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Vintage 1970s 3.8 Carat No Heat Fancy Yellow Sapphire Diamond Entourage Ring
Located in Berlin, Berlin
this classic entourage ring. It is completely natural and untreated – meaning that other than many
Category

Vintage 1970s Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ring with Emerlad and Natural Diamonds, 18kt White Gold, Made in Italy, Vintage
Located in Vicenza, VI
Diamonds round brilliant and marquise cut : 2,17 carats of white natural diamonds Emerald : 1,90 carats
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Band Rings

Materials

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

Vintage Circa 1970s Retro Citrine Diamond Cluster Ring 18 Carat Yellow Gold
Located in Hamilton, AU
Out of the 1970's with daring and confidence comes our Janice Ring. Crafted in 18 carat gold, her
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Modern Cluster Rings

Materials

Citrine, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Circa 1970s Brilliant Single Diamond Ring 18 Carat Yellow White Gold
Located in Hamilton, AU
A grand tapestry of 18 carat white and yellow gold, our Maelynn Ring shines. Her cluster of
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Modern Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Bulgari Colombian Emerald Diamond Gold
By Bulgari
Located in Kortrijk, BE
A very fine Colombian emerald and diamond ring, set with a magnificent large emerald cabochon
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

1970s Statement Vintage Emerald 18 Karat Gold Ring
By Ansuini
Located in Roma, IT
18k gold ring with an emerald 8 carats circa, 10 diamonds 0.25 carats and 20 diamonds tapered cut
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Vintage and Unusual Old Cut Diamond Two Stone Ring in 18ct Gold
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
An unusual diamond two stone ring set with a pair of Old European cut diamonds in white claw
Category

Vintage 1970s British Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

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

12.75 Carat Large Tanzanite Cabochon Ring in 18 Karat Rose Gold and Diamonds
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large Tanzanite Cabochon Ring in 18 Karat Rose Gold and Diamonds This magnificent cocktail ring
Category

Vintage 1970s American Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Vintage David Webb Emerald Cabochon Cocktail Ring
By David Webb
Located in Saint Louis, MO
This is one of the most stunning Rare David Webb ring from the 1970's featuring a 24.76ct cabochon
Category

Vintage 1970s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum

Vintage Rubies Diamonds 18 Carats White Gold Wedding Band
Located in Paris, FR
mm (0.114 x 0.08 inch) Finger size : 52 (US : 6) French work circa 1970-1980 Ring weight: 2.3 g
Category

Vintage 1970s French Modern Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 1970s White Gold Fully 1.98 Carat Diamond Set Wedding Band
Located in Antwerp, BE
condition Ring size Continental: 59 & 18¾ , Size US 8¾ , Size UK: R - This ring can be resized but only by
Category

Vintage 1970s Belgian Retro Band Rings

Materials

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

1970s Retro 14 Karat Gold Lapis Lazuli Freeform Naturalistic Cocktail Ring
Located in Shaker Heights, OH
Stunning retro 1960's - 1970's 14 karat gold large and very blue Lapis Lazuli naturalistic free
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold

Anello in oro giallo con diamanti 3.97 ct e smeraldo 1.16 ct
Located in Bologna, IT
ct, colore H, purezza VVS-VS-SI, taglio brillante e taglio baguette. La montatura in oro giallo 18 kt
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Diamond Tiger s Eye Gold Earrings Ring Necklace Set
Located in New York , NY
" x 7/8" The earrings are designed for non-pierced ears Ring: Size - 6 1/2" Total diamond
Category

Vintage 1970s Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

David Webb Gold Platinum Enamel Diamond Dome Ring Earrings
By David Webb
Located in New York , NY
Comprising a ring and a pair of earclips, signed Webb. The dome shaped ring applied with red enamel
Category

Vintage 1970s American Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Modernist Diamond and 18 K Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
A fabulous geometric ring in 18 k gold. Three diamond shaped diamonds are set with four triangular
Category

Vintage 1970s American Modernist Signet Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

18K Yellow Diamond Ring c/1970
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
This ring is handmade in 18K Yellow Gold with 4 Diamonds weighing .75 carats. This is a very
Category

Vintage 1970s American Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Kunzite Diamonds White 18K Gold Ring, 1970
Located in Herzelia, Tel Aviv
Kunzite & Diamonds ring, set in white 18 Karats Gold. Created in the 1970es yet the design and
Category

