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VAN CLEEF ARPELS Gold Diamond and Lapis Ring
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Verona, IT
18kt yellow gold ring set with diamond and lapis. Van Cleef & Arpels, 1970's
Category

Vintage 1970s French Band Rings

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Diamond, 18k Gold

1970s Boucheron Paris Cabochon Lapis Lazuli Diamond Gold Ring
By Boucheron
Located in Paris, FR
Magnificent ring by Boucheron composed of 18k gold, diamonds and lapis lazuli. The diamonds are
Category

Vintage 1970s French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold

Turquoise Sapphire Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Dallas, TX
18 Karat yellow gold ring with turqoise set high surrounded by alternating sapphires and diamonds
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Turquoise, 18k Gold

Malaya Garnet Diamond Gold Ring
Located in ALTRINCHAM, GB
Untreated Malaya garnet and diamond sunburst ring in 18ct gold; the garnet is a beautiful orangey
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, 18k Gold

Cartier Diamond Coral and Onyx Gold Crossover Ring
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
This wonderful vintage diamond ring features orange coral and onyx cabochons. Sophisticated yet
Category

Vintage 1970s British Cocktail Rings

Materials

Coral, White Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold

18k 2.50 carats ruby and 0.92 carats diamond pinwheel cluster. Florida estate.
Located in Birmingham, MI
ring is in impeccable shape, circa 1970, fabricated in 18k white and yellow golds. Diamond weights
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Cognac Moonstone Cabouchon Diamond Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
Sepia cognac colored Moonstone approx. 32 carats mounted in 18K yellow gold ring with diamonds
Category

Vintage 1970s European Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Moonstone, 18k Gold

18 Karat Cushion Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Pikesville, MD
A beautiful classic 18 karat two tone cluster style ring showcasing a cushion shape ruby center
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Tourmaline DIamond Gold Dress Ring
Located in London, GB
Tourmaline and Diamond 18ct Yellow Gold Dress Ring. With a 20ct Blue/Green Colour with natural
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Tourmaline, White Diamond, 18k Gold

18 Karat Diamond and Emerald Swirl Cocktail Ring
Located in Pikesville, MD
A one of a kind treasure. This 18 karat yellow gold swirl design ring features 18 bezel set round
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Ruby and Diamond Eagles Head Ring
By Carrera y Carrera
Located in London, GB
Gold tests for 18k . A very distinctive Ring for a man or a woman. Condition: Good Weight: 7.5g
Category

Vintage 1970s Spanish More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Montreaux Pave Diamond Gold Platinum Swirl Ring
By Montreaux
Located in Chicago, IL
Montreaux platinum and 18K yellow gold double swirl pave diamond ring set with 68 round diamonds
Category

Vintage 1970s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold

18 Karat Vintage Platinum, Diamond and Emerald Ladies Ring
Located in Jackson Heights, NY
Platinum & 18K Gold Weight= 8.6gr Size= 7 Diamond= 0.30 Ct total Emerald Colombian= 0.20 Ct
Category

Vintage 1970s American Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

Buccellati 18 Karat Gold Pearl and Diamond Cocktail Ring
By Buccellati
Located in New York, NY
yellow gold ballerina ring. It's surrounded by a row of 14 demure old mine cut diamonds, with an
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Regency Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Black Pearl, 18k Gold

Onyx Diamonds 18 Carat Yellow Gold Grelots Ring
Located in Paris, FR
x 1 x 0.795 inch) Finger size : 56 (US : 7 1/2) Ring weight : 19.60 g French work circa 1970 18
Category

Vintage 1970s French Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Oval Emerald Diamond Gold Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
Emerald and Diamond Vintage Cluster ring set on 18ct White Gold. Emerald center stone Approx 6cts
Category

Vintage 1970s Contemporary Cluster Rings

Materials

Emerald, White Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage 1.08 Carat Oval Ruby and Diamond Three-Stone Ring
Located in San Francisco, CA
This two-tone vintage ring features a natural ruby set in 18k yellow gold prongs. The weight of the
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

Yellow Gold Diamond and Turquoise Ring
Located in Toronto, ON
This ring is set in 18 KT yellow gold. It holds a large oval cabochon turquoise. This gem stone is
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

18 Carat White Gold Diamond Ring
Located in Oxted, Surrey
18ct White Gold Diamond Cluster Ring Set with three large central round brilliant cut Diamonds
Category

Vintage 1970s British Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage 18 Karat Gold, Diamond and Ruby Ring, 1970s
Located in Bologna, IT
An incredible vintage ring, with a particular shape, crafted in 18K solid gold throughout. It
Category

Vintage 1970s Dome Rings

Materials

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

Toliro 18 Karat Ruby and Diamond Wide Modern Ring
By Toliro
Located in Pikesville, MD
modern elongated geometric ring features 14 round brilliant diamonds and 14 well saturated round rubies
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

