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2.01 Total Carat Weight Round Emeralds Diamonds Stud Earrings in 18K Gold
Located in New York, NY
These stunning Emerald Studs are made by a professional jeweler in the Diamond District of New York
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Victorian Stud Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Bochic “Vintage Retro” Diamonds Emeralds Bracelet Set In 18K Gold Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Vintage Retro” Oval Natural Emeralds from Zambia & Diamonds Set In 18K Gold & Silver
Category

20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Anklets

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Silver

Spanish Colonial 1785 Dangle Earrings 17kt Gold Silver with Diamonds and Emerald
Located in Miami, FL
selection of natural diamonds and emeralds, from Colombia. It should be noted that the diamonds and
Category

Antique 1780s Spanish Baroque Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Vintage 18 Karat Gold Sapphire Diamond Emerald Small Bee Pin Brooch
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is a vintage small bee pin brooch. It is crafted in 18K gold. The piece features sapphires
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold

Vintage 18 Karat Gold 6.50 Carat Emerald 2.50 Carat Diamond Tennis Bracelet
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
Deco, Art Nouveau, Edwardian, Georgian, Victorian styles, from engagement rings to rose-cut diamond
Category

20th Century Modern Tennis Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold

Vintage 18 Karat Yellow Gold 1.60 Carat Diamond Emerald Panther Pin Brooch
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is an amazing panther pin brooch crafted in 18K yellow gold. Circa 1980. The piece features
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Edwardian 18 Karat Gold Triangle Cut Emerald Diamond Stick Pin Brooch
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is an Edwardian stick pin brooch. It is crafted in 18K yellow gold. Circa 1910. The piece
Category

20th Century Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold

Antique Mid-19th Century Emerald Diamond Gold Cross Pendant
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1850 An antique 18K gold cross pendant is embellished with emeralds and old mine cut and
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Victorian Drop Necklaces

Bochic “Retro Vintage” Colombian Emeralds Diamond Cluster Stud Earrings
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Square cuts from Colombia 1.65 Carat Diamonds 0.36 Carat F color VS clarity 18K White Gold 2.5 Gram
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Retro Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian 16.29 Carat Garnet and Yellow Gold Cross Pendant
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning antique Victorian 16.29 carat garnet and 15 karat yellow gold cross pendant and chain
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Garnet, Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold

Bochic “Vintage Retro” Natural Rubies from Africa Diamonds Set In 18K Gold S
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Vintage Retro” Natural Rubies from Africa & Diamonds Set In 18K Gold & Silver Can wear as
Category

Late 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Anklets

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver

Victorian "REGARD" Gemstone Floral Heart Necklace
Located in Narberth, PA
of a sentimental Victorian tradition. The ensemble of stones includes a Ruby, an Emerald, a pink
Category

Antique 1880s French Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, Ruby, 18k Gold

Edwardian 18 Karat Gold 2.35 Carat Sapphire Emerald Ruby Rhombus Pendant
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
Deco, Art Nouveau, Edwardian, Georgian, Victorian styles, from engagement rings to rose-cut diamond
Category

Early 20th Century French Edwardian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold

14K Sapphire Ruby Emerald Diamond Slide Bracelet Vintage Pearl Topaz 9.22 Carats
Located in Sylvania, GA
, Fine Colombian Emeralds, Sapphires, and Antique Aquamarines set in Solid 18k Gold, 14K Gold, and
Category

20th Century Chandelier Earrings

Materials

Amethyst, Citrine, Peridot, Topaz, Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, Pearl, Black ...

GIA Tahitian Pearl 18K Diamond Vintage Necklace Saltwater Strand Fine Huge 13 mm
Located in Sylvania, GA
DIAMOND CLASP AND CASE! Huge Saltwater Pearls and Sparkling 18K Solid Gold Vintage Clasp--Stunning
Category

20th Century Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Incredible Black Diamond 18 Karat Rose Gold Statement Serpent Dangle Earrings
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
and Ring Available) Can be made in either Rose, Yellow or White 18 K gold. Black Diamond 450 RND 3,5
Category

2010s Lever-Back Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

GIA 18K Ruby No Heat Diamond Earrings Star Natural Vintage VVS Huge 19.94 Carats
Located in Sylvania, GA
Rubies and Diamonds in 18K Gold is Amazing! GIA Certification Paperwork Is Included. Fine Rubies are
Category