Vintage 1970s Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Kunzite, 18k Gold

18K Yellow Gold Modernist Pave Diamond Ring 1970 s
Located in New York, NY
An exceptionally well-made modernist cocktail ring from the 1970s, crafted in 18K yellow gold and
Category

Vintage 1970s Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

"Ruser" 1970 s 18K Yellow Gold and Diamond Ring
By William Ruser
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
An original Ruser, a great favorite among celebrities during the 1970's. Gorgeous, fun, and
Category

Vintage 1970s Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

1970 Amethyst Diamond Sapphire 18K Gold Floral Cocktail Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Amethyst, Diamond, and Sapphire Floral Cocktail Ring crafted 18K yellow and white gold. The
Category

Vintage 1970s American Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Large 1970 s 18K Yellow Gold, Emerald Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
weighs over 30.00 carats, with 6.00 carats of fine diamonds. Overall this is a treasure, a ring as
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold

1970 s Diamond Cluster 18K Gold Dome Nugget Cocktail Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Luxurious Extra sparkle with Extra white Diamonds! This 1970's cluster-inspired, nugget-textured
Category

Vintage 1970s American Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Blue Sapphire Diamond Argyle Cocktail Ring 18k White Gold, 1970
Located in Herzelia, Tel Aviv
beauty of this ring, please take a look at the video to get an idea. Created around 1970. Stamped: 18K
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Marquise Diamonds Pearl Colombian Emeralds 18 K White Gold Ring
Located in Herzelia, Tel Aviv
Organic design elements. Fine Emeralds and Diamonds sweep like a ribbon around oval-shaped Pearl
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, White Gold

0.75Ct Diamond and 18k White Gold Solitaire Ring - Vintage Circa 1970
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive vintage 0.75 carat diamond and 18 karat white gold solitaire ring; part of
Category

Vintage 1970s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

3.02Ct Diamond and 18k White Gold Cluster Ring - Vintage Circa 1970
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive vintage 3.02 carat diamond and 18 carat white gold cluster ring; an
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

0.80Ct Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Half Eternity Ring - Vintage Circa 1970
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
eternity/multi-diamond ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with a platinum setting. The substantial
Category

Vintage 1970s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1.13Ct Diamond and 18k White Gold Cluster Ring - Vintage Circa 1970
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
with the plain 18k white gold This 1970's diamond ring has been independently tested using state of
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Kutchinsky Diamond Gold Ring 1970
By Joseph Kutchinsky
Located in London, GB
carat gold sculptural cocktail ring with a central diamond panel. Kutchinsky, c1970.
Category

Vintage 1970s English Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

1970 s Retro Diamond Carved Vintage Coral 18k Gold Shell Cocktail Ring
Located in Miami, FL
From the late 1970s, this Vintage Retro solid 18K Yellow Gold ring, is flanked by (2) diamond
Category

Vintage 1970s American Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold

1.25Ct Ruby 0.53Ct Diamond, 18k Yellow Gold Cluster Ring - Vintage Circa 1970
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
hallmarked with the 18k hallmark 750. This vintage ruby ring is supplied with an independent diamond
Category

Vintage 1970s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

3.25Ct Sapphire 1.00Ct Diamond, 18k Yellow Gold Dress Ring, Vintage Circa 1970
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
vintage sapphire and diamond ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold. The pierced decorated scalloped
Category

Vintage 1970s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Diamond ring circa 1970
Located in Uccle, BE
Unique Diamond cocktail ring circa 1970. The body of the ring is made of white gold 18 Karat and
Category

Late 20th Century European Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Vintage 1970 s Emerald and Diamond Bombe Ring in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in London, England
A beautiful vintage 1970's emerald and diamond bombe ring set in 18k yellow gold. The ring is
Category

Vintage 1970s Dome Rings

Materials

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

0.70Ct Ruby 0.56Ct Diamond, 18k White Gold Cocktail Ring - Vintage Circa 1970
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive vintage 0.70 carat natural ruby and 0.56 carat diamond, 18 karat white gold
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold

18k Diamond and Pearl Ring
Located in Kingston, NY
Vintage 18k, diamond  and 12.32mm pearl ring, 7.5 dwts. size 6. There is a row of 20 single cut G
Category

Vintage 1970s Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold

Rene Kern Diamond Cluster Ring, circa 1970
By René Kern
Located in Cincinnati, OH
Modernist white gold and diamond ring by Rene Kern. The 18k white gold with a just over 1/2" x 1/2
Category

