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Exquisite Victorian Diamond Ruby Rare Heart Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
Love Me for Ever! This superb authentic Victorian heart ring is just the ring you would LOVE
Category

Antique 1890s Late Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Engagement Ring, 0.82ct Cushion Cut Diamond, 14k White Gold, Halo Diamond Ring
Located in Ramat Gan, IL
Diamond Ring ~~ S e t t i n g ~~ Solid 14k White Gold 3.8 grams Ring Size 5 US ~~ Stones ~~ Main
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Antique Ring Typical So-Called Suffragette Diamond Ring with Precious Stones
Located in Antwerp, BE
Let us unravel the mystery of this 18K red gold with silver Late-Victorian ring from around 1900
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Late Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gol...

1 carat Round Moissanite Marquise diamonds unique engagement Ring Penelope
Located in Hertsliya, IL
engagement ring - "Penelope." The list is for the engagement ring only. Handmade with care. An original
Category

2010s Israeli Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

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

1 carat Round Marquise diamond modern and unique engagement ring Penelope
Located in Hertsliya, IL
engagement ring - "Penelope." The list is for the Engagement ring only. Handmade with care. An original
Category

2010s Israeli Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Antique Victorian Sapphire Diamond Ring in 2 Carat of Sapphire, circa 1900
Located in Kendal, GB
A stunning antique late Victorian ring modelled in 18ct gold and claw set with a trilogy of deep
Category

20th Century Late Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold

Antique 18ct Gold Platinum Diamond Trilogy Bypass Engagement Ring Size U 10.25
Located in Camelford, GB
offer is this gorgeous 18CT GOLD AND 950 PLATINUM DIAMOND BYPASS TRILOGY ENGAGEMENT RING DETAILS
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Victorian Diamond Ring 18 Carat Gold 1 Carat of Old Cut Diamond Dated 1875
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
A grand Antique late-Victorian ring modelled in 18ct Yellow Gold and set with five stunning old
Category

Antique 1870s British Late Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian, 18ct Yellow Gold, Natural Sapphire and Diamond Half Hoop Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
ring stack. MARKS None STONE Central sapphire 5 x 4.5 x 3.5mm approximately 0.70 carats (calculated
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Lively Old European Cut Diamond and Sapphire Halo Ring
Located in Lombard, IL
Included Color: Dark, Strong, Violetish Blue Color, (GIA vB 7/5) Cut: Good Total Weight of Colored Stones
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 9ct Gold Sapphire Diamond Gypsy Eternity Ring 375 Purity
Located in Camelford, GB
. Setting: 5 Stone rub over Eternity. Style: Classic Gypsy / Boat Eternity Victorian Style Ring Age: Antique
Category

Early 20th Century British Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Certified 1.62 Ct Colombian Emerald 2.80 Ct Old Mine Diamond Trilogy rin
Located in Napoli, IT
beautiful and unique it stands on when worn, truly the perfect engagement ring to have always with you
Category

Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Forget Me Not Ring / 9ct White Gold, Diamond
Located in Takapuna, AUK
he Forget Me Not represents remembrance. In the Victorian Age, it was a symbol of true love. It
Category

2010s New Zealand Artist Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 9k Gold, White Gold

Antique Art Deco, Platinum, Diamond and Sapphire Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
, from Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, Art Deco and Retro/Vintage. Lots of vintage and antique engagement
Category

Early 20th Century British Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

Forget Me Not Ring/ 9ct Yellow Gold, Ceylon Sapphire
Located in Takapuna, AUK
The Forget Me Not represents remembrance. In the Victorian Age, it was a symbol of true love. It
Category

2010s New Zealand Artist Engagement Rings

Materials

Sapphire, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

Forget Me Not Ring/ 9ct Rose Gold, Champagne Diamond
Located in Takapuna, AUK
The Forget Me Not represents remembrance. In the Victorian Age, it was a symbol of true love. It
Category

2010s New Zealand Artist Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 9k Gold, Rose Gold

Stunning Victorian Muzo Mine Colombian Emerald Diamond Five-Stone Rare Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
Getting the very Best Spectacular rare find! Authentic Victorian double row ring, set with two
Category

Antique 1870s Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Victorian Diamond and White Gold Snake Ring
Located in Madison area, WI
- Art Nouveau Antique Snake Ring - c. 1880-1910 - 14k white gold, .5 carat center diamond, .22
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Antique Victorian Sapphire Diamond 18 Carat Gold Ring
Located in ALTRINCHAM, GB
Victorian 5 stone sapphire and diamond ring;  the classic Victorian ring with 3 sapphires and two
Category

