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Vintage Diamond Flanked Solitaire Ring, circa 1970
Located in London, GB
Vintage Diamond flanked solitaire ring. Set to centre with an octagonal emerald-cut diamond, E
Category

1970s Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Diamond Sapphire Multi Row Dome Ring
Located in New York, NY
both glamorous and timeless. Details: Metal: 18K Yellow Gold Gemstone: Emerald Cut Diamonds Oval Cut
Category

20th Century Unknown Retro Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow ...

Estate Diamond and Sapphire Cluster Ring
Located in Denver, CO
This sparkling gem set in 18kt white gold is designed around an emerald cut white diamond center
Category

1990s Unknown Contemporary Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Paul Binder Hyper-Modern Sixties Cocktail Ring
By Paul Binder
Located in Litchfield, CT
tourmaline is the visual drama and 2.80 carats of fine white diamonds (G color, VS clarity) close the deal
Category

1960s Swiss Modernist Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

White Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Eastern Star Diamond Gemstone Ring
Located in Bloomington, MN
, crafted in 14k white gold. This stunning piece features a .25ctw round diamond centerpiece surrounded by
Category

Mid-20th Century Retro Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

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

1980 s 2.71 CTW Ceylon Sapphire Diamond 14K Gold Vintage Three Stone Ring GIA
Located in Philadelphia, PA
gold Circa: 1980s Ring size: 4 1/2 and sizable Measures north to south 8.0 mm and sits 6.5 mm high
Category

1980s Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

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

Vintage 3.00ct Sapphire and Diamond Cluster Ring, c.1970s
Located in London, GB
stunning stones. Gemstone: Sapphire Stone Shape: Emerald cut Carat Weight: 3.00ct Metal: 18ct White Gold
Category

1970s British Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Aquamarine and Diamond Cocktail Ring, circa 1970
Located in London, GB
Aquamarine and diamond cocktail ring. Set with an octagonal emerald-cut natural unenhanced
Category

1970s Unknown Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, White Gold

Aquamarine Diamond Cocktail Ring, 19.4 Carat
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This stunning 18-karat yellow gold wide band ring showcases a magnificent 19.4-carat step-cut
Category

1990s American Contemporary Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

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

Vintage Italian 26.01 Carat Topaz, Sapphire and Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
diamond, 12 karat yellow gold and 12 karat white gold set cocktail ring; part of our diverse gemstone
Category

1950s Italian Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Topaz, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 1 Carat Diamonds 3-Row Cluster Band Ring 18k
Located in Miami, FL
. White diamonds with a lot of bright life. The ring weights approx 5.8 grams solid 18k gold and is a size
Category

1980s Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Natural Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond Ring, 2.02 Carat
Located in New Orleans, LA
precious gemstones. The absolutely dazzling 2.02-carat fancy vivid yellow diamond in this ring is a
Category

20th Century American Modern Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

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

Vivid 4.08ct Rubellite Tourmaline Ring with Round and Baguette Diamonds
Located in Palm Beach, FL
A well saturated pink, almost red, scissors cut rubellite tourmaline set in 18K white gold. Great
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

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

Late Deco 3.20ct Aquamarine and Diamond Cluster Ring, c.1940s
Located in London, GB
plenty of light in letting the aqua shine. A band of 18 carat white gold finishes the ring beautifully
Category

1940s British Art Deco Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

French Art Deco Certified No Heat Burmese Sapphire Diamonds Platinum Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in platinum, dog head hallmark. Sublime Art Deco ring, it is closed set in the center, of a
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Vintage 10.00ct Aquamarine and Diamond Cocktail Ring, c.1950s
Located in London, GB
white gold completing this 1950s piece. Gemstone: Aquamarine Stone Shape: Emerald Cut Carat Weight
Category

1950s Unknown Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

Rectangular Imperial Orange Colour Topaz in Diamond Border set in 18K Ring
Located in London, GB
Gorgeous topaz and yellow gold ring where the bold effervescence of the chunky rectangular cut
Category

1970s British Modern Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

White Diamond, Topaz, 18k Gold

Diamond Emerald Earrings Ring Pendant Set 18K White Gold
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Diamond Emerald Earrings Emerald Ring Pendant Set 18K White Gold This absolutely stunning vintage
Category

Late 20th Century Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

Mid Century GIA 2 carat emerald diamond 14k white gold cocktail ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A stunning 1950s Mid Century ring showcasing a vibrant Colombian emerald framed by sparkling
Category

1950s Modern Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

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

White Gold Synthetic Emerald Diamond Halo Ring, 14k Square 1.51ctw Engagement
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 6 1/2 Sizing Fee: Up 2 sizes or Down 1 size for $35 Metal Content: 14k White Gold Stone
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, White Gold

