Multi Sapphire Abstract Square Diamond Ring
By Jaipur Atelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An alluring, multi-color Cabochon Sapphire in celestial hues of red and burgundy with chocolate-purple undertones set with sparkling White Diamonds.
Diamond, Sapphire, 22k Gold, Silver
$22,826Sale Price|20% Off
Beauvince Chocola Diamond Ring (2.44 ct Oval Fancy Dark Orangey Brown VS1 GIA)
By Beauvince Jewelry
Located in New York, NY
The fancy brown center oval is elevated with the double halo setting and the playful diamonds set on the sides of the ring. Center Diamond Shape: Oval Center Diamond Weight: 2.44 ct...
Diamond, White Diamond, Brown Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Annamaria Cammilli "Premiere" Ring with a Blue Sapphire in 18 Karat White Gold
By Annamaria Cammilli
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From Annamaria Cammilli's Vision collection, Premiere Color ring with pear shaped Blue Sapphire and diamonds, handcrafted in 18 karat Ice White gold.
Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Annamaria Cammilli "Premiere" Ring with a Pear Shaped Diamond in 18 Karat Gold
By Annamaria Cammilli
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From Annamaria Cammilli's Vision collection, Premiere ring with pear shaped Diamond, handcrafted in 18 karat Ice White gold.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Annamaria Cammilli "Regina" Ring with Diamonds in Three Colors of 18 Karat Gold
By Annamaria Cammilli
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From Annamaria Cammilli's Vision collection, Regina ring handcrafted in 18 karat White Ice, Natural Beige and Black Lava gold.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Annamaria Cammilli "Sultana" Ring with Diamonds in Three Colors of 18 Karat Gold
By Annamaria Cammilli
Located in SOLVANG, CA
Three ruffles in white, beige and black gold are clustered together with bead set white diamonds outlining the edges at 0.48 carat total weight.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Annamaria Cammilli "Goccia" Ring with Diamonds in Three Shades of 18 Karat Gold
By Annamaria Cammilli
Located in SOLVANG, CA
Three teardrop shaped petals in white, beige and black gold are outlined at the edges with bead set white diamonds at 0.17 carat total weight.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Gold Swirl Natural Diamond Statement Ring in 14k Solid Gold (Certified)
Located in New Delhi, DL
★MATERIALS★ ♥ Stone: Natural Diamond Shape: Round Carat: 0.74 ct Clarity: SI Color: FGH **Some diamonds in the ring are chocolate and champagne-toned.** ★THE METAL★ 14k Solid Gold ...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Annamaria Cammilli "Dune" Ring with Five Diamonds in 18k Orange Apricot Gold
By Annamaria Cammilli
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From Annamaria Cammilli's Essential collection, Dune ring with six layers of gold and five diamonds, handcrafted in 18 karat Orange Apricot gold.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Annamaria Cammilli "Dune" Ring with Four Diamonds in 18k Pink Champagne Gold
By Annamaria Cammilli
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From Annamaria Cammilli's Essential collection, Dune ring with four layers of gold and four diamonds, handcrafted in 18 karat Brown Chocolate gold.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Annamaria Cammilli "Dune" Ring with Four Diamonds in 18k Orange Apricot Gold
By Annamaria Cammilli
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From Annamaria Cammilli's Essential collection, Dune ring with four layers of gold and four diamonds, handcrafted in 18 karat Brown Chocolate gold.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Annamaria Cammilli "Dune" Ring with Three Diamonds in 18k Orange Apricot Gold
By Annamaria Cammilli
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From Annamaria Cammilli's Essential collection, Dune ring with three layers of gold and three diamonds, handcrafted in 18 karat Orange Apricot gold.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Annamaria Cammilli "Dune Royal" Ring with Diamonds in 18k Natural Beige Gold
By Annamaria Cammilli
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From Annamaria Cammilli's Essential collection, Dune Royal ring with three layers of gold and three diamonds, handcrafted in 18 karat Natural Beige gold.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Annamaria Cammilli "Dune" Ring with Five Diamonds in 18 Karat Black Lava Gold
By Annamaria Cammilli
