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Vintage 14k Gold Diamond Rings

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Vintage 11.90 carat citrine diamond 14k yellow gold cocktail ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
enhances the ring’s dramatic presence. Sculpted in polished 14k yellow gold, the design captures the
Category

Vintage 1980s Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Citrine, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Diamond Opal Ring Carved Cameo 14K Gold Vintage Face Cocktail
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Diamond Opal Ring Cameo 14K Gold Vintage Face Cocktail This gorgeous vintage ring is finely
Category

20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

14K White Gold Vintage Three Diamond Ring 1.05ct
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Vintage diamond ring in 14k white gold. Stamped 14k and weighs 2.5 grams. There are three old-euro
Category

Mid-20th Century Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Oval Amethyst and Diamond Filigree 14K Gold Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Circa 1950s 7 graduating amethyst ovals prong set ~0.40 carats total framed with 2 rows of diamonds
Category

Mid-20th Century Art Deco Band Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, 14k Gold

Vintage 14K White Gold GIA Certified Diamond Sapphire Ring
Located in Henderson, NV
Vintage starburst ring crafted in 14K white gold, featuring a central brilliant-cut diamond. The
Category

Late 20th Century American Contemporary Wedding Rings

Materials

Sapphire, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold

Vintage 2.20 Carat Diamond and 14k White Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive vintage 2.20 carat diamond and 14 karat white gold cluster style
Category

Vintage 1950s British Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Asscher cut diamond 14k white gold double band ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage 1990s ring features a beautifully faceted 0.70 carat Asscher cut diamond at its center
Category

1990s Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

14K White Gold Vintage Three-Diamond Ring 0.64ct
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Ladies vintage 14k white gold and diamond ring. Stamped 14k and weighs 5.2 grams. The diamonds are
Category

Mid-20th Century Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage inspired multicolor 14k gold ring
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
14 karat gold ring with genuine kyanite, emeralds, diamonds. Vintage style ring. 14k gold Total
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Kyanite, 14k Gold

Vintage inspired multicolor 14k gold ring
Vintage inspired multicolor 14k gold ring
$579 Sale Price / item
30% Off
Art Deco Diamond Ring 14K Gold Geometric Vintage 1.58 TDW
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Art Deco Diamond Ring 14K Gold Geometric Vintage 1.58 TDW Gorgeous Art Deco Ring, Diamond Ring
Category

Vintage 1930s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Leo Diamond Engagement Ring Princess Cut 1.48 TCW Diamond Accent Band 14k WG
By The Leo Diamond
Located in San Diego, CA
THE LEO DIAMOND PRINCESS CUT IN VINTAGE INSPIRED DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT BAND Style: Solitaire with
Category

2010s American Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Opal Diamond 5-Stone Ring in 14k Yellow Gold
Located in Bloomington, MN
Vintage Opal Diamond 5-Stone Ring in 14k Yellow Gold This vintage ring is crafted in 14k
Category

Late 20th Century Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Sapphire vintage style 14k gold ring.
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
14k solid gold ring with sapphire. Yellow sapphire ring. Natural gemstone ring. Oval sapphire ring
Category

2010s Turkish Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold

Sapphire vintage style 14k gold ring.
Sapphire vintage style 14k gold ring.
$960 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Emerald Vintage Ring, 14k Gold Ring with Emerald
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
Genuine emerald 14k gold ring. Emerald engagement ring. Emerald vintage ring. Emerald gold ring
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold

Vintage 14k White Gold 1.12tcw J VS1 Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
diamonds set in 14k white gold. The center diamond is graded J color and VS1 clarity, offering beautiful
Category

20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 1.80ct Ruby Ring with Diamond Halo Accents 14k Gold
Located in Miami, FL
A refined vintage ring crafted in solid 14K yellow gold, centered with an oval ruby-tone gemstone
Category

Vintage 1980s Thai Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 14k White Gold 3 Row Diamond Wedding Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
: APPROXIMATELY 0.65 CTW color: H clarity: SI2 brand: UNBRANDED metal: 14K WHITE GOLD type
Category

Late 20th Century American Retro Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Yellow Gold Diamond Vintage Men s Ring - 10k 14k Round Brilliant
Located in Greensboro, NC
Yellow Gold 14k White Gold Stone Information Natural Diamond Carat(s): .06ct Cut: Round Brilliant
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 10k Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Two-Tone 14k Gold Diamond and Emerald Bypass Ring
Located in New York, NY
This vintage bypass ring features a dynamic two-tone 14k gold design, with yellow and white gold
Category

