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1.50 Carat Diamond Swirls Clover Statement Ring
By Gabriel Co.
Located in Miami, FL
14 karat white gold diamond clover swirls statement ring with diamond cluster center. Features
Category

2010s American Rococo Cocktail Rings

Materials

Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

GIA Cert Oval Ruby Diamond Gold Swirl Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
Simple swirl style ring extra bright red Ruby. GIA certified natural corundum, heat treatment with
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

13.11 Carat Blue Sapphire Diamond Gold Swirl Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
color and a lovely oval-shape. It is accented by 2.03 carats of round brilliant-cut diamonds set around
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Vintage Ruby Diamond 14K Yellow Gold Swirl Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Diamonds Cut: Single Weight: Approximately 0.10 Carats Color: I Clarity: SI Metal: 14K Yellow Gold Era
Category

20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

French Belle Epoque Diamond Yellow gold Swirl Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Center Stone: Diamond Cut: Old mine Weight: 0.30 carat approximately Color: J-K Clarity: I1
Category

Antique 1890s Belle Époque Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Cartier Mid-20th Century Diamond and Sapphire Swirl Ring
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
A platinum ring with sapphires and diamonds by Cartier. The ring centers on a .90 carat round cut
Category

Vintage 1960s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum

14K White Gold 3.0ct Diamond Swirl Wrap Ring RN29706
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
borders. The ring's top dimensions measure 17mm by 37mm.This brand new 14K White Gold 3.0ct Diamond Swirl
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

H Stern Diamond Swirl Ring in 18k Rose Gold
Located in London, GB
H Stern Diamond Swirl Ring in 18k Rose Gold Current Season - From the Iris collection. Set with
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Rose Gold

1960s Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Retro Swirl Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
top of an antique brilliant-cut diamond in a swirl of antique brilliant- cut diamonds all on an
Category

Vintage 1960s French Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

1950s Retro Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Swirl Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
which has a modern brilliant-cut diamond, set in the center of an openwork swirl, itself set with
Category

Vintage 1950s French Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Blue Topaz Diamond Swirl Ring 18K Two Tone Gold
Located in Dallas, TX
Estate 18K two tone ring, features 17x12mm emerald cut blue topaz and swirl display of diamonds
Category

Late 20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold

Oval Ruby with Diamond Swirls Ring, 18 Karat White Gold
Located in New York, NY
six diamond swirls. Ring Size US 6.5.
Category

20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Damiani White and Rose Gold Diamond Pave Swirls Ring
By Damiani
Located in Southampton, PA
interplaying loops of contrasting 18K rose and white gold, while glittering diamonds weighing in total 1.43
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Platinum AGL 5.81ctw Color Change Alexandrite Diamond Swirl Ballerina Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
Vintage Platinum AGL Large Clean Ceylon Alexandrite w/ Diamond Swirl Ballerina Ring. --Stone(s
Category

20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Alexandrite, Diamond, Platinum

LB Exclusive 14K White Gold 3.00 ct Diamond Swirl Ring
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
around your finger and see it give your day a glittering makeover. This ring features a swirling profile
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Modern 1.20 Carat Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Swirl Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat white gold, eagle head hallmark. This dazzling diamond ring incorporates the
Category

20th Century French Belle Époque Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

LB Exclusive 14K White Gold 3.20 Ct Diamond Swirl Ring
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
A mesmerizing addition to your jewelry collection. This diamond ring is fashioned from 14K white
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Diamond and Fire Opal Swirled Platinum and Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Southampton, PA
gold set with 0.34 carats of diamonds. Ring Size: 7 Ring Top Dimensions: 20mm x 20mm Band Thickness
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

French Antique Golden Swirl Rose Cut Diamond Ring circa 1910
Located in Chorzów, PL
Beautiful antique ring made of 18-karat gold with elements of platinum. Set with rose-cut diamonds
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

