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Art Deco Diamond and Ruby Three-Stone Halo Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
piece. To finish off this 1920s ring, there are small old cuts grain set within the shoulders of the
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Art Deco Platinum Ring with 2.18ct GIA Yellow Diamond and Calibrated Rubies
Located in MONTMORENCY, FR
diamond, GIA certified • Surrounding Stones: Calibrated rubies and old-cut diamonds • Weight: 4.6g • Size
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Yellow Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

French Art Deco 1920s Platinum Ruby and Diamond 5 Row Panel Ring
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
An Art Deco, ruby, diamond, and platinum ring, comprising eighteen French cut rubies, twenty-one
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Antique Victorian 18K Yellow Gold 1.58tgw Sapphire, Diamond and Ruby Ring
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
cushion-shaped rubies are a vibrant pinkish-red and are well matched with one another. The old mine cut
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Pair of Victorian Three Stone Diamond, Ruby and Sapphire Rings
Located in New York, NY
of 18K gold, diamonds, sapphires and rubies. Each ring is gypsy-set with an old mine-cut diamond
Category

Late 20th Century Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

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

Vintage 1910s Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Antique Victorian 18K Gold and Silver 0.8ctw Ruby and Diamond Marquise Ring
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
band. This stunning Victorian ring is set to the centre with 5 old mine cut diamonds, arranged in an
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Late 19th century 2.05 Carat Ruby Diamond Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
approximately 2.05 carats stunning oval ruby, Thailand origin, accented by an halo of sparkling old mine cut
Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Cushion Cut Natural Ruby Ring (AGL Approx. 1.4-Carats) Diamond Halo, Platinum
Located in New York, NY
halo of old mine-cut diamonds, each meticulously chosen to highlight the ruby’s vibrant hue. The
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Victorian Heart Shaped Ring with Diamond, Sapphires and Rubies, circa 1902
Located in London, GB
. The ring is handmade from 18 carat yellow gold. Gemstone: Diamond Stone Shape: Old Cut Carat Weight
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Antique Georgian Early 19th Century 1ct Ruby and Diamond Target Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
‘target’ shaped cluster ring is set with a 1ct cushion cut deep red ‘pigeon’s blood’ ruby, probably
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 22k Gold

6.45 Carat No-Heat Burma Ruby Oval Cut Round Diamond Halo Ring
Located in Miami, FL
GRS Certified 6.45 carat unheated oval cut Ruby from Burma. Adorned with a diamond halo of 12 round
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco circular 0.33 ct diamond ruby ring in 18k gold and platinum
Located in PARIS, FR
, centered with a 0.33 carat old-cut diamond in a setting of 18 calibrated natural rubies, and a second
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

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

Antique 1890s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Style Diamond Ruby Platinum Target Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
clarity. It’s accented by 6 old mine diamonds and 18 vibrant calibre cut red rubies, forming a striking
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Antique Ruby and Diamond Navette Ring
Located in London, GB
and below by a cluster of old mine cut diamonds, adding a brilliant contrast with their white sparkle
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Belle Époque Style 2.12 Carat Diamond Ruby 18K Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Diamonds Cut: Old Mine Weight: Approximately 1.5 Carats Color: H Clarity: SI Accent Stone: 15 Rubies Cut
Category

Vintage 1920s Belle Époque Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Victorian Burmese Ruby Diamond Navette Cluster Ring
Located in Sandnes, NO
carats of antique old mine and early old European cut diamonds, each individually hand-set. The stones
Category

Antique 1890s European Late Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

1900s Ruby Diamond Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
/ prong set to a rectangular, rub over style design. The ruby is flanked by two old mine cut diamonds
Category

Antique Early 1900s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco 18K Yellow Gold and Platinum Diamond and Ruby Lozenge Shaped Ring
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
An Art Deco diamond, ruby, platinum and yellow gold ring, comprising two old cut diamonds, two rose
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Antique Victorian 18K Yellow Gold Silver Top Rose Cut and Ruby Floral Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
and three old mine cut diamonds in different stations. There is a natural ruby as well in the middle
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Silver

