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1990 s Vintage 4.40 Carats Old European Diamond Ruby Platinum Circular Halo Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Circular cluster ring centers an old mine cut diamond weighing approximately 3.40 carats - H color
Category

1990s Contemporary Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

1990 s Vintage 4.40 Carats Old European Diamond Ruby Platinum Circular Halo Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Circular cluster ring centers an old mine cut diamond weighing approximately 3.40 carats - H color
Category

1990s Contemporary Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Antique Mens 14K Gold 1.12ct Old European Diamond Ruby Bezel Gypsy Band Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
Here we have an all original ring with a super fiery old European cut diamond center flush burnish
Category

Vintage 1930s Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco 14K White Gold Old European Cut Diamond Ruby Ring, circa 1920s
Located in Cape May, NJ
Era: Art Deco 1920's Composition: 14K White Gold Primary Stone: Old European Cut Diamond Stone
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold

Antique Victorian 18K Yellow Gold Old European Diamond and Ruby Three Stone Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 18K Yellow Gold Old European Diamond and Ruby Three Stone Ring. This
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Unknown Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold

18 Karat Gold 3.90 Carat Old European Cut Diamond and Ruby Ring
Located in Webster, NY
Vintage old european cut diamond ring with square cut ruby accents. Center Diamond Carat Weight
Category

20th Century Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Gauthier 18 Karat Yellow Gold Round European Cut Diamond and Ruby Structure Ring
By Scott Gauthier
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: Gauthier Material: 18K yellow gold Diamond: round European cut = 4.34cttw Color: G
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Old European Cut Diamond Ruby 18 Karat Yellow Gold Platinum Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Art Deco Old European Cut Diamond Ruby 18 Karat Yellow Gold Platinum Ring. Featuring one old
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Platinum

Cushion Ruby Diamond Platinum Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
1915 handmade open work Platinum ring with natural Ruby and old European cut diamonds.Shows minor
Category

Vintage 1910s Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

18K Yellow Gold Platinum 1.14 Carat Burma Ruby Old European Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Cape May, NJ
: 6214249648 Accent Stone: Ten Old European Cut Diamonds Carat Weight: Approximately 2.0 Carats in Total
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Victorian Old European Cut Diamond Ruby 10 Karat Yellow Gold Antique Snake Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
European cut diamond bezel set in the head Weighing approximately 0.45 carat - H color with VS2 clarity
Category

Antique 1870s Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold

Edwardian 0.84 Carat Ruby Old European Cut Diamond Platinum 18 Karat Gold Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
. Transparent purplish red in color with medium saturation. Surrounded by old European cut diamonds weighing
Category

Vintage 1910s Edwardian Cluster Rings

Materials

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

1940 s Old European Diamond Ruby 14 Karar Rose Gold Retro Vintage Cocktail Ring
Located in Boca Raton, FL
This 1940's Retro diamond and ruby ring highlights an Old European cut diamond weighing
Category

Mid-20th Century Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Rose Gold

Art Deco Style White Old European Cut Diamond Ruby Yellow Gold Band Ring
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
Old European Cut Diamond. This Ring has 0.65 Carats of Rubies. Size ITA: 17 USA: 8 We're a workshop
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Band Rings

Materials

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

Edwardian Ruby and Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
This Edwardian ruby and diamond ring is crafted in platinum, weighing 5.44 grams and in size 6.5
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Retro French 1.70 Carats Old European Cut Diamonds Ruby 18 Karat Gold Tank Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Retro French 1.70 Carats Old European Cut Diamonds Ruby 18 Karat Gold Tank Ring. Featuring four
Category

Vintage 1940s French Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, 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 0.50 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 1.10 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

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

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

Tiffany Co Victorian 1.08 Carats Ruby Old European Cut Diamond Toi Et Moi Ring
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a bypass ring terminating with a round cut ruby and old European cut diamond. Ruby
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco 2.80 Carat Old European Cut Diamond Ruby Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
, geometric shapes and technological advances. Featuring an approximately 2.80 carat old European cut diamond
Category

Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Style 1.64 Carat Old European Cut Diamond, Ruby and Onyx Ring
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
important element. The center old European cushion cut diamond weighs 1.64 carats and grades as K color with
Category

Late 20th Century More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Ruby, Platinum

Victorian 18K Gold 2.21 Carat Burma Ruby Old European Diamond Three Stone Ring
Located in Cape May, NJ
yellow gold. Adorned with a 2.21 carat Old European cut natural Burma ruby and two dazzling Old European
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold

Art Deco 14k Two Tone Vintage Old European Cut Diamonds and Ruby Statement Ring
Located in Addison, TX
edges, in the center of the rectangle is vibrant ruby baguettes and two old European cut diamonds. Pops
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Fashion Rings

Materials

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

Antique Diamond Ruby Gold Ring
Located in Toronto, ON
Antique 18K Diamond and Ruby Ring, C. 1900. The Ring set with three old cut diamonds, total diamond
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold

Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Kilkenny, IE
Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring A classic design with a floral look, this ruby is of superior
Category

2010s European Late Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

1.25 Carat Old European Cushion Cut Fancy Light Yellow Diamond Ruby Halo Ring
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
finished with an intricate filigree undergallery and white diamonds on the shoulders. The center old
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Bridal Rings

