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Buccellati diamond 18k yellow and white gold ring
By Buccellati
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage Buccellati ring from the 1970s is exquisitely crafted in 18k yellow and white gold and
Category

Vintage 1970s Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Wolfers Frères 2.5 Carat Colombian Emerald and Diamond Ring, circa 1970
Located in London, GB
Wolfers Frères Colombian emerald and diamond ring. Set to centre with an octagonal emerald-cut
Category

Vintage 1970s Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Vintage 18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond Ring 1.25 Carats 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By Harbor Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Bold zig-zag diamond motif containing 26 round brilliants weighing 1.25 carats, crafted in 18 karat
Category

Vintage 1970s Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1970s 18k White Gold Resin Diamond Cube Ring- France
Located in New York, NY
Diamond in Suspension: 1970s White Gold & Resin Cube Ring A diamond, floating in its own dimension
Category

Vintage 1970s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Fred diamond and mother of pearl cluster ring, French, circa 1970.
By Fred
Located in London, GB
Fred diamond and mother of pearl cluster ring. Set with a round old cut diamond to centre in a
Category

Vintage 1970s French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

1970s Diamond Enamel 18K Gold Dome Statement Cocktail Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Presenting a Vintage 1970's Diamond Onyx 18K Gold Dome Statement Ring forged in 18K Yellow gold
Category

Vintage 1970s Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Enamel

An 18k Gold French Gold Snake Ring with Diamonds
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An 18-carat gold snake ring.The body is crafted from woven pressed gold and the head is engraved
Category

Vintage 1970s French Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

1970s Italian 18k gold, enamel and diamond cocktail ring
Located in London, GB
This stunning 1970s 18k gold ring is designed as a latticework of diamonds and enamel. The ring
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel

Vintage Cartier Diamond Ring 18k Yellow and White Gold
By Cartier
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage Cartier diamond ring is made in 18k yellow gold with white gold details. The band is
Category

Vintage 1970s French Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage diamond 18k yellow gold and blue enamel ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage ring from the 1970’s is crafted in 18k yellow gold and detailed with rich blue enamel
Category

Vintage 1970s Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

18k Enamel Ring with 4 Old Cut Diamonds
Located in Firenze, FI
A unique and exclusive ring from 1970 period crafted from 15 grams of 18K gold , covered by blue
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Artisan Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Enamel

Oscar Heyman Brothers vintage ruby and diamond ring, American, circa 1970.
By Oscar Heyman
Located in London, GB
Vintage ruby and diamond ring by Oscar Heyman Brothers. Set with a central horizontal channel set
Category

Vintage 1970s Central American Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Berca Original 1970 1.67Kt White Diamond White Gold Flower Cocktail Ring
By Berca Atelier
Located in Valenza, IT
Sumptuos, beautifully handcrafted original 1970 cocktail ring featuring one top quality 0.45kt
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

1970 s Diamond Coral 18 Karat Yellow Gold Vintage Halo Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Flanked by tapered shoulders Stamped for 18 karat gold Circa: 1970s Ring size: 8 3/4 and sizable Measures
Category

Vintage 1970s Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Berca Original 1970 Natural Muzo Emerald White Diamond Marquise Cocktail Ring
By Berca Atelier
Located in Valenza, IT
A chic, one-of-a-kind beautifully handcrafted 1970 Cocktail ring featuring a 0.82Kt square cut Muzo
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

David Webb Coral and 4.60 Carats Diamond 18K Gold Ring
By David Webb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Estate David Webb Coral & Diamond Ring Circa 1970s This bold and iconic estate ring by David Webb
Category

Vintage 1970s Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Mid-century 1970 Bombe 18kt yellow Gold Ring with Onyx and Diamonds
Located in Aventura, FL
: Diamond Onyx Measurements: 1.00 inches width and raise 0.70 inches from the finger. Stamped: "18K
Category

Vintage 1970s Modern Dome Rings

Materials

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

Boucheron Serpent Bohème Ring 18K Gold, Platinum Diamonds, 1970s
By Boucheron
Located in MONTMORENCY, FR
daring creativity and signature French elegance. Crafted in 18K yellow gold and platinum, the ring
Category

Vintage 1970s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique and Vintage 0.80ct Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
collection. This stunning, fine and impressive diamond solitaire ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold
Category

