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3.11 Carat Oval Blue Sapphire 0.61 Carat Diamond Platinum Halo Ring Engagement
Located in New York, NY
: Blue Sapphire Diamond Halo Ring Keywords: Ring, Diamond Ring, Gold Ring, Cocktail Ring, Fine Ring
Category

2010s American Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

Georgian 2.0 Carat Natural Sapphire 2.40 Carat Diamond Rare Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
a button during the Victorian period. Set with a natural untreated sapphire in the middle support ed
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Italian Georgian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold

18 Karat Gold and Rainbow Sapphire Beacon Conservatory Signet Ring
By DRU.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The uniquely sleek 18k yellow gold and rainbow sapphire Beacon Conservatory Signet features a
Category

2010s American Victorian Signet Rings

Materials

Black Diamond, 18k Gold

GIA Certified 4.94cts Natural Blue Sapphire Ring
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Antique 18k Rose Gold and Platinum Ring. Set with 4.94 cts Natural Blue Sapphire Octagonal Step Cut
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Spanish Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

Victorian 1.19 Carat Garnet, Old Cut Diamond and Blue Enamel Cluster Ring
Located in Essex, GB
A flamboyantly beautiful Victorian garnet ring. The bright and richly coloured centre stone is
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Teresa Small Banded Cage Ring with Princess Cut Sapphires and White Diamonds
By Jane Berg
Located in Chicago, IL
18k White & Yellow Gold with White Diamonds & Princess Cut Sapphires 3.41tw I was inspired by the
Category

2010s American Band Rings

Materials

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

Antique, Art Deco, Platinum, Cabochon Sri Lankan Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
Sapphire and Diamond Ring. ‘Cabochon’ is the name for a domed cut, and apart from free-form tumbled
Category

Early 20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

Victorian Engagement Ring
Located in Southampton, NY
A romantic sapphire and diamond cluster ring, with a deep blue sapphire at the center enhanced by 8
Category

English Cluster Rings

4.02 Ct Unheated Vivid Royal Blue Oval Sapphire (Madagascar) Ring, Certified
Located in Hong Kong, Hong Kong
This spectacular ring features a gorgeous 4.02 Sapphire with vivid brilliance and a vibrant color
Category

2010s Hong Kong Early Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Manjrie Single-Cut Diamond 18k Gold handcrafted Cocktail Dome Ring
By Manjrie
Located in Singapore, Singapore
This masterfully crafted dome ring comprising single-cut diamonds is fashioned in Victorian setting
Category

2010s Indian Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Certified Burma Rubies English Victorian Five-Stone Rare Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
Spectacular and rare Victorian five stone English ring set with Natural, untreated, unheated Burma
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Antique 1.80 Carat No Heat Purple Ceylon Sapphire 2.0 Carat Diamond Navette Ri
Located in Napoli, IT
Subtle Elegance This rare authentic Victorian ring is the emblem of beauty Outstanding navette
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Edwardian .33 Carat Sapphire and Diamond Antique Platinum and 18 Karat
Located in Tampa, FL
and diamond fashion ring. Crafted in platinum and 18K yellow gold, this ring features a beautiful
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Late Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

14 K Gold Lady Hand .32 ctw. Diamonds Jeweled Cocktail Ring
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Very Exotic and Most Unique Show Stopper! Victorian Revival Modern Version- solid 14 K Gold
Category

20th Century Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold

Magnificent No Heat Color Shift Purple Sapphire Ring
Located in Wimberley, TX
example of a Victorian era cluster ring of 14k yellow gold is singularly spectacular. A magnificent
Materials

Sapphire

Antique Ruby Snake Fashion Ring Unique Ruby Diamond White Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Orlando, Florida
, unique vintage art deco ruby wedding ring, ruby diamond ring, victorian ruby ring, diamond engagement
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Fashion Rings

Materials

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

Antique, Edwardian, 18ct Gold, Natural Turquoise and Diamond Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
engagement rings! Please check out our other items. Each set with extraordinary gemstones: diamond, sapphire
Category

Early 20th Century British Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, Gold

Antique, Edwardian, 18 Carat Gold, Tourmaline and Diamond Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
Tourmaline and diamond ring, circa 1900. Tourmalines come in perhaps the widest variety of colour
Category

Early 20th Century British Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tourmaline

