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18 Karat Yellow and White Gold Diamond Buckle Band Ring
Located in Zurich, CH
Elegant and sparkling 18 karat yellow and white gold diamond ring, circa 1980s. Wide band ring
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

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

Fred 18kt Yellow Gold Diamond Buckle Ring
By Fred
Located in New York, NY
Chic Buckle Ring. The top is made up of pierced beadwork, while the reverse is highly polished
Category

French Band Rings

Materials

Diamond

Art Deco Diamond Two Color Gold Buckle Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
Retro Art Deco 1935 buckle ring in 18k rose and white gold. Bright single cut diamonds. 18 round
Category

Vintage 1930s Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold

18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond Pave Buckle Ring
Located in Southampton, PA
sheen of its 18K yellow gold shanks and its diamond-set buckle motifs. Ring Size: 6.5
Category

21st Century and Contemporary More Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Italian Diamond 18 Karat Gold Buckle Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Vintage Italian Diamond 18 Karat Gold Buckle Ring. Featuring 31 round brilliant cut diamonds
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Retro Yellow Gold Diamond Ruby Enamel Buckle Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Circa 1940s buckle ring made of 14k (tested) yellow gold. Featuring diamond, ruby and enamel. Total
Category

Vintage 1940s Retro More Rings

Materials

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

14 Karat White Gold Black and White Diamond Buckle Style Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: custom Material: 14K white gold Diamond: 34 round brilliant cut = 0.34cttw Color: Black
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

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

Diamond Contemporary Buckle Ring
By Simon G Jewelry
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Queen Victoria was a tremendous fan of buckle motif jewelry. This is the contemporary evolution of
Category

American Band Rings

Materials

18k Gold

Retro Diamond Ruby 18 Karat Gold Buckle Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The coolest ring! What makes it so special is its mechanism. The buckle ring functions as a real
Category

Vintage 1940s Retro Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

14K Diamond Emerald Buckle Ring
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This unique ring is a great gift for anyone! 14 karat yellow and white gold with emeralds and
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold

18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond Buckle Fashion Ring
By Campanelli Pear
Located in Troy, MI
ring is made from rich 18 karat yellow gold with a diamond framed buckle motif. Having 22 fine quality
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Modern Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Wide Buckle Ring
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Beautifully crafted diamond buckle ring is fashioned in 18 karat yellow gold. The ring is a modern
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

14 Karat Yellow Gold White Chocolate Diamond Buckle Ring
Located in McLeansville, NC
An estate 14 karat yellow and white gold diamond buckle band ring. This ring features a buckle
Category

1990s Fashion Rings

Materials

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

1910s 0.15 Carat Diamond and Pearl, 18 Carat Yellow Gold Buckle Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique 0.15 carat diamond and pearl, 18 karat yellow gold buckle style dress
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Edwardian 18K Yellow Gold Engraved Diamond Buckle Ring
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
buckle, set with two rose cut diamonds, in 18 karat yellow gold. This beautiful Edwardian ring is formed
Category

Vintage 1910s Edwardian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

14Y White Chocolate Diamond Buckle Ring
Located in McLeansville, NC
An estate 14 karat yellow and white gold diamond buckle band ring. This ring features a buckle
Category

Vintage 1940s Fashion Rings

Materials

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

【Énigma】Diamond Buckle Ring in 18k Gold, Adjustable Design
Located in New York, NY
An iconic statement piece: this diamond-studded buckle ring reinterprets a classic accessory
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

1960s Vourakis Red Enamel Pave Diamond Gold Buckle Ring
By Vourakis
Located in London, GB
A very chic ring in 18 carat gold designed as a buckle, the uppermost part enamelled to a to a rich
Category

Vintage 1960s Greek Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

French Vintage Diamond Buckle Motif Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Vintage Diamond Buckle Ring composed of 18k yellow gold. Featuring rectangular Step Cut and
Category

Vintage 1970s French Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Diamond Seed Pearl 14 Karat Yellow Gold Buckle Ring
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Diamond and pearl vintage buckle ring handcrafted in 14 karat yellow gold. The ring features
Category

Mid-20th Century American Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold

Hermes Gold Buckle Ring
By Hermès
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hermes Buckle Ring Band A traditional buckle style ring with a subtle je ne sais quoi that comes
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Band Rings