20th Century Art Deco Chandelier Earrings

Materials

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

Platinum Diamond Antique Brooch Raymond Yard Pendant VS Old Mine Huge 8.19 Cts!
Located in Sylvania, GA
Jewelry, Fine Tahitian Pearls, Black Opals, Natural Rubies, Miners Cut Diamonds, Fine Colombian Emeralds
Category

20th Century Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

GIA Australian Opal Platinum Solid Diamond 14K Vintage Pendant Natural 17.91 Cts
Located in Sylvania, GA
Emeralds, Sapphires, and Antique Aquamarines set in Solid 18k Gold, 14K Gold, and Platinum. Fine Vintage
Category

20th Century Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

Late Victorian Emerald and Diamond Carved Half Hoop Ring
Located in London, GB
. Unmarked, tested as 18ct gold. A very pretty emerald and diamond ring. This ring was made in the late
Category

Antique 1890s British Late Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Important Victorian Five-Stone Emerald Ring
Located in London, GB
of wear consistent with its age. Unmarked, tested as 18ct gold. This exceptional Victorian ring is
Category

Antique 1880s British Late Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Late Victorian Emerald Five Stone Ring
Located in London, GB
A late Victorian emerald five stone ring, the five emerald-cut emeralds graduated from the centre
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Five-Stone Carved Half Hoop Emerald Ring
Located in London, GB
of the ring. Unmarked, tested as 18ct gold. A dazzling late Victorian emerald ring. This ring
Category

Antique 1880s British Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

19th Century Emerald Gold Cross Ring
Located in New York, NY
A brilliant natural emerald English "cross" ring, c1860, hand crafted of 18K gold, set with
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Three-Stone Emerald and Diamond Ring
Located in London, GB
A three stone emerald and diamond ring, the central emerald-cut emerald, measuring approximately
Category

Antique 1860s British High Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Victorian Gold Diamond Emerald ring
Located in Boston, Lincolnshire
A Classic Victorian 18 Carat Gold, Emerald and Diamond ring. Size R UK, 9 US sizable. Height
Category

Antique 1880s British Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Victorian Colombian Muzo Mine Emerald Diamond Gold Ring
Located in San Francisco, CA
This classic antique emerald and diamond ring shines brightly with a vibrant, rich green, Colombian
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Victorian Pearl Emerald Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Calabasas, CA
The large modified diamond-shaped ring centers 3 bezel-set old European-cut diamonds with 1 pear
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold

Victorian Diamond, Emerald and Gold Dome Ring
Located in Madison area, WI
- Victorian Diamond and Emerald Ring - c. 1860-1880 - 18k yellow gold; 6 old mine-cut diamonds
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Victorian Emerald Old Mine Cut Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Frederick, MD
All diamonds are graded according to GIA grading standards. ·Item: 18K 0.50 CTW Emerald Diamond
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Gorgeous Victorian Emerald Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Clover Creek is a gorgeous Victorian Era 18k yellow gold cocktail ring centering a beautiful step
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian Cabochon Emerald Diamond Ring
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
To read more please click continue reading below... This fabulous 18ct Yellow Gold Victorian ring
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Victorian 18 Karat Gold Diamond and Emerald Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Period: Victorian (1836-1901) Composition: 18K Gold and platinum. Stones: ·1 natural tear shape
Category

20th Century Unknown Late Victorian Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum

Late Victorian Emerald and Diamond Ring
Located in London, GB
Late Victorian natural untreated Colombian Emerald surrounded by Old Cut Diamonds in beautiful
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian Emerald Diamond Chequerboard Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
A fine Victorian chequerboard ring set with two rows of alternating emeralds and old cut diamonds
Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian Emerald and Diamond Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
This superb antique cluster ring dates to the turn of the 20th Century. The central emerald is a
Category

Antique 19th Century British Late Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian Diamond Ruby Emerald Clover Gold Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
This lovely antique ring is set with a trio of natural gemstones: a diamond, a ruby, and an emerald
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Band Rings

Materials

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

Victorian Ruby Diamond Emerald Tricolor Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
in 18k gold throughout. STONES Natural Ruby, Emerald, and Diamond (total diamond weight approx
Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold

Late Victorian Emerald Diamond Gypsy Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
A perfectly formed Victorian gypsy ring set with emeralds and old cut diamonds. It's crafted in 18
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Band Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Victorian Emerald and Diamond Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
18k Yellow gold ring with a center 2 carat cabochon emerald and two side old European cut diamonds
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Late Victorian Emerald and Diamond Cluster Marquise Ring in 18 Carat Gold
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
Diamonds creating a marquise shape, this ring has been hand crafted using both 18ct Yellow and White Gold
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Antique Victorian Emerald Diamond Ring 18 Carat Gold, circa 1880
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
This spectacular Victorian 18ct Yellow Gold Emerald and Diamond ring is, Circa 1880. The beautiful
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Emerald and Diamond Halo Victorian Engagement Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Montrose is a playful Victorian era ring made from 18k yellow gold and topped in platinum. Montrose
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum

Emerald and Diamond Five Stone Victorian Ring
Located in Oxford, GB
A Victorian five stone emerald ring, set in 18k gold. It is in very good antique condition set
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Emerald, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian Emerald Diamond Crowned Heart Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
A superb antique crowned heart ring dating from the late Victorian era. The heart-shaped emerald
Category

Antique 19th Century English Late Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian Emerald Diamond Shield Cluster Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
asymetrical cluster ring from this period, but it's quite lovely. Modelled in 18 karat gold with platinum
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique Victorian Emerald Diamond 5-Stone Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
A gorgeous antique five-stone ring set with three natural emeralds and two old mine cut diamonds
Category

Antique 19th Century English Late Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian Emerald Diamond Ring 18 Carat Gold, circa 1900
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
natural green Emeralds and cushion cut Diamonds set in a lovely 18ct Gold gallery. This is a genuine
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian Emerald Diamond Cluster Ring 18 Carat Gold, circa 1900
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
This spectacular Victorian Emerald and Diamond ring is set in 18ct Gold, Circa 1900. The elegant
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian Emerald Diamond Trilogy Ring 18 Carat Gold, circa 1900
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
This Victorian Emerald and Diamond trilogy ring is set in 18ct Gold, Circa 1900. The beautiful
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

English Victorian diamond emerald ruby ring
Located in London, GB
An 18ct gold mounted gipsy set ring with an old cut diamond centre,and a fine ruby shoulder,and a
Category

Antique 1870s British High Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian Emerald Diamond Gallery Set Band Ring
Located in Newcastle Upon Tyne, GB
very well matched colour. A very fine antique ring. Tests as 18ct yellow gold. Diamond Weight: 0.60ct
Category

Early 20th Century British Late Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian Emerald Diamond Cluster Ring, circa 1900
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
Diamond cluster ring is Circa 1900. Set with a lovely rich square cut Emerald which measures 0.80ct
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian Emerald Diamond Ring Cluster Ring 18 Carat Engagement Ring
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
. Old Cut Diamonds are known to Dance by Candle light. The ring is set in 18ct yellow gold, it has been
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Emerald and Diamond 18K Gold Snake Ring
Located in Rottedam, NL
diamonds and emeralds, this ring will make a great piece for someone daring! Boasting a heavy (over 6
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Artisan Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian Emerald Ring Diamond Trilogy Ring, circa 1900
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
and old brilliant cut Diamond ring is Victorian, Circa 1900. This particular Emerald is approx 0.80ct
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

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

Antique Victorian Emerald Diamond Pearl Ring 18 Carat Gold Dated 1882
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
This lovely Victorian 18ct Yellow Gold is dated Birmingham 1882. The ring boasts a trilogy of
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 18k Gold

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Victorian 18k Gold Emerald Diamond Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

On 1stDibs, you can find the most appropriate victorian 18k gold emerald diamond ring for your needs in our varied inventory. Every item for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using Gold, 18k Gold and Yellow Gold. In our selection of items, you can find a vintage example as well as a contemporary version. Making the right choice when shopping for a victorian 18k gold emerald 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. Creating a victorian 18k gold emerald diamond ring has been a part of the legacy of many jewelers, but those produced by Paris Precious Craft House, Effy and Studio Rêves are consistently popular. An emerald cut version of this piece has appeal, but there are also old european cut and oval cut versions for sale. If you’re browsing our inventory for a victorian 18k gold emerald diamond ring, you’ll find that many are available today for women, but there are still pieces to choose from for unisex and men.

How Much is a Victorian 18k Gold Emerald Diamond Ring?

On average, a victorian 18k gold emerald diamond ring at 1stDibs sells for $5,795, while they’re typically $380 on the low end and $300,000 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.