20th Century Fashion Rings

Materials

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

Vintage Transition Cut Diamond Ring in 14k White Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Metal: 14k White Gold Style: Statement Ring Ring Size: 9 (resizing
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold

White Gold Diamond Vintage Engagement Ring - 14k Round Brilliant .14ctw
Located in Greensboro, NC
: 14k White Gold Stone Information Natural Diamond Carat(s): .12ct Cut: Round Brilliant Color: H
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Gorgeous Pattern 14K White Gold Diamond Wide Band, Vintage Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
: ~0.63 carats Color/Clarity: G/H color, VS clarity Metal: Solid 14K gold Gold Weight: 6.8 grams Ring Size
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

14K Yellow Gold Vintage Australian Opal Diamond Ring
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
14K Yellow Gold Vintage Australian Opal & Diamond Ring Ladies Austrialian opal and diamond ring
Category

Late 20th Century Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold

Vintage 1.07 Carat Diamonds Princess Cut Band Ring 14k Gold
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage 1.07 Carat Diamonds Princess Cut Band Ring 14k Gold. The diamonds in the ring are
Category

Vintage 1980s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Vintage 0.87 Carat Center Round Diamond Engagement Ring 14k Gold
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage 0.87 Carat Center Round Diamond Engagement Ring 14k Gold. The diamond is an earth mined
Category

1990s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Diamond Ring Flower 14K Gold Cocktail Vintage 4.07 TDW
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Diamond Ring Flower 14K Gold Cocktail Vintage 4.07 TDW This stunning vintage ring is crafted in
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Ruby and Diamond Bypass 14k Yellow Gold Ring
Located in beverly hills, CA
An elegant 14 karat yellow gold bypass ring comprised of graceful open teardrops each terminating
Category

Late 20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 1.99 carat total weight diamond 14k white gold ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage 14k white gold ring showcases 9 sparkling princess-cut diamonds, creating a timeless
Category

20th Century Modern Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

Natural Diamond Ring 14K White Gold Vintage Cluster 1.24 TDW
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Natural Diamond Ring 14K White Gold Vintage Cluster 1.24 TDW This vintage ring is made in solid
Category

Mid-20th Century Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 0.75tcw Pear Shape and Round Diamonds Ring 14k Gold
Located in Miami, FL
Very stylish and well made vintage 0.75tcw Pear Shape and Round Diamonds Ring 14k Gold. The ring
Category

Vintage 1980s Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Vintage Classic 14k White Gold 0.45ctw Diamond Wedding Band Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
-VS2 Clarity - 0.45ctw (approx.) Material: 14k White Gold Weight: 3.55 Grams Ring Size: 4.0 ( fitted
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Signed 0.45 Carat Round Diamond Engagement Ring 14k Gold
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Signed 0.45 Carat Round Diamond Engagement Ring 14k Gold. The diamond is round, cut
Category

Vintage 1980s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Vintage Diamond Eternity 14K White Gold Band Ring
Located in Scotts Valley, CA
Details: A timeless classic, vintage diamond eternity band set in 14K white gold. Ten sweet round
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Yellow Gold Diamond Vintage Solitaire Engagement Ring 14k Old Mine
Located in Greensboro, NC
: 14k Yellow Gold & 14k White Gold Stone Information Natural Diamond Carat(s): .08ct Cut: Old Mine
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 1.25 Carat Five Stone Diamond Engagement Ring 14k Gold
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage 1.25 Carat Five Stone Diamond Engagement Ring 14k Gold. The diamonds clarity are SI and
Category

Vintage 1980s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Yellow Gold Diamond Vintage Solitaire Engagement Ring - 14k Round Promise
Located in Greensboro, NC
Yellow Gold & 14k White Gold Stone Information Natural Diamond Carat(s): .05ct Cut: Round Brilliant
Category

1990s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage style 14k gold ring with blue sapphire and diamonds
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
14 k solid gold ring with natural sapphire and diamonds. September birthstone ring. 14k solid gold
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold

Diamond Emerald Ring Vintage 14K Pink Gold Green Chalcedony Snake
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Diamond Emerald Ring Vintage 14K Pink Gold Green Chalcedony Snake This one of a kind vintage ring
Category

