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Old European Cut Diamond Ruby Ring
Located in San Francisco, CA
diamonds and expertly cut rubies, forming a gorgeous "shield ring" design. The antique diamond has been
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold

Thai Ruby Old European Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
This ruby and diamond ring has been set in 18 karat rose gold and is of recent manufacture. The
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Platinum

Antique Ruby and Old European Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Bethesda, MD
by its bright red hue.    Surrounding the ruby are eight Old European cut diamonds
Category

Antique Early 1900s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold

Mid-Century 1.67ctw European Cut Diamonds Ruby Ring in Platinum
Located in Bloomington, MN
Mid-Century 1.67ctw European Cut Diamonds & Ruby Ring in Platinum Introducing this beautiful
Category

Mid-20th Century Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby

Platinum 1940 s Old European Cut Diamond and Ruby Ring – 2.20 Carats
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Rare Treasure: Toi et Moi Retro Diamond Ruby Ring in Platinum This one-of-a-kind Toi et
Category

Vintage 1940s European Retro Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby

18K Yellow Gold Antique Old European Style Ruby Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
European cushion cut diamonds, each carefully faceted to capture the light in a charming vintage style. The
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Estate 2.50 Carat European Cut Diamond Ruby Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A magnificent ring featuring a 2.50 carat European cut diamond that is bezel set in the center of
Category

Late 20th Century Band Rings

Materials

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

Floral Art Deco Old European Diamond Ruby Engagement Ring in Platinum
Located in Boston, MA
An Art Deco style flower form diamond, and ruby engagement ring in platinum. Centered by a 0.85
Category

Early 2000s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Old European Diamond Engagement Ring (Approx. 1.50-Carats) Ruby Halo, Platinum
Located in New York, NY
old European cut diamond, weighing Approx. 1.50-Carats. Cut in the 1910s, the diamond boasts a
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Art Deco Old European Cut Diamond Ruby Navette Ring
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco Old European Cut Diamond & Ruby Navette Ring A ring featuring old European cut diamonds
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

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

1920s 18k gold old European cut diamond and ruby engagement ring
Located in London, GB
European cut diamonds and 1.7 carats of old European cut rubies. The sides of the ring are beautifully
Category

Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Old European Diamond Engagement Ring (GIA Approx. 1.4-Carat) Ruby Halo, Platinum
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite engagement ring features a dazzling approx. 1.4-carat old European cut diamond
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Old European Cut Diamond Halo Ring (Approx. 2.10-Carats) w/ Rubies, Platinum
Located in New York, NY
A striking Art Deco ring centering an approximately 2.10-carat Old European cut diamond, graded J
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Hancocks 1.09ct Burma Ruby and Old European Cut Diamond Platinum Set Ring
By Hancocks
Located in London, GB
A beautiful platinum, ruby and diamond set ring by Hancocks, set flush to the centre with a lovely
Category

2010s British Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Early 20th Century 18kt Gold Ruby Old European Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Braintree, GB
a combination of natural rubies and old European cut diamonds. This antique ring captures the
Category

Vintage 1910s Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold

Vintage Rubies Diamond Ring
Located in Milano, MI
old cut diamonds - Calibrated rubies - Vintage Measurements - Length 2cm x Width 1.2cm - Weight 3.3gr
Category

20th Century European Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby

Antique Victorian 18k Yellow Gold Old European Diamond Ruby Engagement Ring GIA
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 18K Yellow Gold Old European Diamond Ruby Engagement Ring GIA. This
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold

Art Deco 6.43 CTW Old European Diamond Ruby Platinum X Engagement Ring GIA
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering an old European cut diamond weighing 3.75 carats - M color with VS2 clarity Set with wide
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Victorian 18K Yellow Gold Old European Cut Diamond and Ruby Snake Ring
Located in Cape May, NJ
Era: Victorian Estate Composition: 18K Yellow Gold Primary Stones: Three Old European Cut Diamonds
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco GIA 1.08 carat old European cut diamond ruby platinum engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This Art Deco platinum ring features a bold 1.08 carat old European cut diamond flanked by vivid
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Handcrafted White Old European Cut Diamond Ruby Yellow Gold Cocktail Snake Ring
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
White Old European Cut Diamond. This Ring has 0.37 Carats of White Brilliant Cut Diamonds. This Ring has
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

1960s European 18k gold, natural unheated ruby, diamond and onyx cocktail ring
Located in London, GB
This stunning 1960s cocktail ring is designed around a remarkable unheated natural ruby. It is
Category

Vintage 1960s European Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Ruby, 18k Gold

