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Authentic Victorian GIA Certified Old Mine Cut Diamond Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A glimmering piece of authentic Victorian elegance, featuring a GIA certified 0.64 carat old mine
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Authentic Victorian GIA Certified Old Mine Cut Diamond Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
clarity. The ring is created in 14k gold and silver, size 5 and may be re-sized to fit. Circa 1800's
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver

Tiffany Co., Victorian 18 Karat Yellow Gold, Diamond, and Pearl Ring
By Tiffany Co.
Located in McLeansville, NC
An antique Tiffany and Company 18 karat yellow gold, diamond and pearl three stone engagement ring
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Sapphire and Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Silver Flower Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Victorian Sapphire and Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Silver Flower Ring. Featuring one oval mixed cut
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Certified Old European Cut Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring Set in 18k Gold
Located in London, England
A beautiful old European cut diamond single solitaire engagement ring set in 18k white gold. The
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique Victorian 18k Gold Pear Rose Cut Diamond w/ Black Enamel Quatrefoil Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
magnificent ring can be worn on either hand, although it would make a truly unique engagement ring for someone
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Rare Tiffany Co 18K Peridot Ring Size 5 IGI Certified
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Media, PA
) Center Stone: 10.75ct Natural Peridot Color: Rich Transparent Green Ring Size: 5 Style: Antique Statement
Category

Late 20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Peridot, 18k Gold

Victorian 3.30 Carat Moonstone Garnet Diamond Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
1900's Victorian moonstone, diamond and garnet ring. 3.30ct oval center stone, accented with 3
Category

Early 20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Moonstone, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Late Victorian 18kt 2.50 Total Carat Rose Cut Diamond "Moi et Toi" Bypass Ring
Located in Narberth, PA
An absolutely stunning Moi et Toi ring from the late Victorian (ca1900s) era! Crafted in 18kt
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Late Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1.7 Carat Old Mine Diamond with Yellow and Rose Gold Floral Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
This gorgeous Victorian Era Diamond ring features 1.7 carat total Old Mine Diamonds. The stunning
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, 9k Gold, Rose Gold

Edwardian Carved Jade Gold ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Natural carved jade 14k yellow gold Victorian circa 1910s Ring size 5-1/2 and can be resized 5.6
Category

Vintage 1920s Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Jade, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 2.20 Carat Diamond and White Gold Solitaire Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
. Condition This stunning single stone engagement ring is fine quality set with a very high colour and
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Victorian 5-Stone 1.20 Total Carat Old Mine Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Narberth, PA
A stunning 5-stone diamond ring from the Victorian (ca1880s) era! This beautiful piece is crafted
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Late Victorian 1.1 ctw Old European Cut Diamond Fancy Prong Set 5-Stone Platinum
Located in Addison, TX
Here we have a sparkling diamond "5 stone" ring from the turn on the century! The five old cut
Category

Early 20th Century Late Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Late Victorian 14k/Sterling Silver Ruby and Diamond Engagement Ring 1.50ct
Located in Narberth, PA
A beautiful gemstone ring from the Late Victorian (ca1900) era! This gorgeous piece is crafted in
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Late Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver

Victorian 1.00 Total Carat Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Narberth, PA
An exquisite diamond cluster ring from the Victorian (ca1880) era! This gorgeous piece is crafted
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 8.66 Carat Sapphire Diamond Engagement Cluster Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1890 This antique Russian 14K gold engagement ring features a chunky 8.66 ct cushion cut
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Russian Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire

Victorian Ruby Diamond 18 Karat Gold Antique Ring
Located in Banbury, GB
engagement ring or an elegant everyday ring. It is currently a size J1/2 (UK), 5 (US), and can be re-sized
Category

Antique 19th Century British Late Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold

C1880 18 carat single stone rose diamond gypsy ring size 9
Located in Baltimore, MD
C1880 18 carat single stone rose diamond gypsy ring size 9. The diamond is set low in the ring
Category

Antique 1880s British Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Fleur De Lis 0.45ct Diamond Ring Engagement 14k Yellow Gold
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed antique Victorian diamond engagement ring (circa 1880s to 1900s), crafted in 14
Category

Late 20th Century American Victorian Band Rings

Materials

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

Antique Victorian 1850s 18K Yellow Gold 0.53ct Diamond Bloodstone Target Ring
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
, estimated: 0.53ct Gross weight: 7.53g Ring size: UK – O.5 US – 7.5 EU – 55.75 mm Hallmarks: none
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian 1.12 Carat Old Mine Cut Diamond 14 Karat Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Would you be looking for a one of a kind engagement ring from a romantic royal era? Consider this
Category

Antique 1860s High Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian Navette Ring Persian Turquoise Rose Cut Diamond 10k Gold 5.25
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed antique Victorian turquoise & diamond navette ring (circa 1880s to 1900s), crafted
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian Navette Ring Persian Turquoise Rose Cut Diamond 10k Gold 5.25
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed antique Victorian turquoise & diamond navette ring (circa 1880s to 1900s), crafted
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Turquoise, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian Ring Garnet Opal 10 Karat Rose Gold Half Moon Vintage Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
theme of Victorian jewelry. The ring is great worn on its own as a small cocktail ring, as an engagement
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Garnet, Opal, 10k Gold, Rose Gold

Late Art Deco Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring, circa 1940s
Located in London, GB
This classic and timeless solitaire dates to the 1940s, although the design has strong Victorian
Category

Vintage 1940s British Art Nouveau Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique Deco Old Mine Diamond Ring Cluster 22 Karat Yellow Gold, Engagement
Located in Torrance, CA
ring is great worn on its own as a cocktail ring, as an engagement ring or promise ring. The ring
Category