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

Rubelite Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Frankfurt, DE
Handmade, signed "EK", 750/- white gold, 7 rubelite-cabochons and 3 brillant-cut diamonds
Category

Vintage 1970s German Cocktail Rings

Materials

Rubelite, 18k Gold

David Webb Enamel Star Sapphire Diamond Gold Ring
By David Webb
Located in Dallas, TX
This gorgeous David Webb Star Sapphire, Diamond and Enamel ring is set in 18 karat yellow gold
Category

Vintage 1970s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

1970s Kutchinsky Coral Diamond Gold Ring
By Joseph Kutchinsky
Located in London, GB
A coral and diamond set ring by Kutchinsky. The central bowed panel set with brillant cut diamonds
Category

Vintage 1970s British Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage 1970s Certified 1.88 Carat Colombian Emerald Diamond Ballerina Ring
Located in Berlin, Berlin
, which frames its central gemstone with brilliant cut diamonds, the ballerina ring uses baguette and
Category

Vintage 1970s German Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

Pear Shape Diamond Single Stone Engagement Ring with Diamond Shoulders
Located in Oxted, Surrey
18ct White Gold Pear Shape Diamond Single Stone Engagement Ring. Set with one pear shape diamond
Category

Vintage 1970s British Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold

Buccellati Pearls Ring in 18 Carat Gold, Diamonds and Pearls
By Buccellati
Located in London, GB
Buccellati pearls ring in 18 carats gold , diamonds and pearls representing an important central
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold

Art Deco Style, Mabe Pearl and Diamond Black Onyx Ring
Located in Aliso Viejo, CA
This ladies mabe' pearl diamond onyx ring contains the following. The center of this pearl ring
Category

Vintage 1970s American Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Damiani 2.20 Carat Diamond and 18 Karat Gold "Band" Style Ring
By Damiani
Located in Calabasas, CA
Beautiful 18 karat yellow gold and diamond ring by the very famous Italian jewelry designers
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

La Nouvelle Bague 18 Karat Gold Fiori Ring with Diamonds
Located in Jerusalem, IL
This 18 karat gold ring was designed by the world renowned Italian company La Nouvelle Bague
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

GIA Certified 3.51 Carat Asscher Cut Diamond Multicolored Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
Interchanging yellow and rose gold ring with a 3.51 carat GIA certified K VS1 Square Emerald
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

2.17 Carat Emerald and Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Frederick, MD
Emerald 1.47 Ctw Diamond Statement Ring Size 6 Yellow Gold ·Era: Vintage / 1980s ·Composition: 18k
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Vintage 1970s Artist Diamond Matching Set Necklace, Ring, Bracelet, Earrings
Located in Antwerp, BE
) Period: ca. 1970 Material: 18K yellow gold (touchstone tested) Diamond(s): 39 brilliant cut diamonds
Category

Vintage 1970s Belgian Artist Fashion Rings

Materials

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

18 Karat Opal Ring and Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in North York, Ontario
Vintage handmade Oval Opal and diamond cocktail ring. The opal measures approx 14 mm x 10 mm and is
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Opal, 18k Gold

18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond Band Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
18K yellow gold band ring set with 10 full cut round diamonds weighing approximately 1.00cts, F-G
Category

Vintage 1970s American Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

18 Karat Diamond and Coral Cocktail Ring
Located in Pikesville, MD
Elegant and sophisticated yet stylish, this well crafted unique 18 karat yellow gold cocktail ring
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Bold Unique Vintage 6.60 Carat Natural Yellow Sapphires Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
crafted in 18 KT white gold, italian artistry work of 1970 ca. Made as unique piece of jewelry this
Category

Vintage 1970s Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Coral Emeralds Diamonds 18 Carat Yellow Gold Heart Ring
Located in Paris, FR
: 5.60 g French work circa 1970 18 carat yellow gold, 750/1000th (eagle head hallmark) Although we
Category

Vintage 1970s French Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

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

18 Karat Gold French Dome Ring with Sapphires and Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
A super-stylish 18 karat yellow gold bombay ring pave set with round brilliant cut diamonds and
Category

Vintage 1970s French Contemporary Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Sturdy Vintage Diamond Lapis Cocktail Ring Heavy 18 Karat Gold
Located in Napoli, IT
has attracted human kind for its stunning colour beauty This outstanding vintage ring boasts amazing
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold

18 Karat Large Pear Shape Amethyst and Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Pikesville, MD
An absolute stunner. This 18 karat two tone cocktail ring features a gorgeous, well saturated
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

18 Carat White Gold Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Oxted, Surrey
18ct White Gold Diamond Cluster Ring. Set with two central round brilliant cut Diamonds surrounded
Category

Vintage 1970s British Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage Old Cut Diamond Ring in 18 Carat White Gold
Located in Farnham, GB
A lovely ring in the Art Deco style but dating to the latter half of the 20th century. The centre
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

