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Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

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Vintage Horse Shoe Signet/Dress Ring Set in 14k Yellow Gold
Located in London, England
A vintage 1970's diamond horseshoe signet ring set in solid 14 karat yellow gold. The ring
Category

1970s British Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold

Vintage Letter D Initial Ring 10k Yellow Gold Signet Fine Cursive Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish vintage letter D initial diamond signet ring (circa 1960s to 1970s) crafted in 10 karat
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Style 10Kt. Solid Gold Signet Ring With Black Onyx and Diamond Size 10
Located in Long Beach, CA
UNISEX RING STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Signet Ring METAL / MATERIAL: 10Kt. Solid Gold with Onyx
Category

1940s American Art Deco Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

10k Gold

Yellow Gold Diamond Ring
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
A yellow diamond pave set ring in yellow gold. The approximate diamond weight is 1.3 carats.
Category

20th Century Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Yellow Diamond, Yellow Gold

Gentleman’s Gold Diamond Cameo Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gentleman’s diamond and gold cameo ring circa 1960. The hexagonal design features the head profile
Category

1960s Classical Roman Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

14K Yellow Gold Men s Diamond Ring 0.45ct
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Men's diamond ring in 14k yellow gold. Tests 14k and weighs 11.8 grams. The center diamond is a
Category

Mid-20th Century Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

1970s 18 Karat Bi-Color Gold Diamond Ring
Located in McLeansville, NC
Circa 1970s, an 18 karat yellow and white gold diamond ring. A rectangular signet design with a
Category

1970s Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Chopard Happy Diamond Yellow Gold 18Karat Ring
By Chopard
Located in Geneva, CH
Chopard Happy Diamond yellow gold 18K heart shape Ring. Signed Chopard.
Category

Late 20th Century European Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Diamond and 18 Carat Gold Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
The design of this ring is fabulous! The diamond total of the front of the ring is 57pts. Modelled
Category

1970s British Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Vintage Diamond and 9 Carat Gold Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
The design of this ring is fabulous! At the side of the main panel is a row of diamonds each
Category

1980s British Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Vintage Diamond and 9 Carat Gold Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
The chunkiness of this ring is fabulous! The main panel and the shoulders are delicately engraved
Category

1950s British Modern Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Vintage Diamond and 9 Carat Gold Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
The design of this ring is fabulous! In the corner of the engraved main panel is a 3pt diamond set
Category

1960s British Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Modern Diamond and 9 Carat Gold Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
The design of this ring is fabulous! At the centre of the main panel is a 2pt diamond set within a
Category

1990s British Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Onyx and Diamond Two-Tone Gold Men s Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
This modern, classically designed 14 karat Yellow Gold Men's Ring has elegant White Gold Accents
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

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

18K Yellow Gold Silver Black Opal Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
brilliant cut diamond approximate 0.13ct, both bezel set in 18k yellow gold Ring Size: 6.5 Approximate
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

14K White Gold Art Deco Diamond Ring 0.23ct, 2.7g
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
14K White Gold Art Deco Diamond Ring 0.23ct, 2.7g Ladies vintage art deco diamond and blue spinel
Category

Mid-20th Century Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Diamond Dollar Sign Ring, Chunky 9 Karat Gold, Heavy
Located in NEWARK, GB
A tremendous vintage 9kt gold and diamond dollar sign ring. A signet style ring it is very chunky
Category

Late 20th Century British Modern Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 9k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Hematite Diamond 14 Karat Gold Intaglio Ring
Located in Wallkill, NY
14K Yellow Gold Hematite Intaglio Carved Warrior's Head Men's Ring. Size 10.5. This Can be sized by
Category

1940s American Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Hematite, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Men’s Two-Tone 0.20 Carat Diamond Ring 14k Gold
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Men’s Two-Tone 0.20 Carat Diamond 14k Gold. The ring features four round cut diamonds
Category

