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Victorian Sapphire and Diamond Halo Engagement Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Underhill is a romantic Victorian Era cluster ring featuring an exquisite 0.60ct sapphire set in
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Victorian 18ct Gold Sapphire and Diamond Navette Cluster Ring
Located in Glasgow, GB
A late Victorian 18ct yellow gold sapphire and diamond Navette (Marquise) cluster ring. The ring is
Category

Antique 1890s British Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

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

Romantic Victorian Sapphire Diamond Halo Engagement Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pawley's Island is a romantic Victorian era cluster ring featuring an exquisite 0.75ct round
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold

1876 Victorian Sapphire Diamond Gold Three Stone Ring
Located in Theydon Bois, Essex
An unbelievably well preserved example of a very popular mid to late Victorian ring. A trilogy of
Category

Antique 1870s British Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian Sapphire Diamond Ring 18 Carat Gold, circa 1900
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
This beautiful Victorian 18ct Gold Sapphire and Diamond cluster ring is Circa 1900. Set in an
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Victorian Pink Sapphire and Diamond Trinity Ring
Located in METAIRIE, LA
From a local New Orleans estate, this Victorian Pink Sapphire Trinity Ring features a central 0.68
Category

Antique Early 1900s Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 14k Gold

Tiffany Victorian Sapphire Diamond Ring
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
14k GORGEOUS Tiffany Sapphire ring! The old cut sapphire has an AGL certificate stating it is
Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold

Antique Victorian Sapphire Diamond Ring 18 Carat Gold, circa 1900
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
This adorable Sapphire and Diamond ring is Victorian. Circa 1900. The centre Sapphire is 0.20ct
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian Sapphire Diamond Ring 18 Carat Gold, circa 1900
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
This spectacular antique Victorian 18ct Gold Sapphire and Diamond ring is, Circa 1900. The deep
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian Sapphire Diamond Marquise Cluster Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
A striking late Victorian marquise cluster ring set with a central seam of vibrant blue sapphires
Category

Antique 19th Century English Late Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver

Victorian Natural Burmese Sapphire Diamond Gold Cluster Ring, circa 1880
Located in London, GB
Victorian natural sapphire burmese origin old cut diamonds 18ct gold cluster 1880c
Category

Antique 1880s British Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Victorian 2.00 Carat Sapphire Old Cut Diamond Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Theydon Bois, Essex
absolute showstopper of a ring. Cut – Mixed cut oval sapphire and old mine / miner cut diamonds
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold

Victorian Sapphire Diamond Bowed Double Heart Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
A stunning Victorian sapphire and diamond double heart ring dating from the latter half of the 19th
Category

Antique 19th Century English High Victorian Bridal Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Exquisite Victorian Sapphire Diamond Silver Topped Rose Gold Halo Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Palisades is an exquisite Victorian Era cluster ring made from silver topped 14kt rose gold
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian Sapphire Ring, Yellow Gold
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
A five stone diamond ring dating from the late Victorian era.  Set with five graduated cushion cut
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Sapphire, Yellow Gold

Late Victorian Sapphire Diamond Heart Cluster Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
A beautiful late Victorian cluster ring with heart-shaped head home to a natural sapphire set
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Victorian Sapphire Diamond Three-Stone Gypsy Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
carat old cut diamonds. The ring itself is modelled in 15k yellow gold, and dates to the late 19th
Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Band Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 15k Gold

Late Victorian Cabochon Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
A sublime late Victorian oval cluster ring set with a natural sapphire cabochon surrounded by a
Category

Antique Early 1900s English Late Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique Victorian Sapphire Diamond Round Cluster Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
This pretty antique cluster ring is set with a central .50ct blue sapphire, surrounded by a halo of
Category

Antique Early 1900s English Late Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian Sapphire Diamond 18 Carat Gold, circa 1900 Ring
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
This impressive antique Victorian ring boasts beautiful blue Sapphires and superb clarity old
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Late Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Three sapphires totaling 2 carats and two Old Mine cut diamonds totaling 0.50 carat are quite the
Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Late Victorian Sapphire Diamond Scalloped Cluster Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
A sweet antique ring, set with a central blue sapphire within a cluster of rose cut diamonds. The
Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Antique Late Victorian Sapphire Diamond 5-Stone Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
A gorgeous late Victorian sapphire 5-stone ring with rose cut diamond points. It's crafted in 18
Category

Antique 19th Century English Late Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian Sapphire Diamond Gypsy Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
cut diamonds. The ring is modelled in 18k yellow gold, and dates to c.1890. STONES Natural Sapphire
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

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

Victorian Ceylon Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Located in New Orleans, LA
This breath-taking Victorian 18k yellow gold and platinum ring features an oval Ceylon sapphire
Category

Unknown More Rings

Materials

Sapphire, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian Sapphire Diamond Round Cluster Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
diamonds. The ring is modelled in 18k yellow gold, with the diamonds set in platinum claws. It dates from
Category

Early 20th Century British Late Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique Victorian Sapphire Diamond Trilogy Ring 18 Carat Gold, circa 1900
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
Gold ring boasts a trilogy of outstanding Australian Sapphires. Circa 1900 Set with four small
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian Sapphire Diamond Cluster Ring 18 Carat Gold, circa 1900
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
An impressive antique Victorian cluster ring adorned with a 0.70ct Sapphire bordered by a halo of
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Old Cut Diamond Sapphire Five Stone Ring
Located in Theydon Bois, Essex
The ideal coloured gems in a dream of ring. A pair of rich, royal blue sapphires are set between a
Category

Early 20th Century Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Victorian Yellow Sapphire Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Wimberley, TX
classic Victorian era cluster ring of 18k yellow gold top over silver. With a surround consisting of
Materials

