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Antique-Style Ruby and Diamond Ring – 18K Gold, Silver, Natural Rubies
Located in İstanbul, TR
Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Ruby & Old-Cut Diamond Ring 0.60ct Natural Rubies, 0.25ct Diamonds EU 16
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver

Natural Oval Ruby Ring (Approx. 1.00-Carats) Oval Cut Ruby Halo Ring, Platinum
Located in New York, NY
ruby, its deep red hue radiating timeless elegance. Encircling the center stone is a halo of old mine
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Edwardian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Art Deco Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
four calibre cut rubies and a single row of glistening old mine cut diamonds. Four slightly smaller
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Victorian Diamond Ruby Romantic Heart Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
/90 ca. 18 Kt gold, marked Principle Diamond is is an old mine cut Diamond of .45 Ct rated as H /VS
Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Edwardian Ruby and Diamond Navette Ring
Located in London, GB
series of chunky old mine cut diamonds, each meticulously set in a platinum to creating a dazzling
Category

Antique Early 1900s Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Edwardian 18k/Platinum Ruby Diamond Navette Ring
Located in Narberth, PA
and platinum, this ring features a navette-style centerpiece. The centerpiece features 5 mine cut
Category

Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

Diamond Ruby Ring 20K Gold Vintage Estate Vintage
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Diamonds. The center old mine cut diamond is .25 carat of SI1 clarity and I color. Four side diamonds of
Category

Late 20th Century Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold

Victorian diamond ruby 18k rose gold ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This charming Victorian ring glows with antique elegance, showcasing old mine and European cut
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Antique Burmese Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
round faceted old mine cut diamonds, each with a exhibiting a white hue. The shoulders showcase an open
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Natural Unenhanced Burmese Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
Burmese ruby and diamond cluster ring. Set with an oval old cut natural unenhanced Burmese ruby to
Category

Vintage 1950s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Vintage 1.66 Carat Diamond Ruby Cocktail Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
Unusual 18K Yellow gold Cluster Ring centered with a Sparkling Old Mine cut Diamond weighing 1.66
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Old Combination Ring Sapphire Ruby Emerald solid 18K Gold Size Ø 6.75US / 7.45gr
Located in SE
cut with open backs. Crown of the ring with diamonds is 15 mm long x 6 mm wide x 4 mm deep
Category

Vintage 1930s European Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Sapphire, Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold

Victorian ruby and diamond cluster ring, circa 1890.
Located in London, GB
Victorian ruby and diamond cluster ring. Set to centre with a cushion shape old cut natural
Category

Antique 1890s Late Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Silver

Art Deco Engagement Ring, Platinum, Diamonds Ruby Halo
Located in PARIS, FR
within a striking double halo—one of natural rubies (totaling 0.25 carat) and the other of old-cut
Category

Mid-20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Art Deco Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a captivating cluster ring featuring a centralised round faceted old mine cut diamond
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

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

1.29ct Diamond 1.00ct Ruby Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
This is an amazing 18k white gold engagement ring. The ring is centered with a sparkling old mine
Category

20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Platinum Sapphire Unheated Purple Diamond GIA Ring Antique Old Mine 17.37 CTS!
Located in Sylvania, GA
Mine Cut Big Diamonds in Luxurious Platinum. Authentic Fine Antique Over 100 Years Old. Comes With
Category

Antique 19th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Purple Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Siam Ruby and Diamond Ballerina Cluster Ring, circa 1960
Located in London, GB
Siam ruby and diamond ballerina cluster ring. Set to centre with one oval old cut natural
Category

Vintage 1960s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, White Gold

Edwardian 14k/Sterling Silver Diamond and Ruby Ring
Located in Narberth, PA
a bezel set old mine cut diamond. Radiating out from the central diamond are 4 rays, which are
Category

