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Bulgari Naturalia Diamond Ring 18K Tri Color Gold Ruby Eyes Size 6.25
By Bulgari
Located in Fairfield, CT
Bulgari Naturalia Diamond Ring 18K Tri Color Gold Ruby Eyes Size 6.25 Made by Bvlgari, this 18k
Category

Vintage 1970s Modern Dome Rings

Materials

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

White Agate and Diamond Flower Ring in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Towson, MD
One 18 karat yellow gold split shank design ring, set with with a polished carved white agate
Category

Vintage 1970s Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Agate, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Marquise Diamond Dinner Ring
Located in Dallas, TX
18k White Gold Marquise Dinner Ring. Size 5 3/4. Can be sized to fit. 15 Marquise Diamonds. 9
Category

Vintage 1970s American Modern Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Piaget Flower Diamond Ring
By Piaget
Located in Paris, FR
Romantic Diamond Ring ornamented with a diamond flower. Made in 1970
Category

Vintage 1970s French Romantic Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

VAN CLEEF ARPELS Paris 18k White Gold Diamond Fleurette Ring 1970s Vintage
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Van Cleef & Arpels Paris by Andre Vassort 18k White Gold & Diamond Fleurette Ring 1970s Vintage
Category

Vintage 1970s French Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Gold and Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
An 18 karat yellow gold and diamond ring. Circa 1970. The wide band set with pave diamonds
Category

Vintage 1970s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Cushion Ruby Diamond Bombe Ring in 18k Yellow Gold - GIA
Located in Orlando, FL
Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Bombe Ring with GIA Certified Ruby & Diamonds – 1970s/80s Bold and
Category

Vintage 1970s Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Inspired Pearl and Diamond Cluster Ring Set in 18k White Gold
Located in London, England
A beautiful Art Deco inspired pearl and diamond cluster ring set in 18k white gold. The piece is
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Coral Diamond Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
, accented by small diamonds on the side. Made in Italy, circa 1970.
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Dome Rings

Materials

Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold

Van Cleef Arpels Paris 18k Yellow White Gold Diamond Cocktail Ring Vintage
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Van Cleef & Arpels Paris 18k Yellow & White Gold & Diamond Cocktail Ring Vintage Here is your
Category

Vintage 1970s French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold, Yellow Gold

VAN CLEEF ARPELS NY 18k Yellow Gold, Lapis Diamond Cocktail Ring Vintage
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Van Cleef & Arpels NY 18k Yellow Gold, Diamond & Lapis Cocktail Ring Vintage Here is your chance
Category

Vintage 1970s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

AIG Certified 0.83 Carat Natural Ruby and 1.50 Carat Diamonds on 18K Gold Ring
Located in Crema, Cremona
A spectacular 18 Kt white gold ring with a natural ruby and natural diamonds, certified by AIG with
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Romantic Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold

VAN CLEEF ARPELS NY 18k Yellow Gold, Malachite Diamond Cocktail Ring 1970s
By Bulgari
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Van Cleef & Arpels NY 18k Yellow Gold, Malachite & Diamond Cocktail Ring 1970s Vintage Here is
Category

Vintage 1970s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Malachite, Yellow Gold

Diamond Textured Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Miami, FL
This creatively designed estate cocktail ring simulating triple bands side-by-side, is crafted in
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Diamond Dome Ring
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Diamond Dome Ring Containing approximately 17 carats of diamonds. The diamonds are graded
Category

Vintage 1970s Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Onyx Diamond Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
A Fine Gold, Black Onyx and Diamond Ring. Made in in France, circa 1970. 18 kt yellow gold, 34
Category

Vintage 1970s French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold

Cartier 1970 Cocktail Ring in 18Kt Yellow Gold with 6.36 Cts in Diamonds Tiger
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
mid-century period, back in the 1970's. This cocktail ring has been crafted in solid yellow gold of 18
Category

Vintage 1960s French Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tiger s Eye, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Van Cleef Arpels Pave Diamond Black Onyx Band Ring 18K Yellow Gold Size 7
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Fairfield, CT
Van Cleef & Arpels Pave Diamond Black Onyx Band Ring 18K Yellow Gold Size 7 This 18k yellow gold
Category

