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Circa 1863 Antique Victorian 18 Karat Gold Old Mine Diamond and Enamel Band Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 18K Yellow Gold Old Mine Diamond and Enamel Five Stone Ring. This ring
Category

Antique 1850s Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Antique Victorian 1.44 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning antique Victorian 1.44 carat diamond and 18 karat yellow gold cluster style dress ring
Category

Antique 1890s British Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

C.1860 18k 5 Stone Romantic Message Ring ADORE
Located in Baltimore, MD
Romantic and sentimental Victorian five stone ADORE ring which spells out the first letter of each
Category

Antique 19th Century European Victorian More Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Ruby

Victorian 1.05Ct Oval Cut Sapphire and Diamond Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
gold five stone / dress ring; part of our diverse antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Inspired 2.82 Carat Diamond Gold Wedding Band
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Elegance and beauty radiates from this classic five stone diamond ring, inspired by the historic
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

18 Karat 5-Stone Australian Opal Ring HM Sheffield, 1870
Located in Baltimore, MD
Lovely 18K five stone opal ring with five perfect blue-tinged translucent Australian opals set in
Category

Antique 1890s British Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian Dog Conversion Ring 14k Yellow Gold Hound Animal Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
a diamond set platinum collar. The ring exemplifies the Victorian era when jewelry was crafted with
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Dutch Rose Cut Diamond Crowned Heart Ring
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A 14- carat gold ring. The central, large heart- shaped rose cut diamond (app. 1.2 carat which has
Category

Early 20th Century Dutch Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver

Dutch 1.59 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Dress Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive Dutch 1.59 carat diamond and 14 karat yellow gold, silver set dress ring
Category

Antique Early 1900s Dutch Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k 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

1900s Antique Diamond and Multi-Gemstone Rose Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique Victorian 0.52 carat diamond and 0.89 carat (total
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Antique Victorian 18 Karat Gold 4 Carat Old Cut Diamond Five Stone Bar Brooch
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is an elegant antique Victorian five stone bar brooch crafted in 18K gold. The piece features
Category

Early 20th Century French Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Antique 18K Ruby half hoop Ring C.1890
Located in Toronto, ON
Antique Victorian five stone half hoop Ruby and Diamond 18K Ring, C.1890 The Ring comprising of
Category

Antique 1890s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Ruby, 18k Gold

Victorian 15k Diamond and Emerald Dangle Earrings 2ctw
Located in Narberth, PA
These diamond and emerald earrings from the Victorian (ca1880) era are absolutely exquisite! Made
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 15k Gold, Rose Gold

Antique Victorian 3.51 Carat Diamond and 18k Yellow Gold Locket Pendant
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A magnificent, fine and impressive antique Victorian 3.51 carat diamond and 18 karat yellow gold
Category

Antique 1870s Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian Black Onyx and Diamond Locket
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
bale ornamented with five further Old Dutch cut diamonds. The chain secures with a conventional spring
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Multi Gemstone Dragon Snake Gold Necklace
Located in Narberth, PA
additional row of five Mine Cut diamonds lines the snake's neck, weighing .30ctw. Fine etched details add
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, 18k Gold

Antique Ruby and Diamond 18 Karat Ring, circa 1900
Located in Toronto, ON
Antique Victorian five stone half hoop Ruby and Diamond 18K Ring, C.1900. The Ring comprising of
Category

Antique 19th Century British More Jewelry

Victorian Seed Pearl Enamel and Yellow Gold Pendant
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
each stone. Condition This antique Victorian pendant is exceptional quality, set with fine and evenly
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

1880s Victorian 49.53 Carat Garnet and Yellow Gold Necklace
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
articulate via a pair of oval jump-rings to either side. Five feature graduated drops are displayed evenly
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Drop Necklaces

Materials

Garnet, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Pearl, 2.95 Carat Emerald Ruby, 3.15 Carat Diamond and 9k Yellow Gold Collarette
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique Victorian 3.15 carat diamond and 2.95 carat (combined total
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian More Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 2.17Ct Diamond and 10k Yellow Gold Pendant / Brooch / Hair Clip
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
the impressive feature setting. The bale is further embellished with five pavé set eight-cut diamonds
Category

Antique Early 1900s Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Silver

Tiffany Co. Retro Brooch Pendant 14k Gold Ruby Diamond Pin Estate Jewelry
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
perimeter. There are five white gold branches of diamonds staged around the ruby cluster. The reverse of
Category

Vintage 1940s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold

Antique 0.20Ct Turquoise and Pearl 9k Yellow Gold Padlock/Bracelet Clasp
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
truer representation of the actual colour and showcases each stone. Condition This Victorian clasp is
Category

