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Traub Orange Blossom Diamond Art Deco Ring White Gold 18k Old Mine .50ctw Vintag
Located in Greensboro, NC
This ring is a size 6 1/4, but it can be re-sized up 2 sizes or down 1 size for a $30 fee. Once a
Category

20th Century Unknown Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

14k Yellow Gold Custom Made Natural Diamond Trinity Ring. 0.81TCW
Located in Victoria, BC
Here is a beautiful 14k Yellow Gold Custom Made Natural Diamond Trinity Ring. This is a unique and
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

14k Yellow Gold Natural Emerald and Diamond Trinity Ring 0.47TCW
Located in Victoria, BC
symmetry, and good proportions. Side Diamonds: 2 round brilliant cut diamonds, approximately 0.16 carats
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold

Cartier Diamond Trinity Ring US 5 1/4 18 Karat Tri Gold Box and Papers Estate
By Cartier
Located in Torrance, CA
Pre owned Cartier Trinity diamond ring, crafted in 18 karat yellow, rose and white gold. The
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Modern Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

DeBeers ‘Promise’ Solitaire Engagement Ring
By DeBeers
Located in London, GB
and the ring is made in platinum. Gemstone: Diamond Stone Shape: Round Brilliant Carat Weight: 0.75
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

1.17ctw Round Brilliant Single Cut Diamond Vintage Ring, 14k Yellow Gold Halo
Located in Greensboro, NC
This ring is a size 7 - 7 1/4, but it can be re-sized up 2 sizes for a $25 fee or down 2 sizes for
Category

20th Century Unknown Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco 18 Karat Gold Three-Stone Ladies Ring with Emerald and Diamonds
Located in Braintree, GB
: Emerald Size : 1 CT Treatment : Natural Diamond - Number of Diamonds : 2 Cut : Old Cut Round Carat
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Estate 14 Karat White and Yellow Gold Tanzanite Trillion Diamond Fashion Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Estate 14K white and yellow gold tanzanite and trillion diamond three stone fashion ring
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tanzanite, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 18 Karat White Gold Ladies Three-Stone Ring with Aquamarine and Diamonds
Located in Braintree, GB
- Cut : Round Clarity : VS1 Colour : F Total Carats : Approx 0.40 Carat total Number of diamonds : 2
Category

Vintage 1950s British Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique French Art Deco 18 Karat Gold Ring with Cornflower Sapphire and Diamonds
Located in Braintree, GB
: 6 Condition : Ring is pre-owned, minor wear from general usage, no damage, excellent condition
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Checkerboard Ruby Ring
Located in Austin, TX
. The ring is pre-owned but never worn. While size 9, any local jeweler can easily adjust if needed. The
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Ruby, 14k Gold

Tiffany Co. ‘Etoile’ Diamond Band
By Tiffany Co.
Located in London, GB
. The band is made of 18 carat yellow gold and measures to 7.5mm in width. The ring has all original
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Etincelle De Cartier Diamond Wedding Band
By Cartier
Located in London, GB
De Cartier collection, it has a full eternity of diamonds which have a combined weight of 1.00 carat
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Cartier Tank Francaise Diamond Set Wedding Band
By Cartier
Located in London, GB
Colour: F Clarity: VS Designer: Cartier Metal: 18ct White Gold Age: Modern, Pre-owned Size: S 1/2
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

14 Karat White Gold and Diamond Band
Located in Washington Depot, CT
diamonds. Diamonds are approx. .15 carats in total. SI, H-I Diamonds are set approx. 4 mm high
Category

20th Century Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Cartier D amour Wedding Band Platinum Ring Estate Box and Papers
By Cartier
Located in Torrance, CA
Pre owned Cartier D'Amour diamond ring, crafted in 950 platinum. The pre-owned Cartier ring is
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Modern Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

14 Karat White Gold and Diamond Band
Located in Washington Depot, CT
diamonds. Diamonds are approx. .15 carats in total. SI, H-I Diamonds are set approx. 4 mm high
Category

