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Victorian Ruby and Diamond Mixed Metal Engagement Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
ruby rests within an four-prong setting and is surrounded by six sparkling Old Mine Cut diamonds with a
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Platinum

Turn of the Century Diamond and Ruby Ring
Located in New York, NY
surrounded by 16 rubies. 44 Rose, single cut, and old mine cut diamonds are set around in a scalloped design
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Belle Époque Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

Three Stone Ruby Engagement Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Three stone ruby ring surrounded by approximately 0.25cttw old Mine cut diamonds set in a vintage
French Dome Cocktail Ring with Rubies and Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
A statement ring that will make your jaw drop! Eight cabochon cut rubies weighing an estimated
Category

Vintage 1960s French Contemporary Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Beautiful 18k gold ruby and diamond bypass ring
Located in Versailles, FR
love in a beautiful jewelry. The ring features a cushion cut red ruby in the center, with two old mine
Category

Early 20th Century French Edwardian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Art Deco 1.30 Carat Ruby Diamond Platinum Cluster Ring
Located in Theydon Bois, Essex
mixed cut ruby and old mine cut diamonds. Colour – The ruby is deep red. Diamonds are G to I. Clarity
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Ruby, Diamond, Platinum

18 Karat Rose Gold Art Deco Ring with Ruby and Diamonds, Belgium, 1930
Located in Heerlen, NL
Old mine Cut diamonds (1940) each 0.10 ct. VS/ F Weight of the Ring: 3.55 grams. Measurment of the
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Art Deco Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Fine Antique Burmese Ruby and Diamond Crossover Ring
Located in London, GB
respectively to a yellow gold shank accented with graduated millegrain-set old mine-cut diamonds, with Gem
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Modern Art Deco Style Platinum Ruby and Diamond Ring
Located in Miami, FL
weighs 1.15ctw. • 40 Old mine cut diamonds of H-VS2 quality that weigh 0.60ctw. • 36 natural calibrated
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Antique 18k Gold Platinum Natural Gia Certified Ruby and Diamond Engagement Ri
Located in Miami, FL
ring displays 14 old mine cut diamonds of G-VS2 quality that weigh 1.50ctw. This unique piece of
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

Mid 19th Century Victorian Ruby and Diamond Twin Ring
Located in Austin, TX
carat old mine cut diamond and 1.80 carat untreated Burmese ruby. Open set cutaway collets with old mine
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sterling Silver, 18k Gold

French Art Deco Platinum and Yellow Gold Diamond, Pearl and Ruby Ring
Located in Splitter s Creek, NSW
Ruby, Claw set, approximately 0.40 Carats in weight & vivid Pinkish Red in colour. 12 Old Mine Cut
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Victorian Ruby Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Victorian band ring set with 8 old mine cut diamonds (approx. 0.80cts) 4 square rubies and 4 square
Charming Antique No Heat Natural Ruby Diamond Silver Gold Ring
Located in Lambertville, NJ
mine cut diamonds totaling approx .40cts. The ring is size 7 and can be sized. Circa 1890.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver

Authentic Victorian Natural Untreated Ruby 2.0 Carat Diamond Rare Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
.) - 8 old mine cut diamonds totalling approx 2.00 Ct (G-VVS/VS) UK size: O 1/4 US size: 7 1/4 Measures
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Ruby Diamond Gold Rectangle Cobblestone Ring
By Single Stone
Located in Los Angeles, CA
2.75ctw old European, old Mine, Round Brilliant, Single cut and vintage Cushion cut diamonds with
Category

2010s American Contemporary More Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian 18 Karat and Silver Diamond and Ruby Ring
Located in Miami, FL
One exquisite old mine cut diamond of G-VS2 quality that weighs 0.45ctw glitters in the center of
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver

French 2.20 Carat Burmese No Heat Ruby and Diamond Ring
Located in San Francisco, CA
concentric frames of teeny-tiny old mine-cut diamonds in this ravishing, original Edwardian-era ring from the
Category

20th Century French Edwardian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Nouveau Diamond Burma Ruby "Toi Et Moi" Engagement Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
Old Mine Cut Diamonds - 0.15ct total MEASUREMENTS Head: 1.4 x 1.4cm Width of band: 1.4ct Ruby: 7.39
Category

Early 20th Century English Art Nouveau Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver

Antique victorian 18k yellow gold diamond ruby sapphire three stone ring.
Located in London, GB
0.35-carat old mine cut natural diamond, adding a touch of vintage charm to the design. Flanking the
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire

Natural Unheated Burmese Ruby and Diamond Three Stone Ring
Located in San Francisco, CA
a pair of glistening old mine-cut diamonds, together weighing 1.50 carats, in this classic English
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Ruby, Diamond, Platinum

