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Art Deco Ruby, Diamond Platinum Three-Stone Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
"pigeon blood" Burmese ruby and two Old European cut diamonds. The piece was created in Europe in the 1920
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Art Deco Ruby and Diamond Half Eternity Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
A superb Art Deco ruby and diamond Half Eternity Band. A row each of fantastic rubies and diamonds
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

2.95 Carat Ruby Ring 0.23 Carat Diamond 18 Karat Gold
Located in Bad Kissingen, DE
18 k red gold hallmarked 18 k middle 2,95 ct ruby side 1,94 ct ruby in banquet cut 0,23 ct diamond
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Fashion Rings

Materials

18k Gold

Belle Epoque Certified Burma Ruby No Heat Diamond Engraved Gold Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
No Heat Ruby 1.29 carat, and surrounded by two colorless round old mine cut diamonds, 0,20 carats
Category

Vintage 1910s European Belle Époque Three-Stone Rings

Materials

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

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

Antique 1890s Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

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

Antique Victorian 14K Yellow Gold Silver Top Old Cut Diamond Ruby Sapphire Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 14K Yellow Gold Silver Top Old Cut Diamond Ruby Sapphire Ring. This
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Victorian Platinum 18 Karat Gold Old Euro and Old Mine Cut Diamond Ruby Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Gorgeous antique ring with old mine and old euro cut diamonds with a ruby as the center stone
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Victorian More Rings

Materials

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

Antique Victorian 14 Karat Yellow Gold Synthetic Ruby and Diamond 3-Stone Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Victorian Yellow Gold three stone ring with synthetic ruby center and old cut diamonds on either
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Retro 1940s 1.30 Carat Diamond Crossover Ring
Located in London, GB
This is a Vintage 18ct yellow gold diamond crossover ring. The ring has been set with a central
Category

Vintage 1940s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold

1900 s Victorian Two Tone 18K Antique Three Stone Ruby Shield Ring
Located in Addison, TX
Here we have a classic Victorian beauty, this three stone ruby ring is a beautiful work of art in
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Tiffany Co. Ruby and Diamond Three Stone in Yellow Gold and Platinum
By Tiffany Co.
Located in London, England
A beautiful ruby and diamond trilogy engagement ring set in 18k yellow gold and platinum. This
Category

2010s European Contemporary Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Headline Art Deco Diamond Platinum Toi et Moi 18 Karat White Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
European cut diamond, graded S-T color, VS1 clarity, and one round ruby of approximately 1.25 carats
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Edwardian French 1.16 CTW Diamond Platinum 18 Karat Gold Snake Engagement Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering an old European cut diamond weighing approximately 1.16 carat total - J color with VS2
Category

Vintage 1910s Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

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

C.1860 18k 5 Stone Romantic Message Ring ADORE
Located in Baltimore, MD
gemstone in the following linear pattern: Amethyst-Diamond-Opal-Ruby-Emerald. Like their sister rings
Category

Antique 19th Century European Victorian More Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Ruby

Antique Austro-Hungarian Gold Ring
Located in London, GB
sapphire, an old cut diamond, and a ruby - horizontally aligned in a French flag formation. Each of the
Category

Early 20th Century Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold

Convertible Victorian Opal Ruby Diamond Silver Gold Ring Pendant
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
, rendered in silver over yellow gold, combines old European cut diamonds with cabochon opals and faceted
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Opal, Ruby, Silver, Yellow Gold

European 1980s cabochon ruby and diamond cocktail ring
Located in London, GB
This outstanding natural cabochon ruby ring adorned with approximately 2 carats of VS quality F-G
Category

Vintage 1980s European Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Art Deco European Cut Diamond Ruby Double Halo Ring in Platinum
Located in Boston, MA
An Art Deco style French cut ruby, and European cut diamond double halo ring in platinum. Centered
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