20th Century Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Tiffany Co. Platinum Soleste Full Circle Diamond Eternity Band Size 5.5
By Tiffany Co.
Located in New York, NY
approximately 0.34 carats of round brilliant diamonds. The diamonds, graded F color and VVS clarity, are
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Vintage 9kt gold opal cluster ring
Located in Braintree, GB
ring is pre - owned, minor signs of usage, excellent condition overall.
Category

Vintage 1950s Cluster Rings

Materials

Opal, Gold, 9k Gold

Estate Untreated Colombian Emerald Gold Three-Stone Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
treatment, weighing 0.80 carats and 2 old cut diamonds with a total weight of approx. 0.80 carats I color Vs
Category

Mid-20th Century Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Gold

Yellow Gold Sapphire Ruby Emerald Cluster Band, 14k Oval 2.06ctw Ring
Located in Greensboro, NC
Genuine Peridot Carat: .20ct Cut: Square Color: Green Natural Diamonds Carats: .10ctw Color: H - I
Category

20th Century More Rings

Materials

Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Yellow Gold

Tiffany Co. Platinum Three-Stone Emerald Cut Engagement Ring 1.59ct TW GVVS
By Tiffany Co.
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Pre-Owned Tiffany & Co. engagement ring finely crafted in platinum featuring three emerald
Category

20th Century American Contemporary Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Cabochon Cut Opal Marcasite Vintage Butterfly Earrings 14k Gold Pierced Dangle
By Scott Kay
Located in Greensboro, NC
This ring is a size 6 1/2, but it can be re-sized up 1 size for a $30 fee. Once a ring is re-sized
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tourmaline, 14k Gold, White Gold

Tiffany Co. ‘Lace’ 5.30 Carat Diamond Necklace
By Tiffany Co.
Located in London, GB
diamond florets gracefully linked together with small rings. The necklace is hand-set with 5.30 carats of
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Modern More Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Platinum Art Deco Period Pery Ladies Diamond Watch 1.50 Carats 18.09 Grams
Located in Media, PA
: Platinum Total Item Weight approx: 18.09 Grams Ring Size approx: 6 1/2 Length 1. Gemstone: Genuine
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

1.43ctw Oval Cut Ruby Diamond Ring, 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Greensboro, NC
This ring is a size 7, but it can be re-sized up 2 sizes for a $30 fee. Once a ring is re-sized, we
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown More Jewelry

Materials

Yellow Gold

White Gold Citrine Diamond Ring, 14k Oval Cut 6.56ctw Flowers
Located in Greensboro, NC
11.7mm Carat(s): 6.50ct Natural Diamonds Clarity: I2 - I3 Color: H - I Cut: Round Brilliant Carat(s
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown More Jewelry

Materials

White Gold

Vintage Paul Flato Necklace Brooch Ring Set 14k Gold Ruby Diamond Estate Jewelry
By Paul Flato
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
differently and mostly depend on the cost paid by a seller. A pre-owned Bulgari ring and a brand-new Bulgari
Category

Vintage 1980s American Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold

Yellow Gold Diamond Bypass Engagement Ring Wedding Band, 14k Marquise .80ctw
Located in Greensboro, NC
& 14k White Gold Stone Information: Natural Diamond Solitaire Carat: .35ct Cut: Marquise Color: E
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown More Jewelry

Materials

Yellow Gold

White Gold Diamond Men s Ring, 14k Round Brilliant .42ctw Brushed Finish
Located in Greensboro, NC
This ring is a size 10, but it can be re-sized up 2 sizes for a $35 fee or down 2 sizes for a $30
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown More Jewelry

Materials

White Gold

.15ctw Round Brilliant Diamond Wedding Band, 14k White Gold Milgrain Ring
Located in Greensboro, NC
This ring is a size 6 - 6 1/4, but it can be re-sized up 2 sizes for a $25 fee or down 1 size for a
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown More Jewelry

