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Gold Diamond Rings 1979

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Vintage 18k White Gold Cluster Ring Diamond Ruby 1.75ct Burma
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage 18k white gold cluster ring showcases a vivid 1.75-carat natural ruby of Burma origin
Category

Vintage 1970s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, White Gold, 18k Gold

Vintage 0.40 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine vintage 0.40 carat diamond and 18 karat yellow gold, 18 karat white gold set solitaire ring
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Starburst Ring with Marquise Center
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Radiating brilliance and vintage glamour, this striking 18K yellow gold ring showcases a dazzling
Category

Vintage 1970s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 14K Rose White Gold Old-Cut Diamond Cluster Ring 0.30ctw
Located in Miami, FL
A refined vintage diamond cluster ring crafted in solid 14K rose and white gold, featuring
Category

Vintage 1970s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Rose Gold, White Gold

18 Karat Gold Diamond Parrot Cockatoo Bird Ring
Located in Wallkill, NY
Stunning 18K Yellow gold Bird ring. The workmanship on this is exquisite. Hallmark is illegible
Category

Vintage 1970s French Artisan Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold

Vintage Circa 1970s 10k White Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 5 grams. Totally is diamond about 0.50 ct. The Diamond is
Category

Vintage 1970s Turkish Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Circa 1970 20k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Navette Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 3.8 grams. Totally is diamond 0.55 ct. The diamond is has G
Category

Vintage 1970s European Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

0.76ctw 3 Row Diamond Engagement Ring Mounting, 14K Yellow Gold, Ring Size 7
Located in McLeansville, NC
A 14 karat yellow gold 3 row diamond engagement ring mounting. This yellow gold engagement ring
Category

Vintage 1970s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

14K Yellow Gold Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Pear Shape Diamond Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Diamonds: 0.20 carats of champagne-colored natural diamonds, pavé set Material: Solid 14K gold (5.7 grams
Category

Vintage 1970s Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

1970 18 Karat White Gold Multicolored Diamonds Cocktail Ring
Located in Rome, IT
18 kt. white gold ring with 11.51 ct. of multicolored diamonds. The diamond's cuts are round, oval
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Sapphire and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Three Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
blue stones are pairs of diamonds measuring 4pts per pair. The ring is modelled in 18ct gold
Category

Vintage 1970s British More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold

Vintage Circa 1970s 8k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Navette Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 7.6 grams. Totally is diamond 1 ct . The diamond is has H
Category

Vintage 1970s European Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Vintage Circa 1970s Handcrafted 18k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
. Totally is rose cut diamond 0.05 carat. Clearity is diamond G color and vs... Ring size is US 8.1 We can
Category

Vintage 1970s Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage Circa 1970s 18k White Gold natural Diamond Decorated Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 7.6 grams. Totally is diamond 0.45 carat. The diamond is
Category

Vintage 1970s European Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

French 3.96 Carat Diamond and White Gold Cluster Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning vintage French 3.96 carat diamond and 18 karat white gold cocktail ring; part of our
Category

Vintage 1970s French Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Aquamarine and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Solitaire Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
of the stone are diamonds which total 30pts. The ring is modelled in 18ct gold and diamonds set in
Category

Vintage 1970s British Solitaire Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold

14 Karat Gold Double Loop Diamond Ring 1970
Located in Berkeley, CA
This stunning double oval has a yummy texture and feel. The diamond 0.05cts is off center and adds
Category

Vintage 1970s American Modernist Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Van Cleef Arpels Diamond Swirl Ring
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Hicksville, NY
Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Swirl Ring Year: 1970s Item Details: Ring Size
Category

Vintage 1970s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Topaz, Sapphires, Diamonds, 14 Karat White Gold and Rose Gold Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Fantastic ring in 14 kt white gold structure mounted with a central topaz surrounded by yellow and
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Topaz, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold

South-Sea Pearl, Diamonds, 14 Karat White Gold Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Amazing ring in 14 kt white gold structure mounted with a central south-sea pearl surrounded by
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Pearl and Diamond 18ct White Gold Dress Ring
Located in London, GB
Crafted in 18 carat white gold, this vintage ring features a captivating design, combining the
Category

