Victorian Old Cut Diamond Snake Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a striking ring predominantly crafted in 18ct yellow gold. The design showcases a triple coiled serpent motif, intricately engraved with scale patterns. The head of the ...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Victorian 3.20 Ct Colombian Emerald 1.45 Ct Diamond Trinity 18 KT Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
This outstanding Victorian ring is 1890 ca Skillfully hand crafted of solid 18 Kt gold with little silver portions for the Diamonds claws The ring is of simply trilogy facing up with...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Silver
Art Deco 18KT Gold, Platinum, Emerald, Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Located in Braintree, GB
An Art Deco ring in 18KT gold with a platinum-topped setting, centred with a square-cut natural emerald. The top is arranged in a geometric plaque design, accented with old cut diamo...
Diamond, Emerald, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Victorian Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring, circa 1900s
Located in London, GB
Dating to the 1900s, this Victorian dress ring features a centre ruby weighing 0.35 carat.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Emerald and Diamond Ring, signed G. R. Addis, Australia, circa 1890–1910
Located in OVIEDO, AS
The ring is designed with a central emerald-cut emerald of vibrant green colour, flanked by old mine-cut diamonds, and further accented by two rectangular step-cut emeralds alternati...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Colombian Emerald & Old Mine Diamond Ring, 18K, France
Located in Northampton, MA
Sleek and classic, this hefty, substantial (9 grams) men's ring (although a woman could certainly wear it) features an incredible rich green GIA. certified F1 emerald from Colombia t...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
$2,018Sale Price|25% Off
Antique Circa 1900s 18k Gold Natural Diamond And Emerald Decorated Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 6.4 grams. Totally is diamond 0.47 carat. The diamond is has H-I color and vs-s1-s2 clarity. Totally is emerald 0.30 carat. Ring size is US 6...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Antique Victorian 18K Yellow Gold Emerald Old Mine Diamond Five Stone Ring - GIA
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 18K Yellow Gold Emerald Old Mine Diamond Five Stone Ring - GIA.
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,272Sale Price|25% Off
Antique Circa 1900s 18k Gold Top Silver Natural Diamond And Emerald Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 2.9 grams. Totally is diamond 0.21 carat. The diamond is has H color and vs-s1 clarity. Totally is emerald 0.17 carat. Ring size is US 7 We c...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Silver
Victorian 18K Gold and 1.8 Carat Diamond and 2.0 Carat Checkerboard Plaque Ring
Located in New York, NY
18k Yellow Gold Colombian Emerald and Diamond Checkerboard Plaque Ring c.1900.
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
$2,018Sale Price|25% Off
Antique Circa 1900s 18k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond And Emerald Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 7.1 grams. Totally is rose cut diamond 1 ct. The diamond is has H-I color and s1-s2-s3 clarity. Totally is emerald 1 ct. Ring size is US 8.5 W...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
$2,062Sale Price|25% Off
Antique Circa 1900s 18k Gold Natural Old Cut Diamond And Emerald Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 4.3 grams. Totally is diamond 0.60 ct. The diamond is has H-J color and vs1-s1 clarity. Totally is emerald 0.33 ct. Ring size is US 7.8 We ca...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
$2,437Sale Price|25% Off
Antique Circa 1900s 18k Gold Natural Diamond And Cabochon Emerald Decorated Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 10.9 grams. Totally is diamond 0.24 ct. The diamond is has H color and vs-s1 clarity. Totally is emerald 1.79 ct. Ring size is US 10 (We can m...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
$1,930Sale Price|25% Off
Antique Circa 1900s 18k Gold Top Silver Natural Diamond And Emerald Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 6.6 grams. Totally is rose cut diamond about 0.50 ct. Totally is old cut diamond 0.30 ct. The old cut diamond is has H color and s2 clarity. T...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Silver
$2,501Sale Price|25% Off
Antique Circa 1900s 18k Gold Top Silver Natural Diamond And Emerald Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 9.3 grams. Totally is rose cut diamond 0.50 ct. The diamond is has I-J-K-L color and s1-s2-s3-Pique clarity. Totally is emerald about 3 ct. Ri...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Silver
$1,755Sale Price|25% Off
Antique 14k Gold Top Silver Natural Rose Cut Diamond And Emerald Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 5.8 grams. Totally is diamond 0.40 ct. Totally is emerald 0.60 ct. Ring size is US 8.5 We can make any size. Please contact for any questions.