Vintage 18 Kt Gold Oval Emerald and Diamond Ring
Located in Cattolica, IT
A classic 1940s ring in 18kt yellow and white gold. The band part is yellow gold while the part where the stones are set is white gold. This creates a beautiful color contrast betwee...
Category

1930s Italian Retro Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Vintage Emerald Cut Indicolite Tourmaline 14ct White Gold Ring
Located in Worcester, GB
Vintage Emerald Cut Indicolite Tourmaline 14ct White Gold Ring A fine vintage ring featuring a
Category

Late 20th Century Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Gold

Art Deco 2.60ct Pink Sapphire and Diamond Three Stone, c.1930s
Located in London, GB
sapphire perfectly. Each stone has been expertly claw set into hand crafted 18 carat white gold collets
Category

1930s British Art Deco Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

7.41 Carat Colombian Emerald and Diamond Pendant, Earring and Ring 18K Gold Set
Located in Miami, FL
, and set in 18K Yellow Gold. 1) Ring: 1.62 Carat Emerald-Cut Colombian Emerald Ring framed by 0.93
Category

Late 20th Century Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

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

7.41 Carat Colombian Emerald and Diamond Pendant, Earring and Ring 18K Gold Set
Located in Miami, FL
, and set in 18K Yellow Gold. 1) Ring: 1.62 Carat Emerald-Cut Colombian Emerald Ring framed by 0.93
Category

Late 20th Century Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

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

7.41 Carat Colombian Emerald and Diamond Pendant, Earring and Ring 18K Gold Set
Located in Miami, FL
, and set in 18K Yellow Gold. 1) Ring: 1.62 Carat Emerald-Cut Colombian Emerald Ring framed by 0.93
Category

Late 20th Century Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

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

18K Gold Sapphire Emerald and Diamonds Earrings and Ring Set
Located in Monte Carlo, MC
Exquisite Clip-on earrings and ring set with vibrant lustrous stones. Details Sapphire cabochon
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Vintage 4.70tcw Emerald Diamond Imperial Garden Ring and Earrings Set
Located in Miami, FL
Elegant vintage 14k rose and white gold emerald and diamond suite consisting of a ring and matching
Category

1960s Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold

44.57 ct Colombian Emeralds, 4.26 ct Diamonds White Gold Retrò Bracelet
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Shining retrò bracelet in 14Kt white gold composed of 44.57 ct of stripes of top quality colombian
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Retro Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold

Vintage 2.33 Carat Emerald and Diamond Ring Dangle Drop Earrings Set 18k
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Emeralds and Diamonds Cluster Ring and Earrings Set 18k White Gold. The ring features a
Category

1970s Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

18K Jewelery Set Ring with Clip-On Earrings Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Brilliant
Located in Berlin, BE
. Crafted from lustrous 18K yellow gold, this ring boasts a unique wavy gradient ending with 30 brilliant
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Ring White Gold Emerald
Located in PARIS, FR
Ring you & me in white gold 750 thousandths (18 carats). set with 2 pear-cut emeralds one
Category

20th Century French Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Emerald, White Gold

Emerald and Diamond White Gold Ring
Located in Rome, IT
Set with a square shaped emerald stone weighing 5.37 ct, embellished with eightysix brilliant cut
Category

20th Century Italian Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, White Gold

Square Emerald Diamond White Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Sydney CBD, AU
GORGEOUS! Vintage handmade, emerald and diamond white gold ring - 18ct white gold 19 stone Emerald
Category

1940s Art Deco Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, White Gold

Colombian Emerald and Diamond White Gold Ring
Located in Naples, FL
This 18K White Gold Ring Has An Emerald Cut Colombian Emerald In The Center Weighing A Total Carat
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

1970s Emerald Diamond white gold Ballerina Ring
Located in Metairie, LA
Amazing 1970s Diamond and Emerald Ballerina Ring This gorgeous ring is made of solid 18k
Category

1970s Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

18 Karat White Gold Emerald Diamonds Ring
Located in Madrid, ES
Ring in 18 Karat white gold, centered by an emerald surrounded by 12 round brilliant cut diamonds
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

18 Karat White Gold Colombian Emerald Engagement Ring
Located in Principaute De Monaco, MC
An exceptional Colombian Emerald Ring
Category

20th Century Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

Oval Emerald Engagement Ring, White gold, Solitaire
Located in Mission Viejo, CA
Diamonds: 14 ~ Total diamond weight: 0.30 carats ♥ Setting: solid 14kt white gold setting ♥ Ring Size
Category

20th Century American Artist Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, White Gold

Engagement Emerald Diamonds Cluster Ring on White Gold
Located in PARIS, FR
18kt white gold, engagement cluster ring set with a central stunning oval cut emerald weighting apx
Category

1960s Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, White Gold

Natural Green Tourmaline Ring, White Gold, Emerald Cut
Located in Mission Viejo, CA
This emerald cut engagement ring features a vibrant, inclusion free green tourmaline with a
Category

