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Vintage 14k Gold Diamond Rings

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Vintage sapphire diamond 14k white gold three stone ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage 14k white gold ring from the 1980’s showcases a vivid round brilliant cut blue
Category

Vintage 1980s Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Men s Diamond Ring Band 14K Two Tone Gold
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage band circa 1950s Six single cut diamonds inlaid in white gold diagonal stripes diamond
Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Elegance Diamond Engagement Ring in 14k White Gold
Located in Bloomington, MN
Introducing this exquisite Diamond Engagement Ring, crafted in 14k white gold with a vintage allure
Category

Mid-20th Century Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 2.50 Carat Diamonds Cluster Cocktail Ring 14k Gold
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage 2.50 Carat Diamonds Cluster Cocktail Ring 14k Gold. The ring has a total carat weight of
Category

Vintage 1980s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Natural Diamond Ring 14K White Gold Vintage Marquise shape
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Natural Diamond Ring 14K White Gold Vintage Marquise shape This vintage ring is crafted in solid
Category

20th Century Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 0.50 Carat Diamonds Wide Band Ring 14k Gold
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage 0.50 Carat Diamonds Wide Band Ring 14k Gold. The ring measures 10.30 mm in height and is a
Category

Vintage 1980s Mexican Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Vintage Diamond Blue Sapphire Ring in 14k White Gold
Located in Webster, NY
Vintage diamond bypass ring made in 14k white gold with blue sapphire accents. Gemstone: Earth
Category

20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Opal Diamond Band Style Ring 14K Yellow Gold
Located in Montgomery, AL
Material: 14K Yellow Gold Head Width: 7mm Head Height: 3.7mm Shank Width: 2mm Weight: 3.1 Grams Finger Size
Category

20th Century Retro Band Rings

Materials

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

Vintage 14K White Gold Diamond and Ruby Target Ring
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
A striking vintage diamond and ruby ring crafted in 14K white gold, designed with a bold, geometric
Category

Vintage 1940s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 1 Carat Diamond Cocktail Ring 14K White Gold
Located in Montgomery, AL
We are loving this classic vintage beauty!! Ring Details Material: 14K White Gold Era: Retro 1940
Category

Mid-20th Century Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 5-Row Diamond Cocktail Band Ring 14k Gold
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage 5-Row Diamond Cocktail Band Ring 14k Gold. The ring features 0.86 total carat in diamonds
Category

Vintage 1960s Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 14K Yellow Gold Woman with Diamond Necklace Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1950s Item Details: Ring Size: 6.75 Metal Type: 14K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested
Category

Vintage 1950s Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

White Gold Onyx Diamond Vintage Ring - 14k Oval Cabochon
Located in Greensboro, NC
: 14k White Gold Stone Information Natural Onyx Cut: Oval Cabochon Color: Black Natural Diamonds Cut
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Diamond Cocktail Ring Crafted in 14k White Gold
Located in Webster, NY
Vintage diamond cocktail ring with 1.00ctw of diamonds set into a beautiful design. Diamond Carat
Category

20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Asymmetrical Diamond Ring in 14k
Located in Bloomington, MN
This vintage ring is crafted in 14k white gold and showcases an eye-catching asymmetrical design
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Baroque Pearl and Diamonds Cocktail Ring 14k Gold
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Baroque Pearl and Diamonds Cocktail Ring 14k Gold. Very detailed designer copyrighted
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold

14K White Gold Vintage Opal Diamond Ring, 8.7g, .35tdw
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
14K White Gold Vintage Opal & Diamond Ring, 8.7g, .35tdw Ladies Australian opal and diamond vintage
Category

20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold

14K Yellow Gold Diamond Cluster Vintage Style Cocktail Ring
Located in Bangkok, TH
. CHARACTERISTICS Status: Made to Order Origin: Thailand Metal: Solid 14K Yellow Gold Ring Size: US 7 Total
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold

Natural Diamond Ring 14K White Gold Vintage .53ct TDW
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Natural Diamond Ring 14K White Gold Vintage .53ct TDW This vintage ring is made in solid 14K White
Category

Mid-20th Century Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 1960s 14K Yellow Gold .15ct Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: Item Details: Ring Size: 5.5 Metal Type: 14k Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 3.1
Category

Vintage 1960s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage "F" Initial Diamond Two-Tone 14K Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
. Weight: 2.4 grams Stone: Diamonds Measurements: 16 x 15.9 x 3.9mm Ring Size: 5.5 Metal: 14k Internal
Category

