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Retro 1970 Turtle Convertible Turtle Ring Brooch 18Kt Gold with Diamonds Ruby
Located in Miami, FL
Convertible ring into brooch in the shape of a turtle. An unusual vintage piece, created during
Category

Vintage 1950s American Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

BVLGARI 18k Gold Diamond, Sapphire, and Amethyst Three-stone Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Don't miss out on this vintage rarity, 18k gold BVLGARI eclectic piece from the 1970's. One blue
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Opal Diamond Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Estate 1970s opal and diamond gold ring. The design showcases an impressive oval opal weighing
Category

Vintage 1970s Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold

Francesco Passaretta 1970 Fluted Sardinian Coral Ring In 18Kt Gold With Diamonds
Located in Miami, FL
beautiful colorful ring has been crafted in solid yellow gold of 18 karats with accents in white gold for
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Modernist Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Cartier Bombe Gold Diamond Ring
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
An unusual bombe shaped gold ring by Cartier, highlighted with mixed cut diamonds for a total
Category

Vintage 1970s French Cocktail Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold

NORMAN TEUFEL Motion Ring in 18K Yellow Gold with Diamonds c. 1970s
Located in New York, NY
An iconic motion ring by Norman Teufel, crafted in 18K yellow gold and dated ©1972. The design
Category

Vintage 1970s American Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Gold Diamond Ziggurat Ring
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Very Architectural Ring with simple row of Diamonds down the center. Highly dramatic & conversely
Category

Vintage 1970s American Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Cabochon Ruby and Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
A Beautiful Cabochon Ruby & Diamond Cocktail Ring in 18k Yellow Gold. Made in the USA, circa 1970
Category

Vintage 1970s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Black Onyx and Diamond Gold Ring
Located in NEW ORLEANS, LA
18K yellow gold and black onyx ladies ring containing 20 round diamonds weighing approximatey 1.00
Category

Vintage 1970s Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold

1970s Gold Coral and Diamond Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa: 1970s 18K yellow Gold Ring set with Coral, Onyx and Diamonds. Finger Size = 6 1/2
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold

18Y Diamond Leaf Motif Ring
Located in McLeansville, NC
A vintage 18 karat yellow gold diamond cluster leaf ring. This ring features a cluster of prong set
Category

Vintage 1970s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

2.50 Carat Diamond Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
A beautiful and unusual diamond cluster ring set in 18k white gold. The ring features a central Old
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

French Diamond Emerald Amethyst Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
, cushion, emerald and marquise cut diamonds and emeralds. Set in an 18k white gold ring. Stamped with
Category

Vintage 1970s French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Van Cleef Arpels Diamond Knot Ring
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
18k yellow gold; set with round brilliant-cut diamonds weighing 1.70 carats, most with G-H color
Category

Vintage 1970s French Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Van Cleef Arpels Diamond Gold Band Ring
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond Vintage Ring by Van Cleef & Arpels. With 20 round brilliant cut diamond
Category

Vintage 1970s French Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Large Diamond and Coral Cocktail Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa: 1960s, Platinum and 18K Yellow Gold Coral ring. The Coral measures 7/8 X 5/8 Inch. Set
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold

Persian Turquoise Diamond Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Miami, FL
This Estatecirca 1970's cocktail ring with a fine Persian turquoise cabochon and diamonds is
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1973 French Diamond Tiger s Eye Quartz 18K Gold Interlocking Vintage Bypass Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a bypass style ring terminating with interlocking rings of carved tiger's eye quartz
Category

Vintage 1970s Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Diamond Sapphire Band, 18K Yellow Gold, Stackable Diamond Band, Something Blue
Located in McLeansville, NC
A vintage 18 karat yellow gold diamond and sapphire band. This thin stackable band features
Category

Vintage 1970s Band Rings

Materials

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

Art Nouveau Revivalist Fire Opal Diamond Engagement Ring Cocktail Oval 18k Gold
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
stunning statement or cocktail ring. Lovingly crafted of 18K white gold; recently inspected, cleaned and
Category