Materials

Yellow Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Art Deco GIA 1.16 Carat Old European Cut Diamond Ruby Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
. Featuring a 1.16 carat old European cut diamond that is GIA certified as K color, VVS2 clarity. Accentuated
Category

Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Vintage Ruby and diamond ring
Located in Uccle, BE
Vintage ruby and diamond gold 18 Karat ring. Very delicate ring set with a center cushion ruby of
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Estate Diamond and Ruby Engagement Ring
Located in San Francisco, CA
A charming ring featuring an old European-cut diamond weighing 0.82 carat, graded G-H color and VS
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Edwardian Ruby Old European Cut Diamond Platinum-Topped 18 Karat Gold Band Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
color. Flanked East to West by old European cut diamond weighing approximately 0.22 carat total Eye
Category

Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Band Rings

Materials

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

Antique Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
European cut diamond sits at the centre of the face in a milgrain setting and is framed by single row of
Category

Vintage 1920s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

1.80 Carat Old European Cut Diamond and 1.10 Carat Ruby White Gold Ring
Located in Chevy Chase, MD
This is a gorgeous and unique Diamond and Ruby 18 karat white gold ring. The center diamond is a
Category

Late 20th Century American Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold

Original Diamond and Ruby Leaf Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Original diamond and ruby leaf ring featuring a lively red ruby with an estimated weight of one
Category

20th Century American More Rings

Materials

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

Natural Ruby and Diamond Art Deco Ring
By Glorious Antique Jewelry Collection
Located in Stamford, CT
Flanked by a chevron of natural rubies a .35 kt Old European cut diamond sits high, proudly in its
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby

Ruby Diamond Ring, 18K Yellow Gold, Ring, Stackable
Located in McLeansville, NC
A British Art Deco 18 karat yellow gold ruby and diamond ring. This stackable band features a
Category

Vintage 1930s Band Rings

Materials

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

Edwardian Ruby and Diamond Five Stone Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a wonderful ruby and diamond ring dating back to the early 20th century. The ring
Category

Antique Early 1900s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Victorian Ruby and Diamond Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a classically styled three-stone ruby and diamond ring. This antique piece has been
Category

Antique 19th Century Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a delightfully crafted ruby and diamond ring dating back to the Victorian period. A
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Victorian Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a delightfully crafted ruby and diamond ring dating back to the Victorian period. A
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Vintage ruby and diamond ring flower design
Located in Milano, MI
Vintage ring set in 18ct white gold, with round cut diamonds for 0.60 ct c.a. and natural rubies
Category

20th Century European Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique 1911 Ruby Diamond 18ct Gold Ring
Located in London, GB
Antique 18ct gold ring from 1911. The ring is set with three rubies and two diamonds. A classic
Category

Early 20th Century English Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Georgian Ruby and Diamond Heart Ring
Located in London, GB
This is a truly beautiful and rare ruby ring from the Georgian era. The ruby has a rich red hue
Category

Antique Early 1800s English Georgian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

.63 Carat Diamond Ruby Halo Handmade Platinum Ring
Located in Cape May, NJ
Main Stone: Diamond Composition: Platinum Cut: Old European Cut Carat: .63 Color: H/I Clarity
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

1950s Retro Ruby Diamond Gold Platinum Ring
Located in Bethesda, MD
features a center Old European Cut diamond that weighs .72 carats and is J color and VS1 clarity. There are
Category

Vintage 1950s American Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Platinum

Edwardian 0.91 Carat Oval Cut Ruby Old European Cut Diamond 3-Stone Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edwardian era 0.91 Carat Oval Cut Ruby & Old European Cut Diamond 3-Stone Ring composed of 18k
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Ruby and Diamond Target Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a marvellous ruby and diamond target ring crated at a time when the Art Deco style was
Category

Vintage 1930s European Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Ruby and Diamond Target Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a lovely ruby and diamond target ring crafted at a time when the Art Deco style was at
Category

20th Century Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

French Estate Ruby and Diamond ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
French, GIA certified, old european cut diamond and ruby cocktail ring. This stunnning piece of
Category

Vintage 1940s French Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Antique ruby and diamond cluster ring, circa 1911.
Located in London, GB
Antique ruby and diamond cluster ring. Set to centre with a round old cut diamond in an open back
Category

Vintage 1910s Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Antique Ruby Diamond Ring Victorian Period 10.62 Grams
Located in Media, PA
This is a gorgeous 14 karat rose gold, diamond and Ruby ring. It is an antique ring most likely
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby

Edwardian Unheated Burma Ruby Diamond Gold Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
shaped French import mark. The ruby and diamond top measures 20 x 18 mm (3/4 x 11/16 in.) Ring size 6
Category

Early 20th Century Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby

Art Deco Ruby and Diamond Target Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a exquisite Art Deco cluster ring featuring a centralised old European cut diamond
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Antique ring with oval ruby and diamonds.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique ring with oval ruby ​​and diamonds. A gold ring with a sophisticated form, made of 18
Category

Mid-20th Century European Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Vintage Natural Burma Ruby Diamond Engraved Gold Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
center a natural Burma Ruby 0.80 carat, and surrounded by colorless round brilliant cut diamonds, 0,12
Category

Vintage 1980s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k 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.