Vintage 1910s Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver

1900 Antique Old European Cut Diamond Ring (Approx 0.10-Carats), 18k Yellow Gold
Located in New York, NY
: Diamond, Ruby Stone Cut: Old European Cut,Old Mine Cut Style: Edwardian Total Weight: 2.9 Grams Shipping
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Edwardian Hungarian diamond ruby 14k yellow gold snake ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Edwardian Hungarian Diamond and Ruby 14k Yellow Gold Snake Ring. Featuring one old mine cut diamond
Category

Vintage 1920s Edwardian Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Vintage 0.60 Carat Ruby and Diamond Ring, circa 1950s
Located in London, GB
A vibrant red ruby is the star of this vintage ring. The ruby is old cut, and is 0.60 carat. It is
Category

Vintage 1950s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Victorian 0.50ct Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring, Hallmarked 1885
Located in London, GB
A lovely 0.50 carat ruby is the focal point of this Victorian ring. The old cut ruby is claw set
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Victorian diamond ruby 14k yellow gold three stone ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This Victorian 14k yellow gold ring features a glowing .60 carat old mine cut diamond flanked by
Category

Antique Early 1900s Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco 1.08ctw Champagne Diamond Ruby Engagement Ring in Platinum
Located in Boston, MA
0.50 carat old mine cut diamond of rich champagne color and VS2 clarity. The diamond framed by a dozen
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Victorian Moonstone Ruby Diamond and Enameled 14K Gold Ring
Located in Venice, CA
diamonds are Old Mine Cuts, with an approximate carat weight of 0.20 carats.  The face of the ring
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Moonstone, Ruby, 14k Gold, Enamel

Art Deco 1.12 Carat Diamond Ruby Engagement Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
Pretty and authentic Art Deco Engagement ring featuring one large Old Mine cut Diamond in the
Category

Mid-20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold

Antique Diamond Ruby Platinum Gold Vous et Moi Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
A beautiful 18k gold and Platinum 'Vous et Moi' ring set with an old mine cut diamond weighing
Category

Mid-20th Century More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum, Gold

Edwardian Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring, circa 1910
Located in London, GB
This beautiful dress ring features three central rubies, totalling 0.25 carat, haloed by a group of
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

Victorian 1.55 Ct Natural Ruby .40 Ct Old Diamond 18 KT Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
fine details details the rarest A trio of old cut natural Rubies most probably Burma (our opinion
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Vintage Diamond and Ruby Ring by Sterlé, circa 1950
By Pierre Sterlé
Located in London, GB
Vintage diamond and ruby ring by Sterlé. Set centrally with one cushion shape old mine diamond in
Category

Vintage 1950s French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Georgian French 18k Ruby and Diamond Navette Ring
Located in Narberth, PA
an incredible navette centerpiece. The centerpiece features a central, large old mine cut diamond
Category

Antique 1790s Georgian Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Victorian 0.75ct Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring, c.1880s
Located in London, GB
This sweet ring dates back to the 1880s and features five old cut natural rubies, totalling to 0.75
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
Deco movement. At the centre of the face we find a single chunky old mine cut diamond which sits in a
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Burmese Ruby and diamond cluster ring, circa 1890.
Located in London, GB
Burmese Ruby and diamond cluster ring. Set to centre with one cushion shape old cut natural
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold

Art Deco Diamond and Ruby Cluster Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
An Art Deco, c.1920s cluster ring, which features 0.50 carats worth of gorgeous rubies, which
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Georgian French 18k Ruby and Diamond Navette Ring
Located in Narberth, PA
an incredible navette centerpiece. The centerpiece features a central, large old mine cut diamond
Category

Antique 1790s Georgian Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Antique Edwardian Ruby Diamond 18ct Gold Ring
Located in London, GB
A charming and characterful antique ring, this Edwardian-era ruby and diamond piece is crafted in
Category

20th Century English Edwardian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold

Late Victorian 0.25ct Diamond and Ruby Snake Ring, c.1880s
Located in London, GB
atop each snake head is a different gem. On one, an old cut diamond weighing 0.25 carat is sat, whilst
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