Vintage 1970s German Modernist Cocktail Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

18K Gold Ring with Diamond
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An 18 carat gold and diamond ring, the front view is a large oval horizontally set over the finger
Category

Vintage 1970s Moroccan Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Rene Kern Diamond Cluster Ring Circa 1970
By René Kern
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A Modernist white gold and diamond ring by Rene Kern. The 18k white gold with a just over 1/2" x 1
Category

Vintage 1970s German Modernist Cocktail Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage diamond flanked solitaire ring, French, circa 1970.
Located in London, GB
Vintage Diamond flanked solitaire ring. Set to centre with one round transitional cut diamond, K
Category

Vintage 1970s European Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

18k Gold and Diamond Ring, Signed, Circa 1970
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A handsome 18k yellow and white gold diamond ring. The white gold barrel-shaped pave-set top with
Vintage Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Vintage Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Ring. Featuring one emerald cut diamond weighing approximately
Category

Vintage 1970s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Rey Urban 1970 Denmark Geometric Sculptural Ring in Solid 18K Gold And Diamonds
By Rey Urban
Located in Miami, FL
he became very famous. This ring was crafted with impeccable sleek details in solid yellow gold of 18
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Modernist Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Bvlgari 18k Diamond and Lapis Ring
By Bulgari
Located in San Antonio, TX
An abstract oval Lapis and Diamond (weighing 1.10cts approximately) ring, signed by Bvlgari. Made
Category

Vintage 1970s French More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold

Turquoise, Sapphire and Diamond Ring, France , Circa 1970
Located in Miami, FL
and diamond set ring. The ring is multi-prong set with 1-0.40ct., 1-0.33ct., 2-0.25cts., 1-0.18ct., 2
Category

Vintage 1970s French Contemporary Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Turquoise, 18k Gold

David Webb 18K Yellow Gold, Turquoise Diamond Ring
By David Webb
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
An 18K Yellow Gold, Turquoise & Diamond Ring by David Webb - c 1970
Category

Vintage 1970s Fashion Rings

Materials

Turquoise, Diamond, 18k Gold

French Lapis Lazuli Diamond Gold Ring, circa 1970
Located in London, GB
A very cool French 18 carat gold ring set with four discs of lapis lazuli to create a godronné or
Category

Vintage 1970s French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold

1970 Cartier New York Modernist Onyx Diamond Gold Ring
By Cartier
Located in Monte Carlo, MC
CARTIER Ring in yellow gold set with onyx and diamonds. made in the 70'. Signed and numbered
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold

ANDREW GRIMA, 18k Gold and Diamond Ring, circa 1970
By Andrew Grima
Located in Cincinnati, OH
An attractive 18k yellow gold ring by Andrew Grima. The wirework ring in the shape of a stylized
Category

English Solitaire Rings

Vintage Amethyst Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Vintage Amethyst Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Ring. Featuring one cushion cut amethyst of 10.72
Category

Vintage 1970s Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Bvlgari Bulgari Diamond Ring 18k Gold
By Bulgari
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
GEMSTONE 2: Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds WEIGHT: 8.3 grams RING SIZE: 7 HALLMARKS: BVLGARI, 750, 1970 A
Category

Vintage 1970s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Burma Star Sapphire Diamonds Men’s Ring, Circa 1970
Located in Miami, FL
sparkly bright white diamonds weighing approximately 2.50 ct total. Ring is made in 18kt Yellow Gold
Category

Vintage 1970s American Contemporary Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Swiss vintage diamond sapphire 18k gold ring set
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
timeless. Crafted in warm 18k yellow gold, the ring set carries a luxurious weight and presence, grounding
Category

Vintage 1970s Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Vintage 18K Yellow Gold and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Product details: Circa 1970 Featuring 18K yellow gold and 2ct round brilliant cut diamond I-J/ VS2
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

22ctw Pink Tourmaline Diamond Cabochon Cocktail Ring, 18k YG, Ring
Located in McLeansville, NC
This stunning pink tourmaline and diamond gem-set cabochon cocktail ring is a one-of-a-kind piece
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

22ctw Pink Tourmaline Diamond Cabochon Cocktail Ring, 18k YG, Ring
Located in McLeansville, NC
Stones: - pink tourmaline, 1 stone - oval cabochon - 18 x 14 x 10.6 mm - approximately 20.5 carats
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow 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.