Materials

White Gold

Yellow Gold Green Sapphire Diamond Bypass Ring, 10k Oval Cut .87ctw
Located in Greensboro, NC
: Green Size: 6.7mm x 4.8mm Natural Diamonds Carats: .02ctw Cut: Single Color: H - I Clarity: I2 - I3
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown More Jewelry

Materials

Yellow Gold

White Gold Quartz Diamond Halo Ring, 14k Square Cushion 1.45ctw Engagement
Located in Greensboro, NC
) Natural Diamonds Carats: .25ctw Cut: Round Brilliant Color: G - H Clarity: I1 Total Carats: 1.45ctw
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown More Jewelry

Materials

White Gold

.75ctw Round Cut Synthetic Emerald Diamond Ring, 14k Yellow Gold Halo Bypass
Located in Greensboro, NC
This ring is a size 6 1/4, but it can be re-sized up 2 sizes for a $25 fee or down 2 sizes for a
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown More Jewelry

Materials

Yellow Gold

White Gold Diamond Wedding Band, 14k Round Brilliant Cut .25ctw Women s Ring
Located in Greensboro, NC
This ring is a size 5 1/2, but it can be re-sized up 2 sizes for a $30 fee or down 1 size for a $25
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown More Jewelry

Materials

White Gold

1.10ctw Round Cut Blue Topaz Diamond Ring, 14k Rose Gold Bypass Halo
Located in Greensboro, NC
This ring is a size 7 1/4, but it can be re-sized up 2 sizes for a $30 fee or down 1 size for a $25
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown More Jewelry

Materials

Rose Gold

White Gold Diamond Engagement Ring Wedding Bands, 10k Round Cut Halo .20ctw
Located in Greensboro, NC
These rings are a size 8 - 8 1/4, but it can be re-sized up 2 sizes for a $25 fee per ring for a
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown More Jewelry

Materials

White Gold

Gubelin Diamond Enamel Platinum Gold Pendant Watch Necklace
Located in Stamford, CT
cabochon Emerald Chain Length: 17 inches Watch hangs down 2 inches PT 950 on spring ring, case and chain
Category

Early 20th Century Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Enamel

Tiffany Co. Diamond ‘Atlas’ Key Pendant
By Tiffany Co.
Located in London, GB
, accompanied by a ring of diamonds. The round brilliant diamonds are of the finest quality at F in colour and
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Cartier 18k Yellow Gold Circle Love Bracelet with Diamonds
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Number of Diamonds: 2 Diamond Carat Weight: 0.03 Current Retail Price: $2,280 Package Includes Original
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Link Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Yellow Gold Diamond Cross Pendant Necklace, 14k Round Cut .24ctw Faith
Located in Greensboro, NC
Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold & 14k White Gold Stone Information Natural Diamonds Total Carats
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Aaron Basha Blue Evil Eye Diamond Bracelet Estate 18 Karat Gold Fine Jewelry
By Aaron Basha
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish pre owned Aaron Basha diamond evil eye bracelet crafted in 18k white gold. Diamond total
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Chain Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

14k Yellow Gold Natural Champagne and White Diamond Cluster Pendant 0.33TCW
Located in Victoria, BC
, 0.21 carats, approximately 3.90mm x 2.30mm, with I-2 clarity and champagne color grade, rated G make
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

18k/PLATINUM Old European Cut Natural Diamond Cluster Earrings. 1.26TCW
Located in Victoria, BC
. 3.80mm x 3.90mm x 2.50mm. One diamond is SI-2 clarity, the other is I-1. Both are I-J colour with fair
Category

Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Stud Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Pink and Yellow Sapphire Parrot Brooch
Located in Bethesda, MD
retractable ring that allow the brooch to be worn as a pendant. ♦ Metal: 18 karat gold ♦ Gem stone:76 Diamonds
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold

Donald Claflin for Tiffany Co. Giraffe Gold Brooch Gemstones Estate Jewelry
By Donald Claflin for Tiffany Co.
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
cost paid by a seller. A pre-owned Bulgari ring and a brand-new Bulgari ring have a very appealing
Category