Vintage 1970s English Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, White Gold

French Art Deco 18K Gold Emerald Diamond Ring (Circa 1940)
Located in Firenze, FI
A refined French ring crafted in 18K gold (9 grams), featuring a vibrant Colombian marquise-cut
Category

Vintage 1970s French Artisan Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

McTEIGUE 1970 French Geometric Ring 18Kt Yellow Gold With Diamonds Lapis
By McTeigue
Located in Miami, FL
Paris France by McTeigue, back in the 1970. The sculptural ring was crafted with a cushioned shape and
Category

Vintage 1970s French Modernist Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Substantial 1970 s Cocktail Ring w/15ct Amethyst 3cts of Diamonds in 18K Gold
Located in Palm Beach, FL
The scale of this beauty makes a big statement. This large 1970's ring, features one center emerald
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage diamond 18k yellow and white gold cocktail ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Bold and luminous, this vintage cocktail ring from the 1970s radiates sophistication through its
Category

Vintage 1970s Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Vintage lapis lazuli diamond 18k yellow gold cocktail ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
color diamonds. Crafted in glowing 18k yellow gold and hallmarked for purity, the setting showcases
Category

Vintage 1970s Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Vintage David Webb Carved Lapis Diamond 18k Dome Ring
By David Webb
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
lapis accented by diamond studded shoulders and crafted in rich 18k yellow gold. Known for innovative
Category

Vintage 1970s Retro Dome Rings

Materials

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

18K Yellow Gold Ruby and Diamond Textured Cocktail Ring
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
A bold and sculptural mid-century cocktail ring handcrafted in rich 18K yellow gold, featuring a
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Ruby Diamond Halo Cocktail Ring, 18k Yellow White Gold, Ring, Oval Ruby
Located in McLeansville, NC
Stones: - ruby, 1 stone - oval cut - 8.64 x 6.15 x 2.63 mm - stamped 1.34ct - diamonds, 55 stones
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

18K Yellow Gold Ring with Emerald and White Diamonds
By Olivo Micheletto
Located in Milano, Lombardia
This exquisite ring features a lush emerald at its center, framed by sparkling white diamonds, all
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian More Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

An 18k Gold Bombé Ring with Old Cut Diamonds
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An 18-carat yellow gold bombé ring with 5 old cushion cut diamonds in various sizes, three a little
Category

Vintage 1970s French Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Baroque Pearl Diamond Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage 18k yellow gold ring features a bold baroque pearl accented by diamonds in an
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold

Retro Gold 1.67 Carat Natural Marquise and Round Diamond Cocktail Ring 1970
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A stunning 1.67 carat (approximate) 18k yellow gold natural diamond pinky ring. Set in the center
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

David Webb 18K Yellow Gold 1970 s Carved Jade Dragon Style Ring
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Large statement ring perfect for cocktails and fashion outings. Made by American designer David
Category

20th Century American Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Vintage 18k White Gold Cluster Ring Diamond Ruby 1.75ct Burma
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage 18k white gold cluster ring showcases a vivid 1.75-carat natural ruby of Burma origin
Category

Vintage 1970s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, White Gold, 18k Gold

Vintage 7.75ct Ruby and Diamond Halo Ring, c.1970
Located in London, GB
twenty two, eight cut diamonds which have been set in to 18 carat white gold. The 0.44 total carat of
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

18k White Gold Ring, Diamonds 0.50 Carat
Located in Berlin, BE
Introducing the majestic 18k white gold ring with diamonds, a truly breathtaking work of art that
Category

Vintage 1970s Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

18k White Gold Ring With Old cut Diamond
Located in Firenze, FI
Sparkling delicate ring with white gold setting (18k) and central stone of 0.70c (+ 0.10) from the
Category

Vintage 1970s European Artisan Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

1970s 0.36 Carat Diamond 18k White Gold Half Eternity Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive vintage 1970s 0.36 carat diamond and 18 karat white gold half eternity ring; part of
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Grima 18K Yellow Gold and Diamond Ring
By Grima
Located in Weston, MA
today as it was when it was made in 1970. It is set with 31 single-cut diamonds weighing a total of
Category

