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Vintage 14k Gold Diamond Rings

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14K Yellow Gold Diamond and Blue Sapphire Vintage Style Ring
Located in Bangkok, TH
to order Origin: Thailand Metal: Solid 14K Yellow Gold Ring Size: US 3-8 Total Gemstones Weight: 0.57
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold

Vintage 14K Gold 0.65ct VS Diamond Multi-Row Rope Dome Ring
Located in Miami, FL
A bold and sculptural vintage multi-row dome ring, meticulously crafted in solid 14K yellow gold
Category

Vintage 1980s Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 14K Gold Flower Filigree Ring
Located in Venice, CA
This 14k gold vintage ring features two rows of flowers that connect to create an open filigree
Category

1990s Unknown Modern Band Rings

Materials

14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

14K 585 Vintage Solid Yellow Gold Natural Baguette Diamond Band Ring
Located in New York, NY
14k Yellow Gold Natural Baguette Diamond Band Ring Metal Type: 14k Yellow Gold Total Item Weight
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 3 Carat Blue Sapphires Diamonds Band Ring 14k Gold
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage 3 Carat Blue Sapphire & Diamonds Band Ring 14k Gold. The ring features a natural
Category

Vintage 1970s Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Old European Cut Diamond Ring of 14k White Gold
Located in Lewisburg, PA
14k white gold mounting crafted in the 1970s–1980s. This thoughtful pairing allows the antique diamond
Category

Late 20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Circa 1990s 14k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Band Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 4.2 grams. Totally is diamond 0.38 ct. The diamond is has G
Category

1990s European Retro Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Vintage Circa 1980s 14k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Cocktail Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 3.5 grams. Totally is diamond 0.50 ct. The diamond is has G
Category

Vintage 1980s European Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Vintage Circa 1980s 14k Gold Natural Diamond Flowers Style Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 3.3 grams. Totally is diamond 0.50 ct. The diamond is has G
Category

Vintage 1980s European Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Antique 14k Yellow Gold Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
This charming antique ring is crafted in warm 14k yellow gold and showcases approximately 0.21
Category

Early 20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 14k Yellow Gold Ring. Round Diamond Cluster Ring. Waterfall diamond. 0.4
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
Stunning Ring. Appraised at $1300 Replacement value. Appraisal included. Vintage 14k Yellow Gold. Ring is
Category

Early 2000s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Vintage Circa 1960s Handcrafted 14k Gold Natural Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 4.6 grams. Totally is diamond 0.75 ct. The diamond is has G
Category

Vintage 1960s European Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Vintage Circa 1980s 14k Gold Natural Diamond Sapphire Ruby Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
any size. Acid tested to be 14k Gold. Box is not included. Please contact for any questions.
Category

Vintage 1980s European Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold

Vintage 1.52 carat pear shape diamond 14k yellow gold engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
personality—qualities often cherished in vintage diamonds for their individuality and charm. Set in rich 14k
Category

1990s Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 14K Rose and White Gold Diamond Leaf Ring
Located in Miami, FL
A refined vintage diamond ring crafted in solid 14K rose and white gold, featuring three European
Category

Vintage 1960s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Rose Gold, White Gold

Round diamond moissanite 14k gold ring
Located in Istanbul, TR
Round diamond moissanite 14k gold ring. Classic moissanite engagement ring. Vintage style
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Round diamond moissanite 14k gold ring
Round diamond moissanite 14k gold ring
$650 Sale Price / item
35% Off
Vintage Circa 1990s 14k Gold Natural Diamond Band Strong Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 5.1 grams. Totally is diamond 0.45 ct. The diamond is has G
Category

1990s European Retro Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Vintage Circa 1970s 14k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Band Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight 4.5 grams. Totally about 0.20 ct diamond. The diamond has vs
Category

Vintage 1970s European Retro Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Vintage Circa 1980s 14k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Strong Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 6.2 grams. Totally is diamond 0.55 carat. The diamond is
Category