Vintage 1970s Band Rings

Materials

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

Lapis Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in New York, NY
its top and sides by brilliant cut diamonds, mounted on 18kt white gold mounting. Circa 1970
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, White Diamond, 18k Gold

Kurt Wayne Vintage 4.87 Carat Diamond 18 Karat Gold Bombay Band Ring, circa 1970
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Philadelphia, PA
engraved chevron motif With maker's mark for Kurt Wayne and numbered Stamped 18K for 18 karat gold Ring
Category

Vintage 1970s Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

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

Van Cleef Arpels France 18k Yellow Gold and 1.25 Carat Diamond Navette Ring
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Van Cleef & Arpels Paris 18k Yellow Gold & 1.25 Carat Diamond Navette Ring Vintage Here is
Category

Vintage 1970s French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

BVLGARI ITALY 18k Yellow Gold, Platinum, Diamond Yellow and Blue Sapphire Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Bvlgari Italy 18k Yellow Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Yellow and Blue Sapphire Toi et Moi Ring Vintage
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Vintage French AGL 5.03 Carats Ceylon Sapphire Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Dome Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Vintage French AGL 5.03 Carats Ceylon Sapphire Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Dome Ring. Featuring one
Category

Vintage 1970s French Dome Rings

Materials

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

David Webb 1970 s 43.10 Carats Aquamarine Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
By David Webb
Located in Philadelphia, PA
. Circa: 1970's. Ring size: 6 and sizable. Measures: North to South 26.5 mm and sits 16.0 mm high. Total
Category

Vintage 1970s Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Alfred Karram 1970 Brutalist Geometric Cubic Ring in 18 Kt Gold with Diamonds
Located in Miami, FL
Geometric ring designed by Alfred Karram (1932-2017). A beautiful piece of wearable brutalist art
Category

Vintage 1970s Modernist Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Vintage Cartier 18k Yellow Gold Ring Turquoise Diamond Sapphire Emerald
By Cartier
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Stunning cocktail ring created by Cartier in New York in the 1970's. It features a beautiful oval
Category

Vintage 1970s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, Blue Sapphire, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Diamond Nugget Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Miami, FL
This captivating cocktail ring of rounded dome design is crafted in artfully textured nugget 18K
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

An 18k White Gold Braided Knot Ring with Diamonds
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An 18 carat white gold ring featuring a braid or knot pavé set with brilliant cut diamonds (app
Category

Vintage 1970s French Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

REINHOLD REILING 1970 Germany Modernist Ring In 18Kt Gold With Lapis Diamonds
Located in Miami, FL
created in Pforzheim Germany, by the artist goldsmith Reinhold Reiling circa 1968-1970. The ring has been
Category

Vintage 1960s German Modernist Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

Emerald Diamond Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
An 18kt yellow gold ring, embellished with mixed cut diamonds and showcasing a 1.50 ct emerald
Category

Vintage 1970s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Emerald, White Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage Space Age Sapphire and Diamond Cluster 18k White Gold Ring
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
diamonds. Crafted in 18 karat white gold throughout, 8 diamonds of various cuts dance in-between pear
Category

Vintage 1970s Contemporary Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Coral and Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
An 18 karat yellow gold, coral and diamond ring. Of fluted bombe design set with alternating rows
Category

Vintage 1970s American Dome Rings

Materials

Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Angel Skin Coral Cocktail Ring with Emeralds and Diamonds, Circa 1970
Located in Miami, FL
An Italian Angel Skin Coral cabochon ring with emeralds and diamonds set in 18K white gold, circa
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Jadeite Jade “Fei Cui” And Diamond Platinum Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring Circa 1970
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jadeite Jade "Fei Cui" and diamond platinum yellow gold cocktail ring, circa 1970s. Natural
Category

Vintage 1970s Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Fred Paris 18k Yellow Gold, Diamond Burma Ruby Snake Ring Vintage Fully Marked
By Fred Paris
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Fred Paris 18k Yellow Gold, Diamond & Burma Ruby Snake Ring Vintage Fully Hallmarked Here is your
Category

Vintage 1970s French Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold

Chaumet Interlocking Diamond Gold Rings
By Chaumet
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
seperately. Crafted in 18k gold and designed with diamonds strategically placed throughout the ring. Signed
Category