18 Karat White Gold Black and White Swirl Diamond Ring CRR7207
Located in Southampton, PA
This ring is opulent and shines with diamonds. The setting is made of 18K white gold and boasts a
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Belle Époque Diamond 18K Yellow Gold and Silver Swirl Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Center Stone: 17 Diamonds Cut: Rose and Old European Weight: Approximately 0.25 Carats Color: H
Category

Antique 1890s Belle Époque Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Mid Century GIA No Heat Ceylon Sapphire Diamond Platinum Swirl Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Mid Century GIA No Heat Ceylon Sapphire Diamond Platinum Swirl Ring. Featuring One GIA oval
Category

Vintage 1950s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

18 Karat White Gold Black and White Diamond Swirl Ring CRR8997
Located in Southampton, PA
This over sized ring is opulent and shines with diamonds. The setting is made of 18K white gold and
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

18 Karat White Gold Black and White Swirl Diamond Ring CRR7207
Located in Southampton, PA
This ring is opulent and shines with diamonds. The setting is made of 18K white gold and boasts a
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Van Cleef Arpels Retro Pink Sapphire and Diamond Swirl Ring, 18k
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
A Van Cleef & Arpels Retro Pink Sapphire and Diamond Swirl Ring made in 18k gold. Signed VCA and
Category

20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold

Alex Soldier Diamond Textured Gold Swirl Ring One of a Kind
By Alex Soldier
Located in New York, NY
Alex Soldier's Diamond Swirl Ring is made in blackened 18 karat white gold with 7 carats of black
Category

2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Black Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Rhodium

Charles Turi Diamond Enamel Platinum 18k Yellow Gold Swirling Vintage Ring
By Charles Turi
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a domed form with a segmented swirl motif centering a row of round brilliant cut
Category

Vintage 1980s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Enamel

Slane Slane Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Brushed Finish Swirl Ring
By Slane and Slane
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Diamond ring by designer Slane & Slane fashioned in brushed finish 18 karat yellow gold. The ring
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Platinum GIA 1.07ct G VVS2 Round Diamond Baguette Swirl Ballerina Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
This outstanding vintage cocktail ring was crafted from solid 900 platinum and features a jaw
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

2.02 Carat Pink Sapphire Diamonds 18 Karat White Gold Platinum Swirl Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat white gold, eagle's head hallmark and platinum. Like a swirl, this sublime
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinu...

Mid-Century 1.33 Carats Old European Cut Diamond Platinum Swirl Bypass Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering an old European cut diamond weighing approximately 0.41 carat total - I color with SI2
Category

Vintage 1950s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum

Vintage Top Quality 18k Gold 5.20ctw Round Diamond Marquise Emerald Swirl Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
Here we have an absolutely outstanding, vintage, diamond and emerald swirl ring that was crafted
Category

Vintage 1980s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Top Quality 18k Gold 5.20ctw Round Diamond Marquise Emerald Swirl Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
Here we have an absolutely outstanding, vintage, diamond and emerald swirl ring that was crafted
Category

1990s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Jabel Diamond Floral Swirl Ring 18K White Gold .8CTW Size 6
By Jabel
Located in Fairfield, CT
Vintage Jabel Diamond Floral Swirl Ring 18K White Gold .8CTW Size 6 This 18k white gold ring
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Platinum 6.90ctw GIA Oval Pink Ceylon Sapphire Round Diamond Swirl Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
around the edges of the ring. The diamonds total approximately 1.44 carats in weight and are very fine
Category

1990s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

Fantastic 2.6 Carat Pear Cut Aquamarine Diamond Modern Swirl 18 Karat Ring
Located in Tustin, CA
embellished with a two-tier halo of pave set diamonds in this contemporary estate ring. Pave diamonds also
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Oval Shaped Opal Yellow Swirls Single Round White Diamond 14K Yellow Gold Ring
By Alberto
Located in GREAT NECK, NY
This beautiful 10.12 Carat Oval shaped Opal is complemented with swirls of 14K Yellow Gold and
Category