Antique 1890s British Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Spectacular Natural Burmese Ruby and Diamond Rare Victorian Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
Natural Burmese Rubies and Diamond five stone ring Could be an outstanding engagement ring Crafted of
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby

Antique Victorian Almandine Garnet Cluster Ring 18 Carat Gold
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
Victorian ring shows workmanship all round. Looks fabulous when worn. This will make a fabulous engagement
Category

Antique 1880s British Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Garnet, 18k Gold

Maniamania Sacred Engagement Ring in Champagne Rose Cut Diamond and Yellow Gold
By MANIAMANIA
Located in Sydney, NSW
Engagement ring, or a statement cocktail ring. This size 6.25 ring is available for immediate purchase. All
Category

2010s American Contemporary Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, Brown Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Maniamania Sacred Engagement Ring in Champagne Rose Cut Diamond and White Gold
By MANIAMANIA
Located in Sydney, NSW
vintage-style that is inspired by the beauty of the Victorian and Georgian eras. The ring is finished with
Category

2010s American Contemporary Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, Brown Diamond, 14k Gold

Pear and Marquise Diamond Curved Unique Wedding Nesting Ring - Ray
Located in Hertsliya, IL
beautifully enhance your engagement ring for a truly captivating ensemble. D E T A I L S: ♥ Natural diamonds
Category

2010s Victorian Wedding Rings

Materials

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

Vintage Style Halo Garnet January Birthstone Wedding Ring Set 18k White Gold
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Inspired by the Victorian era; this vintage style bridal wedding ring set is adorned with a halo of
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Maniamania Sacred Band in 14 Karat Yellow Gold with White Rose Cut Diamonds
By MANIAMANIA
Located in Sydney, NSW
, Infinite Band, Unity Band and Vega band designs. This ring was designed as a Wedding Band or Engagement
Category

2010s American Contemporary Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold

Victorian 14k Diamond 5 Stone Engagement Ring
Located in Narberth, PA
A gorgeous diamond ring from the Victorian era (ca1880s)! Crafted in vibrant 14k yellow gold, this
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Red Stone Diamond Engagement Ring, 10KT Yellow Gold, Ring
Located in McLeansville, NC
An antique Victorian 10 karat yellow gold red stone doublet and diamond engagement ring. This
Category

Antique Early 1900s Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Two-Stone Diamond Sapphire Yellow Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
. DETAILS: Victorian two-stone diamond sapphire and gold engagement ring. DIAMONDs: one old mine-cut
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold

Antique 18ct Gold Victorian Hand Carved 5 Stone Diamond Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Carved 5 Stone Ring 18ct Yellow & White Gold Circa 1880 Beautifully Hand Carved
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

TIFFANY Co. Victorian 18k Four Stone Diamond Engagement Ring 1.80ctw
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Narberth, PA
An exquisite Victorian (ca1880s) diamond engagement ring from legendary maker Tiffany & Company
Category

20th Century Late Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Victorian Sapphire and Diamond Three Stone Ring, 18ct Gold
Located in NEWARK, GB
A stunning antique, Victorian era Sapphire and Diamond three stone ring. The ring has a
Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

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

Antique Victorian 18K Yellow Gold 1.83ctw 5 Stone Old Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
A Victorian diamond and yellow gold ring, set with five old European cut diamonds, and eight rose
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian 14k Diamond Five Stone Ring
Located in Narberth, PA
A gorgeous diamond ring from the Victorian era (ca1880s)! Crafted in 14k vibrant yellow gold, this
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

14k Gold

Antique Victorian 14 Karat Yellow Gold Synthetic Ruby and Diamond 3-Stone Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Victorian Yellow Gold three stone ring with synthetic ruby center and old cut diamonds on either
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Victorian Inspired 5 Stone Old European Cut Diamond 18 Karat Rose Gold Band Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
When you have 5 beautiful old European cut diamonds, you have 5 reasons to fall in love. This
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Rose Gold, Platinum

Victorian 1900s Three-Stone Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Victorian 1900s three stone diamond and gold ring. The classic design features three old mine-cut
Category

Antique Early 1900s Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Victorian Five-Stone Diamond Ring, circa 1900s
Located in London, GB
ring, or engagement ring. Gemstone: Diamond Stone Shape: Old Cut Carat Weight: 0.50 Total Colour: G
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique Art Deco 9K Yellow Gold Old Euro Diamond Three Stone Engagement Ring - G
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco 9K Yellow Gold Old Euro Diamond Three Stone Engagement Ring. This
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Victorian Old Mine Cut Diamond Five Stone Gold Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Victorian old mine cut diamonds and yellow gold five-stone gold ring circa 1900. * ABOUT THIS ITEM
Category