10mm Pearl Diamonds 18 Carat White Gold Daisy Ring
Located in Paris, FR
White gold daisy ring set with a pearl surrounded by brilliant-cut diamonds. Pearl diameter: 10.36
Category

Vintage 1970s French Modern Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Ruby Diamond Cross Cluster Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
A cool vintage cluster ring dating from the 1970s. It's modelled in 18 karat yellow gold and set
Category

Vintage 1970s English Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Midcentury 3.80 Carat Natural Untreated Sapphire 1.0 Carat G Diamond Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
design could be a fantastic engagement ring Aged 1970 ca Starring a fine no heat totally untreated
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Oscar Heyman Ruby Diamond Yellow Gold Ring
By Oscar Heyman
Located in London, GB
Oscar Haymen Ruby and Diamond ring set in 18ct Gold. 10 natural Rubies encased with 2 rows of
Category

Vintage 1970s American Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

1970s Sapphire Diamond Gold Fancy Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
1970s Sapphire Pear Shapes and diamond rounds Fancy Cluster set in 18Ct White Gold approx 2cts of
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Contemporary Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Vintage 18 Karat White Gold Coral and Diamond Oval Cluster Ring, 1970s
Located in Sydney, NSW
within a border of 22 round brilliant cut diamonds claw set in a 18k white gold wire basket mount and on
Category

Vintage 1970s Australian Cluster Rings

Materials

Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold

1970s Tiger s Eye Diamond Gold Dress Ring
Located in London, GB
A typical 1970s Style Ring. Comprising of Tigers Eyes and Diamonds all set in 18ct Yellow Gold
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tiger s Eye, 18k Gold

Fantastic Timeless Style Green Jade Diamond Vintage Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
A Legend since Neolithic times Magnificent example of natural Green Jade and Diamond ring, hand
Category

Vintage 1970s Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold

Fine Vintage 1.20 Natural Sapphire 1.0 G VVS Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
Timeless Blue Sapphire This simply gorgeous Sapphire & Diamond ring dates mid-century, 70's approx
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Contemporary Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Gilbert Albert Pearl Diamonds 18 Carats Yellow Gold Snake Ring
By Gilbert Albert
Located in Paris, FR
1970-1980 Ring weight: 5.5 g 18-carat yellow gold, 750/1000th Although we take care of the quality
Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Dramatic Yellow and Blue Topaz and Diamond RIng
Located in New York, NY
Set with a blue and yellow pear-shaped topaz and diamond trillions., size 7.
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Topaz, Diamond, 18k Gold

Atelier Misani Pink Tourmaline Blue Cabochon Sapphire Diamonds Gold Ring
Located in Principaute De Monaco, MC
A completely hand made 18kt white gold ring decorated with a Pink Tourmaline,Blue Cabouchon
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Fashion Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Tourmaline, White Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage 9 Carats Green Tourmaline and Diamonds 18 Carat White Gold Ring
Located in Paris, FR
Carats Very crystalline "water mint" colour Total estimated weight of the diamonds: 0.40 carats Ring
Category

Vintage 1970s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, White Gold

18 Karat Vintage Swirl Baguette Diamond Ring
By Jose Hess
Located in Pikesville, MD
modern swirl ring features 2.10 carats of high quality baguette cut diamonds, perfectly prong set in
Category

Vintage 1970s American Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold

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Diamond Ring 18k 1970 For Sale on 1stDibs

Surely you’ll find the exact diamond ring 18k 1970 you’re seeking on 1stDibs — we’ve got a vast assortment for sale. Frequently made of Gold, 18k Gold and Yellow Gold, this item was constructed with great care. Find an antique version now, or shop for 2721 vintage or 4 modern creation for a more contemporary example of these cherished accessories. Making the right choice when shopping for a diamond ring 18k 1970 may mean carefully reviewing examples of this item dating from different eras — you can find an early iteration of this piece from the 19th Century and a newer version made as recently as the 21st Century, both of which have proven very popular over the years. For this particular accessory, there are many different carat weights to choose from, but .5 Carat and 1 Carat versions are of considerable interest. Finding an appealing diamond ring 18k 1970 — no matter the origin — is easy, but Van Cleef Arpels, Cartier and David Webb each produced a popular version that is worth a look. 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 brilliant cut alternatives. If you’re browsing our inventory for a diamond ring 18k 1970, 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 Diamond Ring 18k 1970?

On average, a diamond ring 18k 1970 at 1stDibs sells for $4,203, while they’re typically $340 on the low end and $495,000 for the highest priced versions of this item.

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.

Questions About Diamond Ring 18k 1970
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    The mark 18K on a ring stands for 18-karat gold. 18-karat signifies that the ring is 75% pure gold and 25% other metals, such as copper, zinc or nickel. The additional metals strengthen the ring, making it more durable. Shop a range of expertly vetted 18-karat jewelry on 1stDibs.