Vintage 1970s English Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Circa 1970s Handcrafted 14k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
has G-H color and vs-vvs. Ring size is US 6.5 We can make any size. Acid tested to be 14k real gold
Category

Vintage 1970s European Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Vintage Diamond and 14 Karat Gold Ring, 2.40 Carats, Circa 1970
Located in London, GB
A vintage diamond and gold "Gypsy" ring, rub over set with an old-cut diamond, with an estimated
Category

Vintage 1970s Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Vintage Circa 1970s 14k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Navette Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
color and vs-s1 clarity. Ring size is US 8 We can make any size. Acid tested to be 14k real gold. Box
Category

Vintage 1970s European Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Vintage Ruby and Diamond 18k White Gold Half Eternity Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive vintage 0.24 carat ruby and 0.12 carat diamond, 18 karat white gold half
Category

Vintage 1970s Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, White Gold

Handcraft Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Citrine Cocktail Ring
Located in Marcianise, IT
message to solve the problem. 18 karat yellow gold cocktail ring.Handmade by our artisans assembled with
Category

Vintage 1970s Artisan Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Citrine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Ruby and Diamond 9 Carat Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This gorgeous 9carat gold ring holds a glossy ruby cabochon stone with sparkling diamonds
Category

Vintage 1970s British Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold

1970s Diamond Enamel 18K Gold Dome Statement Cocktail Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Presenting a Vintage 1970's Diamond Onyx 18K Gold Dome Statement Ring forged in 18K Yellow gold
Category

Vintage 1970s Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Enamel

Handcraft Tourmaline 14 Karat Yellow Gold Diamonds Cocktail Ring
Located in Marcianise, IT
message to solve the problem. 14 karat yellow gold and 800 thousandths silver cocktail ring.Handmade by
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tourmaline, 14k Gold, Silver, Yellow Gold

Contempo Seventies Diamond Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1960-70s, 18k, Swiss. Set with 2.23 carats of brilliant white diamonds (F color and VS
Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

French 1970s Sapphire Diamonds 18 Karat White Gold Marquise Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karats white gold, eagle's head hallmark. In excellent condition, this vintage white
Category

Vintage 1970s French Retro Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Topazes Diamonds Rose Gold and Silver Cocktail Ring
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Beautiful rose gold ring in kt 9 and silver, diameter cm 2.2 X 1 cm height, enriched from ct 2.78
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Topaz, 9k Gold, Silver

Vintage 14k Yellow Gold White Pearl, Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage 14k Yellow Gold White Pearl, Sapphire and Diamond Ring A refined and feminine vintage
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Circa 1970s 18k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Strong Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 6.3 grams. Totally is diamond 0.30 ct. The diamond is has H
Category

Vintage 1970s European Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Retro 18K Yellow Gold Pearl Diamond Rope-Detail Cocktail Ring
Located in MONTMORENCY, FR
diamonds, pavé-set Period: Retro / Vintage (circa 1970s–1980s) Style: Cocktail ring, cluster design, rope
Category

Vintage 1970s French Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Circa 1970s 18k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Strong Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 7.5 grams. Totally is diamond 1.80 ct. The diamond is has G
Category

Vintage 1970s European Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage Circa 1970 14k White Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 7.8 grams. Totally is diamond 0.90 carat. The diamond is
Category

Vintage 1970s European Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Emerald, Diamonds, Rose Gold and Silver Fly Shape Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Particular fly shape ring in 9 karat rose gold and silver structure mounted with a diamond as head
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Vintage Aquamarine and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Solitaire Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
stone are diamonds which total 30pts. The ring is modelled in 18ct gold. Fully hallmarked London 1977
Category

Vintage 1970s British Solitaire Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold

Ruby, Sapphire, Diamonds, 14 Karat Rose Gold and White Gold Snake Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Fashion snake ring in 14 kt white gold and rose gold mounted with a sapphire and a ruby on the head
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

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

Handcraft Ruby 14 Karat Yellow Gold Diamonds Cocktail Ring
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
14 Karat yellow gold and 800 karat silver cocktail ring. Handmade with ruby and rose cut diamonds
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Artisan Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

4.70ct Colombian Emerald and Fancy Yellow Diamond 18k Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
moderate resin mounted on 18k Yellow Gold and further embellished with Fancy Yellow Diamonds. The ring is
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow ...

