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Retro Gold 1.31 Carat Natural Diamond and Blue Sapphire Cocktail Ring circa 1980
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Retro Gold 1.31 Carat Natural Diamond and Blue Sapphire Cocktail Ring Circa 1980 A stunning ring
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold

Large Aquamarine Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
Large Aquamarine & Diamond Ring 1 emerald cut aquamarine surrounded by 8 round cut diamonds set
Category

Vintage 1980s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Circa 1980s 18k Gold Natural Diamond And Emerald Fish Head Style Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 17.3 grams. Totally is diamond 1.10 ct. The diamond is has
Category

Vintage 1980s European Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Statement 18k Black Gold Ring with Tahitian Pearl, Emeralds and Black Diamonds
Located in Miami, FL
Designer 12.5mm Pearl, Black Diamonds & Green Emeralds Ballerina Black Gold Ring This ring is a
Category

Vintage 1980s Brazilian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Black Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold

Vintage Circa 1980s 18k Gold Natural Diamond And Emerald And Ruby Sapphire Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
-G color and vvs-vs clarity. Totally is emerald ruby and sapphire 0.45 ct. Ring size is US 6.75 We
Category

Vintage 1980s European Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

9.00 Carat Oval Cabochon Emerald and Diamond Flower Halo Cocktail Ring
Located in New York, NY
cabochon emerald set in a floral motif halo made of diamonds. Made in 18k white gold. Green emerald weighs
Category

Vintage 1980s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

Nelson Coleman Design Diamond and Emerald 14k Two Tone Gold Ring 1980s
Located in Towson, MD
One contemporary 1980s 14 karat yellow and white gold emerald and diamond designed by Nelson
Category

Vintage 1980s North American Contemporary Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Vintage 0.50 Carat Oval Emeralds Diamond 3-Row Tri-color Gold Band Ring 18k
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage 0.55 Carat Oval Emeralds & Diamond 3-Row Tri-color Gold Band Ring 18k. The center marquise
Category

Vintage 1980s Band Rings

Materials

Emerald, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

French 1.50 Carat Emerald 2.40 Carat Diamond 18k White Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
colour and brilliance. This cabochon emerald and diamond ring is an excellent gauge of gold and platinum
Category

Vintage 1980s French Cluster Rings

Vintage 0.80ct Emerald and Diamond Three Stone Ring, hallmarked 1986
Located in London, GB
With hallmarks dating to 1986, this wonderful trilogy ring features a central emerald flanked by
Category

Vintage 1980s British Three-Stone Rings

Materials

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

Vintage Harry Winston Emerald Diamond Platinum Ring 14.04 Carat Colombian AGL
By Harry Winston
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
with fascinating glow 14.04-ct Colombian emerald flanked with two trillion cut diamonds. The emerald
Category

Vintage 1980s Unknown Three-Stone Rings

Materials

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

1980s Amethyst Diamond Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
Bold 1980s amethyst diamond yellow gold ring. The beautifully cut octagonal step cut amethyst
Category

Vintage 1980s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold

Vintage Oval 0.56 Ct Emerald Ring 18K Yellow Gold with Baguette Round Diamonds
Located in Old Tappan, NJ
Vintage 18K yellow gold ring with one oval emerald 0.56 carats. 4 baguette diamonds and 10 round
Category

Vintage 1980s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Pear Shaped Emerald Ring with Baguette Round Diamonds Set in 18K Gold
Located in Old Tappan, NJ
18K yellow gold ring with 2 pear shaped emeralds weighing 0.80 carats total, 7 baguette diamonds
Category

Vintage 1980s American Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

7 Carat Round Colombian Emerald and Diamond 18 Karat Gold Ring, Estate, Unisex
Located in New York, NY
A classic, Cocktail ring Large 7 Carat Colombian Emerald and Diamond Ring, with no color
Category

Vintage 1980s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

18kt Yellow Gold Oval 57ct. Emerald and .46ct. Diamond Ring
By Cellini
Located in New York, NY
An oval emerald weighing 0.57carats is set in the center of this 18 karat yellow gold ring. The
Category

Vintage 1980s American Contemporary Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Marquise Emerald Ring Double Halo Round Baguette Diamonds in 18K Gold
Located in Old Tappan, NJ
Vintage 18K yellow gold ring with one marquise emerald 0.30 carats. 20 baguette diamonds and 12
Category

Vintage 1980s American Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Preowned 14K Yellow Gold 0.70 Carat Oval Emerald and 1.00 Carat Diamond Ring
Located in Old Tappan, NJ
Preowned 14K yellow gold ring with 28 round brilliant-cut diamonds weighing approximately 1.00
Category