Antique, Edwardian, 18 Carat White Gold, Peridot and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
Peridot and diamond ring, circa 1910. Set with a peridot of an unusually citrus shade of green
Category

Early 20th Century British Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Peridot, White Gold

Incredible Antique, Belle Époque, 18 Carat Gold Peach Moonstone and Diamond Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
Moonstone and diamond ring, circa 1910. At the heart of this ring is a wonderful peach coloured
Category

Early 20th Century British Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Moonstone, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique Victorian, French, Natural Ox Blood Coral Cocktail Ring, Original Box
Located in Rochford, Essex
French import assay mark for 14 carat gold. Period Of Manufacture Late Victorian Band Size UK: P US
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Coral, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique, Edwardian, 18ct Gold, Platinum, Ruby and Diamond Three-Stone Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
Ruby and Diamond Three-Stone Ring. Three-stone rings are a classic choice for an engagement ring
Category

Early 20th Century British Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Platinum

Antique, Art Deco, French, Platinum, Emerald and Diamond Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
Emerald and Diamond Ring. Rings like this are often known as ‘saddle’ rings due to their shape
Category

Early 20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Manjrie Blue Sapphire Single-Cut Diamond 18k Gold Victorian Dangle Earrings
By Manjrie
Located in Singapore, Singapore
fashioned in Victorian setting with 18k gold back post and push. Total weight 15.95gm. Diamond 3.90ct. Color
Category

2010s Indian Victorian Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver

Victorian Revival Gold Snake Stud Earrings Ruby Sapphire Rose Gold Serpent Studs
Located in Rottedam, NL
are made of solid 14 karat gold and are set with natural rubies and sapphires. Snake rings were
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Dutch Victorian Stud Earrings

Materials

Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

20.01 Carat Pink Sapphire, Diamond Earring Oxidized Sterling Silver, 14K Gold
Located in New York, NY
pure 14KT Gold. It is a reproduction of Mughal (Victorian) style jewelry. Stones : Pink Sapphire
Category

2010s Indian Contemporary Chandelier Earrings

Materials

Brown Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver

Delightful Victorian 18 Karat Yellow Gold Curb-Link, Gem-Set Bracelet
Located in Lombard, IL
This charming and delightful Victorian18 karat yellow gold curb-link gem-set bracelet is a
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Link Bracelets

Materials

Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Haute Victorian Gem-Set Pendant Chain
Located in Wimberley, TX
The grandeur of those Victorian times is clearly expressed in this 14k yellow gold pendant/brooch
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Natural Pearl, Ruby, Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold

Victorian Sapphire and Diamond Ring in Yellow Gold
Located in Boston, MA
A victorian period sapphire, and diamond ring in yellow gold. Featuring four vivid blue sapphires
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Gold

Victorian Sapphire and Rose Cut Diamond Ring in Yellow Gold
Located in Boston, MA
A beautiful original early victorian period sapphire, and diamond ring in yellow gold. Centered by
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Victorian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Blue Sapphire, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Sapphires Snakes Yellow Gold Egyptian Ring
Located in Viana do Castelo, PT
coiled snakes are adorned with a round synthetic sapphires each and diamond eyes mounted in portuguese
Category

Mid-20th Century Portuguese Egyptian Revival Fashion Rings

Materials

Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Sapphire Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
An elegant Victorian Sapphire and Diamond Ring, ca. 1890s set in 18k yellow gold with three very
Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Victorian Sapphire Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
treatment. Surrounded by a halo of near colorless diamonds. Crafted in glistening 18k yellow gold. Ring
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Victorian Sapphire Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
old cut diamonds in the glistening 18k yellow gold band. Ring size 5 and may be re-sized to fit.
Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Victorian Sapphire Diamond Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
diamonds. Hand crafted in 18k yellow gold. Ring size 5-3/4
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Victorian Sapphire Diamond Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A Victorian cluster ring featuring a vibrant royal blue sapphire that is surrounded in petals of
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Victorian Sapphire Diamond Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A Victorian cluster ring featuring a vibrant royal blue sapphire that is surrounded in petals of
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Victorian 2.15 Carats Sapphire Diamond 14 Karat Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Cluster style ring centers an oval cut sapphire weighing approximately 1.15 carats Transparent and
Category

Antique Early 1900s Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k ...