Antique Edwardian Era Pinkish Red Ruby Diamond Ring 18 Carat Yellow Gold
Located in Hamilton, AU
two old mine cut diamonds are estimated to weigh 0.12 carats, are F to G colour and SI to P1 clarity
Category

20th Century Unknown Edwardian Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold

Beautiful 0.5 Ct Ruby Ring with 0.84 Ct Diamonds, Set in 18K Yellow Gold
Located in Nordhorn, NI
. 0.5ct and has been heated. The diamonds have an old mine cut and weigh together ca. 0.84ct. The color is
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian 18ct Yellow Gold Ruby and Diamond Five Stone Ring, Circa 1894
Located in Lancashire, Oldham
in a hand crafted pierced claw setting. The diamonds, which are Old Mine cut are bright and lively
Category

Antique 1890s British Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

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

Antique 0.25 Carat Diamond Ruby and Sapphire Three Stone Gold Ring, circa 1890
Located in Goettingen, DE
cut sapphire 0.59 ct and a ruby ​​0.47 ct, both in claw open back illusion settings. The ring has been
Category

Antique 1890s French Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Silver

Victorian Era Harem Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
features two Old Mine Cut diamond bands gauged at 0.50ct total weight alternating with one square step cut
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Emerald, Ruby, Diamond, 14k Gold

Victorian Dearest Gemstone Acrostic Ring
Located in Brooklyn, NY
pattern of the engraving. Gemstone sizes: 2.4mm old mine cut diamond, 2 x 2.2mm emeralds, 2.2mm amethyst
Category

Antique 1860s British Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Topaz, 15k Gold

1920s Art Deco .85 Carat Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Tampa, FL
: .50ct. apx. T.W. Color: G-H Clarity: VS2-SI1 Cut: Old Mine Melee: Ruby - Natural Weight: .25ct
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

1940s Multi-Gem Stone Diamond Gold Cutout Design Cocktail Ring
Located in New York, NY
consisting of: Lemon Quartz, Garnet,ruby,sapphire moonstone,green onyx and old mine cut diamonds all colored
Category

Vintage 1940s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Garnet, Moonstone, Onyx, Quartz, Ruby, 18k Gold,...

Antique, Victorian, 18 Carat Gold, Pink Sapphire and Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
. It is surrounded by old mine-cut diamonds, and set in silver on gold, which is testament to its late
Category

Antique 1880s British Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold

Antique English Diamond Navette Ring
Located in Austin, TX
This diamond navette shaped ring is set with old mine cut and rose cut diamonds. Diamonds are set
Category

English Engagement Rings

Rare 2.9 carat Burmese Red Spinel Diamond 18K Ring
Located in Mill Valley, CA
the mines. About the Gemstone: Gemstone Name: Natural Red Spinel Nicknames: Flame Spinel, Balas Ruby
Category

2010s Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Spinel, 18k Gold

Swiss 18k Repeater Chronograph Diamond Ruby HorseRacing / Bet Motif Pocket Watch
By Angelus
Located in New york, NY
workmanship Horse Racing & Gambling motif: Horseshoe                          Designed with 13 old mine cut
Category

Antique 1890s Swiss Belle Époque Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Platinum Natural Emerald Old Mine Cut Diamonds and Rubies Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Composition: Platinum • 1 natural heart shape emerald 1.89ctw. • 26 old mine cut diamonds H-VS2
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Platinum

Mine Cut Diamond and Ruby Ring
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique mine cut diamond and ruby ring. There are 10 mine-cut diamonds that weigh 2.00cts total
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold

Victorian 18 Karat Gold Old Mine Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Period: Victorian (1836-1901) Composition: 18k gold • 2 old mine cut diamonds I-VS2 0.20ctw • 10
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

2.96 Carat Old Mine Cut Diamond Ruby Halo Platinum Ring
Located in Chestnut Hill, MA
Platinum antique style engagement ring consisting of 1 Old European cut diamond weighing 2.96
Category

20th Century Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Estate Platinum Antique Mine Cut Diamond and Ruby Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Composition: Platinum • 1 old mine cut diamond I-VS1 0.64ctw. • 16 natural calibrated cut rubies
Category

Vintage 1950s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Antique Victorian 18 Carat Gold Ruby and Old Mine Cut Diamond London Bridge Ring
Located in Hamilton, AU
rectangular bright pinkish red rubies measure 3.00x2.50 millimetres. The three Old Mine Cut diamonds are
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Bridal Rings

Materials

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

Victorian 1.67 Carat GIA Natural Ruby and Old Mine Cut Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
is surrounded by 30 Old Mine Cut diamonds, which totals approximately 2.50 carats in total diamond
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver

