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Antique 18K Ruby half hoop Ring C.1890
Located in Toronto, ON
Antique Victorian five stone half hoop Ruby and Diamond 18K Ring, C.1890 The Ring comprising of
Category

Antique 1890s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Ruby, 18k Gold

Van Cleef and Arpels, No-Heat, Burma Ruby Ring - AGL Certified
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Van Cleef and Arpels, platinum, ruby ring. Center stone is one ( 1 ) oval, cabochon cut, no heat
Category

Mid-20th Century Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Eternity Band with Ruby and Diamonds in 14K White Gold
Located in LA, CA
. Condition is good. The ring features a continuous series of rubies and diamond bezels set within a five
Category

21st Century and Contemporary North American Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

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

1900s Antique Diamond and Multi-Gemstone Rose Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
collections This stunning, fine and impressive diamond, ruby and sapphire ring has been crafted in 18k rose
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Stylish 0.68ct Gemstones and Diamonds Eternity Ring in 14K White Gold
Located in רמת גן, IL
. Adding a vibrant touch are five round brilliant rubies totaling 0.25ct in a red hue, and five round
Category

2010s Singaporean Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Van Cleef Arpels Four Gemset and Gold Stacking Rings
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Four 18 carat gold stacking rings, each respectively set with five diamonds, rubies, emeralds and
Category

Vintage 1980s French Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Flower Cluster Multi Gem Set Gold Ring
Located in London, GB
A five stone multi gem set ring, set in a flower cluster, including a diamond, ruby, emerald
Category

Early 20th Century Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Gold

Antique Ruby and Diamond 18 Karat Ring, circa 1900
Located in Toronto, ON
Antique Victorian five stone half hoop Ruby and Diamond 18K Ring, C.1900. The Ring comprising of
Category

Antique 19th Century British More Jewelry

Vintage 1980s Ruby and Diamond Yellow Gold Pendant
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive vintage 1980s 0.68 carat ruby and 0.30 carat diamond, 18 karat yellow gold pendant
Category

Vintage 1980s Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage GIA Thailand No Heat Ruby Diamond Earrings
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Pair of Vintage GIA Thailand No Heat Ruby Diamond Earrings. Featuring two oval mixed cut
Category

Vintage 1980s Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, White Gold

Garrard Co Vintage 2.06ct Ruby and Diamond Earrings, c.1990s
By Garrard Co. Ltd.
Located in London, GB
'. Each earring has five pear shaped rubies and five round brilliant cut diamonds surrounding a central
Category

1990s Unknown Modern More Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Art Deco 3.60ct Diamond and Ruby Target Drop Earrings, c.1930s
Located in London, GB
from a hinge back, five old cut diamonds totalling 0.35 carat elegantly fall down to the target style
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

Ruby Sapphire Diamond Flower Pendant Enhancer, 14k Yellow White Gold
Located in McLeansville, NC
Add a little sparkle to your look with this stunning 5.25ctw Ruby Sapphire Diamond Flower Pendant
Category

1990s Pendant Necklaces

Materials

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

Antique 2.80 Carat Ruby and 0.28 Carat Diamond Yellow Gold Heart Pendant Locket
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive 2.80 carat ruby and 0.28 carat diamond, 18 karat yellow gold heart
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold

8.30Ct Emerald, Ruby, Diamond and Seed Pearl, 18k Yellow Gold Pendant
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique 8.30 carat natural emerald, ruby, diamond and seed pearls
Category

Vintage 1920s Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Natural Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Bulgari Necklace Bracelet Set 18k Gold Ruby Diamond Bvlgari Estate Jewel
By Bulgari
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A classic vintage Bulgari set from Doppio Cuore collection, made of 18 karat gold, ruby and diamond
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian More Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Retro Mauboussin Trabert Hoeffer Ruby and Diamond Gold Bangle, circa 1940s
By Trabert Hoeffer Mauboussin
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
Retro Trabert & Hoeffer Mauboussin Ruby and Diamond Gold Bangle, ca. 1940s An iconic gold bangle
Category

Vintage 1940s American Retro Clamper Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold

Tiffany Co. Retro Brooch Pendant 14k Gold Ruby Diamond Pin Estate Jewelry
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
perimeter. There are five white gold branches of diamonds staged around the ruby cluster. The reverse of
Category

Vintage 1940s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold

Pearl, 2.95 Carat Emerald Ruby, 3.15 Carat Diamond and 9k Yellow Gold Collarette
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
safety chain and spring ring clasp. This late 1800s collarette is supplied with an independent diamond
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian More Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