Edwardian 0.65 Carat Diamond and Ruby Ring
Located in London, GB
a rich 18ct yellow gold, this antique piece showcases a single round faceted old mine cut diamond at
Category

Vintage 1910s Edwardian Solitaire Rings

Materials

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

0.85ctw Ruby and Diamond Eternity Band
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Platinum eternity band. Band is set with eleven (11) old mine cut diamonds and eleven (11) French
Category

20th Century Art Deco Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Edwardian Ruby and Diamond Ring
Located in Weston, MA
circles of old mine cut diamonds bisected by lines of square cut rubies. The shank is enhanced with a line
Category

Vintage 1910s Edwardian Dome Rings

Materials

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

Antique 18ct Gold Platinum 1920s Original Art Deco Ruby Diamond Plaque Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
rectangular design, elegantly set with three vertical rows of exquisite old mine-cut diamonds that sparkle
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Ruby and Diamond 18K Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
Antique Art Deco Style old mine diamond ring. At its heart lies a 1.01 carat cushion-cut diamond
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Ruby and Diamond 18K Gold Ring
Ruby and Diamond 18K Gold Ring
$8,320 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Ring natural Diamond Ruby 14K Yellow Gold Ring 8.75US / 3.8gr
Located in SE
Old Classic German cluster Ring decorated with three natural old European Diamond cut Diamonds and
Category

Vintage 1930s German Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Victorian English 18k Ruby Diamond Ring
Located in Narberth, PA
similar hue. The space between the stunning rubies is completely encrusted with a variety of old mine cut
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco Style Ruby Diamond Ring
Located in San Francisco, CA
five European and old mine-cut diamonds weighing approximately 0.56 carat, and accented with four
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Three Stone Diamond and Natural Ruby Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
This is s rare Three Stone Diamond and Ruby Ring .with 80 Carat Old Mine cut diamond flanked by 2
Category

Vintage 1940s Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold

Vintage Ring Ruby Diamonds solid 18K Gold Ring Ø 7.5US / 2.3 gr
Located in SE
Vintage ca 1960s -1970s European ring in solid 18K Yellow Gold with claw set diamond cut natural
Category

Vintage 1960s European Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

C1820 18K Diamond Cluster Ring with a Ruby Center
Located in Baltimore, MD
oval cut ruby was mined in Thailand and is .60 total weight or 60 total points; the diamonds are .70 in
Category

Antique 19th Century British Georgian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Silver, 18k Gold

Victorian Burma Ruby Diamond Marquee ring
Located in Napoli, IT
cut natural ruby of approx 1.60 Ct (7.76 mm. x 5.35 mm.) – 22 old mine cut diamonds totalling approx
Category

Antique 1880s European Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Edwardian pearl ruby diamond 18k yellow gold ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
approximately 0.15 carats adds a touch of rich color, while thirteen old mine and rose cut diamonds—totaling
Category

Vintage 1910s Edwardian Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Victorian Natural Burma Ruby Diamond Enameled Ring
Located in Narberth, PA
the gemstone's stated characteristics. Four old Cushion Mine Cut diamonds surround the central ruby
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco 0.50 Carat Ruby and Diamond Three-Stone Ring, circa 1930s
Located in London, GB
A gorgeous ruby is the centre of this 1930s three stone ring. The old cut ruby is 0.50 carat, and
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

Victorian Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
. The deep red hue of the ruby is beautifully complemented by a frame of round faceted old mine-cut
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

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

GIA Certified No Heat Burma Ruby Ring with Diamonds
Located in Miami, FL
The ring is Victorian, circa 1890. It presents an old cut oval ruby with very good crystal
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Antique Ring Ruby solid 18K Gold Ø US5 / 1 gr
Located in SE
Gold / hallmarked 750 with bezel clusters holding Red Rubies (likely lab made) old diamond cut Ø 2.5 mm
Category

Vintage 1930s European Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Ruby, 18k Gold