Sapphire, 14k Gold, 18k Gold

Victorian 18 Carat Gold Sapphire Rose Cut Diamond Navette Cluster Ring
Located in St Helens, GB
A lovely Victorian period navette shaped ring. c1870. SIZE ; L 1/2 UK, 6 US Solid 18 carat yellow
Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian Ceylon Sapphire Diamond Ring 18 Carat Gold, circa 1900
Located in Lancaster , GB
A stunning antique Victorian cluster ring set with a beautiful 1.60ct Ceylon Sapphire which has a
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian 1.50 Carat Sapphire Old Cut Diamond Silver Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Theydon Bois, Essex
A fine mid-Victorian cluster ring, set with a deep royal blue sapphire. Rubover set in silver, the
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian Sapphire Diamond Gypsy Ring 18 Carat Gold Dated 1898
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
A delightful antique Sapphire and Diamond Victorian Gypsy ring, fully hallmarked and dated Chester
Category

Antique 1890s British Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian Sapphire Diamond Trilogy Ring 18 Carat Gold, circa 1900
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
A stunning antique Victorian trilogy ring crowned with a central 0.80ct blue Sapphire flanked by
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian Sapphire Diamond Cluster Ring, circa 1880
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
with a 3.60ct natural blue Sapphire, all original from the Victorian era, Circa 1880. The Sapphire is
Category

Antique 1880s British Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Late Victorian Sapphire and Diamond Boat Ring in 18ct Gold
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
This delightful Late Victorian ring in 18ct Yellow gold is full of lovely details and full
Category

Antique 1890s British Late Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold

Victorian Sapphire Ruby Diamond "Tricolor" Marquise Cluster Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
A spectacular Victorian Marquise Cluster Ring, pavé set with diamonds around a blue sapphire and a
Category

Antique 19th Century English Late Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian Sapphire Diamond Five-Stone Ring 18 Carat Gold, circa 1900
Located in Lancaster , GB
This spectacular antique Victorian five stone Sapphire and Diamond ring is Circa 1900. Set with
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Delightful Victorian Sapphire Old Mine Cut Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bunker Hill is a delightful authentic Victorian era (circa 1895) 14k yellow gold sapphire and
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold

Antique Victorian Sapphire Ruby Diamond Double Heart Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
heart - each on set with a halo of diamonds around either a blue sapphire or a ruby. Double heart rings
Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

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

French Victorian Sapphire Diamond 18 Carat Ring, circa 1900
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
This fabulous, original French Sapphire and Diamond ring is Circa 1900. The lovely natural
Category

Antique Early 1900s Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Deep Blue Cabochon Sapphire Gold Center Cluster Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bluewell is a lovely and authentic Victorian era (circa 1890) 14k yellow gold ring centering a
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold

Magnificent 19thC Diamond, Pearl Sapphire Ring
Located in Coral Gables, FL
rosecut diamonds and exterior bezel of cabochon natural pink sapphires set in 14K gold. Simply ravishing
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold

Antique Victorian Sapphire and Diamond Five Stone in Ring 15ct Yellow Gold
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
This gorgeous antique ring dates back to the Victorian era showing exquisite detail on the head
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold

Victorian Cushion Cut Sapphire Old Cut Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Theydon Bois, Essex
sapphire and old miner cut diamonds. Colour – Diamonds are G to H. Clarity – Diamonds are VS2. The
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold

Victorian Sapphire and Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Dress Ring, circa 1900
Located in Lancashire, Oldham
An 18 karat yellow gold Victorian boat shaped ring set with two round sapphires each est. 0.35cts
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Late Victorian Antique Sapphire and Diamond Cluster Ring in 18ct Yellow Gold
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
this ring sits a 1.00ct lovely light blue Sapphire in an 18ct Yellow Gold claw setting. The Diamonds
Category

Antique 1880s British Late Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Sapphire Ruby Diamond Gold Ring
Located in London, GB
An 18ct gold Tricolour ring set with Sapphires, Rubies, and Diamonds. Circa: 1860
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Unknown High Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold

Victorian Ruby Sapphire and Diamond Bowed Double Heart Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
. This example is finely worked, and set with a ruby, a blue sapphire, and old cut diamonds. It's
Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian Unheated Sapphire Old Cut Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Newcastle Upon Tyne, GB
An exquisite Victorian sapphire and diamond cluster ring from circa 1900. The central oval-shaped
Category

Early 20th Century French Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Victorian Sapphire and Diamond Halo Engagement Ring - 1900
Located in Madison area, WI
- 18k yellow gold; one approximately .17 carat round-cut natural sapphire; twelve .01-.02 carat
Category

20th Century British Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Antique, Victorian, 14 Carat Gold, Sapphire and Diamond Marquise Engagement Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
Victorian sapphire and diamond marquise cluster ring, circa 1890. Set with old cut diamonds in an
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Austrian Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Antique, Victorian, 18 Carat Gold, Navette Sapphire and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
Victorian, sapphire and diamond navette shape ring, circa 1890. Set to centre an oval sapphire with
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Antique, Victorian, 18 Carat Yellow Gold, Sapphire and Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Rochford, Essex
Victorian, sapphire and diamond ring, circa 1880. Set to centre an oval sapphire displaying an
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Sapphire, Diamond and Gold Halo Ring
Located in Madison area, WI
- Vintage Sapphire Halo Ring - c. 1925-1950 (Though a Victorian style, the modern cut of the
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Victorian 0.70 Carat Sapphire Rose Cut Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Theydon Bois, Essex
solid D-shaped shank. Full of class and quality. Cut – Cushion cut sapphire and rose cut diamonds
Category

Early 20th Century British Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Diamond, 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.