GIA Certified Art Deco Old European Rubies Diamond Double Prong Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
A gorgeous GIA diamond and ruby halo engagement ring setting! This unique ring was inspired by the
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold

Circa 1920s 14K Yellow Gold Old European Diamond and Ruby Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
] Weight: 3.60 grams Diamond Details: .90ct, total weight. Old Mine and Old European Brilliant cut diamonds
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco Style Platinum Old European Cut Diamond and Ruby Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Art Deco style platinum Old European cut diamond and ruby ring. Showcasing 20 Old European cut
Category

20th Century Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Edwardian Platinum and Ruby and Old European Cut Diamond K Initial Monogram Ring
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian Platinum and Ruby and Old European Cut Diamond K Initial Monogram Ring c.1910 4.7 grams
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Genuine Ruby Ring, Ruby and Diamonds Gold Ring, Flower Design Ruby Ring
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
Genuine ruby ring. Ruby and diamonds gold ring. Flower design ruby ring. 14 kt yellow gold ring
Category

2010s European Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow 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

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

Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Band Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco Style .80 Carat Old European Cut Diamond Platinum Ruby Double Halo Ring
Located in Addison, TX
european cut diamond is gorgeous adding the filigree work around the gallery, the double ruby halo and the
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Antique 2 Carat Ruby and 0.65 Carat Old European Diamond Ring, circa Early 1900
Located in Miami, FL
approximately 2.00 carats, framed with 14 natural earth mined old European cut diamonds weighing approximately
Category

Mid-20th Century Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow 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

1930s .35 Carat Old European Diamond Ruby Two Color Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Here we have an amazing piece from the 1930's. The center diamond is an awesome old european cut
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold

Antique Russian Ruby Diamond Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
circa 1910 The ring is designed as a stylized flower centered with a bezel set Old European cut
Category

20th Century Edwardian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby

Antique Platinum 18K Gold Oval Cabochon Ruby European Diamond Halo Cocktail Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
from solid 18k yellow gold with a platinum top. The ring features an oval cabochon cut ruby at its
Category

Vintage 1910s Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

Platinum and Rose Gold Old European Diamond Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Spectacular rose gold and platinum ring from the retro era featuring 18 old European cut diamonds
Category

20th Century American Retro More Rings

Materials

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

Antique Diamond and Ruby Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
crafted in 14KT yellow gold and features.64CT old-European cut diamonds and one .16CT old-European cut
Category

Antique 1890s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Piaget White Gold Ruby Diamond Possession Ring
By Piaget
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An 18k white gold ruby and diamond set ring by Piaget from the Possession collection. The ring
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold

Old Cut Diamond Engagement Ring Ruby Platinum
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautiful ring with an amazing old European cut diamond weighing 1.05 ct. The frame is in platinum
Category

2010s Unknown Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Art Deco Style Diamond Ruby Onyx Platinum Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
: 6.44 This modern platinum ring, styled after Art Deco, features a 0.90-carat old European cut diamond
Category

20th Century Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Ruby, Platinum

Antique Platinum Ruby and Diamond Full Eternity Band Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
modelled in platinum. The ruby total is 45pts and the diamond total is 30pts. Ring Size: N or 6 3/4 Band
Category

Vintage 1920s European Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Edwardian Diamond Ruby Platinum Filigree Antique Basket Engagement Ring
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
with a fiery and sparkling old European brilliant diamond of over 1/2 carat. The French-cut ruby swags
Category

Early 20th Century Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Retro Ruby Diamond White and Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Geneva, CH
Retro Ruby calibrated and old mine cut Diamond on White and Yellow Gold Ring. Circa 1940. Ring size
Category

Vintage 1940s European Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Russian 1910s Ruby and Old Mine Cut Diamond Ring
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
. Gemstones: Diamonds: natural Ruby: synthetic 3. Design & Style: engagement ring 4. Cut & Shape: Old mine
Category

Vintage 1910s European Russian Empire Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold

Antique Burma Ruby and Diamond Ring, c. 1885
Located in Aspen, CO
Antique yellow gold ring centering Burma Rubies and diamonds. This charming antique rose gold ring
Category

Antique Late 19th Century American High Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold

Edwardian 18 Carat and Platinum Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
A wonderful antique Edwardian ruby and diamond cluster ring. Centrally set with a stunning red ruby
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

Edwardian Ruby Diamond Platinum-Topped 18 Karat Gold Dinner Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
by a halo of calibrè cut rubies weighing in total approximately 0.55 carat With old European diamond
Category

Vintage 1910s Edwardian Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Antique Victorian Enamel Diamond Ruby Gold Snake Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
of the snake is embellished with nine old European cut diamonds set in silver. The eyes are set with
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Enamel

Vintage Ruby Diamond 14 Karat Yellow Gold Triple Snake Band Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
set old European and round brilliant cut diamonds Weighing approximately 0.16 carat total - eye clean
Category

20th Century Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold

Estate 18 K Yellow Gold Platinum Art Deco Style Ruby and Old European Cut Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Estate 18K yellow gold and platinum Art Deco style ruby and Old European cut diamond swirl ring
Category

20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Rossi 1960s Diamond Ruby 18 Karat Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A colorful mix of rubies and diamonds set in a golden filigreed ring. Featuring 23 modern brilliant
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Edwardian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Burma No Heat Pigeon Blood SSEF Certified Ruby and Diamond Ring
By DA Jewellery
Located in Banbury, GB
, Ring Size UK: N, US: 6.5-7, Total Ruby Weight: 1.1ct Total Diamond Weight:1.2ct, 18K White Gold, Box
Category

2010s Unknown Edwardian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold

18k Gold Circa 1990s Natural Diamond And Ruby Decorated Band Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
vs-s1 clarity and H color. Totally is ruby about 0.40 ct. Ring size is US 6.5 (We offer free resizing
Category

1990s European Retro Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Vintage Circa 1980s 18k Gold Natural Diamond And Ruby Decorated Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
has G color and vs clarity. Totally is ruby 1.20 ct. Ring size is US 8 (We offer free resizing) We can
Category

Vintage 1980s European Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Vintage Circa 1970s 14k Gold Natural Diamond And Ruby Decorated Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
Brown color and vs clarity. Totally is ruby about 1.10 ct. Ring size is US 7 (We offer free resizing
Category

Vintage 1970s European Retro Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold

Vintage Circa 1990s 14k Gold Natural Diamond And Ruby Decorated Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
color and vs-s1 clarity. Totally is ruby 0.70 ct. Ring size is US 5.5 (We offer free resizing) We can
Category

1990s European Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold

Vintage Circa 1980s 18k Gold Natural Diamond And Ruby Decorated Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
is has H color and s1-s2-s3-Pique clarity. Totally is ruby about 0.35 carat. Ring size is US 7 We
Category

Vintage 1980s European Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Vintage Circa 1980s 18k Gold Natural Diamond And Ruby Decorated Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
is has H color and vs-s1. Totally is ruby 0.40 carat. Ring size is US 5.2 (We offer free resizing
Category

Vintage 1980s European Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Antique Circa 1900s 18k Gold Natural Diamond And Ruby Decorated Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
. Totally is all diamond 0.60 carat. The diamond is has H-I color and vs-s1 clarity. Totally is ruby 0.65
Category

Antique Early 1900s European Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Antique Halo Ring natural Ruby Diamonds solid 14K Gold ØUS5 / 4.8gr
Located in SE
20 - 23K) Gold decorated with natural Ruby and Diamonds. European, ca. 1920s - 1930s, band
Category

Vintage 1920s European Art Nouveau Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold

Victorian Ruby and Diamond Five-Stone Ring in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
An Incredible Five Stone Ring from the Victorian period, boasting a pair of sublime rubies amongst
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 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.