0.83 Carat Old European Cut Diamond and Ruby Platinum Ring, circa 1950s
Located in London, GB
open work details. It features an old European cut diamond weighing 0.83ct pavé set on its front edge
Category

Vintage 1950s French Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Edwardian Old European Cut Diamond and Ruby Plaque Ring 14k Rose Gold
Located in beverly hills, CA
detailing and openwork, showcasing a stunning combination of rubies and diamonds. At the center of the
Category

Early 20th Century Edwardian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Rose Gold

Vintage Retro 14K Rosy Gold GIA Old European Diamond Ruby Cocktail Tank Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
) Natural Genuine Diamonds - Round Brilliant & Old European Cut - Pave Set - 0.25ctw (approx.) (4) Rubies
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold

Circa 1900s Edwardian Natural Ruby and Old European Diamond Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Cushion Shape. Diamond Details: 2 Old European Cut Diamonds at .45ct each and 8 Additional Old Mine
Category

Early 20th Century Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

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

14K White Gold .80ct European Cut Diamond Ring with Ruby Halo size 6.75
Located in Big Bend, WI
14K white gold ring made in Art Deco style featuring diamonds and rubies. In the center an European
Category

Late 20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

Estate Art Deco Old Mine European Cut Ruby Diamond Pave Set Platinum Ring 6
Located in Miami, FL
Estate Art Deco Old Mine & European Cut Ruby & Diamond Pave Set Platinum Ring This previously
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Art Nouveau Style White Old European Cut Diamond Ruby Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
Carats of White Old European Cut Diamonds. This Ring has a 0.50 Carats Ruby. This Ring has 0.08 Carats of
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver

Art Nouveau Style White Old European Cut Diamond Ruby Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
Carats of White Old European Cut Diamonds. This Ring has a Central 1.10 Carats Ruby. This Ring has also
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Ruby, White Diamond, Diamond, Sterling Silver, Yellow Gold, 9k Gold

Art Nouveau Style White Old European Cut Diamond Ruby Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
Carats of White Old European Cut Diamonds. This Ring has a Central 0.50 Carats Ruby. This Ring has also
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver

Art Nouveau Style White Old European Cut Diamond Ruby Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
Carats of White Old European Cut Diamonds. This Ring has a 0.50 Carats Ruby. Size ITA: 18 USA: 8 1/4
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Ruby, White Diamond, Diamond, Sterling Silver, Yellow Gold, 9k Gold

Diamond and Ruby Ring in 14k White Gold — Old European Cut, Art Deco Style
Located in Chicago, IL
European-cut diamond and a vibrant natural ruby. The contrast between the diamond’s brilliance and the
Category

2010s American Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold

Lady Di Ruby Diamond Ring
Located in Antwerp, BE
YELLOW & WHITE GOLD RUBY & DIAMOND RING. MATERIAL: 18K yellow & white gold. SIZE: 56 1/2 WEIGHT
Category

20th Century European Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Art Deco Style Old European Diamond Ruby White Gold Bombe Target Engagement Ring
Located in Lisbon, PT
Art Deco style Old European brilliant-cut diamond and ruby bombe target engagement ring in 18 karat
Category

1990s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Antique Edwardian 18K Gold 2.28tgw Unheated Ruby Old European Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
An Edwardian unheated ruby, diamond, and yellow gold ring, comprising one large cushion shaped ruby
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1.05 Carat Old European Cut Diamond with Ruby Statement Ring in 18 Karat Gold
By Gems Paradise
Located in Jaipur, IN
1.05 Carat Old European Cut Diamond with Ruby Statement Ring in 18 Karat Gold This articulate
Category

2010s Indian Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold

1940s Ruby Diamond Flower Cluster Ring
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
An unusual Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring, ca. 1940s. Centring an old-cut diamond of ca. 0.85ct
Category

Vintage 1940s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby

Marquise diamond and ruby platinum ring
Located in Milano, MI
Elegant vintage ring set in platinum with marquise cut diamond of 0.50 ct c.a. of good commercial
Category

20th Century European Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Vintage 5 Stone Old European Cut Diamond and Ruby Gold Band Ring
Located in Montreal, QC
Simply Beautiful! Red Carpet Vintage 5-Stone Diamond and Ruby Statement Gold Band Ring. Finely
Category

Late 20th Century Modernist Band Rings

Materials

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

Edwardian pearl diamond ruby cocktail ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
European cut diamonds totaling approximately 2.40 carats and six calibre cut rubies weighing .30 carats
Category

Vintage 1910s Edwardian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Platinum