1937 Nordic Ring Ruby solid 18K Gold Ø8US / 2.85 gr
Located in SE
A Ring from distant 1937 with old European diamond cut Ruby (likely lab-made ) Ø 4.5 mm / ca. 0.5
Category

Vintage 1930s Swedish Retro Solitaire Rings

Materials

Ruby, 18k Gold

Edwardian Burmese ruby and diamond cross over ring, circa 1910.
Located in London, GB
Edwardian Burmese ruby and diamond cross over ring. Set with a cushion shape old cut natural
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Charming 0.50 Carat Diamond Ruby Halo Ring
Located in New York, NY
This fabulous platinum engagement ring is centered with a sparkling GIA certified old mine cut
Category

20th Century Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Victorian 18k Synthetic Ruby and Diamond Flush Mount Ring
Located in Narberth, PA
complemented by two flush set old mine cut diamonds. The diamonds display G/H color and SI1-SI2 clarity, and
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

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

French Edwardian Untreated Ruby Diamond 18 KT/Platinum Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
an old mine cut Diamond of approx. 1.0 Ct (6.31 mm. x 5.45 mm.) rated H VVS - bright white High
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Edwardian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

Vintage Victorian Era Ruby Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Montgomery, AL
Cut Natural Ruby Gemstone; Vibrant Red; Weight: 0.89 Carat 10 - 3.5mm Old Mine Cut Diamonds; HI Color
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco Inspired 1.94 Carat Diamond Ruby Platinum Halo Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Accent Stone: 50 Diamonds Cut: Old Mine, Single Weight: Approximately 1.5 Carats Color: H-I Clarity: SI
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Brown Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Marquise Shape Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring, circa 1910
Located in London, GB
Marquise shape ruby and diamond cluster ring. Set centrally with a cushion shape old cut natural
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Georgian Natural Ruby Diamond Rare Urn Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
, tested Hallmarks: none/worn Gems: 1 pear faceted cut natural ruby of 6.44 x 5.34 mm. - 14 old mine and 10
Category

Antique 1780s English Georgian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver

Victorian Certified Natural Unheated Ruby Diamond Vous et Moi Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
Certified vivid Natural unheated Ruby, 1.53 ct., and one Sparkling Old mine cut diamond weighing approx
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Art Deco Platinum Ruby and Diamond Dome Ring
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
approximately 0.70 carats. Surrounding the ruby are 50 antique old mine and small-cut diamonds totaling about
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Antique Ring solid 56 /14K Gold Diamonds Ruby ØUS5.5 / 3gr
Located in SE
Beautiful Antique Ring featuring crown decorated with oval cut natural Rubies and rose cut Diamonds
Category

Antique Early 1900s European Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold

Art Deco Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
consisting of a single row of round faceted old mine-cut diamonds. All stones here have been finely milgrain
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Antique Ring Diamond Ruby Sapphire solid 18K Gold ØUS8/ 2.5gr
Located in SE
Sapphire. Old European diamond cut Diamonds Ø 3.5 mm / 0.21 ct each / color F,G /VS Baguette cut Rubies
Category

Vintage 1920s European Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Ruby, 18k Gold

1932 Halo Ring natural 0.5ct Ruby 1ctw Diamonds solid Platinum ØUS6.75 /3.8gr
Located in SE
stones bezel set. Natural Ruby of old European diamond cut : Ø 4.5 mm x 2.7 mm deep / ca. 0.5 ct , color
Category

Vintage 1930s Swedish Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

1968 Finnish Ring Ruby solid 14K Rose Gold Ø 8US/ 1.8g
Located in SE
Rubies are of old diamond cut Ø 3 mm x 1.5 mm deep / 0.1 ct each .Color of the stones is reddish Pink
Category

Vintage 1960s Finnish Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Art Deco Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
round faceted old mine cut diamond sits slightly risen at the centre of an open face in an 8 clawed
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Diamond Ruby and Emerald Dress Ring
Located in London, GB
work plays host to a delightful array old mine cut diamonds before a meticulous arrangement of matching
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 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.