Antique Edwardian Circa 1900s Ruby Old Cut Diamond Ring 18 Carat Yellow Gold
Located in Hamilton, AU
sparkling old mine cut diamond is flanked by two vibrant rubies of fiery crimson rose. Her band is
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Band Rings

Materials

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

Circa 1880s, Old Mine Cut Diamond and Red Ruby Vintage 18 Carat Gold Band
Located in Hamilton, AU
strong red rubies flanked by two sparkling Old Mine cut diamonds. We have named this lovely vintage
Category

Antique 1880s British Modern Dome Rings

Materials

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

Estate Platinum Natural Burma Ruby Engagement Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Composition: Platinum • 1 natural emerald cut Burma ruby 1ctw. • 20 old mine cut diamonds G-VS2
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Platinum Rubies ‘GIA Certified’ and Diamonds Ring
Located in Miami, FL
embellished with 36 old mine cut diamonds H-VS2 quality that weigh 0.50ctw. Ring Size: 7 Ring face: 20mm by
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Estate Platinum Natural GIA Ruby and Diamonds Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Composition: Platinum • 1 natural ruby 5ctw (Gia Certified.) • 30 old mine cut diamonds H-VS1
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Estate Platinum 1.20 Carat Ruby and Diamond Ring
Located in Miami, FL
diamonds of H-VS2 quality that weigh 0.60ctw. • 26 Old mine cut diamonds of H-VS2 quality that weigh
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Art Deco Revival Handmade Platinum Diamond and Ruby Double Halo Ring
Located in Miami, FL
One stunning cushion old mine cut diamond of H-SI1 weighing 0.88ctw surrounded by two halos of
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Ruby Diamond Victorian Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stansbury is a whimsical Victorian ring made from 18k yellow gold centering an Old Mine cut diamond
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Vintage Marquise Ruby Diamond Platinum Ring
Located in Woodland Hills, CA
This is a beautiful vintage ring set with a .65 ruby and old mine cut diamonds in a platinum
Category

Vintage 1970s American Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

1920s Tiffany Co. Ruby Diamond Gold Ring
By Tiffany Co.
Located in San Francisco, CA
An original Tiffany ring in 14k yellow gold setting a .56ct ruby, with surrounding old mine cut
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Ruby, White Diamond, 14k Gold

18 Karat Gold Emerald Ruby Cocktail Ring
Located in Hollywood, FL
Cut Weight : 0.28 Carat Origin- Sandwana Old mine Quality : AAAA Natural Ruby Details Pieces : 208
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold

Original Art Deco Designer Ruby Diamonds Platinum 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Woodland Hills, CA
rare ring set with a gorgeous natural ruby and old mine cut diamonds set in platinum with an 18k gold
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Edwardian GIA 1.24 Ct. Red Unheated Burma Ruby Dinner Ring in Platinum
Located in New York, NY
Nestled in a halo of chunky old mine cut diamonds, a bezel-set Burmese ruby stands at full
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian More Rings

Materials

Ruby, Diamond, Platinum

Antique Natural 1.30 Carat No Heat Ruby .65 Carat Diamond Early Rare Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
table cut natural unheated untreated ruby of approx 1.30 Ct (7.73 mm. x 5.87 mm.) - 13 old mine cut
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Georgian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Silver

Antique, Victorian, 18 Carat Yellow Gold, Diamond Snake Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
Diamond set snake ring, circa 1890. Set with a bright old mine-cut diamond to the head of the snake
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian No Heat Burma Ruby and Diamond Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
ring. This classic antique ring features an brightly saturated 0.81ct Oval Cut ruby accompanied by a
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

Edwardian 2.35 Carat Burma Ruby and Diamond Platinum Topped Cluster Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
glory. The ring is further adorned with a halo of fourteen Old Mine Cut diamonds totaling approximately
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

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Old Mine Cut Ruby Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

You are likely to find exactly the old mine cut ruby ring you’re looking for on 1stDibs, as there is a broad range for sale. Frequently made of Gold, Platinum and 18k Gold, this item was constructed with great care. You can easily find a 30 antique edition and 6 modern creations to choose from as well. If you’re looking for an old mine cut ruby ring from a specific time period, our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and you’ll find at least one that dates back to the 19th Century while another version may have been produced as recently as the 21st Century. As it relates to this specific piece, our collection includes designs that are universally popular, but 2 Carat and 2.5 Carat carat weights, specifically, are sought with frequency. See these pages for an old mine cut iteration of this accessory, while there are also old european cut cut and cushion cut cut versions available here, too. Most of our old mine cut ruby ring for sale are for women, but there are 7 pieces available to browse for men.

How Much is an Old Mine Cut Ruby Ring?

On average, an old mine cut ruby ring at 1stDibs sells for $3,970, while they’re typically $950 on the low end and $33,276 for the highest priced versions of this item.

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.