Vintage 1970s Art Nouveau Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold

Coral and Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Darnestown, MD
Stylish gold ring with beautifully colored coral and diamonds. The diamonds are set to echo the
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold

1970s Diamond Gold Disco Ball Cocktail Ring
Located in Miami, FL
This stunning Retro cocktail ring is crafted in solid 18K yellow gold, elaborately designed as a
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Cartier Coral Diamonds Onyx Ring
By Cartier
Located in Paris, FR
This exquisite ring is In 18K gold, geometric shape decorated with onyx mid-mount, adorned with a
Category

Vintage 1970s French Modernist Cocktail Rings

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold

1970s Italian 5 diamond engagement ring
Located in London, GB
This 1970s 18 carat gold Italian engagement ring consists of 5 VVS clarity F-G colour round cut
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

1970s 18K Yellow Gold Sapphire Princess Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Beautiful 1970s 18K yellow gold princess style cluster ring. Composed of a dome style top with
Category

Vintage 1970s Indian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Boucheron Special Wood Diamond Gold Ring
By Boucheron
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
realized ring is no exception. In 18k gold, signed and numbered. Ring size 5 1/2 and may be re-sized to
Category

Vintage 1970s French More Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

1970 s Kurt Wayne 2.75 Carats Sapphire Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Band Ring
By Kurt Wayne
Located in Philadelphia, PA
clarity. Stamped 750 for 18 karat gold. Numbered with maker's mark for Kurt Wayne. Circa: 1970s. Ring Size
Category

Vintage 1970s Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

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

Natural Sapphire Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Dover Jewelry presents this glamorous estate cocktail ring, finely crafted in solid 18k yellow gold
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

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

French Vintage Diamond Buckle Motif Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Vintage Diamond Buckle Ring composed of 18k yellow gold. Featuring rectangular Step Cut and
Category

Vintage 1970s French Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Ruby Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Houston, TX
This fine 1970s Diamond & Ruby Ring is centrally set with a faceted oval cut ruby weighing 3.34cts
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Aquamarine and Diamond Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
-cut diamonds, diamonds approx. 0.70ct total, ring size 6 3/4 Weight: 8gr.
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

1970s Diamond Onyx Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Miami, FL
This fabulous1970's wide cocktail ring is adorned with 18 genuine round cut Diamonds approx
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Aquamarine and Marquise-Cut Diamond Ring
Located in San Francisco, CA
A bold and feminine design, the 18k yellow gold ring features a rectangular-cut aquamarine weighing
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold

1970s Natural Uncut Diamond Ring Signed Andrew
Located in Cincinnati, OH
Brutalist vintage rough cut diamond ring. The 18k textured yellow gold ring with a medium grey, raw
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Modernist Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

1970s 1.15 Carat Sapphire and 1.65 Carat Diamond, 18k White Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
cluster ring in 18 karat white gold; part our vintage jewelry and estate jewelry collections This
Category

Vintage 1970s British Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Van Cleef Arpels Diamond Gold Ring
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
. Designed with numerous near colorless diamonds that have been pave set in gently rolling hills of 18k
Category

Vintage 1970s French More Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Van Cleef Arpels Diamond Gold Ring
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
. Designed with numerous near colorless diamonds that have been pave set in gently rolling hills of 18k
Category

Vintage 1970s French Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Arthur King Colored Diamond Gold Ring
By Arthur King
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A good looking gold and colored diamond ring by Arthur King. The 18k yellow gold freeform band with
Category

Vintage 1970s American Band Rings

Materials

Black Diamond, Brown Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold

1970s 1.00 TCW Diamond and 18k Two Tone Gold Waterfall Cluster Ring
Located in Towson, MD
One 1970s 18 karat yellow and white gold elongated waterfall design ring set with twenty-one round
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Contemporary Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Cartier Diamond Pave Ring
By Cartier
Located in Litchfield, CT
detail make this ring a beautiful example of Cartier chic. Set with 2.23 carats of white diamonds in rich
Category