GIA Platinum Sapphire Burma No Heat Diamond Ring Antique AGL Old Mine 6.33 Cts
Located in Sylvania, GA
Gorgeous Vintage Sapphire is Crowned With 3.68 Carats of Sparkling Old Mine Cut Diamonds) Still
Category

20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Platinum

Victorian 1.40ct Diamond and Ruby Five Stone Ring, c.1880s
Located in London, GB
A trio of old cut diamonds are set between a pair of vibrant rubies in this Victorian five stone
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Edwardian Ruby and Diamond Five-Stone Ring, circa 1910
Located in London, GB
: Ruby Stone Shape: Old Cut Carat Weight: 1.00 Total Metal: 18ct Yellow Gold, Platinum Age: 1910s Size: M
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

Late Deco 1.00ct Ruby and Diamond Halo Ring, c.1930s
Located in London, GB
A vivid red Burmese ruby takes centre stage in this Late Deco halo ring. The 1.00 carat old cut
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Vintage Ruby and Diamond Trilogy Ring
Located in Denver, CO
this vintage trilogy band crafted in the 1950s flanked by two Old Mine cut diamonds measuring
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

One of a Kind Diamond Ruby Antique Victorian 14KT Gold Snake Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique Antique Victorian Ring .10CT Beautiful Old Mine Cut Diamond Two Old Cut Ruby Eyes Size 6.25
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold

Victorian 18kt Gold Snake Ring with 3.50ct Ruby 0.45ct Diamonds
Located in Braintree, GB
, estimated at approximately 3.50 carats, bezel-set and framed by a halo of 30 old mine-cut diamonds. The
Category

Antique 1830s European Early Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Edwardian 0.95ct Diamond and Ruby Five Stone Ring, c.1910s
Located in London, GB
clarity of VS. In between are a pair of old cut rubies, one either side the central diamonds, with each
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

Edwardian 0.50ct Ruby and Diamond Daisy Cluster Ring, circa 1910s
Located in London, GB
. The ruby is an old cut and weighs 0.50 carat with the surrounding diamonds also being old cut. They
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

Edwardian 14k/Platinum Diamond and Ruby Moi Et Toi Ring
Located in Narberth, PA
yellow gold and platinum, the piece features a sparkling old mine cut diamond and vibrant oval cut ruby
Category

Antique Early 1900s American Edwardian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Platinum

Victorian Certified Natural Unheated Ruby Diamond Vous et Moi Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
Certified vivid Natural unheated burmese ruby, 0.65 ct., and one Sparkling Old mine cut diamond weighing
Category

Vintage 1910s European Art Nouveau Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique 18K Gold, Ruby and Diamond Double Snake Ring
Located in New York, NY
contact the gallery for further information) Materials: 1 old mine-cut diamond (weighing approximately
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

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

Fine Antique Large Yellod Gold Diamond and Ruby Navette Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
with Nice Clean White Old Mine cut Diamonds totaling approximately 1.75 Carats and Very Fine Color
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Late Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold

Antique Art Deco 1920s 1.84 Carat Oval Cut Ruby Ring with Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
small Old Mine cut Diamonds weighing a total of approximately 0.09 carats. The ring features triangular
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Vintage Certified No Heat Burma Ruby Diamond Engraved Gold Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
natural certified Burma Ruby 1.42 carat, and surrounded by colorless round old mine cut diamonds, 1.30
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Band Rings

Materials

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

Retro 14kt Gold Ring with Diamonds and synthetic Rubies
Located in Aventura, FL
and Platinum. This captivating piece features a center Old mine Diamond, approximately 0.25 carats in
Category

Mid-20th Century Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco Ruby, Diamond, Gold and Platinum Plaque Ring, circa 1920
Located in London, GB
A ruby and diamond early Art Deco plaque ring, with five principle old-cut diamonds, set
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Ruby and Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco Ruby and Diamond Ring A platinum ruby and diamond ring set with an old mine cut diamond
Category

Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 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.