Vintage 1970s French More Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage 18K Yellow Gold and Diamond Band
Located in McLeansville, NC
Vintage 18 karat yellow gold and diamond band. A slightly tapered band with three rows of pavé set
Category

Vintage 1970s Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 18K Yellow Gold and Diamond Band
Located in McLeansville, NC
Vintage 18 karat yellow gold and diamond band. A slightly tapered band with three rows of pavé set
Category

Vintage 1970s Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Retro 18K Yellow Gold .50 Carat Princess Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Cape May, NJ
Retro 18k yellow gold .50 carat princess cut diamond ring Era: Retro Composition: 18K Yellow Gold
Category

Vintage 1970s Retro More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Vintage Tiffany Co. 18k Gold Diamond Tank Ring sz 7.5
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
DESIGNER: Tiffany & Co. CIRCA: 1970’s MATERIALS: 18K Yellow Gold GEMSTONE: 3 brilliant cut Diamonds
Category

Vintage 1970s Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Surrealist Emerald Diamond Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in New York, NY
Unusual emerald and diamond cocktail ring from the 1970's set in 18k gold. Designed as a bombe
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

1970s Citrine Diamond Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
with three small diamonds. Circa 1970
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Citrine, White Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage GIA 1.24 Carats Old Mine Cut Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Platinum Halo Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Vintage GIA 1.24 Carats Old Mine Cut Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Platinum Halo Ring. Featuring one
Category

Vintage 1970s Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Vintage Turquoise Ring 18k Gold Diamond French Estate Jewelry Signed SC
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Gorgeous cocktail ring featuring a beautiful oval cabochon turquoise set in 18 karat yellow gold
Category

Vintage 1970s French Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Lalaounis Diamond Gold Domed Ring
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in London, GB
An Ilias LALAoUNIS ring, with a domed head of diagonal bars, with round brilliant-cut diamonds set
Category

Vintage 1970s Greek Retro Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

David Webb Fancy Brown Diamond Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
Platinum and 18kt yellow gold David Webb ring featuring a fancy brown round brilliant diamond
Category

Vintage 1970s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold

Substantial Diamond 1970s Cocktail Ring
Located in Cincinnati, OH
Freeform yellow gold diamond cluster ring. The 1" x 1" 18k yellow gold ring set with approximately
Category

Vintage 1970s American Modernist Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Organic Diamond 1970s Cocktail Ring
Located in Cincinnati, OH
Freeform yellow gold diamond cluster ring. The 1" x 1" 18k yellow gold ring set with approximately
Category

Vintage 1970s American Modernist Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Kurt Wayne 18K Yellow Gold Euro Cut Center with Round and Baguette Diamond Ring
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Montgomery, AL
This is a gorgeous Kurt Wayne 18k Yellow Gold Round European Cut Diamond With Baguette And Round
Category

Vintage 1970s Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Ruby Diamond Gold Starship Ring
Located in New York, NY
), further enriched with smaller brilliant cut diamonds. Circa 1970.
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold

Emerald Diamond Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Miami, FL
This captivating estate Retro cocktail ring is crafted in elegantly matted and polished 18K yellow
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Dome Rings

Materials

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

Coral Diamond Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
diamonds. Crafted in textured 18k yellow and white gold. Ring size 6 and may be re-sized to fit.
Category

Vintage 1970s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold

Trudel Modernist Diamond Ring
By Trudel
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1970-80s, 18k, by Trudel, Zurich, Switzerland. This spectacular one-of-a-kind ring designed
Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Seventies Swiss Modern 18k Tourmaline Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1970s, 18k, by Pecklard, Zurich, Switzerland. This chic seventies ring features an intense
Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Sapphire Diamond Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
Set with a vivid 2.25 carat blue sapphire and .34 carats of brilliant white diamonds, this 18k
Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss More Rings

Materials

Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold

David Webb 18k Yellow Gold 5 Plus Carat Diamond Bombe Cocktail Ring C. 1970s
By David Webb
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
David Webb 18k Yellow Gold & Diamond Bombe Cocktail Ring Vintage Circa 1970s Here is your chance
Category

Vintage 1970s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Cartier Diamond Gold Band Ring
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
An 18 karat yellow gold and diamond ring. Cartier. Designed as a wide gold polished band, of
Category

Vintage 1970s American Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 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.