2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Unusual Shape Swirl Champagne Diamond and Tsavorite Ring with South Sea Pearl
Located in Hong Kong, HK
This ring exudes sophistication through its unique yet balanced design. At the center sits a
Category

2010s Asian Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Tsavorite, 18k Gold

Amethyst Diamond Ring Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Calibre Cut Swirl Band Sz 6
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish amethyst & diamond ring crafted in 18 karat yellow gold (circa 1980s). Diamonds total an
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Alex Soldier Diamond Textured Blackened Gold Swirl Art Ring One of a Kind
By Alex Soldier
Located in New York, NY
Alex Soldier's Diamond Swirl Art Ring is made in blackened 18 karate white gold with 7 carats of
Category

2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Black Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Rhodium

Alex Soldier Diamond Textured Blackened Gold Swirl Ring as Seen on Mindy Kaling
By Alex Soldier
Located in New York, NY
Alex Soldier's Diamond Swirl Art Ring is made in blackened 18 karate white gold with 7 carats of
Category

2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Black Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Rhodium

7.00 Carat Swiss Blue Topaz Diamond 14 Karat Yellow Gold Swirl Halo Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One 7.00 Carat Swiss Blue Topaz Diamond 14 Karat Yellow Gold Swirl Halo Ring. Featuring one Swiss
Category

2010s Chinese Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Elegant 1.6 Carat Red Ruby and 1 Carat Diamond Swirl 18 Karat White Gold Ring
Located in Tustin, CA
, free form halo of prong set and invisibly set baguette diamonds and prong set round brilliant diamonds
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold

Peter Suchy EGL 1.18 Carat Diamond Ruby Emerald Sapphire Gold Cocktail Ring
By Peter Suchy
Located in Stamford, CT
Diamond, sapphire, emerald, ruby swirl design cocktail ring. EGL certified 1.18ct Old European cut
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Vintage 1.8 carat total weight sapphire diamond 18k yellow gold swirl band
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage 18k yellow gold swirl band dazzles with rich blue sapphires and sparkling baguette-cut
Category

20th Century Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Fancy Colored Diamond Gold Cocktail Swirl Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This yin and yang swirl cocktail ring set in 18K yellow and rose gold features 5.05 carats of fancy
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Fashion Rings

Materials

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

Diamond Pave Dome Swirl Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
Diamond Pave Dome Swirl 14k Gold Cocktail Ring. Circa 1960’s 23 round full cut diamonds, approx
Category

Vintage 1960s Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

French Retro Diamond Yellow Gold Swirl Cocktail Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Gram weight: 5.5 This charming Retro era ring from the 1940s features an old European cut diamond
Category

Vintage 1940s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Mid-Century 2.33 CTW Diamond Platinum Vintage Domed Swirl Cocktail Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
diamonds with swirl surround Channel set with graduated baguette cut diamonds Weighing approximately 2.33
Category

Vintage 1950s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

10K Yellow Gold 2.0 Cttw Channel Set Diamond Cocktail Swirl Band Ring
Located in New York, NY
Imbued with the timeless allure of 10k yellow gold, this exquisite cocktail swirl band ring
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold

LeVian 14K White Gold Aqua Chocolate Brown Round Diamond New Swirl Cocktail Ring
By Le Vian
Located in Great Neck, NY
LeVian 14K White Gold Aqua Chocolate Brown Round Diamond New Swirl Cocktail Ring
Category

2010s Fashion Rings

Vintage 14k Gold 5.41ct GIA Round Diamond Swirl Cocktail w/ Ruby Insert Ring Set
Located in Montclair, NJ
Here we have an absolutely magnificent vintage cocktail ring and insert set that was crafted from
Category

Vintage 1960s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold

Mandarin Garnet Diamond Swirl 18 Karat Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Miami, FL
This unique well made garnet and diamond cocktail ring is crafted in 18-karat yellow gold, weighing
Category