Vintage 1980s European Artisan Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Vintage 14k Yellow Gold Mother of Pearl Inlay and Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
A vintage 14k yellow gold ring featuring elegant mother of pearl inlay accented by sparkling
Category

20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold

Vintage 14k Gold Natural Diamond And Oval Cut Sapphire Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 5.8 grams. Totally is diamond 0.85 ct. The diamond G-H
Category

Vintage 1980s European Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold

Vintage Circa 1980s 14k Gold Natural Diamond And Navette Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 3.3 grams. Totally is diamond 1 ct. The diamond is has H
Category

Vintage 1980s European Artisan Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Vintage Circa 1960s 14k Gold Handcrafted Natural Diamond Decorated Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 4.1 grams. Totally is diamond 0.95 ct. The diamond is has G
Category

Vintage 1960s European Artisan Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Vintage Circa 1990s 14k Gold Natural Diamond Flowers Design Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 6.2 grams. Totally is diamond 1 ct. The diamond is has F
Category

1990s European Artisan Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Vintage Original Circa 1970s 14k Gold Natural Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 6.1 grams. Totally is diamond 0.75 ct. The diamond is has G
Category

Vintage 1970s European Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Vintage Circa 1980s 14k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Navette Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 3.8 grams. Totally is diamond 0.75 ct. The diamond is has H
Category

Vintage 1980s European Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Vintage Circa 1970s 14k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Strong Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 6.8 grams. Totally is diamond about 0.90 carat. The diamond
Category

Vintage 1970s European Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Vintage 14k Yellow Gold Carved Jade Foo Dog and Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
This vintage ring is crafted in 14k yellow gold and features a carved jade Foo Dog accented with
Category

20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Circa 1980s 14k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Written Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 4.1 grams. Totally is diamond 0.04 ct. The diamond is has I
Category

Vintage 1980s European Retro Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Vintage Circa 1980s 14k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Navette Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 8.9 grams. Totally is diamond about 1 carat. The diamond
Category

Vintage 1980s European Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Vintage Circa 1990s 14k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Cocktail Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 4.2 grams. Totally is diamond 0.40 ct. The diamond is has G
Category

1990s European Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Vintage 14k Two-Tone Gold Scroll Ring
Located in Bloomington, MN
This striking vintage ring is crafted in 14k two-tone gold and set with .25 carats of round
Category

Mid-20th Century Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

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

Vintage Single Cut Round Brilliant Diamonds in Platinum 14k Gold Ring
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage Single Cut & Round Brilliant Diamonds in Platinum & 14k Gold Ring This exquisite 1960s
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

14k Rose Gold Morganite Diamond Ring
Located in Bernardsville, NJ
This stunning 14k rose gold morganite ring is a true statement piece, combining the soft, warm hues
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Morganite, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

14k Yellow Gold Vintage Channel Ruby and Diamond Buckle Ring
Located in Fairfield, CT
14k yellow gold ring. This yellow gold vintage ring is a retro buckle style, set with a row of
Category

20th Century Unknown Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

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

Vintage 14k Gold Circa 1980s Natural Diamond Decorated Pretty Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 5.6 grams. Totally is diamond 0.75 carat. Thediamond is
Category

Vintage 1980s European Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

14K Yellow Gold Vintage Diamond Ring 0.45ct, 3.8gr
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
six .01ct single cut Diamonds surrounding weighs 3.8gr size 5 1/2 tests 14k Can be sized up or down
Category

20th Century Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Moissanite Diamond Skull 14k gold ring
Located in Istanbul, TR
Moissanite Diamond Skull 14k gold ring. Vintage Round Moissanite Engagement Ring. Moissanite halo
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Moissanite Diamond Skull 14k gold ring
Moissanite Diamond Skull 14k gold ring
$676 Sale Price / item
35% Off
Vintage Circa 1980s 14k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Navette Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 6.2 grams. Totally is diamond 0.60 ct. The diamond is has
Category

Vintage 1980s European Artisan Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Vintage-Style GIA Certified Diamond Emerald 14K White Gold Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
elegant and timeless masterpiece, set in luxurious 14K white gold. 📌 Ring Details: 💍 Metal: 14K White
Category