Vintage 1970s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Zircon, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Bulgari Diamond Bypass Ring Estate 18k White Gold Designer Pre Owned Jewelry
By Bulgari
Located in Torrance, CA
carats. The ring is in excellent condition. Particulars: Weight: 5.1 grams Stones: Diamonds total
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco 2, 12 carat Diamond Engagement Gold Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
CONDITION: Pre-owned - Excellent METAL: 18k White Gold GEM STONE: Diamond 2.12 total carats DESIGN
Category

Mid-20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond

925 Djoy Platinum Over Sterling Silver 2 to 3 Carat Blue Baguette Diamond Ring
Located in Eagan, MN
that is has 2 to 3 carats of diamonds, possibly more. The ring is a size 6.25 and is stamped "DJoy 925
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Blue Diamond, Diamond, Platinum, Sterling Silver

Vintage 13 Carat Jade Diamond Platinum Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
. Circa 1980 CONDITION: Pre-owned - Excellent METAL: Platinum GEM STONE: Jade 13 carats, Diamond 2 total
Category

Late 20th Century Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Jade, Platinum

1.27 Carat Round Color Change Sapphire and Diamond Vintage Ring Platinum
Located in Greensboro, NC
This ring is a size 5 1/2 - 5 3/4. Era: Vintage Metal Content: Guaranteed Platinum as stamped
Category

20th Century Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

3.34 Carat Oval Cut Tanzanite and Diamond Ring, Platinum Milgrain Halo
Located in Greensboro, NC
This ring is a size 5 3/4, but it can be re-sized up 2 sizes for a $50 fee. Once a ring is re-sized
Category

20th Century Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tanzanite, Platinum

Estate 3 Carat Sapphire Diamond Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
CONDITION: Pre-Owned - Excellent METAL: 18K Gold GEM STONE: Sapphire 2 Carats - Diamond 1,10 total carats
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Estate Diamond 1.50 Carat Five-Stone Gold Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
CONDITION: Pre-Owned - Excellent METAL: 18k Gold (stamped) GEM STONE: Diamond 1.50 total carats RING SIZE
Category

Mid-20th Century Art Deco Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Art Deco 4 Carat Sapphire Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
4 Carat Diamond 2 total carats DESIGN ERA: 1920 - Art Deco RING SIZE: US 7,5 - IT 16 - FR 56 - UK
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Estate 3.47 Carat Sapphire Half Moon Diamond Platinum Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
carats, Diamond approx. 3.50 total carats RING SIZE: US 5/6 - IT 11 - FR 51 - UK L-1/2, Resizable on
Category

Late 20th Century Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

Rose Gold Morganite and Diamond Ring, 14 Karat Double Halo 6.98 Carat
Located in Greensboro, NC
This ring is a size 7 1/4 - 7 1/2, but it can be re-sized up 2 sizes for a $30 fee. Once a ring is
Category

20th Century Unknown Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Morganite, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

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Pre Owned 2 Carat Diamond Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact pre owned 2 carat diamond ring you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Frequently made of gold, white gold and yellow gold, this item was constructed with great care. Our collection of these items for sale includes 1273 vintage editions and 634 modern creations to choose from as well. Making the right choice when shopping for a pre owned 2 carat diamond ring may mean carefully reviewing examples of this item dating from different eras — you can find an early iteration of this piece from the 18th Century and a newer version made as recently as the 21st Century, both of which have proven very popular over the years. A pre owned 2 carat diamond ring from Tiffany Co., Cartier and David Yurman — each of whom created a beautiful version of this treasured accessory — is worth considering. A round cut version of this piece has appeal, but there are also mixed cut and uncut versions for sale. There aren’t many items for men if you’re seeking a pre owned 2 carat diamond ring, as most of the options available are for women and unisex.

How Much is a Pre Owned 2 Carat Diamond Ring?

The price for a pre owned 2 carat diamond ring starts at $110 and tops out at $279,000 with these rings, on average, selling for $1,619.

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.