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Silver
$1,272Sale Price|25% Off
Antique Ottoman Circa 1900s 8k Natural Rose Cut Diamond And Emerald Ruby Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 3 grams. Totally is diamond 0.65 ct. Totally is ruby 0.18 ct. Totally is emerald 0.18 ct. Ring size is US 6.5 (We can make any size) Box is no...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby
Victorian Gold & Diamond Double Serpent Ring
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
Crafted from 18 karat yellow gold and set with two diamonds, the ring was made during the Victorian period of the 19th century.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Colombian Emerald Diamond and Seed Pearl Square Cocktail Ring
Located in Denver, CO
This antique square-shaped ring, likely dating to the late Georgian to early Victorian period (circa 1820s-1840s), features a bezel-set, square-cut Colombian emerald in a closed-back...
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Belle Epoque Colombian Certified Emerald Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
Antique 18Kt rose Gold and silver Ruby and Diamond ring. The cluster style ring is centered with a stunning oval natural emerald, accented by an halo of sparkling old mine cut diamon...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, Silver
Victorian 25 Carat Siberian Emerald 1880s American Handmade Old Cut Diamonds GIA
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Victorian 25 Carat Siberian Emerald 1880s American Handmade Old Cut Diamonds GIA Finger size 7 Weighting 20.7 gram Certification GIA , see pictures Gems 25 Carat Sugar Loaf cut Sib...
Diamond, 14k Gold
Antique Emerald and Diamond Ring of 14k Gold, Circa 1880
Located in Lewisburg, PA
This Victorian ring (circa 1880–1900) showcases a vivid antique cushion-cut emerald with a slightly bluish-green hue, flanked by two sparkling old European cut diamonds.
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold
Antique Cluster Ring in Yellow Gold with Emeralds and Old-Cut Diamonds
Located in MONTMORENCY, FR
This exquisite antique cluster ring is a true jewel of timeless elegance. Crafted in 18k yellow gold (750‰), it features a captivating arrangement of 5 old-cut diamonds (approximatel...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,930Sale Price|25% Off
Antique Circa 1900s 14k Gold Natural Diamond And Caliber Cut Emerald Ruby Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 4.1 grams. Totally is diamond 0.60 ct. Totally is rose cut diamond 0.15 ct. The diamond is has H color and vvs-vs-s1 clarity. Totally is emera...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 14k Gold
Arthur & Georgie Gaskin Superb Emerald Diamond Arts and Crafts Ring
By Arthur & Georgie Gaskin
Located in London, GB
Emerald 1.25cts approx. Victorian cut diamonds 0.70 cts approx & two tiny crystals.
Crystal, Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Silver
Victorian 2.70ct Amethyst Cabochon & Rose Cut Diamond Ring, 1840s
Located in OVIEDO, AS
AMETHYST CABOCHON AND ROSE CUT DIAMOND RING A lovely early Victorian ring set with a good deep color, bright purple cabochon shaped amethyst measuring approx. 2.70 carats (9.22X7.74...
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
Antique 2 Carat Colombian Emerald & 2.2 Carat Diamond Yellow Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning and impressive 2.00 carat Colombian emerald and 2.20 carat diamond, 18 karat yellow and white gold cocktail ring; part of our diverse gemstone jewelry collections.
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Natural Unenhanced emerald & diamond carved ring, English, circa 1890.
Located in London, GB
Victorian Colombian emerald and diamond carved three stone ring.
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
Certified Edwardian Platinum 2.20 Carat Central Diamond Emerald Engagement Ring
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
The piece is certified by the Assay Office with a gemstone testing report. The ring is set with 39 natural diamonds and 10 natural emeralds.
