Vintage Black Diamond Ring
1980s American Vintage Black Diamond Ring
White Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Japanese Modern Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
Late 20th Century Japanese Modern Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
20th Century American Art Deco Vintage Black Diamond Ring
White Diamond, Platinum
Late 20th Century French Vintage Black Diamond Ring
White Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s Italian Retro Vintage Black Diamond Ring
White Diamond, Black Diamond, Black Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Wh...
20th Century Unknown Vintage Black Diamond Ring
White Diamond, Black Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 10k Gold, Platinum
1980s Modernist Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum
1990s Modernist Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum
Late 20th Century Unknown Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Vintage Black Diamond Ring
White Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century American Modern Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Enamel
20th Century Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
20th Century Unknown Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Citrine, Blue Diamond, Quartz, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Modernist Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum
20th Century Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
1940s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
1980s Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1970s American Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Black Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold
20th Century Italian Retro Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
20th Century Japanese Modern Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Black Opal, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Black Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Japanese Edwardian Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
20th Century Japanese Modern Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
20th Century Unknown Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Black Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Onyx, Yellow Gold
1980s American Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Onyx, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century American Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1980s Unknown Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
1960s French Modern Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Emerald
1970s French Modernist Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
1970s French Modernist Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
1940s Art Deco Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Onyx, 10k Gold, White Gold
1970s Unknown Retro Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
20th Century Italian Vintage Black Diamond Ring
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Rhodium
1960s Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel
Late 20th Century French Vintage Black Diamond Ring
White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Onyx, Yellow Gold
20th Century Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Multi-gemstone, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Vintage Black Diamond Ring
1960s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Black Diamond Ring
White Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1950s Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Late 20th Century American Modern Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Onyx, Ruby, White Gold
Late 20th Century American Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century French Modern Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1950s English Vintage Black Diamond Ring
20th Century Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Onyx, Yellow Gold, 10k Gold
Late 20th Century Australian Contemporary Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold
1960s Victorian Vintage Black Diamond Ring
Diamond, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
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Vintage Black Diamond Ring For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Vintage Black Diamond Ring?
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 rings, vintage 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 rings, vintage 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022What black diamond rings symbolize is largely a matter of personal interpretation. Charisma, power, passion and self-assuredness are some of the characteristics commonly associated with black diamond jewelry. Shop a range of diamond gemstone rings from top sellers around the world on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Black diamonds can make good engagement rings because they symbolize authority, power and passion. They also can be less expensive than clear diamonds.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023Black diamond engagement rings are popular for many couples. An antique, new or vintage black diamond engagement ring is an edgy, dramatic choice. Just keep in mind that with diamonds, it's all about sparkle, and the darkness of a black stone obscures its fire and brilliance. If the inky opacity of a black diamond seems a bit extreme and you'd like a little light to shine through, consider a gray diamond, which can be cut for maximum brilliance. Brides with a taste for the cool and unusual might also consider salt-and-pepper diamonds, which have white and black inclusions that produce a silvery gray, speckled look. Find black diamond engagement rings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 30, 2024Whether vintage diamond rings are worth more varies. Many factors influence the potential selling price of vintage and contemporary rings, including their maker, style and condition. The type of precious metal and the diamond's color, clarity, cut and carat weight will also impact the ring's price. Explore a wide variety of vintage diamond rings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 8, 2023Whether black diamond engagement rings are bad luck depends on a person's individual beliefs. In Italy, rubbing a black stone like a black diamond is considered good luck by some people. However, in India, black diamonds are a traditional symbol of bad luck. Find a variety of diamond engagement rings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 15, 2024To tell if a vintage diamond ring is real, you can first research the maker using trusted online resources. Hallmarks found on the inside of the band can provide a starting point for identifying a maker. By reading about the maker, you can find out if they typically produced fine jewelry or costume jewelry. If the maker of your ring was a fine jewelry maker, your ring is more likely to contain a real diamond. Another option is to take your ring to a certified appraiser or experienced jeweler who can assist in identifying the stone. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of vintage diamond rings.
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Accounting for just 1 percent of all diamonds, these marvels of nature are exceedingly rare and gorgeously complex.
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Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.