Late 20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Vintage GIA Certified 14K Gold Rubellite Tourmaline Diamond Ring
Located in Flushing, NY
Vintage GIA Certified 14K Gold Rubelite Tourmaline & Diamond Ring Accompanied by GIA Report
Category

20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Rubelite, Tourmaline, Gold, 14k Gold

Vintage 0.88 Carat Diamonds Half Eternity Ring 14k Gold
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage 0.88 Carat Diamonds Half Eternity Ring 14k Gold. The ring features 11 round diamonds each
Category

Vintage 1980s Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

14K White Gold Vintage Diamond Ring 2.68ct GIA Certified
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Ladies 14k white gold and diamond ring. Stamped 14k and weighs 7.8 grams. The ring tests 57.5% gold
Category

Late 20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 6.7mm Pearl 0.45 Carat Diamond Ring 14k Gold
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage 6.7mm Pearl 0.45 Carat Diamond Ring 14k Gold. Very beautiful and well made ring featuring
Category

Vintage 1980s Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold

Vintage 14K Gold Emerald and Diamond Ring size 7.25
Located in Big Bend, WI
14K yellow gold ring featuring an emerald and 14 round diamonds set in white gold. The round
Category

Mid-20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

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

1.46 ctw Diamond Opal Ring Vintage 14K White Gold
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
1.46 ctw Diamond Opal Ring Vintage 14K White Gold This estate ring is made in solid 14K White Gold
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 14k Gold 11ct Amethyst and Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in New York, NY
This eye-catching cocktail ring is crafted in elegant 14k two-tone gold, combining the warmth of
Category

20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, 14k Gold

14K Yellow Gold Peridot and Diamond Vintage Style Ring
Located in Bangkok, TH
. CHARACTERISTICS Status: Made to order Origin: Thailand Metal: Solid 14K Yellow Gold Ring Size: US 3-8 Total
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Peridot, 14k Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

1.5 Carat Princess Cut Diamond 1 Ct Blue Sapphire Flip Ring 14 K Gold, Unisex
Located in New York, NY
Ring 14 K White Gold Unique Flip ring You can wear as all diamond ring or you can wear as diamond and
Category

2010s Band Rings

Materials

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

Unique 14k White Gold Vintage Diamond and Emerald Ring
Located in Houston, TX
This beautifully renewed vintage-inspired cluster ring is crafted in 14K white gold, weighing 5.3
Category

Vintage 1980s Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 14k Yellow Gold 1.0tcw Ruby and Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
captivating pattern, all set in warm 14k yellow gold. A bold statement piece for those who appreciate vivid
Category

20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Natural Diamond Amethyst Ring 14K Gold Cocktail Vintage Estate
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Natural Diamond Amethyst Ring 14K Gold Cocktail Vintage Estate This amazing large and spectacular
Category

20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 14k Yellow Gold Diamond Ring
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage 14K Yellow Gold & Diamond Ring - Baguette cut diamonds and round brilliant diamonds set in
Category

20th Century Cocktail Rings

Vintage 14K White Gold Pearl and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in New York, NY
brilliance to the design. The setting is crafted from a 14k white gold, providing a luxurious backdrop for
Category

20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold

14K White Gold Vintage .27cttw Diamond Ring size 8
Located in Big Bend, WI
Vintage 14K white gold diamond ring. The round brilliant cut diamond measures about 3.6mm and
Category

Mid-20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

Black White Diamond Vintage Cocktail Ring 14k White Gold
Located in Sugar Land, TX
: Round Band Material: 14k White Gold Dimensions: 20mm x 20mm Weight: 7 grams Diamonds are Natural. Not
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Black Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 14k Gold 1.1tcw Five Stone Diamond Band Ring
Located in New York, NY
A refined Diamond Band Ring, featuring a series of brilliant round diamonds set in 14k White Gold
Category

Late 20th Century Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Natural Diamond Black Opal Ring 14K Gold Cocktail Vintage
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Natural Diamond Black Opal Ring 14K Gold Cocktail Vintage This stunning vintage ring is finely
Category

20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Vintage .30ctw Diamond Engagement Ring, 14k White Gold, Ring Size 6
Located in McLeansville, NC
Stones: diamonds old European cut, 1 stone 3.75 mm approximately .21 carat G-H color, I1 clarity
Category

Vintage 1980s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Ruby and Diamond Ring of 14k White Gold
Located in Lewisburg, PA
. This retro ring (circa 1940-1950) features rubies and diamonds set in 14k white gold. The ring is in
Category

