond weight of the
Category

Vintage 1980s British Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, White Gold

Cabochon Colombian Emerald and Diamond Three-Stone Ring
Located in New York, NY
Cabochon Colombian Emerald & Diamond Three Stone Ring set in platinum AGL Certified Emerald Weight
Category

Vintage 1980s Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Cartier 1980s Emerald and Diamond Ring in 18K Yellow Gold
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Gemstones: • Emerald (approx. 0.81 ct) • Round Diamonds (approx. 1.98 ct total) Total Weight: 5.7 grams
Category

Vintage 1980s Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Oscar Heyman Emerald and Diamond Ring
By Oscar Heyman
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1980s Maker: Oscar Heyman, Hallmark and Serial Numbers on inner shank. Item Details: Ring
Category

Vintage 1980s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Emerald 5.32ct and Diamond Ring 18k White Gold
Located in Dallas, TX
Emerald and Diamond Ring in 18k White Gold. The ring features an emerald cut emerald that is 5.32ct
Category

Vintage 1980s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

Colombian Emeralds and Diamonds Ring, 18 Karat Gold
Located in Bad Kissingen, DE
". - 15 Colombian emeralds of approx. 4.76 ct - 24 diamonds of approx. 0,32 cts - top width: approx. 12 mm
Category

Vintage 1980s Unknown Modern Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

4.52 Carat Emerald Cut Emerald and Diamond Platinum Ring Estate Fine Jewelry
Located in Montreal, QC
, Brilliant-cut Diamonds, weighing approx. 1.05 total Carat weight. Hand crafted in Platinum. The ring
Category

Vintage 1980s Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Vintage French emerald cut amethyst diamond 18k white gold cocktail ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage French ring from the 1980’s exudes bold elegance, centering on a 7.40 carat emerald
Category

Vintage 1980s Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Vintage 2.12 carat Colombian emerald diamond 18k white and yellow gold ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage 1980’s ring features a 2.12 carat Colombian emerald of octagonal cut, certified by
Category

Vintage 1980s Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Vintage Emerald Diamond 14k Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Classy and timeless ring made of 14k yellow gold and featuring 1.78-carat natural emerald in a halo
Category

Vintage 1980s Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Sapphires Emeralds Rubies Diamonds Pearl White Gold Ring
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Beautiful 14 kt white gold ring, all encrusted with 6.48 ct diamonds, a marvelous Australian pearl
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold

Emerald and Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Cattolica, IT
A solid yellow gold cocktail ring with a very intense green Emerald for Carat 0.66 It has four
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage AGL 3.88 carat Colombia no heat emerald diamond 18k yellow gold ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage ring from the 1980’s is crafted in 18k yellow gold and showcases an AGL certified
Category

Vintage 1980s Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 1.60 Carat Emerald and Diamonds Cocktail Cluster Ring 18k Gold
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage 1.60 Carat Emerald and Diamonds Cocktail Cluster Ring 18k Gold. Beautiful ring with a
Category

Vintage 1980s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Platinum 1980s Emerald Brilliant Cut Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Vintage Emerald & Diamond Ring Platinum Circa 1980 Step into elegance with this exquisite
Category

Late 20th Century European Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Ring 14k Yellow Gold with Natural Diamond VS 0.04 carat Emeralds
Located in Heemstede, NL
natural diamond and stunning green emeralds. The elegant design and sparkling diamonds make it a timeless
Category

Vintage 1980s Dutch Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Hexagon Cut Emerald and Diamond Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
A luscious Green Emerald & emerald cut white diamond ring in gold. The magnificent emerald is
Category

Vintage 1980s Unknown Art Deco Signet Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold

Vintage 2.50 Carat Colombian Emerald and Diamonds 18 Karat Gold Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage 2.50 Carat Colombian Emerald & Diamonds 18k Gold Ring. The ring features total cataract
Category

Vintage 1980s Colombian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Platinum 2.30ct Marquise Light Yellow Diamond w/ Vivid Round Emerald Halo Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
You are looking at a truly breathtaking diamond and emerald ring that is crafted in solid platinum
Category

Vintage 1980s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Yellow Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

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Diamond Emerald Ring 1980 For Sale on 1stDibs

On 1stDibs, you can find the most appropriate diamond emerald ring 1980 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 Yellow Gold — can elevate any look. In our selection of items, you can find a vintage example as well as a contemporary version. If you’re looking for a diamond emerald ring 1980 from a specific time period, our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and you’ll find at least one that dates back to the 20th Century while another version may have been produced as recently as the 21st Century. There have been many well-made iterations of the classic diamond emerald ring 1980 over the years, but those made by Van Cleef Arpels, Cartier and Tiffany Co. are often thought to be among the most beautiful. An emerald cut version of this piece has appeal, but there are also round cut and mixed cut versions for sale. Finding a diamond emerald ring 1980 for sale for women should be easy, but there are 180 pieces available to browse for unisex as well as men, too.

How Much is a Diamond Emerald Ring 1980?

Prices for a diamond emerald ring 1980 can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $245 and can go as high as $1,050,000, while this accessory, on average, fetches $5,301.

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.