2010s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold

Signed DRA Vintage 14K Gold Pearl, Ruby Diamond Floral Cocktail Ring
Located in Miami, FL
A signed DRA vintage 14K gold floral cocktail ring centered with a luminous 6.55mm cultured pearl
Category

Vintage 1970s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold

Vintage 14K Gold Onyx Seashell Ring with Pearl Diamond Accents
Located in Los Angeles, CA
: Ring Size: 4.75 (can be resized within reason) Weight: 4 grams total Diamond weight: 0.03 carats eye
Category

Vintage 1980s Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Diamond Vintage Style Floral Cluster Ring in 14K Yellow Gold
Located in Bangkok, TH
A lovely floral ring for anyone who loves antique-inspired jewelry. Made of diamonds set on 14k
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Mens Diamond Ring 14K Gold Band Old Mine .93TDW Vintage
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
This amazing vintage ring for a gentleman is finely crafted in solid 14K Yellow Gold and White
Category

20th Century Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Peacock Ring of 14k Gold
Located in Lewisburg, PA
peacock rendered in 14k gold, proudly adorned with a delicate pearl crown and a diamond eye. Originally a
Category

Vintage 1920s Fashion Rings

Materials

Pearl, 14k Gold

Diamond Ring 14K Gold Flower Vintage by Haco 1.45 TDW
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
This pretty vintage ring circa the 1930s is finely crafted in solid 14K White gold also hallmarked
Category

20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Two-Tone 14K Gold Diamond Band, Seven-Stone Accent Ring
Located in Miami, FL
A vintage two-tone 14K gold band designed with three sculptural, interwoven bars of yellow and
Category

1990s Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Circa 1980s 14k Gold Natural Diamond And Turquoise Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 5.2 grams. Totally is diamond 0.70 ct. The diamond is has F
Category

Vintage 1980s European Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, 14k Gold

Vintage Diamond 14K White Gold Halo Cocktail Ring Estate Certified Appraisal
By Estate Jewelry
Located in Brambleton, US
Vintage Diamond 14K White Gold Halo Cocktail Ring Estate Certified Appraisal This is a gorgeous
Category

20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Two Rows Round Brilliant Diamond Ring 14K White Gold
Located in beverly hills, CA
diamonds weighing approximately .66 carats in total, set in a streamlined 14 karat white gold mounting
Category

Vintage 1980s Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 14k Yellow Gold Platinum 0.55ct Old Euro Cut Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
This vintage 14k yellow gold and platinum ring features a 0.55-carat old European–cut diamond with
Category

20th Century Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Vintage 14K Rose White Gold Emerald Diamond Ring
Located in Miami, FL
A striking vintage ring crafted in solid fourteen-karat rose and white gold. At its center rests a
Category

Vintage 1960s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald

Vintage Art Deco Style 0.75Carat Oval Ruby and Diamond 14k White Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Art Deco Style 0.75Carat Oval Ruby and Diamond 14k White Gold Ring A radiant bright oval
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold

Elegant Vintage 14K White Gold Ring with Sapphires and Diamonds
Located in Berlin, DE
vintage ring made of fine 14 karat white gold is a captivating piece for lovers of classic elegance and
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 14k Yellow Gold Diamond Eyes Detailed Lion s Head Face Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
Clarity Total Carat Weight: 0.09 (approx.) Material: Solid 14k Yellow Gold Weight: 11.5 Grams Ring Size
Category

20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Diamond Rubellite Pink Tourmaline Ring Vintage 14K Gold Ballerina Statement
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Diamond Rubellite Pink Tourmaline Ring Vintage 14K Gold Ballerina Statement This estate ring is
Category

Late 20th Century Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tourmaline, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Spring Bloom Vintage Style Edwardian Inspired Diamond 14K Yellow Gold Ring
By Unbranded
Located in Oakton, VA
Ring gold forming an openwork flower centered a rose cut diamonds on petals. The flower turns
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k 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.