Antique Early 1900s Charm Bracelets

Materials

Pearl, Turquoise, Yellow Gold

Victorian Five-Stone Diamond Ring, circa 1900s
Located in London, GB
A beautifully crafted five stone ring dating to the 1900s. It is classically Victorian in style
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Victorian Five Stone Turquoise Rose Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
18k yellow gold classic English carved band with five cabochon turquoise and peppered with rose cut
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Turquoise, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

Victorian 18 Carat Gold Sapphire and Diamond Five-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
A stunning antique late Victorian five-stone ring set with blue sapphires and white old European
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Late Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian 18 Carat Gold Ruby and Diamond Five-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
A stunning five-stone ring from the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Set with two beautiful old
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Late Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian 1.64 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Five Stone Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
showcases each stone. Condition This Victorian five stone diamond ring is exceptional quality, set with a
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Victorian Diamond and 22 Carat Gold Five Stone Star Setting Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This gorgeous 22ct gold band holds three diamonds totalling 15pts. They are bright and have a
Category

Vintage 1930s British Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 22k Gold

Antique Victorian 14K Yellow Gold Old Mine Diamond and Emerald Five Stone Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 14K Yellow Gold Old Mine Diamond and Emerald Five Stone Ring. This
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

C1870 18K Natural Burma Ruby Five Stone Ring
Located in Baltimore, MD
18K rare Victorian five stone Burma ruby half hoop ring. The five stone half hoop ring
Category

Antique 1880s British Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Ruby, 18k Gold

Antique 18 Carat Yellow Gold Five-Stone Old Cut Ring, 1894
Located in London, GB
Antique Victorian five stone carved ring set with old cut diamonds with an approximate total weight
Category

Antique 1890s English Late Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold

Men’s Diamond Ring Victorian Three Carats
Located in Northampton, MA
This Victorian 3-carat diamond ring was created for a man around 1890. Much of the jewelry created
Category

Antique Late 18th Century American Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

1880s Victorian Five Stone Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
Set with a line of five graduated old-cut diamonds weighing approx 2.3 Carats. To a pierced
Category

Antique 1890s English Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Victorian 2.66 Carat Diamond Five-Stone Gold Ring
Located in London, England
A Victorian five stone oval diamond ring. The ring is formed of five old oval cut diamonds
Category

Antique 1840s Unknown High Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Victorian 1.20ct Diamond Five Stone Ring, c.1880s
Located in London, GB
A beautiful piece of Victorian history, this five stone ring showcases a sparkling collection of
Category

Antique 1880s British Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Diamond Five-Stone 22 Carat Gold Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Five glistening square old mine cut diamonds sit fabulously on top of a simple setting modelled in
Category

Antique 1870s British Victorian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Victorian Diamond and 18 Carat Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
perched on top of this typical Victorian five stone ring are bright old mine cut diamonds. They
Category

Antique 1890s British Victorian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Victorian Diamond and 18 Carat Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This victorian beauty holds five diamonds which graduate in size starting with the centre stone
Category

Antique 1850s British Victorian Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Victorian Five Stone Ruby Diamond Gold Ring circa 1880s
Located in London, GB
Set to centre an old cut diamond, this quintessential Victorian era five stone ring is set with
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian 0.6ct Five Stone Diamond 18ct Gold Ring
Located in London, GB
Explore the elegance of the Victorian era with our Antique 0.6ct five stone diamond 18ct gold ring
Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Diamond Five-Stone Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
Set with a graduation of old brilliant-cut diamonds, diamonds approx. 1.35cts total Ring size : 7
Category

Antique 1890s British Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Diamond and 18 Carat Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
The diamonds int his ring are very sparkly and bright. The diamonds measure a total of 70pts and
Category

Antique 1880s British Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

G. Seifert Victorian Diamond Sapphire Five-Stone Gold Ring Band
Located in Los Angeles, CA
G. Seifert Victorian Diamond Sapphire Five-stone Gold Ring Band G. Seifert Victorian sapphire and
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Late Victorian Five-Stone Old Cut Diamond Ring, circa 1900s
Located in London, GB
This two-tone Victorian era five stone ring features one carat of round old cut diamonds set
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique Five-Stone Diamond Ring
Located in Baltimore, MD
Wonderful 5 stone diamond ring dating to c. 1880 and set in 18K gold. The diamonds are old European
Category

Antique 1880s English Late Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Victorian Emerald and Diamond Five-Stone Cluster Ring, circa 1880s
Located in London, GB
A lovely Victorian ring featuring five emeralds surrounded by a halo of old cut diamonds. The
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum

Victorian Pearl and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This sweet pearl five stone is dainty and a classic style. In between the pearls sit pairs of rose
Category