Vintage 1980s Unknown Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Kurt Wayne 0.90 ct Emerald 0.92ct Diamond Designer Signed 18K Yellow Gold Ring
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Addison, TX
Emerald / Diamond: ~ 0.90 ct / 0.92 ct Metal: Yellow Gold Metal purity: 18K Condition: Excellent
Category

Vintage 1980s American Romantic Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Pink Sapphire Emerald Cut 1 Carat Surrounded with Diamonds in White Gold Ring
Located in Berkeley, CA
This stunning and classic setting showcases the beautiful 1 carat emerald cut of the pink sapphire
Category

Vintage 1980s Modern Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold

Vintage Diamond and Platinum Solitaire Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
The central emerald cut diamond in this ring measures 75pts and is H/I colour SI2 and has baguette
Category

Vintage 1980s British Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Modernist Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald and 18 Karat Yellow and White Gold Dome Ring
Located in North Miami, FL
emerald stones and 1 tiny diamond chip and one tiny sapphire stone. Please know what you would be falling
Category

Vintage 1980s Unknown Modernist Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Tiffany Co. Vintage Citrine Diamond Cocktail Bombe Ring
By Tiffany Co.
Located in New York, NY
This Tiffany & Co. Vintage Citrine Diamond Cocktail Bombé Ring, crafted in platinum circa 1980s
Category

Vintage 1980s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Citrine, Diamond, Platinum

14kt Yellow Gold Emerald Cut 5 x 7mm Sapphire Round Brilliant Diamond Ring 6.25
Located in San Diego, CA
14kt yellow gold ring with a 5 x 7mm emerald cut sapphire (approximately 1.00ct) with rich medium
Category

Vintage 1980s Unknown Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Estate 5.03 ct GIA Certified Colombian Emerald 3.22 ct Diamonds Geometric 18k
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 18k yellow gold emerald and diamond ring weighs a hefty 18.1 grams. Nice and sturdy, the ring
Category

Vintage 1980s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Vintage 0.40ct Diamond and Emerald Cluster, c.1980s
Located in London, GB
This stunning Vintage target ring is a true beauty. At the centre, a 0.40 carat round brilliant
Category

Vintage 1980s British Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Emerald and Diamond 9 Carat White Gold Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This gorgeous band holds 8 emerald which measure 5pts each. The diamonds sit in-between the emerald
Category

Vintage 1980s British Band Rings

Materials

Emerald, Sapphire, Gold, White Gold

1980s Golden Citrine Diamond 18 Karat Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
diamonds embellishing the top of the shanks, giving the ring the perfect finishing touch. Ring size 7.5 and
Category

Vintage 1980s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Citrine, Diamond, 18k Gold

Sapphire Diamond Signet Ring
Located in New York, NY
One bold signet ring featuring an emerald cut sapphire weighing approximately a carat. It is
Category

Vintage 1980s American Retro Signet Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire

Mario Buccellati Vintage Diamond Aquamarine 18K Gold Cocktail Ring
By Mario Buccellati
Located in Miami, FL
1980s Vintage Buccellati cocktail ring features a step-cut aquamarine set in yellow gold, framed by
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Retro Signet Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold

GIA 25.50 carat Aquamarine Diamond 14K Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Bold and luminous, this spectacular cocktail ring features a GIA-certified 24.95 carat natural
Category

Vintage 1980s American Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, 14k Gold

1980s Sapphire Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1980s Sapphire and Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring. The Sapphire and Diamond Platinum Engagement
Category

Vintage 1980s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

5.69 carat Certified Natural Sapphire Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
5.69 carat Certified Natural Sapphire & Diamond Ring A ring featuring an emerald cut violetish
Category

Vintage 1980s Unknown Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

Vasari Sapphire Diamond Gold 18k Ring
By Vasari
Located in Geneva, CH
Vasari Sapphire Diamond Gold 18K Ring. Signed Vasari. Can be polished upon request. Sapphire
Category

Vintage 1980s European Art Deco Fashion Rings

Materials

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

Vintage Sapphire and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Cross Over Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
. The rows of emerald cut diamond and emerald measure 15pts per side. Ring Size: M or 6 1/4 Widest
Category

Vintage 1980s British Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold

Green Tourmaline Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in New York, NY
Emerald Cut Green Tourmaline & Diamond Cocktail Ring, a center green tourmaline set with round cut
Category

Vintage 1980s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tourmaline, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 1 carat topaz tourmaline diamond 18k yellow gold cocktail ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage 18k yellow gold ring from the 1980’s centers on a vibrant 1.00-carat emerald cut
Category

