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Vintage 9 Karat Gold 19.00 Carat Tanzanite 0.70 Carat Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
, oval, cabochon cut, 19.00ct, V 6/3, P3 - 24 diamonds, rose cut, TW 0.70ct, RW-STW, SI-P1 Weight
Category

Mid-20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tanzanite, Gold, 9k Gold

Vintage 18 Karat Gold 1.00 Carat Aquamarine 0.45 Carat Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
aquamarine (1.00ct, B 6/3, VS). The gem is surrounded with 10 brilliant cut diamonds (TW 0.45ct, RW-W, VS-SI2
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Cluster Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Vintage 14 Karat Gold 1.30 Carat Tanzanite 0.05 Carat Diamond Band Ring
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
: 1.30ct, V 4/3, VVS. The gem is accompanied with 8 brilliant cut diamonds: 0.05ct, STW, P1-P2. Weight
Category

Late 20th Century Belgian Modern Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tanzanite, Gold, 14k Gold

Antique 1.25 Carat Sapphire Diamond 14 Karat Rose Gold Black Enamel Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
high victorian style? This Antique Sapphire Diamond Black Enamel ring is exactly what you need in your
Category

Antique 1880s American High Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel

Victorian Revival GIA No Heat Sapphire Diamond Three Stone 14 Karat Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
, accented by two white diamonds you have a more interesting option than an all diamond 3 stone ring. This
Category

Vintage 1950s Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

1850 s Victorian Neoclassical Enamel Diamond Silver-Topped 18 Karat Cupid Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
weighing in total approximately 0.15 carat. Tested as silver and 18 karat gold. Circa: 1850s. Ring Size: 3
Category

Antique 1850s Neoclassical Signet Rings

Materials

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

Victorian Natural Sapphire and Diamond Three-Stone Antique Ring with Certificate
Located in London, GB
Victorian beautiful sapphire and diamond 3 stone ring in original antique mount. Cushion cut
Category

Antique 1870s British Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

1.31 Ct. Old European Cut Diamond GIA 3-Stone Ring from Bespoke by Platt
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Victorian-Inspired 1.31 Ct. Old European Cut Diamond 3-Stone Ring from Bespoke by Platt, composed
Category

2010s American Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian 14K Yellow Gold East West Diamond Shape Opal and Seed Pearl Ring
Located in Addison, TX
to our dibs family. This ring can be sized up or down 3 sizes for no additional fee. If you wish to
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Opal, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 15 Carat Gold Regard Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This regard ring holds a ruby, emerald, garnet, amethyst, runy and diamond which spell out REGARD
Category

Antique 1880s British Victorian More Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, Ruby, Gold

Mid Century 18 Karat Gold 2.30 Carat Sapphire 1.43 Carat Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
, Georgian, Victorian styles, from engagement rings to rose-cut diamond brooches, also costume jewellery
Category

Mid-20th Century Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold

Sapphire Diamond Ring c1915
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa: 1915 18K yellow Gold 5 Stone Ring set with 2 very Nice Clean, White old Cut Diamonds
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Antique 0.85 Carat Old Mine Cut Diamond 18 Karat Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Antique Old Mine Cut Diamond 18 Karat Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring. Featuring one old mine
Category

Vintage 1910s Victorian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Modern 18 Karat Gold 2.70 Carat Heart Cut Sapphire 0.55 Carat Diamond Ring
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
, Georgian, Victorian styles, from engagement rings to rose-cut diamond brooches, also costume jewellery
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold

3-Stone Collet Set Rose Cut Diamond Ring from Bespoke by Platt Collection
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Victorian-Inspired 1.66 Ctw. Rose Cut Diamond 3-Stone Ring from Bespoke by Platt, composed of 18k
Category

2010s American Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Vintage 18 Karat Gold 0.90 Carat Blue Sapphire 0.16 Carat Diamond Band Ring
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
: - 1 oval sapphire: 0.90ct, B 7/3, SI - 20 round brilliant cut diamonds: TW 0.16ct, W-STW, SI Weight
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold

Antique Emerald Diamond Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
brilliant white diamonds, to the polished yellow gold landscape of the settings, this antique ring is
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swiss Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Antique Sapphire Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1900, 18k. This antique sapphire and diamond ring is a remarkable turn-of-the-century jewel
Category