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
VICTORIAN 1880 Antique Ring In Yellow Gold With 8.95 Ctw In Opal And Diamonds
Located in Miami, FL
Victorian classic cocktail ring with opal. Gorgeous antique ring, created during the Victorian period in England, back in the 1880.
Diamond, Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Rare Antique Tiffany & Co. Yellow Gold Emerald Old Mine Cut Diamond Halo Ring
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Montclair, NJ
–Stone(s): – (1) Natural Genuine Emerald - Round Brilliant Cut - Prong Set - Vivid Green Color - Original Emerald - 0.40ctw (approx.) (8) Natural Genuine Diamond - Chunky Old Mine Cu...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18ct Gold Colombian Emerald & Rose Cut Diamond Cluster Ring, Mid 19th Century
Located in London, England
This Mid 19th Century Emerald and Rose Cut Diamond Cluster Ring centres on a beautifully vibrant emerald, certified as natural beryl of Colombian origin and of minor oil.
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
$2,193Sale Price|25% Off
Antique Circa 1900s 10k Gold Top Silver Natural Rose Cut And Emerald Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 7.8 grams. Totally is diamond 0.85 ct. Totally is emerald 1.08 ct. Ring size is US 7.5 We can make any size. The box is not included. Please c...
Emerald, 10k Gold, Silver
$5,412Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Old-Cut Emerald Ring
Located in Firenze, FI
This is a Victorian 18kt/Sterling Old-Cut Diamond + Emerald ( colombia ) Bypass Ring .
Emerald, 18k Gold
Victorian Paste and 15k Yellow Gold Cannetille Style Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This Victorian cocktail ring is supplied with an independent diamond grading report card.
15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Edwardian 18 Karat Gold 0.35 Carat Emerald 0.30 Carat Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is an Edwardian cluster ring crafted in 18K gold. Circa 1900. The piece features: - 3 emeralds, step cut, TW 0.35ct, vslbG 5/5, SI-P1 - 14 diamonds, old mine cut, TW 0.30ct, R...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold
Antique 15.00 Carat Peridot and Diamond Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have an exquisite antique ring featuring an impressive 15.00 carat emerald cut peridot at the centre. This principal stone possesses a vibrant green hue which is accentuated ...
Diamond, Peridot, Gold, 18k Gold, Silver
2.70 Carat Zambian Emerald Art Deco Style Ring
Located in Bangkok, TH
Introducing the epitome of luxury and sophistication, behold the breathtaking Victorian inspired, Emerald Statement Ring, a true marvel in the world of fine jewelry.
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Antique Colombian Emerald Three Stone Ring, circa 1890.
Located in London, GB
Colombian emerald three stone ring. Set with three octagonal mixed cut natural Colombian emeralds with minor clarity enhancement in open back claw settings with a combined approximat...
Emerald, Yellow Gold
Antique Blue Enamel and 9 Gold 'REGARD' Band Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This antique band has dark blue enamel all the way around. The stones in the cluster at the front of the ring spells "REGARD'. Ruby, Emerald,Garnet, Amethyst, Ruby and Diamond. At th...
Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Gold, Enamel
Art Deco Engagement Ring Old European Cut Diamond Platinum Ring Solitaire
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
In the Victorian era, engagement rings often featured intricate settings with a combination of diamonds, colored gemstones, and detailed engravings, inspired by romantic motifs like ...
White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum
Antique Gemstone REGARD Ring of 12k Gold, circa 1860
Located in Lewisburg, PA
A charming and historically significant ring dating to 1860, set with a sequence of gemstones spelling the acrostic word “REGARD”: Ruby (R), Emerald (E), Garnet (G), Amethyst (A), Ru...
Ruby, Garnet, Emerald, Diamond, Amethyst, Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond Snake Ring, Circa 1913
Located in London, GB
Whilst the use of the snake motif in jewellery has been around since the Ancient Greek civilisation, it really came into its own during the Victorian era. It was Queen Victoria hers...