Vintage 1970s Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

ENGLAND 1970 Octagonal Eternity Ring 18Kt Gold With 2.16 Ctw Diamonds Rubies
Located in Miami, FL
An octagonal eternity ring with rubies & diamonds. This is a stunning octagonal shaped eternity
Category

Vintage 1970s English Modernist Band Rings

Materials

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

Harry Winston 4.22 Carats Vs2 Diamond Platinum 18K Gold Ring Papers
By Harry Winston
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
This elegant ring is a true masterpiece, featuring a remarkable 4.22-carat round white diamond
Category

Vintage 1970s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Vintage 1.23 Carat Diamond and Emerald White Gold Cocktail Ring, Circa 1970
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
, bearing the 18k gold fineness mark (18ct) to the interior. This impressive cluster ring is supplied with
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage diamond 18k yellow gold five stone ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage ring from the 1970’s is crafted in 18k yellow gold and features five round brilliant
Category

Vintage 1970s Contemporary Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Van Cleef Arpels Diamond Swirl Ring
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Hicksville, NY
Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Swirl Ring Year: 1970s Item Details: Ring Size
Category

Vintage 1970s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

MODERNIST 1970 Cocktail Ring In 18Kt Gold With 1.70 Ctw In Diamonds
Located in Miami, FL
Retro modernist cocktail ring with diamonds. This is a very interesting cocktail ring, created in
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Modernist Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Pearl and Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This substantial 18K yellow gold ring showcases a stunning 13 mm golden South Sea pearl with a
Category

Vintage 1970s Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Diamond and Ruby 18K Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This charming 18K yellow gold ring from the 1970s features a unique puffed, ribbed design, bringing
Category

Vintage 1970s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Revival French 18K Green Gold French Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Victorian Revival French 18K Green Gold French Cut Diamond Engagement Ring. This gorgeous
Category

Vintage 1970s Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

VAN CLEEF ARPELS 1970 Vintage Alhambra Ring In 18Kt Yellow Gold With Diamonds
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Miami, FL
. The vintage ring has been crafted with twisted patterns in solid 18 Karats with high polished finish
Category

Vintage 1970s French Modernist Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Dinh Van 18k White Gold Ring Diamond Band
By Jean Dinh Van
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
DESIGNER: Jean Dinh Van CIRCA: 1970s MATERIALS: 18k Gold GEMSTONE: Diamond WEIGHT: 2.3 Grams
Category

Vintage 1970s Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 10ct Amethyst 1.80 Carats Diamond Statement Ring in 18K Gold
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Regal Radiance – Vintage 10ct Amethyst & Diamond Statement Ring in 18K Gold A show-stopping piece
Category

Vintage 1970s Artisan Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage 0.72 Carat Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring in 18k White Gold
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This stunning, fine and impressive vintage solitaire ring has been crafted in 18k white gold. The
Category

Vintage 1970s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Boucheron Circa 1970 18ct Yellow Gold And Diamond Double Knot Ring
By Boucheron
Located in London, GB
An 18ct yellow gold and diamond knot ring by Boucheron c.1970. The ring is designed as a twisted
Category

Late 20th Century French Cocktail Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage Amethyst and Diamond Cocktail Ring in 18K Yellow Gold
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
saturation and excellent faceting, is set in warm 18K yellow gold, while the surrounding diamonds are prong
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Amethyst, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

Important Cocktail Ring – Tanzanite 33 ct Diamonds, 18K White Gold
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Diamonds: approx. 1.17 ct total 18K white gold, 15.40 g Diameter: ~3 cm Height: ~1.5 cm Complimentary
Category

Vintage 1970s French Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, White Gold

Important Diamond and Ruby Dome Cocktail Ring, circa 1970
Located in Miami, FL
An important dome ring Circa 1970 featuring pave diamonds set in a honeycomb fashion. The dome is
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

18K yellow gold ring, gemstone and natural diamonds
Located in Tel Aviv - Jaffa, IL
18K yellow gold ring, with a central gemstone and two natural diamonds on the sides. Total weight
Category

Vintage 1970s Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 1.55 Carat Sapphire and Diamond White Gold Cocktail Ring, circa 1970
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
impressive vintage sapphire and diamond ring has been crafted in 18k white gold. The cluster style design is
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White 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.