Emerald Diamond Buckle Ring Vintage 14k Yellow Gold Fine Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish vintage emerald & diamond buckle ring (circa 1980s to 1990s) crafted in 14 karat yellow
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Retro Black Opal Diamond 14 Karat Gold Platinum Buckle Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
with platinum loops and deeply ridged gold Accented by single cut diamonds weighing approximately 0.25
Category

Vintage 1940s Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

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

2.95 Carat Emerald Cut Tanzanite and White Diamond Buckle Ring
By Alberto
Located in GREAT NECK, NY
by a buckle of brilliant round white diamonds totaling 0.74 Carats. Material: 14k White Gold
Category

2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Tanzanite, White Gold, 14k Gold

18 Karat White Gold Diamond Buckle Baguette Band Fancy Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This baguette, diamond ring is crafted in 18-karat white gold, weighing approximately 3.32 total
Category

2010s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

18 Karat White Gold Diamond Pave Belt Buckle Band Ring
Located in Southampton, PA
exquisitely intricate ornamentation of shimmering 18K white gold.Ring Top Dimensions: 18 x 10mm
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Retro 0.40 Carat Diamond Ruby 14 Karat Gold Buckle Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as mesh linked buckle ring with pierced stylized flower motif Centering, a prong set
Category

Vintage 1950s Unknown Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold

Vintage 1950s 18ct Yellow Gold French Hallmarked, Diamond Buckle Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Vintage Gold Buckle Ring 18ct Yellow Gold French Hallmarked Circa 1950s Introducing a stunning
Category

Mid-20th Century French Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Ruby Diamond Set Yellow Gold Buckle Ring Circa 1910
Located in ADELAIDE, SA
This Victorian gold buckle ring is set with a ruby and a diamond. The buckle and the loops are well
Category

Vintage 1910s Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold

Retro 0.40 Carat Diamond Ruby 14 Karat Gold Buckle Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as mesh linked buckle ring with pierced stylized flower motif Centering, a prong set
Category

Vintage 1950s Unknown Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold

Victorian 18 Carat Yellow Gold Diamond Buckle Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This stunning ring, made of solid 18 carat yellow gold, is hallmarked inside the shank for London
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Band Rings

Diamond Buckle Ring Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Wide Band Estate Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish vintage diamond buckle ring (circa 1960s to 1970s) crafted in 18 karat yellow gold
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Band Rings

Materials

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

Diamond Buckle Ring Vintage 14k Yellow Gold Wide Band Estate Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish vintage diamond buckle ring (circa 1960s to 1970s) crafted in 14 karat yellow gold
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Diamond Buckle Ring Vintage 9k Yellow Gold Fine Estate Jewelry Band
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish vintage diamond buckle ring crafted in in 9 karat yellow gold (circa 1960s to 1970s
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Belt Buckle Ring 18 Karat White and Yellow Gold with .17 Carats Diamonds
Located in Fairfield, CT
yellow and white gold. The white gold buckle is lined with 17 round diamonds. The ring carries the
Category

Mid-20th Century European Artisan Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

14 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond Buckle Band Ring Size 7 #17786
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond Buckle Band Ring Size 7 This gorgeous band ring is crafted from 14K
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Retro Diamond 14 Karat Two-Tone Gold Adjustable Vintage Buckle Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Band ring is designed as a malleable oyster link strap terminating with buckle motif clasp and tail
Category

Vintage 1940s Retro Engagement Rings

Materials

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

LB Exclusive 18 Karat White Gold Diamond Pave Openwork Buckle Ring
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
. The ring is made of prestigious 18K white gold and set with diamonds that weigh 1.10 carats in total
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Vintage Tiffany Co. Diamond Ruby Buckle Yellow Gold Platinum Band Ring
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Southampton, PA
Yellow Gold & Platinum Diamond Ruby Buckle Vintage Band Ring by Tiffany & Co. With 17 round shape
Category

20th Century American Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Platinum

Antique Victorian 18K Rose Gold Rose Cut Diamond Flexible Buckle Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 18K Rose Gold Rose Cut Diamond Flexible Buckle Ring. This unqieu
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Art Deco Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Rose Gold

Diamonds, Brown Hard Stone, Turquoise Rose Gold Buckle Shape Fashion Ring
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
covered by the seller (customs duties included). Unique style fashion ring realized with buckle shape in
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

LeVian Diamond Buckle Ring Estate 14 Karat Yellow Gold Fine Designer Jewelry
By Le Vian
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed LeVian diamond buckle ring, crafted in 14 karat yellow gold. Diamonds total an
Category