1980s Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Barry Kieselstein-Cord crystal intaglio diamond 18k yellow gold ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage 1970s 18k yellow gold ring showcases a detailed crystal intaglio, framed by six
Category

20th Century Modern Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Crystal, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

French 1940s 3.60 Carat Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Tank Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle head hallmark. Geometrically shaped, this imposing tank ring is
Category

1940s French Retro Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Old Cut Diamond Ruby 14 Karat Gold Retro Textured Men s Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Embellish your own or your loved one hands with this elegant men signet Vintage Ring! Crafted in
Category

1950s Retro Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold

Masonic Lodge Diamond Ring Vintage 10 Karat Yellow Gold Fraternal Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed vintage masonic Lodge Fraternal ring, crafted in 10 karat yellow gold. Centrally
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 14k Ruby Diamond Ring
Located in Austin, TX
An incredible vintage signet ring crafted of 14k yellow gold featuring an asymmetrical lab created
Category

Mid-20th Century Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold

Old European Cut Diamond, Black Onyx in 14K Yellow Gold Vintage Ring
Located in Derby, NY
piece. Jewelry Style : Ring Metal Type : 14K Gold Diamond : Old European Cut : Approximately .50 ctw
Category

20th Century Art Deco Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

White Gold Scottish Rite 32nd Degree Vintage Ring, 10k Diamonds Masonic Yod
Located in Greensboro, NC
worn will be gone.) Organization: Scottish Rite Era: Vintage Metal Content: 10k White Gold Stone
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

14 Karat Lapis Lazuli Diamond Ring
Located in Palm Desert, CA
14 Karat Lapis Lazuli Diamond Ring. The ring features a flat asymmetrical Lapis Lazuli and five
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

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

Massive Renaissance Revival Gold Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1960s, 18k, American. This spectacular men's ring is decorated with lions rampant and set
Category

1960s American Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Men s Ring 1980s Onyx and Diamond
Located in Northampton, MA
see here, the detailing on this 14K yellow gold men's ring. This bold and unique vintage ring features
Category

1980s Unknown Artisan Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 14k Gold

10 Karat Ornate Diamond Monogrammed "S" Ring
Located in Palm Desert, CA
10 Karat Ornate Diamond Monogrammed "S" Ring. The ring features a scrolling design with a single
Category

1980s American Retro Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Gold, 10k Gold

Star Sapphire Ring with Diamonds Midcentury
Located in Northampton, MA
-fabricated in heavy 14k white gold, this ring is just so clean and modern. There are two baguette diamonds on
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, Star Sapphire, 14k Gold

Vintage 14KY Diamond Initial ‘S’ Ring
Located in Boston, MA
Vintage 14KY Diamond Initial ‘S’ Ring - The ring contains 19 round brilliant diamonds weighing
Category

1980s American Contemporary Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Yellow Gold Sapphire and Diamond Ring, 14 Karat Oval Cut 1.45 Carat Men s Halo
Located in Greensboro, NC
Gold as stamped Stone Information: Genuine Sapphire Treatment: Heating Color: Blue Cut: Oval Carat(s
Category

20th Century Unknown Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

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

Chrysoberyl Cat s-Eye Ring with Diamonds from Midcentury
Located in Northampton, MA
This sleek, handsome 14k yellow gold mid-century ring features a glowing, honey-colored chrysoberyl
Category

1950s Unknown Modern Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Chrysoberyl, Diamond, 14k Gold

Lapis Lazuli Gentlemans Gold Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lapis lazuli and yellow gold gentleman’s ring circa 1960. DETAILS: Gentleman’s lapis lazuli and
Category

1960s Modern Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, 14k Gold

Tanzanite and Diamond Men s Ring Memphis Design Movement
Located in Northampton, MA
white gold ring styled in the fashion created by The Memphis Group design collaborative which became one
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, Tanzanite, 14k Gold

10 Karat Art Deco Diamond Onyx Ring, circa 1940s
Located in Palm Desert, CA
10 Karat Art Deco Diamond Onyx Ring. The band has Art Deco designs and all four sides and the band
Category