Vintage 1980s Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Topaz, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Natural Unheated Sapphire Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in New York, NY
Natural Unheated Sapphire Diamond Cocktail Ring Emerald Cut Sapphire is 4.61 cts with Baguette Cut
Category

Vintage 1980s Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

Domed Wave Diamond Yellow Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
with G-H VS2-SI1 emerald-cut and round-cut diamonds weighing an estimated 2.30 carats Made in United
Category

Vintage 1980s American Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Insane Vintage 18ct White Gold Aquamarine and Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Insane Vintage 18ct White Gold Aquamarine and Diamond Cocktail Ring the most outstanding chunky
Category

Vintage 1980s European Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, White Gold

Vintage Tourmaline and Diamond 14 Carat White Gold Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
is surrounded by diamonds totalling 30pts. Modelled in 14carat white gold. Size: N 1/2 or 7
Category

Vintage 1980s British Modern Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tourmaline, White Gold

Vintage 1 Carat Diamonds 3-Row Cluster Band Ring 18k
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage 1 Carat Diamonds 3-Row Cluster Band Ring 18k. Real beauty on this one here. The diamonds
Category

Vintage 1980s Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Aquamarine and Diamond 18 Carat White Gold Solitaire Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
The gorgeous aquamarine stone in this ring is bright and has diamonds set either side. The aqua
Category

Vintage 1980s British Cocktail Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Modern Sapphire and Diamond 18 Carat Gold and Platinum Three Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This stunning 18ct gold and platinum ring holds a central diamond with sparkling blue pear shape
Category

Vintage 1980s Unknown More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Yellow Gold Men s Ring With Illusion Set Center Diamonds - Size 9
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
This is a substantial yellow gold men's ring with a central emerald cut diamond (7x5mm) surrounded
Category

Vintage 1980s Signet Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Aqua and Diamond 18 Carat Gold and Platinum Cluster Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
1/2ct aqua stone sit a halo of smaller diamonds each measuring approximately 4pts each. The ring is
Category

Vintage 1980s British Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold

Round Faceted Emerald 1.01 Carats in 18K Yellow Gold with Baguette Diamonds
Located in Old Tappan, NJ
Preowned 18K yellow gold ring with 10 straight baguette diamonds weighing 1.20 carats total: G
Category

Vintage 1980s American Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Classic Peridot and Diamond Halo Ring, circa 1980s
Located in London, GB
This lovely ring centres a 2.60 carat emerald cut peridot embellished at its outer edge by a
Category

Vintage 1980s Unknown Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold

Vintage Fire Opal and Diamond 18 Carat Cluster Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Fire opals are the most striking bright orange colour. The emerald cut fire opal has such a fiery
Category

Vintage 1980s British Modern Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Fire Opal, 18k Gold

Vintage Sapphire and Diamond 9 Carat Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This ring is gorgeous and holds an inky but sapphire at the centre of a halo of sparkling diamonds
Category

Vintage 1980s British Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold

Vintage Yellow Gold 2.50 Carat Sapphire Diamond 3 Stone Engagement Ring
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
This captivating, vintage 3 stone sapphire engagement ring is centered with a strikingly blue and
Category

Vintage 1980s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Rodney Rayner 18KT Gold Ring 9.27 Carat Yellow Sapphires and .85 Carat Diamonds
By Rodney Rayner
Located in New York, NY
entirely in 18KT yellow gold the highlight of this ring is the magnificent 5.23 carat Emerald cut Yellow
Category

Vintage 1980s English Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Hennell Multi-Color Gemstone Ring
Located in New York, NY
A chic 18 karat yellow gold ring by Hennell featuring round brilliant-cut diamonds square emerald
Category

Vintage 1980s Band Rings

Materials

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

Modern 18 K yellow white Gold Band Ring Emarald Cabochon Diaomond
Located in Zurich, Zollstrasse
A modern 18 K yellow and white Gold Band Ring featruing a fine deep green Emerald Cabochon weighing
Category

Vintage 1980s Unknown Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 51.25tcw Blue Topaz and Diamonds Complete Formal Set 18k 750 White Gold
Located in Miami, FL
approx 0.50 total carat weight diamonds. The set includes a ring size 6.75 (resizable), set of earrings
Category

Vintage 1980s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, White Gold

Oscar Heyman Diamond Emerald Platinum Ring
By Oscar Heyman
Located in Nashville, TN
Oscar Heyman Diamond Emerald Platinum Ring, “92871” stamped in shank. There are 19 diamonds , 2
Category

Vintage 1980s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Emerald and Diamond Ring
Located in London, GB
An emerald and diamond ring in size O weighing 7.8 grams with a total of 0.50 carats of diamonds is
Category

Vintage 1980s European Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

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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.