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GIA Certified 1.14 Carat Brown - Green Yellow Diamond 18 KT Gold Engagement Ring
Located in London, GB
with Round Brilliant Diamond down the split Shank Shoulders of the Diamond Engagement Ring. This
Category

2010s British Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Brown Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, W...

Vera Wang Love Diamond Engagement Ring 1.00 TCW 14 Karat Yellow Gold
By Vera Wang
Located in San Diego, CA
VERA WANG LOVE COLLECTION Style: 1 TCW Diamond Frame Split Shank Engagement Ring Sku Number
Category

2010s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Antique Art Deco Platinum Old Euro Diamond and Emerald Engagement Ring - GIA
Located in Great Neck, NY
natural French cut emerald with a split shank of old cut diamonds. The ring is in good condition and has a
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Charles Krypell 1.03ctw Round Diamond 0.56ctw Round Ruby Regal Flower Ring
By Charles Krypell
Located in Houston, TX
diamond encrusted split shank. The ring is a size 6.5 but can be resized upon request. Condition
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold

Angara GIA Certified Natural Opal with Diamond Halo Ring in 14K Solid Gold
By ANGARA INC.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
GIA Certified Oval Opal Split Shank Ring with Diamond Halo. Customization:We offer exquisite
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Opal, Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold

De Beers 1.59 ct Total Weight 14k White Gold Princess Diamond Ring
By De Beers
Located in Chicago, IL
1.59 ct Total Weight 14k White Gold Princess & Round Brilliant Cut Diamond Split Shank Engagement
Category

2010s British Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

TJD 0.12 Carat round Diamond and 9X7 mm Oval Morganite 14 Karat Rose Gold Ring
By TJD
Located in New York, NY
split shank designer diamond engagement ring is truly amazing.
Category

2010s Indian Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Morganite, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

GIA 17.63 Ct Yellow SI2 Cushion Diamond Pave 18K Engagement Ring with Halo
By Sebastian Bernard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
18k Gold Pave set Split Shank Diamond Engagement Ring with halo. The ring has total weight of 0.90 Ct
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold

TJD 0.07 Carat Diamond and 8 X 6 MM Natural Tanzanite 14K White Gold Twist Ring
By TJD
Located in New York, NY
diamonds and 1 tanzanite in prong setting. Diamonds are graded in HI color and I2 clarity. This split shank
Category

2010s Indian Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tanzanite, White Gold

2.02 Ct. Natural Unheated Certified Ruby Diamond Halo Ring 18K White Gold
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a one-of-a-kind Ruby and Diamond Split-Shank Ring! The center stone is an Oval cut 2.02
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold

Angara Natural GIA Certified Emerald-Cut Emerald Ring with Diamonds in 14K Gold
By ANGARA INC.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
you with the package.Product Description: GIA Certified Emerald-Cut Emerald Split Shank
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern More Rings

Materials

Emerald, Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold

Victorian 13.6 Cttw. Natural Emerald, Opal and Diamond Ring Size 7 In 18K/SS
Located in New York, NY
Introducing our exquisite Victorian Emerald, Opal, and Diamond Split Shank Floral Cocktail Ring, a
Category

2010s Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Opal, 18k Gold, Rhodium, Sterling Silver

Angara Natural GIA Certified 3.48 ct Blue Sapphire Ring with Diamond in 14K Gold
By ANGARA INC.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
you with the package.Product Description: GIA Certified Blue Sapphire Split Shank Ring
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern More Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold

Victorian 4.3 Cttw. Natural Emerald, Sapphire and Diamond Ring Size 7 In 18K/SS
Located in New York, NY
Diamond Split Shank Ring — a fusion of artistry and sophistication in 18k Gold and black rhodium silver
Category

2010s Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rhodium, Sterling Silver

Victorian 4.85 Cttw. Pearl, Blue and Pink Sapphire/Diamond Ring Size 7 In 18K/SS
Located in New York, NY
Introducing our exquisite Victorian Blue and Pink Sapphire Diamond Split Shank Floral Ring, a
Category

2010s Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rhodium, Sterling Silver

White Gold Rhodolite Garnet Ring
Located in Miami, FL
total weight diamonds on split shank Ring size 7.
Category

2010s North American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Rhodolite, 14k Gold, White Gold

TJD 0.50 Carat Round Diamond 14 Karat White Gold Pear Shape Stackable Bridal Set
By TJD
Located in New York, NY
This pear shaped Split shank Diamond Engagement Ring in 14K gold showcases 0.50 carats of sparkling
Category