Mid-20th Century Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Diamond Navette Ring in 14k White / Yellow Gold
Located in beverly hills, CA
Glamorous, sophisticated, and completely unique, this ring makes a gorgeous statement. Vintage 14K
Category

Late 20th Century Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Le Vian 14k Yellow Gold Sapphire Diamond Vintage Ring
Located in Houston, TX
This exquisite vintage Le Vian ring from the 1980s is crafted in 14k yellow gold and showcases a
Category

Vintage 1980s Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold

Vintage .40ct Diamond 14K Two-Tone Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Scotts Valley, CA
Details: Mid-Century classic diamond set in 14K two-tone yellow and white gold is from the 1930-40
Category

Mid-20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Gold

Vintage 14k Yellow Gold Lapis Lazuli and Diamond Ring
Located in Houston, TX
This exquisite vintage ring is crafted in 14K yellow gold, featuring a striking cabochon-cut 16.5 x
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold

Vintage Mabè Pearl Lapis Diamond 14k Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
good Era: Contemporary vintage Year: 1980s Metal: 14k Yellow Gold Gemstones: Mabe Pearl (12mm) Lapis
Category

20th Century Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 14K White Gold 1.05 TCW Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
This elegant 14k gold engagement ring showcases a brilliant round cut diamond as its centerpiece
Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

14K Yellow Gold Vintage Diamond Ring 0.30tdw, Size 9.5
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
14k yellow gold Diamond ring. There is .30tdw, SI-VS Clarity, J-K-L Color. Stamped 14k, weighs
Category

Mid-20th Century Signet Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 8.5mm Pearl, Ruby and Diamonds Ring 14k Gold
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage 8.5mm Pearl, Ruby and Diamonds Ring 14k Gold. Very nice heavy ring featuring a center real
Category

Vintage 1980s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold

Vintage 14k White Gold 0.42tcw H VS Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
This vintage engagement ring features a bright and lively 0.42tcw of VS-clarity, H-color diamonds
Category

20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Diamond Ring 14K White Gold Vintage Cluster 2.00 TDW
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Diamond Ring 14K White Gold Vintage Cluster 2.00 TDW This vintage ring is made in solid 14K White
Category

Mid-20th Century Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 14K Yellow Gold 0.25CT Diamond and Onyx Ring
Located in Houston, TX
1980s Vintage 14K Yellow Gold 0.25CT Diamond and Onyx Ring The channel in this ring features five
Category

Vintage 1980s Unknown Retro Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Modernist Diamond Solitaire Ring Brushed 14K Yellow Gold
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Circa 1950 One round brilliant diamond weighs 0.05 carats H-I SI The diamond is prong set within a
Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 14k Yellow Gold 1ct Center Diamond Bypass Ring
Located in New York, NY
Fashioned in lustrous gold, the ring showcases three brilliant-cut diamonds, each securely set in
Category

Mid-20th Century Retro Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Diamond Ring Domed 14K Gold Band Vintage 1.20 TDW
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Diamond Ring Domed 14K Gold Band Vintage 1.20 TDW This gorgeous domed estate ring is finely
Category

20th Century Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Diamond Ring .55 TDW 14K White Gold Floral Vintage
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
This amazing vintage ring is finely crated in solid 14K White gold and set with white and fiery
Category

Vintage 1960s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Old Mine Diamond Sapphire Ring 14K White Gold Vintage
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Old Mine Diamond Sapphire Ring 14K White Gold Vintage This vintage ring is crafted in solid 14K
Category

Vintage 1960s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold

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Vintage 14k Gold Diamond Rings For Sale on 1stDibs

Find an expansive variety of vintage 14k gold diamond rings available on 1stDibs. Frequently made of Gold, 14k Gold and Yellow Gold, these items were constructed with great care. Our collection of these items for sale includes 2605 vintage editions and 432 modern creations to choose from as well. Our inventory has long been popular, and it includes earlier versions that date to the 18th Century and newer variations that were made as recently as the 21st Century. There are many different pieces in our collection of vintage 14k gold diamond rings to choose from, but Modern and Art Deco vintage 14k gold diamond rings are of considerable interest. Versions of these items have been a part of the life’s work for many jewelers, but those produced by Estate Jewelry, Antinori Fine Jewels and Alberto are consistently popular. A selection of round cut, oval cut and old european cut can be found today on these pages. There aren’t many items for men in our collection of vintage 14k gold diamond rings, as most of the options available are for women.

How Much are Vintage 14k Gold Diamond Rings?

On average, vintage 14k gold diamond rings at 1stDibs sell for $1,581, while they’re typically $119 on the low end and $300,000 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.