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From Annamaria Cammilli's Essential collection, Dune ring with six layers of gold and five diamonds, handcrafted in 18 karat Brown Chocolate gold.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Annamaria Cammilli "Dune" Ring with Five Diamonds in 18k Pink Champagne Gold
By Annamaria Cammilli
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From Annamaria Cammilli's Essential collection, Dune ring with six layers of gold and five diamonds, handcrafted in 18 karat Pink Champagne gold.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Annamaria Cammilli "Dune Velaa" Ring with Diamond in 18 Karat Apricot Gold
By Annamaria Cammilli
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From Annamaria Cammilli's Essential collection, Dune Velaa ring, handcrafted with eight layers of 18 karat Orange Apricot gold and single diamond.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Annamaria Cammilli "Dune Royal" Ring with Diamonds in 18k Orange Apricot Gold
By Annamaria Cammilli
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From Annamaria Cammilli's Essential collection, Dune Royal ring with three layers of gold and three diamonds, handcrafted in 18 karat Orange Apricot gold.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Annamaria Cammilli "Dune Royal" Ring with Diamonds in 18 Karat Champagne Gold
By Annamaria Cammilli
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From Annamaria Cammilli's Essential collection, Dune Royal ring with three layers of gold and three diamonds, handcrafted in 18 karat Pink Champagne gold.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Annamaria Cammilli "Dune Royal" Ring with Diamonds in 18K Yellow Sunrise Gold
By Annamaria Cammilli
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From Annamaria Cammilli's Essential collection, Dune Royal ring with three layers of gold and three diamonds, handcrafted in 18 karat Yellow Sunrise gold.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Annamaria Cammilli "Dune" Ring with Three Diamonds in 18k Pink Champagne Gold
By Annamaria Cammilli
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From Annamaria Cammilli's Essential collection, Dune ring with three layers of gold and three diamonds, handcrafted in 18 karat Pink Champagne gold.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Annamaria Cammilli "Dune" Ring with Three Diamonds in 18 Karat Sunrise Gold
By Annamaria Cammilli
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From Annamaria Cammilli's Essential collection, Dune ring with three layers of gold and three diamonds, handcrafted in 18 karat Yellow Sunrise gold.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Annamaria Cammilli "Dune Royal" Ring with Diamonds in 18 Karat Lemon Bamboo
By Annamaria Cammilli
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From Annamaria Cammilli's Essential collection, Dune Royal ring with three layers of gold and three diamonds, handcrafted in 18 karat Yellow Lemon Bamboo gold.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
"Little Cookie" Ladies 18K Yellow Gold Pinky Ring with 0.8cts Natural Diamonds
By Eytan Brandes
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
This plump little treat is the smallest of Eytan Brandes' cookie rings, but it's packed solid with 37 tasty, bright-white diamonds -- like a white chocolate chip cookie that's more c...
White Diamond, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Annamaria Cammilli "Dune" Ring with Three Diamonds in 18 Karat Black Lava Gold
By Annamaria Cammilli
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From Annamaria Cammilli's Essential collection, Dune ring with three layers of gold and three diamonds, handcrafted in 18 karat Black Lava gold.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Annamaria Cammilli "Dune Royal" Ring with Three Diamonds in 18k Black Lava Gold
By Annamaria Cammilli
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From Annamaria Cammilli's Essential collection, Dune Royal ring with three layers of gold and three diamonds, handcrafted in 18 karat Black Lava gold.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Le Vian Diamond Men's Wedding Band - White Gold 14k Round Brilliant .38ctw Chann
By Le Vian
Located in Greensboro, NC
Retail Price: $3500 Size: 10 Sizing Fee: Up 1/2 a size for $50 or Down 1/2 a size for $40 Brand: Le Vian Metal Content: 14k White Gold Stone Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Annamaria Cammilli "Musa" Ring with Diamonds in Three Colors of 18 Karat Gold
By Annamaria Cammilli