Early 20th Century British Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco 18 Karat Gold 1.44 Carat Old Cut Diamond Three Stone Ring
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
, including Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Edwardian, Georgian, Victorian styles, from engagement rings to rose-cut
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 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

Edwardian Emerald Diamond Platinum Ring
Located in Narberth, PA
An absolutely breathtaking emerald and diamond ring from the late Victorian (ca1910) era! Made of
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Black Opal Ring Platinum Diamond Estate Jewelry
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
ring measures ¾” x 5/8” (2 x 1.8 cm). The Art Deco ring weighs 6.5 grams, is size 6.75 and is resizable
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum

Star Amongst Stars in a Russian Diamond Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
This hallmarked Russian diamond ring is one of the loveliest late victorian mid sized cluster
Star Amongst Stars in a Russian Diamond Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
This hallmarked Russian diamond ring is one of the loveliest late victorian cluster rings we have
Antique 0.88 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Solitaire Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
shank with 18k gold fineness mark 750. This yellow gold engagement ring is supplied with an independent
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Edwardian GIA Ceylon Sapphire Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
sophistication of a time long past with our Victorian Ceylon sapphire diamond cluster ring. Whether you choose it
Category

Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Go...

18K Gold Diamond and Ruby Edwardian Double Head Snake Ring
Located in Venice, CA
engagement ring. The image of a snake is rich with symbolism—representing temptation, rebirth, knowledge, and
Category

Vintage 1910s English Edwardian Band Rings

Materials

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

Victorian 10K Gold Vintage Three Stone Old European Cut Diamonds Engagement Ring
Located in Addison, TX
This Victorian beauty is a big look with classic Victorian era details. Crafted in 10K yellow gold
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 18ct Gold, Victorian 5 Stone Emerald, Ruby Diamond Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Gypsy Ring 18ct Gold Tested Circa 1880 This exquisite 18ct yellow gold Victorian five
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold

Victorian 1890s Three-Stone Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Victorian 1890s Three-stone Diamond Gold Ring Victorian 1890s three-stone diamond ring mounted in
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Sapphire and Diamond Ring, 18k Yellow Gold, Victorian
Located in NEWARK, GB
If you are looking for the perfect sapphire ring look no further! This stunning antique, Victorian
Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 18ct Yellow Gold Victorian era Sapphire Diamond Carved Five Stone Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Sapphire Ring 18ct Gold Circa 1880 Experience the grace of this exquisite Victorian
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1890 Engagement Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
- Excellent METAL: 18k white Gold GEM STONE: Diamond 0,85 total carats DESIGN ERA: Victorian RING
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Late Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

1890 Engagement Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
METAL: 18k white Gold GEM STONE: Diamond 0,85 total carats DESIGN ERA: Victorian RING SIZE: US 5/6
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Georgian 18 Karat Gold 1.50 Carat Emerald 0.18 Carat Diamond Three-Stone Ring
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is an amazing Georgian three-stone ring crafted in 18K gold. Circa 1830. The piece features
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Georgian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold

Victorian Era 14K Gold Old European Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Venice, CA
An original engagement ring from the Victorian period, this 14k gold Old European Cut diamond ring
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian 14K Yellow Gold with Platinum Accent Moonstone Ring
Located in New York, NY
A harmonious blend of elegance and mystique. This Victorian ring showcases four luminous round
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Moonstone, 14k Gold, Platinum

Exquisite Antique Victorian Lightning Ridge Black Opal Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in New York, NY
A Beautiful Classic VICTORIAN Black Australian Opal and Diamond Cluster Flower shaped Ring in 18K
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian Gemstone Ring Emerald Diamond 18 Karat Gold Platinum
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed antique Victorian emerald & diamond engagement ring (circa 1880s to 1900s) crafted
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Victorian Ruby and Diamond 18 Carat Gold and Platinum Heart Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
shoulders. Ring Size: L or 5 3/4 Heart Dimensions: 7 x 6mm Weight: 2.8g
Category

Antique 1890s British Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Platinum

GIA 3.14 Carat Victorian Old Mine Solitaire Diamond Wedding Antique Ring
Located in New York, NY
ring is SUPER Fine and truly show stopper, a rare and regal Authentic Large Victorian Solitaire RING
Category

Antique 1870s Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Antique 2.2 Carat Old Mine Diamond and 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
of stone measures 4 millimeters Ring Details: Size: 5, can be resized Metal: 18 Karat Yellow Gold
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Royal Blue Victorian GIA 2.29ctw Sapphire Diamond Antique Cluster 14K Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
Victorian, circa the 1890s, This stunning ring features a GIA-certified, approx. 1.05 carat natural
Category

Antique 1890s European Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, 14k Gold

Late Victorian Tiffany Co. Emerald and Diamond 18k Gold Triplet Snake Ring
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Late Victorian Tiffany & Co. Emerald and Diamond 18k Gold Triplet Snake Ring One Late Victorian
Category

Antique 1890s Late Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

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

1890s Victorian Simulated Ruby and Natural Seed Pearl 9 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Antique 1890s Victorian Ruby and Pearl 9 Karat Yellow Gold Ring. Features a prong set Red
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Ruby, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

18K Old European Cut Diamond Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Wheaton, IL
This delightful Victorian solitaire engagement ring is perfect for a genuine antique jewelry lover
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 10k Gold Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald Triple-Headed Snake Ring
Located in New York, NY
A striking example of Victorian symbolism, this antique ring features three entwined serpents, each
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 10k Gold

1890s Opal Bypass Toi et Moi 14 Karat Rose Gold Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
. The 14 karat Rose Gold beautifully accents the 2 round, 6-prong set Opals. Ring Details: Size: 5 3/4
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Opal, 14k Gold, Rose 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.