Old European Cut Diamond Ring Estate
Vintage 1950s French Engagement Rings
Emerald, Diamond, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Emerald, Platinum
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Enamel, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
Vintage 1920s Unknown Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Cluster Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Emerald, Kunzite, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, Onyx, Platinum
Vintage 1930s French Cluster Rings
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Platinum
20th Century American Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold, 14k Gold
Vintage 1980s Unknown Victorian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Vintage 1920s Unknown Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Cluster Rings
Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s Unknown Cluster Rings
Diamond, Zircon, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Sapphire, Diamond, 14k Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1910s Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, White Gold, Platinum, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 1910s Unknown Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Gold
Vintage 1930s French Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1920s German Cocktail Rings
Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1910s Unknown Cocktail Rings
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 22k Gold
Vintage 1910s French Cocktail Rings
Sapphire, Multi-gemstone, Garnet, Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s Late Victorian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1910s Edwardian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1930s Unknown Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s French Retro Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Bangles
Diamond, Onyx, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1970s Modernist Signet Rings
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Unknown Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century European Edwardian Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage 1950s Unknown Retro Engagement Rings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Antique Early 1900s French Cocktail Rings
Emerald, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1930s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Cluster Rings
Ruby, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s French Fashion Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1910s British Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1950s Unknown Band Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s British Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Early 20th Century Unknown Engagement Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
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Old European Cut Diamond Ring Estate For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is an Old European Cut Diamond Ring Estate?
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 rings, vintage 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 rings, vintage 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023How old an old European-cut diamond is varies. The old European cut is a precursor to the modern round brilliant cut. The stone appears circular when looked at from the top (because of its low table or largest facet) and has a high crown (the part above the middle of the stone) with larger facets. The tip of the stone, or the culet, is flat instead of pointed. This style was used predominantly in the 19th century, hence the name. It is best to consult a certified appraiser for assistance with dating and identifying antique jewelry. On 1stDibs, find a variety of European-cut diamond jewelry.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Although old European cut diamonds are often priced lower than modern cuts, due to scarcity, they can sometimes be more valuable than modern cut diamonds.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Jewelry makers stopped using the old European cut for diamond and other gemstone jewelry around 1930. The style was common during the Art Deco period, but the brilliant cut became popular in the years that followed. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Old European cut diamond gemstone jewelry.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 24, 2021Yes, old European cut diamonds can be worth more than many other cut diamonds as they are not produced anymore. This cut was developed and popularized between the years 1890 and 1930 and is likely to be found in an antique ring belonging to this period and featuring a round-cut diamond.
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