20th Century Cluster Rings

Materials

Chalcedony, Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Vintage 1.50 carat diamond 14k white gold swirl cocktail ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A dazzling vintage 1980s ring showcasing a bright 0.40 carat round brilliant cut diamond surrounded
Category

Vintage 1980s Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 5 carat morganite diamond 14k rose gold cocktail ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
sparkling round and princess cut diamonds. Set in warm 14k rose gold, it radiates feminine charm and 1980s
Category

Vintage 1980s Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Morganite, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Vintage 14k Yellow Gold White Pearl, Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage 14k Yellow Gold White Pearl, Sapphire and Diamond Ring A refined and feminine vintage
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Fashion Rings

Materials

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

White Gold Diamond Vintage Engagement Ring - 14k Round .49ctw Floral
Located in Greensboro, NC
: Vintage Metal Content: 14k White Gold Stone Information Natural Diamond Carat(s): .35ct Cut: Round
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Natural Diamond Ruby Ring Flower 14K White Gold Band Vintage
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Natural Diamond Ruby Ring Flower 14K White Gold Band Vintage This lovely estate ring is finely
Category

20th Century Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Halo Ruby Diamond Ring in 14k
Located in Bloomington, MN
Vintage Halo Ruby Diamond Ring in 14k This vintage ring is crafted in 14k yellow gold and
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

0.50 Carat Total Diamonds in 14k Yellow Gold Vintage Ring
Located in Houston, TX
1980s Vintage 14K Yellow Gold Diamond Ring This bold 1980s vintage ring features approximately
Category

Vintage 1980s Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

14K White Gold Vintage Diamond Ring, 1.00tdw, 6.7g
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Ladies vintage diamond ring with 14k white gold setting. Stamped 14k and weighs 6.7 grams. The two
Category

20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Engagement Diamond Ring 14K White Gold Vintage Estate .72 TDW
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Engagement Diamond Ring 14K White Gold Vintage Estate .72 TDW This beautiful vintage ring is
Category

20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 14k White Gold 0.30ctw High Quality Diamond Detailed Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
Clarity -0.30ctw (approx.) Material: Solid 14k White Gold Weight: 3.64 Grams Ring Size: 9.0 (Fitted on a
Category

20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

Yellow Gold Diamond Vintage Solitaire Engagement Ring - 14k Round Brilliant
Located in Greensboro, NC
, half of the shank will be replaced. Era: Vintage Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold & 14k White Gold
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Rose Cut Diamond Ring of 14k and 18k Gold
Located in Lewisburg, PA
Vintage Rose Cut Diamond Cluster Ring in 18k Rhodium-Plated White Gold and 14k Yellow Gold A
Category

Antique Early 1900s Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

14K Gold Natural Diamond Vintage Style Filigree Eternity Band Ring
Located in Bangkok, TH
This vintage-style filigree eternity band ring features natural diamonds delicately set within an
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 14K White Gold .45ct Ruby and Diamond Band Ring
Located in Big Bend, WI
Vintage 14K white gold ruby and diamond ring. The ring features a genuine earth mined round pinkish
Category

Vintage 1940s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Circa 1980s Handcrafted 14k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
has G color and vs-s1clarity. Ring size is US 6 We can make any size. Acid tested to be 14k real gold
Category

Vintage 1980s European Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Vintage Style Diamond Floral Diamond Shape Filigree 14K Yellow Gold Fleur Ring
By Unbranded
Located in Oakton, VA
Vintage design feminine ring of 14k yellow gold with white rhodium to highlight the diamonds. The
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Rhodium

14K Yellow Gold Diamond and Opal Vintage Style Cluster Ring
Located in Bangkok, TH
A brilliant diamond sparkles at the heart of this vintage-style cluster ring, shining like a drop
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

14k Gold Diamond Floral Cocktail Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
. CIRCA: 1990s MATERIALS: 14k Gold GEMSTONE: Diamond WEIGHT: 6.3 Grams MEASUREMENT: 11/16" x 7/8" RING
Category

1990s Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

This Beautiful Vintage 14k Yellow Gold Topaz and Diamond Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This beautiful Vintage 14k yellow gold topaz and diamond ring, containing Specifications: main
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Topaz, 14k Gold, Yellow 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.