1940s Art Deco 1.01 Carat GIA Certified European Cut Diamond Ruby Platinum Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Here is an absolutely amazing and jaw dropping art deco engagement ring. The center diamond is a
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Diamond and Ruby Engagement Ring
Located in San Francisco, CA
Featuring the details of classic hand engraved rings, this engagement ring centers a European-cut
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Victorian Burma Ruby Diamond Marquee ring
Located in Napoli, IT
Spectacular marquee ring 1880 ca, displaying a stunning Burma ruby raising in opulent Diamond set Superb
Category

Antique 1880s European Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

0.87ct Ruby And Diamond Flower Ring
Located in Fatih, 34
Gold, White Gold • 0.37ct Natural Round Diamond • 0.55ct Natural Ruby • Diamond Color-Clarity: F-G
Category

2010s European Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold

1.08ct Diamond And Ruby Claw Ring
Located in Fatih, 34
Gold, White Gold • Gold GR: 4.30GR • 0.28ct Natural Diamond • 0.90ct Natural Ruby • Diamond Color
Category

2010s European Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold

Ruby and Diamond Cluster 2.98ct Ring
Located in Fatih, 34
Gold, White Gold • Gold GR: 3.85 • 0.18ct Natural Diamond • 2.80ct Natural Ruby • Diamond Color
Category

2010s European Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold

Ruby And Diamond Flower 0.33ct Ring
Located in Fatih, 34
Gold, White Gold • Gold GR: 2.43GR • 0.25ct Natural Diamond • 0.08ct Natural Ruby • Diamond Color
Category

2010s European Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold

Retro Diamond, Sapphire and Ruby Ring
Located in New Orleans, LA
composition is a 2.00-carat Old European cut diamond, complemented by rich blue sapphires totaling 1.75 carats
Category

20th Century Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Rose Gold, White Gold

Antique Diamond Ruby Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Berlin, DE
Antique Ring with 3 Diamonds and one Ruby 2 old european cut diamonds 1 pear cut diamond 1 pear
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Art Nouveau Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold

Retro 14k Diamond and Ruby Ring
Located in Narberth, PA
A gorgeous diamond and ruby ring from the Retro (ca1940s) era! Crafted in 14k yellow gold, the
Category

Vintage 1940s Retro Engagement Rings

Materials

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

White, brown diamond and ruby octopus ring
Located in London, GB
and brown diamonds. Its eyes and tentacles are accentuated with rubies. It is a striking piece with
Category

Vintage 1970s European Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Brown Diamond, Ruby

3 Rings, Diamonds, Emeralds, Ruby s, Sapphires
Located in Antwerp, BE
3 Rings ,Diamonds, Emeralds, Ruby's, Sapphires. Amazing Colors and Quality Diamonds : 2.4 Ct
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Artisan Engagement Rings

Materials

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

1940s cocktail ring with diamonds and rubies
Located in Milano, MI
Cocktail ring from the 1940s period set in 18kt gold with a pavè of round cut diamonds for circa
Category

Vintage 1940s European Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Estate Sapphire Ruby Diamond Infinity Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
infinity symbol in the middle overwhelmed by best Diamond quality and natural Sapphire and Ruby of the
Category

Mid-20th Century European Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Art Deco Ruby and Diamond Dress Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a striking Art Deco dress ring. This oversized piece showcases a rich red ruby at the
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Antique 1.05 Carat Diamond and Ruby Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
natural rubies and a very high color graded old cut diamond. The ring is an excellent gauge of gold and is
Category

Antique Early 1900s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

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European Diamond Ruby Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

On 1stDibs, you can find the most appropriate european diamond ruby ring for your needs in our varied inventory. Each design created in this style — which was crafted with great care and often made from gold, 18k gold and yellow gold — can elevate any look. You can easily find a 1219 antique edition and 143 modern creations to choose from as well. Finding the perfect european diamond ruby ring may mean sifting through those created during different time periods — you can find an early version that dates to the 18th Century and a newer variation that were made as recently as the 21st Century. For this particular piece, .5 carat and 1 carat are consistently popular carat weights. A european diamond ruby ring from Luigi Ferrara, Peter Suchy and Tiffany Co. — each of whom created a beautiful version of this treasured accessory — is worth considering. Today, if you’re looking for an old european cut version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes brilliant cut and round cut alternatives. Most of our european diamond ruby ring for sale are for women, but there are 338 pieces available to browse for men.

How Much is a European Diamond Ruby Ring?

Prices for a european diamond ruby ring can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $136 and can go as high as $495,000, while this accessory, on average, fetches $4,073.

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.