Antique Early 1900s Late Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold

Antique Victorian Sapphire Diamond Ring Vintage 18k Gold Gemstone Engagement
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed antique Victorian era sapphire & diamond ring (circa 1880s to 1900s) crafted in 18
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian 14k Gold GIA European Diamond Flower Basket Engagement Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
This beautiful antique diamond engagement ring was crafted from solid 14k gold during the Victorian
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian 14K Yellow Gold Kashmir Sapphire Diamond Engagement Ring, GIA
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 14K Yellow Gold Kashmir Sapphire Diamond Engagement Ring. This
Category

Antique 1860s Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian 14k Gold AGL Ceylon No Heat Sapphire Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
ring that was crafted during the Victorian period from solid 14k gold and platinum. The ring features a
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Platinum

Antique Victorian 18K Yellow Gold Old Mine Diamond and Enamel Engagement Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 18K Yellow Gold Old Mine Diamond and Enamel Engagement Ring. This
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Rare 5-Stone Art Deco Old European Cut Diamond Platinum Ring
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
diamond engagement ring, this one, however, made in platinum and with two additional stones. Considering
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Victorian 1.90 CTW White Topaz 18Karat Yellow Gold Antique Five Stone Band Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Circa: 1870s Ring Size: 5 and sizable Measures north to south 9.0 mm and sits 3.5 mm high Total Weight
Category

Antique 1870s Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique English Five-Stone Emerald Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
An English Antique 18 karat gold ring with emeralds. The ring has 5 graduated rectangular-cut
Category

Antique 1890s English Late Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Emerald, 18k Gold

Vintage 14 Karat Gold 1.10 Carat Emerald 0.21 Carat Diamond Three-Stone Ring
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is a vintage three-stone ring crafted in 14K yellow gold. Circa 1980. It features: - 1
Category

20th Century Modern Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold

Vintage 18 Karat Gold 1.50 Carat Emerald 0.14 Carat Diamond Three Stone Ring
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
, Edwardian, Georgian, Victorian styles, from engagement rings to rose-cut diamond brooches, also costume
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold

Modern 18 Karat Gold Pearl 0.45 Carat Diamond Emerald Three Stone Cocktail Ring
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is an unusual design three stone cocktail ring crafted in 18K yellow gold. The piece features
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 18k Gold

Victorian 14k/Sterling Silver Moonstone Ring
Located in Narberth, PA
A beautiful moonstone ring from the Victorian (ca1880) era! This lovely ring is made of 14kt yellow
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Moonstone, Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver

Antique Russian 5 Carat Demantoid Fancy Colored Diamond Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
The ring is set with a very rare Ural demantoid garnet weighing 5.1 ct, encircled by a single row
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Russian Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Garnet

Victorian 14k Opal and Diamond Halo Ring
Located in Narberth, PA
A breathtaking opal and diamond ring from the Victorian (ca1880)s! This beautiful ring is crafted
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Antique 18ct Gold Victorian Fire Opal Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Fire Opal Ring 18ct Gold Circa 1870 Fabulous, Victorian cluster ring. Set with the most
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, Gold, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian 2.36 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Twist Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Victorian engagement ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with an 18k white gold setting. The pierced
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 18ct Yellow Gold, Victorian era Cabochon Moonstone Diamond Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
yellow gold Victorian-era moonstone ring, featuring a timeless design. The centrepiece boasts three
Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Moonstone, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

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Victorian 5 Stone Engagement Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

Surely you’ll find the exact victorian 5 stone engagement 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, 18k Gold and Platinum. You can easily find a 213 antique edition and 12 modern creations to choose from as well. Making the right choice when shopping for a victorian 5 stone engagement ring may mean carefully reviewing examples of this item dating from different eras — you can find an early iteration of this piece from the 19th Century and a newer version made as recently as the 21st Century, both of which have proven very popular over the years. As it relates to this specific piece, our collection includes designs that are universally popular, but .5 Carat and 1 Carat carat weights, specifically, are sought with frequency. There have been many well-made iterations of the classic victorian 5 stone engagement ring over the years, but those made by Single Stone, Five Star Jewelry and Tacori are often thought to be among the most beautiful. See these pages for an old european cut iteration of this accessory, while there are also old mine cut cut and emerald cut cut versions available here, too. There aren’t many items for men if you’re seeking a victorian 5 stone engagement ring, as most of the options available are for women and unisex.

How Much is a Victorian 5 Stone Engagement Ring?

Prices for a victorian 5 stone engagement ring can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $536 and can go as high as $74,763, while this accessory, on average, fetches $4,955.

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.