1940s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Onyx, Diamond, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold

Men s Rose-Cut Diamond Ring Tudor Style, 1940s, European
Located in Northampton, MA
diamond ring is an extraordinary work of goldsmithing art. Originally created for a man, the ring could
Category

1940s Unknown Jacobean Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Men’s Fire Agate Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Men's Fire Agate 14k Yellow Gold Ring, Circa 1980. The Men's Fire Agate 14k Yellow Gold Ring from
Category

1980s Contemporary Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Agate, Fire Agate, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Diamond Ring Men s 2 Carat European-Cut Midcentury Sleek, Powerful
Located in Northampton, MA
This vintage—circa 1960's—18k yellow gold ring features a firey 2-carat old European-cut diamond of
Category

1960s Unknown Modern Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Men s Diamond Ring 1 Carat circa 1950s Sleek and Sophisticated
Located in Northampton, MA
and classic a men's diamond solitaire you're going to find. It's a very comfortable and well-made ring
Category

Mid-20th Century American Retro Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

United States Naval Academy 1955 Diamond Bailey Banks Biddle Class Ring
By Bailey, Banks Biddle
Located in Baltimore, MD
United States Naval Academy 1955 .40 CTW Diamond Bailey Banks & Biddle Class Ring Size 9 Metal: 14k
Category

1950s American Retro Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

14K Yellow Gold Nugget Style Ring with 1/10 AE Coin
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
14k yellow gold nugget style coin ring. The ring tests 58% gold (using an XRF metals analyzer) and
Category

Late 20th Century Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

A Greek Silver Hercules Coin mounted in a Gold Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
with rose cut diamonds and sapphire accents at the top and bottom. Weight: 6.7 gr Finger size: 7
Category

20th Century Greek Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Sterling Silver, Yellow Gold

Men’s 1.20 Carat Old Mine Champagne Diamond and Sapphire Vintage Art Deco Ring
Located in Montreal, QC
Handsome Gent’s Old Mine Cut Diamond and Calibrated Sapphire Vintage Art Deco Gold Ring. Centering
Category

Mid-20th Century Art Deco Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Sapphire, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 22k Gold, 18k Gold, 14k Gold, Gold

1950s Vintage Scenic Agate Stone 14kYellow Gold Ring Size 12.25
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1950s Vintage Scenic Agate Stone 14k yellow gold ring, finger size 12.25. The Vintage Scenic Agate
Category

1950s American Modern Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Agate, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

14 Karat Rose Gold Vintage Agate "Cateye" Cameo with Diamonds
By Gregory Mikaelian Sons, Inc.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
14k rose gold Vintage agate "Cateye" Cameo with diamonds, containing carved "cateye" cameo with 8
Category

Late 20th Century American Art Nouveau Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Agate, Diamond, 14k Gold

Rare Certified Fancy Tourmaline Men s Ring
Located in Northampton, MA
This vintage 1980s 14K yellow gold and diamond men's ring features quite the curiosity: the
Category

1980s American Artisan Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold

Gent s Jade Ring Midcentury Certified Untreated Jadeite
Located in Northampton, MA
14K yellow gold, this one-of-a-kind ring is hallmarked for Los Angeles jeweler George Barmache and
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, Jade, 14k Gold

A rare vintage Cartier 1970s classic “Double C” white coral ring.
By Cartier
Located in Malmö, Skåne län
diamonds approx 0.25 - 0.30 carats. The ring has a total weight of 5.6 grams. Ring size is 46.5 / us size 4
Category

1970s French Modern Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold

14K Men s Vintage Signet Ring with Diamond Accent
Located in Big Bend, WI
14K Yellow gold men's signet ring with a diamond. This heavy cast ring has deep textured lines. The
Category