2010s Indian Art Deco Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

GIA 1.01 Ct Fancy Light Pink Cushion Pave Set 18K Engagement Ring with Halo
By Sebastian Bernard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
beautiful handcrafted 18k gold pave set Diamond Split Shank Engagement Ring with double Halo with 0.12 Ct
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pink Diamond, 18k Gold

Angara Natural Prong-Set GIA Certified Oval 8.82 ct Opal Ring in 14K Solid Gold
By ANGARA INC.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
you with the package.Product Description: Prong-Set GIA Certified Oval Opal Split Shank
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern More Rings

Materials

Opal, Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold

Split Shank Pave Set Diamond Engagement Ring with Halo and Cluster Center
By Sebastian Bernard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This beautiful Split Shank Diamond Engagement Ring with Halo has a rectangular center wet with a
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

1.66ct Natural Radiant Cut Fancy Yellow VS1 Split Shank Diamond Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The simple elegance of this halo canary diamond engagement ring showcase the beauty of its
Category

2010s American Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

2.16ct Radiant Cut Fancy Yellow Split Shank Diamond Ring Internally Flawless
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The simple elegance of this halo canary diamond engagement ring showcase the beauty of its
Category

2010s American Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

David Rosenberg 1.39ct Oval Fancy Greenish Yellow GIA Split Shank Diamond Ring
By David Rosenberg
Located in Boca Raton, FL
yellow throughout an Oval faceted shape. A platinum and multicolor 18Kt gold band carries a split shank
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Pink Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gol...

GFCO Unheated 1.01 Padparadscha Sapphire 18K White Gold Split Shank Diamond Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
GFCO Certified 1.01 Ct Unheated Padparadscha Pear Shape Sapphire and Diamond Split Shank 18K White
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Malagasy Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Padparadscha Sapphire , Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Cat s Eye and Diamond 14 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Oval shaped bezel set Cat's Eye Cabochon stone set in 14k gold split shank diamond ring.
Category

2010s American Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Emerald Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Hand crafted platinum split shank diamond ring. The center square emerald cut weighs 1.57cts and is
Category

American Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Split Shank Cushion Diamond Engagement Ring
By Concierge Diamonds Inc.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Split Shank Cushion Diamond Engagement Ring with Diamond Pave is crafted in 18KT white gold
Category

2010s American Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

2.05ct Diamond Split-Shank Ring
Located in Carmel, CA
split-shank mounting. The center stone is accented by .90 total carats of side diamonds and the ring is
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Split Shank Diamond Halo Engagement Ring
By Gabriel Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
Split Shank Diamond Halo Engagement Ring in 14k White Gold. Center diamond weighs 0.50 ct, H color
Category

2010s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Double Halo Diamond Engagement Ring with Split Shank and Oval Center
By Concierge Diamonds Inc.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
reveals six elegantly open leaves to hold the center stone. A split shank covered in diamond pave
Category

2010s American Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

2.02ct Fancy Yellow Diamond Split-Shank Ring
Located in Carmel, CA
is surrounded by 1.20 total carats of bright white diamonds. The beautiful split-shank mounting is
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Petite Split Shank Diamond Halo Engagement Ring
By Gabriel Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
Petite Split Shank Diamond Halo Engagement Ring in 14k White Gold. Center diamond weighs 0.25 ct
Category

2010s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Split Bypass Shank Diamond Halo Engagement Ring
By Gabriel Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
bypass split shank and a beautiful diamond halo, surrounding the center diamond. Total diamond weight
Category

2010s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Split Rope Shank Diamond Halo Engagement Ring
By Gabriel Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
chic split shank and a beautiful diamond halo, surrounding the center diamond. Center diamond weighs
Category

2010s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Split Shank White Gold Diamond Engagement Ring
By Gabriel Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
Ladies' 14k White Gold Diamond Engagement Ring. Diamond pave on the ring's split shank extends to
Category

2010s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Modern Split Shank Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Frederick, MD
·Item: 14K Stunning 0.94 CT Diamond Solitaire SI2 0.25 CTW Engagement Ring Size 6.75 White Gold
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Engagement Rings

Classic Diamond Halo Engagement Ring with Split Shank
By Gabriel Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
Classic Diamond Halo Engagement Ring with Euro Style Split Shank in 14k White Gold. Center natural
Category

2010s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Wide Diamond Gold Oval Shape Split Shank Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
53 full cut round diamonds weighing 2.70 cts., split shank Finger size 6.5, may be sized
Category

Vintage 1970s American Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Round Diamond Split Shank Minimalist Engagement Ring Basic
Located in Hertsliya, IL
Twist band round diamond engagement ring. An original design by Silly Shiny Diamonds. This list is
Category