Herbert Rosenthal 1960 Bee Brooch in 18kt Yellow Gold 2.34 Ctw Diamonds Rubies
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Miami, FL
colorless diamonds and vivid red rubies. It is fitted at the reverse with a hinged pin bar and a mechanical
Category

Vintage 1960s American Modernist Brooches

Materials

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

Art Deco 1920 Mughal Tutti Frutti Necklace Silver 303.69 Cts Gemstone And Pearls
Located in Miami, FL
. The stone is drilled and fitted with a drawer-type cylinder with a push lock. It is embellished with
Category

Vintage 1920s English Art Deco Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Onyx, Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Tourmaline, Fluorite, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow...

Vintage 18 Carat Gold Diamond and Ruby Five-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
An exquisite vintage five-stone ring set with diamonds and rubies. The central diamonds measures 45
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian 18 Carat Gold Ruby and Diamond Five-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
A stunning five-stone ring from the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Set with two beautiful old
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Late Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 9 Carat Gold Ruby Five-Stone Ring with Diamond Points
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
A superb vintage five-stone ring set with approximately 0.7 carats of round cut rubies. The rubies
Category

Vintage 1960s British Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

Estate Ruby Diamond Gold Five Stone Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
: 18k white gold GEM STONE: Ruby 1.00 carats, Diamond, 0.50 total carats RING SIZE: US 5 - IT 10 - FR
Category

Mid-20th Century Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Antique Five-Stone Ruby Ring with Diamonds
Located in Baltimore, MD
Exceptional antique ring; It is English, Victorian, set with 5 natural, Cushion Cut, Burmese
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Victorian Five Stone Ruby Diamond Gold Ring circa 1880s
Located in London, GB
Set to centre an old cut diamond, this quintessential Victorian era five stone ring is set with
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Alternating Emerald Cut Ruby and Diamond Five-Stone Ring
By Roman Malakov
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and color-rich 5-stone ring showcasing emerald cut diamonds, spaced by emerald cut
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Roman Malakov Five-Stone Ruby and Diamond Halo Ring
By Roman Malakov
Located in New York, NY
A contemporary piece of jewelry showcasing five color-rich oval cut rubies, set in a floating
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold

Edwardian Ruby and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Set in this glossy 18ct gold ring are three rubies and two diamonds. The two diamonds measure 15pts
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold

Edwardian Ruby and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
The three rubies in this five stone are a gorgeous red/pink and Toal 25pts. The diamonds total
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold

Vintage Ruby and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Set in this glossy 18ct gold ring are three Diamonds and two Rubies. The central diamond measures
Category

Vintage 1980s British Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold

Edwardian Ruby and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Set in this glossy 18ct gold ring are three rubies and two diamonds. The two diamonds measure 20pts
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold

Edwardian Ruby and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Set in this glossy 18ct gold ring are three rubies and two diamonds. The two diamonds measure 20pts
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold

Edwardian Ruby and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Set in this glossy 18ct gold ring are three rubies and two diamonds. The two diamonds measure 5pts
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold

Antique 2.80Ct Ruby and Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Five Stone Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
fineness mark (18CT). This impressive five stone ring is supplied with an IDGL diamond and gemstone
Category

Vintage 1910s Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold

Victorian Antique Ruby and Diamond Five-Stone 18 Karat Gold Ring
Located in Banbury, GB
), and can be re-sized free of charge. STONES Rubies: 0.6ct - 0.75ct Old Cut Diamonds: about 0.3 ct
Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k 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

Late Edwardian 18 kt. Yellow gold five-stone ruby and diamond ring
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique Late Edwardian 18 kt. Yellow gold five-stone ruby and diamond ring. Made in England
Category

Vintage 1910s British Edwardian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold

Vintage Ruby and Diamond Five Stone Ring Set in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in London, England
A beautiful ruby and diamond five stone ring set in 18k yellow gold. The ring is set with exactly
Category

1990s Unknown Retro Bridal Rings

Materials

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

Victorian Ruby, Emerald and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Five Stone Gypsy Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
ruby and Emerald that sit either side of this stone measure 10pts and the outer diamonds measure 7pts
Category

Antique 1890s British Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Emerald, Gold

Victorian Diamond and Ruby Five Stone Stackable Ring in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
Located in Fairfield, CT
Victorian 18 Karat Ruby and Diamond Five Stone Stackable Ring This 18 karat yellow gold Victorian
Category