Vintage 1970s French Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Yellow Diamond Swirl Engagement Ring, 18KT White Gold, Ring
Located in McLeansville, NC
A vintage 18 karat white gold fancy yellow diamond swirl engagement ring. This retro ring features
Category

Vintage 1970s Engagement Rings

Materials

Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Diamond Ring Mario Buccellati
By Mario Buccellati
Located in Firenze, IT
Centering a round brilliant-cut diamond; signed Mario Buccellati; estimated total diamond weight
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Circa 1970s Angel Skin Coral and Diamond Cocktail Ring in 18K Gold
Located in Addison, TX
Circa: 1970s Metal Type: 18 karat yellow gold Size: US 7.75 Weight: 16.1g Diamond Details: Cut
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Sapphire Diamond Vintage Engagement Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1970 The design of this white 18K gold engagement ring is known by its French name: ‘Toi et
Category

Vintage 1970s Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Retro Diamond Gold Geometric Pyramidal Design Ring
Located in Miami, FL
This vintage ring of avant-garde angular design is crafted in solid 18K yellow gold, weighing
Category

Vintage 1970s Modern Signet Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Harry Winston 1970s Diamond Ruby Tahitian Black Pearl Ring in 18K Gold
By Harry Winston
Located in Dallas, TX
saturation and further accented by sparkling round diamonds along its fringe. The ring is wonderfully 3
Category

Vintage 1970s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Black Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Black Onyx and Diamond Dome Ring
Located in NEW ORLEANS, LA
Ladies 18K yellow gold black onyx and diamond dome ring. The ring contains approximately 1.55 ctw
Category

Vintage 1970s Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold

Boucheron 1970s Diamond Cluster Ring
By Boucheron
Located in London, GB
This is an 18ct yellow gold diamond cluster ring from the luxury jewellery designer Boucheron. The
Category

Vintage 1970s French Modern Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

NALLY Vintage Color Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
NALLY Diamond and Colored Diamond Ring Set with a cushion-cut diamond weighing 5.17 carat
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Artist Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Pink Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k ...

Retro Gold Amethyst Diamond Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
Of bombe design with the close set amethyst at the top and diamonds around. Weight: 19.5 gr
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold

2.60 Carat Diamond Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Miami, FL
White Gold Ring Containing a .95ct European Cut Diamond Surrounded by 8 European Cut Diamonds
Category

Vintage 1970s American Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Cartier Diamond Pave Ring
By Cartier
Located in Litchfield, CT
example of Cartier chic. Set with 2.23 carats of white diamonds in rich yellow gold, this ring is an
Category

Vintage 1970s French Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Van Cleef Arpels Onyx Diamond Gold Ring
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Made in the VCA creative era of the 1970"s, featuring diamond gold ribbons swirling around the 18k
Category

Vintage 1970s French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold

Gold and Diamond Cartier Ring
By Cartier
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An 18 carat yellow gold ring in the shape of the Greek letter ‘Omega’ with an opening in the shank
Category

Vintage 1970s French Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

BUCCELLATI Impressive Coral And Diamond Ring
By Mario Buccellati
Located in Firenze, IT
Of bombé design, centering upon an oval cabochon coral, within a textured 18k gold and diamond
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Dome Rings

Materials

Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold

Van Cleef Arpels Onyx Diamond Gold Ring
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Made in the VCA creative era of the 1970"s, featuring diamond gold ribbons swirling around the
Category

Vintage 1970s French More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold

Tiffany Co. 3.03 Carat Diamond Ring
By Tiffany Co.
Located in New York, NY
18k gold and platinum; set with a 3.03 carat round brilliant-cut diamond in the center, with GIA
Category

Vintage 1970s American Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

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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.