2010s Israeli Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

2.07 Carat Round Cluster Diamond Ring with Diamond Split Shank
Located in New York, NY
HJN Inc. Ring featuring a Round Cluster Diamond Ring With Diamond Split Shank Round-Cut Diamond
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Round Brilliant Diamond Engagement Ring with Split Pave Shank
By Gabriel Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
features pave set diamonds in an open space split shank.. Center diamond weighs 0.30 ct, H color, SI2
Category

2010s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Classic Split Shank Diamond Engagement Ring in White Gold
By Gabriel Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
Classic Split Shank Diamond Engagement Mounting in 14k White Gold. Elegant pave set diamonds cover
Category

2010s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

18 Karat White Gold Split Shank Oval Diamond Ring
Located in La Jolla, CA
diamond and extend partway down the split shank. The total diamond weight in the ring is 1.76cttw.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold

Rose Gold Champagne Halo Diamond Ring with Split Shank
By Mary Gallagher
Located in Foxborough, MA
of champagne diamonds. The split shank and setting mix vintage and architectural components- a
Category

2010s American Artisan Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Bespoke, Double Halo, Split Shank Diamond Engagement Ring Design
Located in London, GB
This is an image of a popular ring design, ideal for an asscher, princess or cushion cut diamond or
Category

2010s British Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, ...

Princess Cut Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring with Split Shank Setting
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Split shank solitaire engagement ring set with 2.21ct Princess Cut center diamond, H VS1 GIA
Category

2010s Canadian Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

6.74 Carat Pink Tourmaline Split Shank Ring
Located in La Neuveville, Berne
An eye catching cocktail ring, showcasing a fine cushion cut pink tourmaline weighing 6.74 carats
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Rubelite, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Split Shank Halo GIA Round Brilliant White Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The plain shank of this engagement ring splits as it reaches the center stone on this engagement
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Split Shank White Gold Diamond Engagement Mounting
By Gabriel Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
delicate pave diamonds and exquisite milgrain give this unique ring a playful enigmatic look. Part of
Category

2010s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Platinum Asscher Cut Diamond Double Pave Halo And Split Shank Ring
Located in New York, NY
, elegantly mounted on a split shank. Let's delve into the details that make this ring a true gem. **The
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Split Shank Halo GIA Round Brilliant White Diamond Engagement Wedding Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Shimmering white diamonds split across the shank of this engagement ring as they reach the center
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Split Shank Halo Round Brilliant White Diamond Engagement Ring 1.85 Carats
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A diamond encrusted shank splits as it reaches the center stone on this Scintillenora engagement
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

GIA Certified 7.11 Ct. Natural Yellow Sapphire Diamond Split Shank Ring
By Hand Made
Located in Los Angeles, CA
sunsets. The elegant split shank is adorned with 22 diamonds totaling 0.42 carats, adding a touch of
Category

2010s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Ethonica Solitaire Diamond Ring with Split Shank in 14 Karat Gold
Located in New York, NY
the shank which is designed as 14K white gold double loop ring. Center stone 0.35 carat diamond is
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Bespoke 0.5-1 Carat Double Halo, Split Shank Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in London, GB
This is an image of a popular ring design, ideal for an asscher, princess or cushion cut diamond or
Category

2010s British Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, ...

Bespoke 0.5-1 Carat Double Halo, Split Shank Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in London, GB
This is an image of a popular ring design, ideal for an asscher, princess or cushion cut diamond or
Category

2010s British Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, ...

1.75 Carat Certified GIA Round Diamond Halo Split Shank Engagement Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Breathtaking Design, this diamond engagement ring showcases a 1.00 Carat F VVS2 Round Cut GIA
Category

2010s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

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Split Shank Diamond Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

Surely you’ll find the exact split shank diamond ring you’re seeking on 1stDibs — we’ve got a vast assortment for sale. Every item for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using Gold, White Gold and 18k Gold. In our selection of items, you can find a vintage example as well as a contemporary version. If you’re looking for a split shank diamond 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 20th Century while another version may have been produced as recently as the 21st Century. For this particular piece, 1 Carat and 1.5 Carat are consistently popular carat weights. Finding an appealing split shank diamond ring — no matter the origin — is easy, but TJD, Sebastian Bernard and Peter Suchy each produced a popular version that is worth a look. Today, if you’re looking for a round cut version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes oval cut and cushion cut alternatives. Finding a split shank diamond ring for sale for women should be easy, but there are 50 pieces available to browse for unisex as well as men, too.

How Much is a Split Shank Diamond Ring?

On average, a split shank diamond ring at 1stDibs sells for $4,886, while they’re typically $320 on the low end and $345,500 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.

Questions About Split Shank Diamond Ring
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    Split shank rings are differentiated by their band, which splits in two on either side to frame the gem in the center. The double band provides area to add additional accenting gems.