Antique 1870s Victorian Band Rings

Materials

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

White Gold Ruby Diamond Band 14k Oval Marq 1.86ctw Graduated Five-Stone Ring
Located in Greensboro, NC
White Gold Ruby & Diamond Band 14k Oval & Marq 1.86ctw Graduated Five-Stone Ring Stone Information
Category

20th Century Band Rings

Materials

Ruby, White Gold

Ruby Tulip Ring, Flower Ring, Natural Ruby, Rope Band, 6 Ruby Cluster Rubies
By Five Star Jewelry
Located in Austin, TX
The adorable ruby and diamond tulip ring is a classic flower design that has been worn for
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Diamond and Ruby Carat 18 Carat Gold Five-Stone Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This gorgeous and delicate ring holds five stones. The centre ruby measures 7pts and the two
Category

Antique 1880s British Victorian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold

Edwardian Certified Natural Ruby and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Five-Stone Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
The certified natural rubies in this five sone ring are a gorgeous pink colour and so bright and
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold

Emerald Cut Ruby and Diamond Ring 4.40 Carat Ruby in 14k Yellow Gold
By Five Star Jewelry
Located in Austin, TX
comforting warmth of love in a relationship. The details for this elegant ruby and diamond ring are listed
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Ruby and Diamond Marquise Ring 14K Yellow Gold Openwork Swirls (LV), circa 1975
By Five Star Jewelry
Located in Austin, TX
Luxurious openwork filigree and flourishes create the backdrop for this gorgeous ruby and diamond
Category

Vintage 1970s American Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

14K Gold 1ct Five Oval Ruby Vintage Band Ring
Located in เกาะสมุย, TH
Ruby: Natural, oval cut, pinkish red, heat-treated, 1 total carats. Diamonds: - 2.7 grams Ring face
Category

20th Century Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold

Antique 18ct Gold, Victorian 5 Stone Emerald, Ruby Diamond Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
-stone gypsy ring is a true work of art. The centre emerald, two diamonds, and two rubies are set in
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold

C1860 18K Victorian Five Stone "ADORE" Ring
Located in Baltimore, MD
This is an unusual classic Victorian five stone ADORE ring : our ADORE ring spells out the first
Category

Antique 1860s English Victorian Band Rings

Materials

18k Gold

Antique Belle Époque 18ct Gold Platinum Illusion Set Diamond Five Stone Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Diamond Five Stone Ring 18ct Gold & Platinum Circa 1920s This exquisite Rose Cut
Category

Early 20th Century European Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Burma Ruby Diamond Platinum Ring
Located in Aspen, CO
This buckle motif ring possesses five fancy cut Burma rubies and eight round brilliant cut diamonds
Category

20th Century American Retro More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Vintage 1970s Ruby Diamond Cluster 18kt Gold Ring
Located in Miami, FL
About This Piece Make a bold, timeless statement with this stunning vintage ruby and diamond
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Contemporary Cluster Rings

Materials

Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold

Antique Victorian 1.67Ct Ruby and 2.85Ct Diamond Rose Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
antique ruby and diamond ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold. The pierced decorated rectangular
Category

Antique 1890s French Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Edwardian No-Heat Burma Ruby and Diamond Ring Over 3.25 Carats
Located in Northampton, MA
This spectacular Edwardian no-heat Burma ruby and diamond ring features a crisp central row of
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

BOUCHERON Paris 1970 Deco Ring 18Kt White Gold With 1.75 Ctw Diamonds Rubies
By Boucheron
Located in Miami, FL
a great selection of forty-five earth mined natural gemstones, such; white colorless diamonds and
Category

Vintage 1970s French Modernist Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

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Five Stone Ruby Diamond Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

You are likely to find exactly the five stone ruby diamond ring you’re looking for on 1stDibs, as there is a broad range for sale. Frequently made of Gold, 18k Gold and Yellow Gold, this item was constructed with great care. In our selection of items, you can find a vintage example as well as a contemporary version. Finding the perfect five stone ruby diamond ring may mean sifting through those created during different time periods — you can find an early version that dates to the 19th Century and a newer variation that were made as recently as the 21st Century. Creating a five stone ruby diamond ring has been a part of the legacy of many jewelers, but those produced by Roman Malakov, Five Star Jewelry and Kurt Wayne are consistently popular. See these pages for a round cut iteration of this accessory, while there are also old european cut cut and oval cut cut versions available here, too. If you’re browsing our inventory for a five stone ruby diamond 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 Five Stone Ruby Diamond Ring?

Prices for a five stone ruby diamond ring can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $414 and can go as high as $23,174, while this accessory, on average, fetches $1,975.

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.