Vintage Circa 1970s 18k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Strong Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 9.7 grams. Totally is diamond 0.30 ct. The diamond is has H
Category

Vintage 1970s European Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage Circa 1970s 14k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Band Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight 4.5 grams. Totally about 0.20 ct diamond. The diamond has vs
Category

Vintage 1970s European Retro Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Handcraft Emerald 18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamonds Cocktail Ring
Located in Marcianise, IT
message to solve the problem. 18 karat yellow and white gold cocktail ring. Handmade by artisans
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Artisan Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Circa 1970s 18k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Band Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 8.6 grams. Totally is diamond 0.30 ct. The diamond is has G
Category

Vintage 1970s European Artisan Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage Original Circa 1970s 14k Gold Natural Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 6.1 grams. Totally is diamond 0.75 ct. The diamond is has G
Category

Vintage 1970s European Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Vintage Circa 1970s 18k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Band Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 7.5 grams. Totally is diamond 1.75 ct. The diamond is has F
Category

Vintage 1970s European Artisan Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage Circa 1970s 14k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Strong Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 6.8 grams. Totally is diamond about 0.90 carat. The diamond
Category

Vintage 1970s European Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Vintage Emerald and Diamond 9 Carat Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
stone are diamonds totalling 28pts. All modelled in 9carat gold and stones set in platinum. Ring Size
Category

Vintage 1970s British Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold

Vintage Circa 1970s 18k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Cocktail Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 6.1 grams. Totally is diamond 0.45 ct. The diamond is has G
Category

Vintage 1970s Turkish Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage 2 Carat Diamonds Cluster Ring 14 Karat White Gold
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage 2 Carat Diamonds Cluster Ring 14k White Gold. The ring is a size 6 and weights approx 4.8
Category

Vintage 1970s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Circa 1970s 18k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Strong Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 5.6 grams. Totally is diamond 1.40 ct. The diamond is has H
Category

Vintage 1970s European Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage Emerald and Diamond 9 Carat Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
stone are diamonds totalling 12pts. All modelled in 9carat gold and stones set in platinum. Hallmarked
Category

Vintage 1970s British Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold

Vintage 0.72 Carat Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring in 18k White Gold
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
white gold diamond engagement ring is an excellent gauge of gold and in excellent condition. The
Category

Vintage 1970s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

.65 Carat Oval Emerald Diamond Gold Cluster Engagement Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
Emerald and diamond engagement ring. .65cts center oval emerald with triangle of 6 clustered
Category

Vintage 1970s Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Vintage Diamond 18 Carat White Gold Crossover Moi et Toi Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This elegant ring features two diamonds each measuring 40pts. The diamond shoulders total 7pts each
Category

Vintage 1970s British Engagement Rings

Materials

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

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Gold Diamond Rings 1979 For Sale on 1stDibs

On 1stDibs, you can find the most appropriate gold diamond rings 1979 for your needs in our varied inventory. Frequently made of Gold, 18k Gold and Yellow Gold, this item was constructed with great care. You can easily find a 3647 antique edition and 1 modern creations to choose from as well. Finding the perfect gold diamond rings 1979 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, .5 Carat and 1 Carat are consistently popular carat weights. Finding an appealing gold diamond rings 1979 — no matter the origin — is easy, but Van Cleef Arpels, Cartier and David Webb each produced a popular version that is worth a look. Today, if you’re looking for a round cut version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes oval cut and emerald cut alternatives. Most of our gold diamond rings 1979 for sale are for women, but there are 603 pieces available to browse for men.

How Much is a Gold Diamond Rings 1979?

The price for a gold diamond rings 1979 starts at $100 and tops out at $495,000 with these rings, on average, selling for $3,688.

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.