Vintage 1980s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

2.00 Carat Diamond Yellow Gold Swirl Cocktail Cluster Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
Vintage 1960's swirl diamond cocktail ring. 2.00 carats of full cut diamonds in a 14k yellow gold
Category

Mid-20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

1.50 Carat Large Diamond Swirl Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
14k gold diamond swirl design with 29 full cut diamonds 1.50ct total. 1 full cut diamond, approx
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold

1.10 Carat Total Diamond and Sapphire Swirl Cocktail Ring in Platinum
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Gorgeous, contemporary style sapphire and diamond cocktail ring. This striking platinum ring
Category

20th Century Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

White Gold Diamond Cluster Cocktail Ring 14k Single Baguette 3.00ctw Swirl
Located in Greensboro, NC
- I2 Total Carats: 3.00ctw Style: Cluster Cocktail Theme: Swirl Measurements Face Height (north to
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

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Diamond Swirl Cocktail Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact diamond swirl cocktail ring you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Frequently made of Gold, 18k Gold and White Gold, this item was constructed with great care. You can easily find a 86 antique edition and 48 modern creations to choose from as well. You’re likely to find the perfect diamond swirl cocktail ring among the distinctive items we have available, which includes versions made as long ago as the 19th Century as well as those produced as recently as the 21st Century. Finding an appealing diamond swirl cocktail ring — no matter the origin — is easy, but Alberto, Cartier and Oscar Heyman each produced a popular version that is worth a look. A round cut version of this piece has appeal, but there are also oval cut and marquise cut versions for sale. If you’re browsing our inventory for a diamond swirl cocktail ring, 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 Swirl Cocktail Ring?

The price for a diamond swirl cocktail ring starts at $300 and tops out at $51,000 with these rings, on average, selling for $3,500.

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 Cocktail-rings for You

A flashy symbol of wealth during the early 20th century, antique and vintage cocktail rings have gained broader appeal in the decades since for the hefty dose of glamour they bring to any ensemble.

Cocktail rings earned their name for their frequent appearances during glitzy cocktail parties at the height of the Prohibition era. Back then, these accessories were seen not only as statement pieces but as statements in and of themselves. They openly represented a sense of freedom and independence as well as a demonstration of opulence. After all, the 1920s heralded the Harlem Renaissance and Art Deco design, and a slew of social and cultural shifts meant that women in particular were breaking from pre–World War I conventions and embracing newfound freedoms to express themselves as individuals.

Women expressly wore cocktail rings on the fingers of their right hand versus the left, which was “reserved” for an engagement ring or wedding band, accessories definitely paid for by a suitor. And for cocktail rings, the bigger the colored gem at the center — which is usually mounted in a high setting — and the more elaborate the design, the stronger the likelihood of being noticed.

Cocktail rings remained a popular piece of jewelry for women until the 1930s, when the Great Depression and the onset of war marked a change in behaviors nationwide. While the 1960s and ’70s saw a return in visibility for the accessory, it wasn’t until the 1980s that cocktail rings once again assumed their position as a beacon of luxury and glitz.

During the 20th century, the range of dazzling cocktail rings seems to have been limitless, from glimmering gold rings set with carved jade diamonds designed by David Webb to Pomellato’s pink quartz confections to striking Gucci butterfly rings with accent diamonds set in a pavé fashion.

So, how do you wear a cocktail ring? Cocktail rings “can be worn for almost anything — dinners, date nights, parties, special events, on the red carpet,” explains David Joseph of New York-based jewelry brand Bochic

Can you wear cocktail rings with other rings? “In my opinion, cocktail rings should stand on their own since they showcase a large gem in the center,” says Joseph.

These glamorous jewels can be worn inside or outside crowded taverns, in either daytime or nighttime with casual or dressy attire. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of antique and vintage cocktail rings, including those offered by Chanel, whose elegant cocktail rings often feature pearls and, of course, diamonds, and sometimes were styled after showy flowers like the camellia, and Van Cleef Arpels, whose detailed and intricate designs are viewed as miniature pieces of wearable art.