20th Century American Artist Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Diamond, Tourmaline, White Gold

Emerald Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Verona, IT
18kt yellow and white gold ring, featuring diamonds and an emerald cabochon. 1980's, size 7.
Category

1980s Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, White Gold, 18k Gold

18 Karat White Gold Emerald and Diamond Fashion Ring
Located in Westfield, NJ
18k white gold ring set in the center with a table cut emerald (tcw 1.96 cts) accented with
Category

20th Century Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

18 Karat White Gold Emerald and Diamond Statement Ring
Located in Westfield, NJ
18k white gold ring set at the center with an oval faceted emerald, (1.12 cts) within two row
Category

20th Century Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

14 Karat White Gold Diamond Emerald Bypass Ring
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Emerald-cut natural emerald bypass ring in 14-karat white gold with channel-set baguette-cut
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold

1970s Emerald and Diamond Halo Ring White Gold
Located in Auckland, New Zealand
beginnings. A beautiful vintage Emerald and Diamond halo style ring, set in solid 14 karat solid white gold
Category

1970s New Zealand Retro Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, White Gold, Rhodium

8.30ct Emerald and Diamond Ring in 18K White Gold
Located in Greenwich, CT
3.00cts of Diamonds set in 18K White Gold. No oil treatment on Emerald. Ring Size 6 Metal: 18K White
Category

1990s Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

18 Karat White Gold Oval Emerald and Diamond Fashion Ring
Located in Westfield, NJ
18k white gold ring with an oval faceted emerald, weighing 1.83 carats within a border of diamonds
Category

20th Century Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Emerald, White Gold

18 Karat White Gold, Green Emerald and Diamond Ring
Located in London, GB
Antique 18 Karat White Gold Coktail Ring With A Large Quality 3 Carat Green Zambian Emerald
Category

20th Century English Georgian Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, White Gold

18k White Gold Ring with Diamonds and Emeralds
Located in Surfside, FL
Elegant 18k white gold ring with diamonds and emeralds with approx. 1.50 carat emerald and 0.40
Category

20th Century Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

White Gold

Diamond Emerald Cocktail Ring White Gold 18 Karat
Located in Boca Raton, FL
This is an alluring 18K White Gold Diamond and Emerald Ring which measures 3/4 inch in length and 1
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Retro Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Elegant Emerald and Diamond Ring Set in 18k White Gold
Located in Surfside, FL
Elegant emerald and diamond ring set in 18k white gold. Size: 8.25. Width: 15mm. This Diamond
Category

20th Century Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, White Gold

White and Yellow Gold Ring Set with an Emerald and Diamonds
Located in Paris, IDF
An 18Kt yellow and white gold important ring set with a 5,44 carats octogonal cut emerald
Category

Late 20th Century French Contemporary Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

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

1.40 Carats Diamonds Emeralds 18 Carat White Gold Whirlwind Ring
Located in Paris, FR
White gold ring set with diamonds and emeralds forming a whirlwind motif. Estimated weight of the
Category

1970s French Modern Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

Citrine Emerald Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Toronto, ON
emeralds. Additionally there are 4 marquise cut diamonds embellishing the ring at the point where the band
Category

1990s Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Citrine, Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold

0.46 Carat Emerald White Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Geometric Cocktail Ring
By Butani
Located in Hong Kong, Kowloon
ring is fashioned in a sleek geometric design and molded from 18 karat white gold. Currently a ring
Category

1990s Hong Kong Contemporary Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

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

Cabochon Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring Yellow and White Gold
Located in East Grinstead, GB
Cabochon Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring 18 Karat Yellow and White Gold Dazzling cushion cut
Category

20th Century British Art Deco Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

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Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

Surely you’ll find the exact vintage white gold emerald ring you’re seeking on 1stDibs — we’ve got a vast assortment for sale. Each design created in this style — which was crafted with great care and often made from Gold, White Gold and 18k Gold — can elevate any look. Find an antique version now, or shop for 297 vintage or 32 modern creation for a more contemporary example of these cherished accessories. If you’re looking for a vintage white gold emerald ring from a specific time period, our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and you’ll find at least one that dates back to the 19th Century while another version may have been produced as recently as the 21st Century. Finding an appealing vintage white gold emerald ring — no matter the origin — is easy, but Alberto, DGI and Boucheron each produced a popular version that is worth a look. While most can agree that any vintage white gold emerald ring from our collection can easily elevate most outfits, but the choice of a Emerald version from the 166 available is guaranteed to add a special touch to your ensemble. See these pages for an emerald cut iteration of this accessory, while there are also round cut cut and oval cut cut versions available here, too. When shopping for a vintage white gold emerald ring, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for unisex or men today than there are for women.

How Much is a Vintage White Gold Emerald Ring?

On average, a vintage white gold emerald ring at 1stDibs sells for $2,622, while they’re typically $360 on the low end and $227,749 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.