Mid-20th Century Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Bvlgari Diamond 18k White Gold Five Stone Flush Set Dome Signet Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Birmingham, GB
Vintage Bvlgari Flush Set Round Diamond 18k White Gold Dome Ring. Stunning white gold Bvlgari ring
Category

1990s French Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Letter Q Signet Ring Vintage 14 Karat Yellow Gold Square Men s Initial Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish vintage letter Q initial diamond signet ring (circa 1960s to 1970s) crafted in 14 karat
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Paris Oval Shaped Diamond Gold Signet Ring
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
18 KT Heavy Yellow Gold Oval Shaped Signet Ring With Approximately 1.0 CT High Quality Full Cut
Category

1990s French Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

18K Gold Diamond Star Signet Ring with Engraved Shoulders, hallmarked 1929
Located in Danvers, MA
elements: 18K gold, antique diamonds and hand engraving. Crafted of solid 18K gold with a beautiful, rich
Category

20th Century British Victorian Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Round Brilliant Diamond Vintage Mens Vintage Signet Ring in 14 Carat Gold
Located in Hamilton, AU
Forged in 14 carat yellow gold, this handsome signet mens ring features a striking round brilliant
Category

20th Century Unknown Modern Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

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

Vintage Heavy Quality Diamond Star Set Signet Ring in 18ct Yellow Gold
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
This solid Gold signet ring is oval faced with a star set Diamond in the centre weighing 0.25ct and
Category

1970s Unknown Victorian Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

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Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds For Sale on 1stDibs

Find an expansive variety of vintage gold signet ring diamonds available on 1stDibs. All of the items for sale were constructed with extraordinary care, often using Gold, Yellow Gold and 18k Gold. Our collection of these items for sale includes 58 vintage editions and 3 modern creations to choose from as well. Our collection, which features older pieces for sale from the 19th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century, has proven very popular over the years. The designs in our inventory of vintage gold signet ring diamonds bearing Modern or Art Deco hallmarks are very popular. Versions of these items have been a part of the life’s work for many jewelers, but those produced by Allsopp Brothers and Gregory Mikaelian Sons, Inc. are consistently popular. There are many round cut, old european cut and rose cut vintage gold signet ring diamonds for sale. There aren’t many items for men in our collection of vintage gold signet ring diamonds, as most of the options available are for women.

How Much are Vintage Gold Signet Ring Diamonds?

Prices for vintage gold signet ring diamonds can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $295 and can go as high as $26,983, while vintage gold signet ring diamonds, on average, fetch $878.

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 Signet-rings for You

Traditionally considered a ring for men, a vintage signet ring is a popular gift today for anyone who desires an expressive, timeless piece of jewelry that can feature all manner of engraved motifs, gemstones, specific symbols or monograms.

Whether it's an antique gold signet ring, diamond signet ring or some other classic iteration, signet rings get their name from signus, which means “sign” in Latin.

These rings, which may historically be referred to as “seal rings,” date back thousands of years and were used as a form of signature. Whatever may have been engraved on the ring — a married couple’s initials, a family crest — identified ownership for the purposes of authenticating documents and more when impressed on soft wax. During the Middle Ages, signet rings were symbols of power and prestige and common accessories for nobility. Later, during the 19th century, precious and semiprecious stones such as rubies and diamonds were added to gold signet rings as they took on a more ornate appearance than they had previously. 

In recent years, fashion has been primarily about individuality, and nothing is more personal than a jewel bearing a name or monogram. That is the reason jewelers have revived traditional signet rings, custom-engraving their designs with customers’ preferred words or symbols. Those who prefer the thrill of the hunt have a range of vintage letter charms and pendants to sift through.

And it isn't all about men's signet rings anymore, either — the accessory is for everyone. Princess Diana wore a signet ring that was a gift from Charles before their wedding, and we all know that the royals are top-tier fashion influencers, especially when it comes to rings.

Find vintage diamond signet rings, onyx signet rings and other types of rings on 1stDibs.