Victorian 0.46 Carat Sapphire Pearl Diamond 18 Karat Gold Bypass Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Bypass style ring that terminates as a round pearl and a cushion cut sapphire Pearl measures 4.4
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

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

Victorian 2.50 Carats Sapphire Diamond 14 Karat Gold Cabochon Cluster Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Cluster ring featuring an oval cabochon sapphire center Weighing approximately 1.50 carats with
Category

Antique Early 1900s Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow ...

Victorian Sapphire Diamond Gold Halo Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A beautiful blue faceted .75 carat blue sapphire, surrounded by 10 old European diamonds weighing
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian More Rings

Materials

Sapphire, 18k Gold

Victorian Sapphire Diamond Ruby Gold Navette Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
rubies, blue sapphires and white diamonds aligned perfectly in 18k yellow gold. Ring size 5-1/4 and can
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Victorian Diamond Sapphire Turquoise 14 18 Karat Rose Gold Butterfly Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Petite ring features a butterfly motif with a turquoise cabochon head An old European cut diamond
Category

Antique Early 1900s Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Turquoise, 14k Gold, 18...

Large Victorian Sapphire Diamond 14 Karat Gold Unisex Bypass Snake Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Bypass style ring designed as a coiling snake pavé set throughout by diamonds and sapphires
Category

Antique 1860s Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian 4 Carat Sapphire Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
carats surrounded by 14 rose cut diamonds for a total weight of 0.70 carat. The ring is set in a 12k gold
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Silver

Victorian sapphire diamond 18k yellow gold ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This Victorian ring from the 1880’s is crafted in 18k yellow gold and hallmarked with English marks
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Victorian Sapphire Diamond Two Color Gold Ring
Located in Boca Raton, FL
This eye-catching Victorian Ring features alternating diamonds and sapphires in a large circular
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, White Diamond, 14k Gold, 18k Gold

Victorian Cabochon Sapphire Diamond Gold Gypsy Ring
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
14k yellow gold gypsy style ring, set with a 1.50 carat cabochon sapphire and two diamonds weighing
Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Sapphire, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold, Yellow ...

Victorian Sapphire Diamond 18 Karat Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
carats. Accented by 16 diamonds weighing approximately 0.50 carats, I,J color SI clarity. This Victorian
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Victorian Sapphire Diamond Target Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful Victorian 18k white gold and 14k yellow gold ring featuring approximately 2cts of
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian More Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold

Victorian Ceylon Sapphire Diamond Yellow Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
Circa 1880's Ceylon Sapphire and Diamond ring in 15k Yellow Gold, stamped KS. There are 14 old mine
Category

Antique 1850s Unknown High Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Sapphire Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
A Victorian engagement ring centered with an antique cushion-cut sapphire, weighing approximately
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold

Victorian Sapphire Diamond Plaque Ring
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
A Marquis-shaped open plaque ring, set in the center with a 2.50 carat sapphire and framed in a
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Bridal Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold

Victorian Sapphire Diamond Silver Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
Authentic 1880 - 1890 Victorian 14k yellow gold ring with silver top set with rose cut diamonds and
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian French Diamond Sapphire Gold Ring Antique
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Classic Victorian marquise shape ring. Elegant, timeless, feminine and wearable, the ring is a
Category

Early 20th Century French Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Victorian 2.25 Carats Sapphire Diamond Silver-Topped 14 Karat Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Cluster ring centers a bullet cabochon of sapphire - bezel set Weighing approximately 1.10 carats
Category

Antique Early 1900s Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow ...

Antique 18ct Gold Victorian Sapphire Diamond Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Sapphire & Diamond Gypsy Ring 18ct Gold Set with Beautiful Sapphires & Diamonds Hallmarked
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold

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Victorian Sapphire Diamond Gold Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact victorian sapphire diamond gold ring you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Every item for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using Gold, 18k Gold and Yellow Gold. Our collection of these items for sale includes 472 vintage editions and 32 modern creations to choose from as well. Finding the perfect victorian sapphire diamond gold 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. Creating a victorian sapphire diamond gold ring has been a part of the legacy of many jewelers, but those produced by Roshe Jewels, DGI and Anna Sheffield are consistently popular. Today, if you’re looking for an oval cut version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes round cut and old european cut alternatives. When shopping for a victorian sapphire diamond gold 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 Sapphire Diamond Gold Ring?

On average, a victorian sapphire diamond gold ring at 1stDibs sells for $3,359, while they’re typically $340 on the low end and $269,500 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.