Antique Early 1900s Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Antique Diamond Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
mother nature. Designed with 7 old European cut diamonds weighing approximately 0.90 carats that are all
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Art Deco Mine Cut Diamond Gold Snake Ring
Located in Narberth, PA
surface of the ring, depicting textured scales and a single 0.20ct old Mine Cut diamond is set within the
Category

Vintage 1920s Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Victorian Opal Pear Cabochon Old Mine Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Halo Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
cut diamonds Weighing approximately 0.20 carat total Quality consistent with cut and age Flanked by
Category

Antique 1890s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Carved Hardstone and 0.52 Carat Diamond Yellow Gold Dress Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Victorian hardstone ring in the UK. Diamond Quality Color (average grades) I Clarity (average grades) P2
Category

Antique 1870s Unknown Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Antique Russian Emerald Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
white diamonds (estimated combined weight 3 carats, color F-G, clarity VS2-SI1) Height - 28 mm (1 1/8
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald

Art Deco 14 Karat White Gold 0.90 Carat Tourmaline 1.00 Carat Diamond Band Ring
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
, Georgian, Victorian styles, from engagement rings to rose-cut diamond brooches, also costume jewellery
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold, 14k Gold

Victorian 14 Karat Yellow Gold 1.51 Old Mine Cut Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Addison, TX
This ring is a classic example of a Victorian style solitaire ring. The 1.51 carat Old Mine cut
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Antique Emerald and Old Cut Diamond 18 Carat Yellow Gold Five-Stone Ring, 1896
Located in London, GB
enduring beauty of emeralds and diamonds, set in warm 18 carat yellow gold. The ring features 3 old mine
Category

Antique 1890s English Late Victorian Band Rings

Materials

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

Turkish Rose Cut Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
elevated by intricately hand crafted 18k gold, with numerous matching rose cut diamonds. Ring size 6-3
Category

Vintage 1960s Turkish Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Victorian 1.78 CTW No Heat Ceylon Purple Sapphire 18 Karat Yellow Gold Halo Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
old mine cut diamonds Weighing approximately 0.66 carat total and prong set Quality consistent with
Category

Antique 1870s Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Antique Fancy Color Champagne Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1880, 18k. This antique ring features a lively .80 carat champagne-colored diamond
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Brown Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Rose Cut Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
diamonds. Ring size 5-3/4 and may easily be resized.
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Edwardian Diamond White Gold Navette Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Edwardian diamond 14k white gold navette ring. Featuring 3 old European cut diamonds that weigh
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Rose cut Diamond Natural Pearl Silver gold Clover Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1900 Silver top and Yellow Gold 3 leaf Clover form Ring. Set with 3 large Rose cut Diamonds
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver

Antique Amethyst and Diamond Enamel Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
vivid 4.5 carat amethyst. Finely constructed and beautifully designed, this sophisticated Victorian ring
Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, 14k Gold

1900s Antique 1.22 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Platinum Set Trilogy Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive antique French 1.22 carat diamond and 18 karat yellow gold, platinum set trilogy
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Diamond Gold Snake Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1900, Victorian 14K Rose Gold Snake Ring, set with 3 Old Mine cut Diamonds totaling
Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Rose Gold

Victorian 0.80 CTW Old Mine Cut 18 Karat Yellow Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering an old mine cut diamond weighing approximately 0.80 carat total I color with VS2 clarity
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Turquoise and Diamond-Set Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
carats of old-cut diamonds, this gorgeous ring is antique chic at its vintage best. This classic design
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian 14k Yellow Gold 1.05 Antique Cushion Cut in a Belcher Solitaire Ring
Located in Addison, TX
ring can be sized up or down 3 sizes for no additional fee. If you wish to have a ring sized please
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco 14 Karat Gold Rectangular 14.75 Carat Aquamarine Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
blue (vslgB 3/2), clarity - VS. The gem is accompanied with 10 twinkling diamonds (10/17, 0.14ct, W-STW
Category

1990s French Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, White Gold

Antique Demantoid Green Garnet and Diamond Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1910 14K yellow Gold Ring, set with 3 Green Demantoid Garnets, the stones are most likely
Category

Vintage 1910s Russian Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, 14k Gold

Victorian Opal Cabochon Diamond 14 Karat Yellow Gold Five Stone Antique Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
diamonds Weighing approximately 0.24 carat total - eye clean and bright Completed by flared shoulders
Category