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From Annamaria Cammilli's Musa collection, tricolor ring handcrafted in 18 karat Orange Apricot, Yellow Lemon Bamboo and Yellow Sunrise gold with diamonds.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Annamaria Cammilli Dune Ring with Five Diamonds in 18k Yellow Lemon Bamboo Gold
By Annamaria Cammilli
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From Annamaria Cammilli's Essential collection, Dune ring with six layers of gold and five diamonds, handcrafted in 18 karat Yellow Lemon Bamboo gold.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Annamaria Cammilli Dune Ring with Four Diamonds in 18 Karat Lemon Bamboo Gold
By Annamaria Cammilli
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From Annamaria Cammilli's Essential collection, Dune ring with four layers of gold and four diamonds, handcrafted in 18 karat Yellow Lemon Bamboo gold.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Le Vian Diamond Cluster Cocktail Band - White Gold 14k Round Brilliant 1.75ctw R
By Le Vian
Located in Greensboro, NC
Retail Price: $3900 Size: 6 3/4 Sizing Fee: Up 1/2 a size for $40 Brand: Le Vian Metal Content: 14k White Gold Stone Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): 1.75ctw Cut: Round Br...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Le Vian 14k Yellow Gold Diamond Ring, Size 6.75 - 5.0g
By Le Vian
Located in Providence, RI
The band is encrusted with rows of round-cut white and chocolate diamonds, creating a striking contrast and luxurious sparkle.
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1.48 Carat Fancy Brown Pear & 1.32 TCW Round Diamond Rose Gold Engagement Ring
By Martin Flyer
Located in Towson, MD
Sixty-one additional round brilliant white diamonds, approximately 0.44 total carat weight with H/I color and I1 clarity, form a delicate halo and accent the shank.
Diamond, Brown Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Le Vian White and Chocolate Diamond Flower Pendant Necklace 14 Karat White Gold
By Le Vian
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
It comes with an appraisal card, verifying its authenticity and current appraisal value. Metal: 14 Karat White Gold Designer: Le Vian Gemstones: White and Chocolate Diamonds Diamond...
Diamond, White Diamond, Brown Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Lapaix Natural Chocolate Briolette Diamond Pendant Necklace .56ct Mined 14K
Located in Dearborn, MI
Lapaix Natural Chocolate Briolette Diamond Pendant Necklace .56ct Mined 14K White Gold Featuring a Genuine Natural Chocolate Briolette .56ct Diamond Each piece begins with recycl...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
$9,192Sale Price|20% Off
Combination Pearl Necklace and 1960s Diamond Brooch Clip
By Baume
Located in Poitiers, FR
Transformable necklace consisting of 7 rows of oriental cultured pearls in white, rose white, bronze and chocolate, separated by tiny onyx beads.
Cultured Pearl, Diamond, Onyx, White Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum,...
Sterling Silver Brown Enamel 1ct White & Brown Diamonds Yellow Sapphire Pendant
Located in New York, NY
.925 Sterling Silver Brown Enamel 1 Cttw White and Brown Diamonds and 1.5mm Yellow and Orange Sapphire Gemstones Statement 18" Pendant Necklace (Brown and F-G Color, VS1-VS2 Clarity...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Brown Diamond, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Modern Style Eighteen Karat White Gold Blossom Brooch with Diamonds
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
18 karat white gold Plum Blossom brooch encrusted with a rose quartz cabochon and five round diamonds.
Diamond, Quartz, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Le Vian Diamond Cluster Jewelry Set -White Gold 14k Round Brilliant 1.55ctw Halo
By Le Vian
Located in Greensboro, NC
Retail Price: $6,500 Size: 6 3/4 Sizing Fee: Up 2 sizes for $50 or Down 2 sizes for $50 Brand: Le Vian Metal Content: 14k White Gold Stone Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s):...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Eighteen Karat Yellow Gold Brooch with Diamonds and Rose Quartz
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
You can contact the artist to order it in white, rose, or black gold, and choose a different gemstone such as garnet, rose or chocolate quartz, citrine or topaz.
Diamond, White Diamond, Quartz, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, R...
Eighteen Karat Yellow Gold Plum Blossom Brooch with Diamonds and Amethyst
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
You can contact the artist to order this piece in white, rose, or black gold. You can also choose a different gem, such as garnet, rose quartz, chocolate quartz, citrine, or topaz.
Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Eighteen Karat Gold Transformer Brooch with Diamonds and Tourmaline
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
You can contact the artist to choose if you wish to order this piece in white, rose, or black gold. You can also choose a different gem, such as garnet or chocolate quartz, citrine, ...
Diamond, Quartz, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, 14k Gold, Rose ...
Eighteen Karat Rose Gold Plum Blossom Brooch with Diamonds and Rose Quartz
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
You can contact the artist to order this piece in white, yellow, or black gold, and choose a different gem such as garnet, rose or chocolate quartz, citrine, or topaz.
Diamond, White Diamond, Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Eighteen Karat Yellow Gold Plum Blossom Brooch with Diamonds and Rose Quartz
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
You can contact the artist to choose if you wish to order this piece in white, rose, or black gold. You can also choose a different gem, such as garnet or chocolate quartz, citrine, ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Eighteen Karat Rose Gold Plum Blossom Brooch with Diamonds and Rose Quartz
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
You can contact the artist to choose if you wish to order this piece in white, yellow or black gold, you can also chose the different gem, such as garnet, rose or chocolate quartz, c...
Diamond, White Diamond, Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Rose Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold Plum Blossom Brooch with Diamonds and Pink Quartz
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
You can contact the artist to choose if you wish to order this piece in white, rose or black gold, you can also chose the different gem, such as garnet, rose or chocolate quartz, cit...
Diamond, White Diamond, Quartz, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold Plum Blossom Brooch with Diamonds and Detachable Amethyst
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
The Plum Blossom Brooch is custom handmade and available in white, rose, or black gold, with a choice of different gemstones such as garnet, rose or chocolate quartz, citrine or topaz.
Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, R...
Yellow Sapphire Heart Necklace in 18k White Gold 1980s Vintage Hemmerle Gift
By Hemmerle
Located in München, DE
The yellow sapphire introduces warmth that pairs beautifully with neutral tones such as ivory, black or camel, while also complementing richer hues like deep green or chocolate brown...
Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K Yellow Gold Blossom Transformer Brooch with Diamonds
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
You can contact the artist to choose if you wish to order this piece in white, rose, or black gold. You can also choose a different gem, such as garnet or chocolate quartz, citrine, ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Quartz, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, R...
Eighteen Karat Rose Gold Floral Drop Pendant Necklace Diamonds
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
You can contact the artist to choose if you wish to order this piece in white, yellow or black gold, you can also chose the different gem, such as garnet, rose or chocolate quartz, c...
Diamond, White Diamond, Quartz, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
Eighteen Karat Gold Modern Style Transformer Brooch with Diamonds
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
You can contact the artist to order this piece in white, yellow, or black gold, and choose a different gem such as garnet, rose or chocolate quartz, citrine, or topaz.
Amethyst, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Featured in Vogue Rose Gold Modern Style Blossom Pendant Necklace with Diamonds
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
The petal-designed surface adds extra highlights to the gold, making the light play brighter. The diamonds bring delicate blinks. You can contact the artist to choose if you wish to...
Diamond, White Diamond, Quartz, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
18 Karat Rose Gold Modern Pendant Necklace with Diamonds Featured in Vogue
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
If you wish to order this piece, you can contact the artist and choose to have it made in white, rose, or black gold, and with a different gemstone, such as garnet, rose or chocolate...
Diamond, White Diamond, Quartz, Gold, Rose Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow 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.
Ancient Egyptians referred to the vibrant stone as the “gem of the sun.”
There are many ways to showcase a diamond, from traditional prongs to a smooth, streamlined bezel. Here’s everything you need to consider.
The vintage bombé ring is bursting with color and timeless style.
Zircon is a magnificent and underrated natural gemstone that has been worn and adored for centuries.
Givers of fine gems enjoy surprise more than receivers, and women more than men. Find out what else our survey of 3,000 Americans revealed.
If diamonds don’t seem right, what about a magnificent sapphire, ruby or emerald?
Accounting for just 1 percent of all diamonds, these marvels of nature are exceedingly rare and gorgeously complex.
Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.