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Rare Antique "Regard Ring" 12ct Yellow Gold English C/1868
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
A fun and beautifully handmade ring fashioned in the "R.E.G.A.R.D." motif. The ring is set with ruby, emerald, garnet, amethyst, ruby, and a diamond. In this sequence when you take t...
Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Acrostic "REGARD" Ring c1883 Birmingham England
Located in Litchfield, CT
The first letter of the names of the gemstones in the ring spell out "regard" ( Ruby, Emerald, Garnet, Amethyst, Ruby, and Diamond).
Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, Natural Pearl, Ruby, 15k Gold
Victorian Emerald Rose Cut Diamond Bracelet
Located in Firenze, FI
spectacular antique bracelet and ring cast in 14 karat gold and silver ,this set has approximately 8.00 carat emerald , 6.00 carat rose-cut diamond .
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Silver
Platinum Sapphire Unheated Purple Diamond GIA Ring Antique Old Mine 17.37 CTS!
Located in Sylvania, GA
Fine Vintage Earrings, Bracelets, Necklaces, Pendants, and Rings from the Art Deco, Edwardian, Victorian eras.
Diamond, Sapphire, Purple Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Georgian Regard 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in London, GB
A Georgian Regard 18 karat yellow gold ring, circa 1820 In this original 18 karat gold acrostis Regard ring the first letter of each bezel set old oval cut stone spells out the word...
Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
c1860 15K yellow gold Turquoise snake ring
Located in Baltimore, MD
We love this unusual and extremely rare 18ct gold Victorian snake ring with a cushion cut diamond head and studded with pave turquoise.
18k Gold
Mid-Victorian Sapphire, Emerald and Diamond Coiling Snake Bangle
Located in London, GB
Mid-Victorian, circa 1860–1880 Rose-cut diamonds throughout Oval sapphire-set head Emerald eyes Articulated flexible construction Yellow gold and silver-topped gold Weight: 62.4 gram...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, Silver
Victorian 14K Gold & Silver 1.33tgw Diamond & Emerald Scottish Thistle Brooch
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
My favourite thing about this Victorian Silver and Gold Diamond and Emerald Brooch is the glowing emerald.
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Victorian Emerald and Opal, Yellow Gold, Three Locket Necklace
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive, original antique Victorian 0.24 carat emerald and opal 15 karat yellow gold three locket necklace; part of our diverse antique pendant collection.
Emerald, Opal, 15k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Brooch-Victorian 1870 Antique Burma Rubies, Emeralds & Diamonds in 18K Gold.
Located in Miami, FL
This entire central crest is framed by a masterfully set diamond-lined outer ring, punctuated perfectly at the twelve and six o'clock positions by two genuine, untreated natural salt...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 4.10ct Garnet 1.36ct Emerald and Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Pendant/Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive Victorian 4.10 carat garnet, 1.36 carat emerald and 0.48 carat diamond, 18 karat yellow gold pendant/brooch; part of our diverse antique jewellery col...
Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
0.25 Carat Emerald 0.48 Carat Diamond Pearl 15k Yellow Gold Pendant Circa 1890
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique 0.25 carat emerald, 0.48 carat diamond, pearl and 15 karat yellow gold pendant; part of our diverse Victorian jewelry collection.
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Yellow Gold
Antique 1880 9ct Gold Insect Brooch with Garnet, Diamond, Emerald
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This stunning Victorian brooch is supplied with an IDGL diamond and gemstone grading report card.
Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, Yellow Gold
EDWARDIAN 1900 Fabulous Butterfly In 18Kt Gold With Diamonds, Rubies & Emerald
Located in Miami, FL
The entire body is embellished with natural earth mined gemstones, such; four vivid red rubies, one vivid green Colombian emerald and an assortment of seventy-two white colorless dia...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, White Diamond, Gold, White Gold, Platinum, 18k Gold
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.
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.
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.
Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.
Will your beloved be enchanted by an Edwardian ring or a trendy Art Deco piece? We clue you into period styles and tips for finding the perfect ring.