Antique 1860s Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Russian Demantoid Garnet and Diamond Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1900 14K Yellow Gold Ladies Ring, measuring 3/4 X 5/16 inch, set with 3 Cushion cut Fine
Category

Antique Early 1900s American Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, 14k Gold

Natural Pink Spinel Rose Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Narberth, PA
, the ring boasts a dazzling centerpiece with a diamond-encrusted surface. Resting at the center is a
Category

1990s Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Spinel, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver

Antique Russian Emerald Diamond Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
diamonds (H-I color, VS2-SI1 clarity, total weight approximately 5 carats). There is a maker's mark "CS
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Russian Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Circa 1900 s Victorian Two Tone 18K Vintage Navette Shape Open Work Shield Ring
Located in Addison, TX
of Ring: 1.90mm Center Diamond Details: Shape: Old European Cut Carat Weight: 0.078ct Color: J
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Mauboussin Gueule D’Amour 18 Karat Gold 10 Carat Amethyst Diamond Cocktail Ring
By Mauboussin
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
) at the center: 10.00ct, bP 3/3, VS. The gem is accompanied with 6 round brilliant cut diamonds: TW
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Art Deco 18 Karat Gold 1.44 Carat Old Cut Diamond Three Stone Ring
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
3 old cut diamonds: 1.44ct, RW-W, P1. Gems has visible inclusions. Weight: 5.19g Size: 15.75 (US 5
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Edwardian 18 Karat Gold 0.84 Carat Old Cut Diamond Three Leaf Clover Ring
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 Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Antique 19th Century Rubellite Rose Cut Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1860 This Victorian era cluster ring is handcrafted in 14K rose gold and silver. The ring
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Rubelite, Gold

Spark Sapphire Diamond Ring
By Spark Creations
Located in Litchfield, CT
.50 carats of fine white (G color and VS clarity) diamonds, this contemporary ring is all about
Category

Early 2000s American Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique Sapphire and Diamond Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique Victorian 0.73 carat natural sapphire and 0.40 carat diamond, 18
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Russian Diamond Sapphire Openwork Gold Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
1 carat. The ring is marked inside the shank with maker’s initials. The diamond and sapphire top
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Russian Victorian Cluster Rings

1900 s Victorian Two Tone 18K Antique Three Stone Ruby Shield Ring
Located in Addison, TX
Here we have a classic Victorian beauty, this three stone ruby ring is a beautiful work of art in
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Diamonds Snake Ring, 18kt Yellow Gold, France
Located in London, GB
• Carat weight: 0.45ct approximately • Colour: G/H • Clarity: SI Others: 40 Diamonds • Cut: Round • Total
Category

Vintage 1970s French Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique French 18K Gold 3ct Opal Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
setting, with an approximate weight of 3 carats, encircled and flanked by 28 rose cut diamonds in cutdown
Category

Antique 19th Century French Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold

Antique French 18K Gold 3ct Opal Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
setting, with an approximate weight of 3 carats, encircled and flanked by 28 rose cut diamonds in cutdown
Category

Antique 19th Century French Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold

Antique Dutch Rose Diamond Silver Gold Cluster Ring C1900
Located in Baltimore, MD
floral decoration. The rose diamonds total approximately 3/4 carats in weight. The ring is a size 5 1/2
Category

Early 20th Century Dutch Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Silver, 14k Gold

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Victorian 3 Carat Diamond Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact victorian 3 carat diamond ring you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Each design created in this style — which was crafted with great care and often made from gold, 18k gold and yellow gold — can elevate any look. In our selection of items, you can find a vintage example as well as a contemporary version. Finding the perfect victorian 3 carat diamond ring may mean sifting through those created during different time periods — you can find an early version that dates to the 19th Century and a newer variation that were made as recently as the 21st Century. Finding an appealing victorian 3 carat diamond ring — no matter the origin — is easy, but Roshe Jewels, DGI and Malpani Jewels each produced a popular version that is worth a look. Today, if you’re looking for an old european cut version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes oval cut and cushion cut alternatives. Most of our victorian 3 carat diamond ring for sale are for women, but there are 10 pieces available to browse for men.

How Much is a Victorian 3 Carat Diamond Ring?

On average, a victorian 3 carat diamond ring at 1stDibs sells for $12,160, while they’re typically $1,200 on the low end and $67,000 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.