Antique 1880s British Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold

Antique Victorian Five Stone Emerald Diamond 18 Carat Gold Ring
Located in London, GB
Our antique Victorian five stone ring, features a stunning trio of antique diamonds, flanked by a
Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold

Victorian Pearl and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This sweet pearl five stone is dainty and a classic style. In between the pearls sit pairs of rose
Category

Antique 1880s British Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold

C1860 18K Victorian Five Stone "ADORE" Ring
Located in Baltimore, MD
This is an unusual classic Victorian five stone ADORE ring : our ADORE ring spells out the first
Category

Antique 1860s English Victorian Band Rings

Materials

18k Gold

Victorian Diamond and 15 Carat Gold Five-Stone Band Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Set in this 15carat gold ring are five diamonds. The central diamond measures 30pts and the
Category

Antique 1890s British Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Victorian Diamond and 18 Carat Gold Five-Stone Band Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Set in this decorative 18carat gold ring are five diamonds. The central diamond measures 40pts and
Category

Antique 1890s British Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Victorian Diamond and 18 Carat Gold Five-Stone Band Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Set in this 18carat gold ring are five diamonds. The central diamond measures 20pts and the
Category

Antique 1880s British Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Victorian Diamond and 18 Carat Gold Five-Stone Band Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Set within this smooth 18carat gold band are five sparkling diamonds. The central diamond measures
Category

Antique 1880s British Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

British Victorian Pearl and Diamond Five-Stone Ring, circa 1864
Located in Addison, TX
This Victorian beauty is crafted of 15 karat gold with an alternating pattern of pearls and accent
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century British Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 15k Gold

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Victorian Five Stone Diamond Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact victorian five stone diamond ring you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Frequently made of Gold, 18k Gold and Yellow Gold, this item was constructed with great care. In our selection of items, you can find a vintage example as well as a contemporary version. Finding the perfect victorian five stone 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. For this particular accessory, there are many different carat weights to choose from, but 1 Carat and 1.5 Carat versions are of considerable interest. Creating a victorian five stone diamond ring has been a part of the legacy of many jewelers, but those produced by Five Star Jewelry are consistently popular. See these pages for an old european cut iteration of this accessory, while there are also old mine cut cut and round cut cut versions available here, too. When shopping for a victorian five stone diamond ring, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for unisex or men today than there are for women.

How Much is a Victorian Five Stone Diamond Ring?

The price for a victorian five stone diamond ring starts at $347 and tops out at $53,213 with these rings, on average, selling for $3,107.

A Close Look at Victorian Jewelry

The reign of Queen Victoria encapsulates a quickly evolving period of history — and jewelry styles were no exception. No single period has seen such a diverse group of jewelry attributed to it than the Victorian era. Today, there is a vast collection of authentic antique Victorian jewelry and watches on 1stDibs.

Victorian jewelry is named after Queen Victoria, whose reign lasted from 1837 to 1901, making her the second longest-ruling monarch. (She was surpassed by Queen Elizabeth II in 2015.) During this time, different styles of fashion and jewelry came and went. Thanks to our fascination with royalty and swoon-worthy melodramas like Netflix’s The Crown — which is rife with evocative fashion, jewelry and interiors — and the 2017 feature film Victoria Abdul, we are all familiar with her story. After the death of Victoria’s father and three childless uncles, she ascended to the throne at age 18. In 1840, Queen Victoria married the love of her life, her first cousin Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

Queen Victoria loved serpentine jewels, and she had even more power to shape trends than Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle do today. The British monarch’s best-known piece in this mold is the gold coiled-snake engagement ring she received from Prince Albert — the sinuous reptile was considered a symbol of everlasting love.

The Queen's 63-year reign has been divided by historians into the Romantic period, the early happy years, circa 1837–60; the Grand period, marked by the deaths of the Queen’s mother and husband, circa 1860–80; and the late Victorian or Aesthetic period, which lasted from about 1880 until 1901 and ushered in the Belle Époque. Queen Victoria wore her heart on her sleeve, and her fashion and jewelry reflected her emotions.

Romantic period jewelry, which featured common decorative motifs and was embellished with seed pearls, coral and turquoise, was a celebration of the young monarch’s love. Everything changed with the death of Prince Albert, and the Grand period is most often associated with mourning jewelry. Jewelry was smaller, lighter and more dainty during the late Victorian period. During this era, diamonds came into fashion, and semiprecious gems such as amethysts and opals became prevalent, too. Using gemstones for their natural beauty and not their worth was something that jewelers of the era felt passionate about, and this ideology would really become relevant in Art Nouveau jewelry.

Find a collection of authentic antique Victorian jewelry — from rings, necklaces and brooches to a range of other accessories — on 1stDibs. 

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.