Mid-20th Century Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Enamel Snake Ring 18k Gold Diamond Retro Buckle Band Vintage Estate Jewelry
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A bright green enamel snake ring with buckle design. The ring is made of 18k yellow gold and has
Category

Vintage 1950s Unknown Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 70s Tigers Eye Diamond Buckle Ring 18k Yellow Gold Pinky Band
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish vintage tigers eye & diamond buckle ring (circa 1970s) crafted in 18 karat yellow gold
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Tiger s Eye, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Diamond Buckle Ring 18 Karat Yellow Gold Pinky Band Estate Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish vintage diamond buckle band crafted in 18 karat yellow gold. Three round brilliant cut
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Carl Bucherer Diamond-Set Post-Modern Buckle Ring
By Carl F. Bucherer
Located in Litchfield, CT
, VS clarity), this very understated modernist buckle ring is crisp, clean, and stylishly contemporary
Category

Vintage 1980s Swiss Modernist Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Gucci Diamond Green Enamel 18 Karat Yellow Gold Vintage Buckle Band Ring
By Gucci
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Vintage Gucci diamond enamel buckle band ring crafted in 18 karat yellow gold. The buckle features
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Vintage Retro Buckle Ring Diamond Pinky 14 Karat Yellow Gold Estate Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Distinct & stylish buckle ring (circa 1940s), crafted in 14 karat yellow gold. Center set old
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Old Mine Cut Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Antique Buckle Ring
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Timeless Victorian buckle ring handcrafted in 18 karat yellow gold. The ring features 2 Old Mine
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Van Cleef Arpels 18k Gold Buckle Ring
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Fun yet classy buckle ring created by Van Cleef & Arpels in France in the 1970s. Made of 18 karat
Category

Vintage 1970s French More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1940s Retro 1.20 Carat Diamond Ruby 14 Karat Rose Gold Buckle Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Band style ring designed as a buckle with round cut rubies weighing approximately 0.50 carat
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Retro Band Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold

Walker Hall Victorian Old Mine Diamond 18 Karat Gold Buckle Band Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Band style ring designed as polished gold buckle Centering a star set old mine cut diamond
Category

Antique 1880s British Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Maurice Tishman Retro 14k Gold Platinum Diamond Ruby Buckle Style Band Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
This unisex retro vintage ring by Maurice Tishman is crafted in solid 14k Yellow gold and platinum
Category

Vintage 1950s Retro Band Rings

Materials

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

Buckle Ring Vintage 14 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond Sapphire Ruby Estate Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Elegant vintage buckle ring, crafted in 14 karat yellow gold. 11 faceted round cut sapphire are
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Band Rings

Materials

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

Vintage Diamond Buckle Ring 14k Yellow Gold Sz 5.5 Estate Fine Jewelry Belt
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish vintage buckle ring (circa 1980s) crafted in 14 karat yellow & white gold. Forty diamonds
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Band Rings

Materials

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

Cartier 1940 s Diamond 14 Karat Two-Tone Gold Retro Adjustable Buckle Ring
By Cartier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Ring is comprised of malleable brick links - polished yellow gold Terminating as white gold buckle
Category

Vintage 1940s Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

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

Bailey Banks Biddle Retro 0.60 Carat Ruby Diamond 14 Karat Gold Buckle Ring
By Bailey, Banks Biddle
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Band ring is designed as a high polished gold malleable strap with a stylized buckle clasp Bead
Category

Vintage 1940s Retro Band Rings

Materials

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

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Gold And Diamond Buckle Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

On 1stDibs, you can find the most appropriate gold and diamond buckle ring for your needs in our varied inventory. Frequently made of Gold, 18k Gold and Yellow Gold, this item was constructed with great care. Find an antique version now, or shop for 39 vintage or 9 modern creation for a more contemporary example of these cherished accessories. Finding the perfect gold and diamond buckle 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. For this particular piece, 1.5 Carat are consistently popular carat weights. There have been many well-made iterations of the classic gold and diamond buckle ring over the years, but those made by Alberto, Cartier and Joseph Kutchinsky are often thought to be among the most beautiful. See these pages for a round cut iteration of this accessory, while there are also old european cut cut and emerald cut cut versions available here, too. If you’re browsing our inventory for a gold and diamond buckle 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 Gold And Diamond Buckle Ring?

The price for a gold and diamond buckle ring starts at $390 and tops out at $10,400 with these rings, on average, selling for $2,250.

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.