Vintage 18k Gold 2.23ctw GIA Old European Diamond French Cut Sapphire Halo Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (1) Natural Genuine Diamond - Old European Cut - Bezel Set - O/P Color - SI1 Clarity - 1.43ct (exact - certified) ** See Certification Details Below for Complete Info *...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K Gold Platinum Engagement Ring with 1.61ct European GIA Diamond & 0.21ct Ruby
Located in New York, NY
Video: Video Link Detailed Description: This vintage 18 Karat two-tone gold and platinum ring is a bold statement piece.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage Yellow Gold 1.45ctw Old European Cut Diamond Sapphire Accents Sides Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
Material: Solid 14k Yellow Gold Weight: 3.43 Grams Ring Size: 5.5 (Fitted on a finger.
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Old European Cut Diamond 14 Karat Yellow Gold Vintage Ring
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Vintage Old European cut diamond ring fashioned in 14 karat yellow gold.
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s White Gold 1.20 Carat European Cut Diamond Filigree Ring
Located in Boston, MA
Vintage 1950s White Gold European Cut Diamond Filigree Ring - The center Old European Cut diamond weighs 1.20ct and is an I color and SI1 clarity.
Diamond, White Gold
14K White Gold Engagement Ring w/ .83ct Old European Cut Diamond & Baguettes
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Ring Size: 6.25 Metal Type: 14K White Gold Weight: 2.93 grams Center Diamond Details Shape: Old European Brilliant Carat Weight: .83 Measurements : 6mm Color: J Clarit...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
$62,400Sale Price|20% Off
3.88 Carat Old European Cut Diamond Engagement Ring in 18K White Gold
Located in Chicago, IL
An exceptionally refined vintage diamond ring centered by a captivating 2.03 carat Old European Cut diamond, graded F color, VS1 clarity, displaying a beautifully balanced face-up ap...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique 14K White Gold Engagement Ring w/ .60ct Old European Brilliant Diamond
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Ring Size: 8 Metal Type: 14K White Gold Weight: 2.25 grams Center Diamond Details Shape: Old European Brilliant Carat Weight: .60ct Measurements : 5.5mm Color: J Clari...
Brown Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Vintage-Inspired 6.5ct Old European Cut Natural Diamond Ring in 18K White Gold
Located in Ramat Gan, IL
Central Stone: 6.5 carats, Old European Cut Side Stones: 34 pieces, 0.68 carats total Metal: 18K White Gold Weight: 5 grams Style: Vintage-inspired, timeless elegance This ring ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Circa 1940s 14K White Gold Filigree .40ct Old European Brilliant Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1940s Item Details: Ring Size: 7.75(Sizable) Metal Type: [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 2.1grams Diamond Details: .40ct, Old European Brilliant, H Color, VS Clarity Band Widt...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Vintage Retro Solid Gold 0.65ctw Old European Baguette Diamond Buckle Band Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
Material: Solid 14k Yellow Gold w/ White Gold Top Weight: 8.81 Grams Ring Size: 9.5 (Fitted on a finger.
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Ring with old European cut diamonds up to 1.50ct 14k gold 4.2 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k white gold entourage ring set with a 1.50 ct old European cut diamond, G/H-SI, ring size US 7.75 - EU 18 (57) Detailed description: The top of the ring is 1.2 cm wide by 9.0 mm...
Diamond, 14k Gold
1970s European 14K Yellow Gold Channel-Set Diamond Ring
By Chanel
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This striking vintage ring from the 1970s is beautifully crafted in rich 14K yellow gold and reflects classic European design and craftsmanship.
Diamond, Yellow Gold
1 Carat Old European Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
This exquisite engagement ring showcases a stunning approximately 1 carat Old European cut diamond at its center, GIA certified with a brilliant F color and VS1 clarity.
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Diamond Ring Old European 1.50 Cts Center 14K White Gold 1.92 TDW
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Diamond Ring Old European 1.50 Cts Center 14K White Gold 1.92 TDW This vintage circa 1950s ring is finely crafted in solid 14K White Gold and set with genuine Diamonds.
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
14K White Gold Antique Engagement Ring .70ct Old European Cut Diamond & Sapphire
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Ring Size: 7 Metal Type: 14K White Gold Weight: 2.5 grams Center Diamond Details Carat Weight: .70ct Measurements : 5.1mm x 3.35mm Color: F Clarity: VS1 Finger To Top...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Old European Cut Diamond Sapphire 14 Karat White Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Blue sapphire diamond cocktail ring crafted in 14 karat white gold. The ring features an approximately 1.40 carat blue sapphire gemstone surrounded by 8 Old European cut diamonds wei...
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold
$4,091Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage 1960s Old European Cut Diamond Cluster Ring in 18ct Gold & Platinum
Located in London, GB
A show-stopping vintage 18ct gold diamond cluster ring. The central diamond weighing 0.40ct is framed by a glittering arrangement of nine Old-European cut diamonds (totalling 0.75ct...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
1.2ct Old European Cut Diamond Engagement Ring in 18kt White Gold
Located in Firenze, IT
Centered with a old cut diamond weighing approx. 1 .2ct to an openwork bezel and shoulders, mounted in 18kt white gold circa 1935 Size 5 3/4 Weight 4.5gr.
Diamond, White Gold
Retro 14K White Gold .37 Carat Old European Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Cape May, NJ
Retro 14k white gold .37 carat old european cut diamond engagement ring Era: Retro C. 1940s Composition: 14K White Gold Primary Stone: Old European Cut Diamond Carat Weight: Approxi...
Diamond, White Gold
Old European Diamond Ring 2.14 TDW 14K White Gold Engagement Wedding Vintage
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Old European Diamond Ring 2.14 TDW 14K White Gold Engagement Wedding Vintage This lovely vintage ring is crafted in solid 14K White Gold.
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
0.27 Carat Old European Cut Diamond Buttercup Engagement Ring
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Crafted with a white gold head atop a 14K rose gold shank, this unique ring radiates with history and romance
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
Ring with old European cut diamonds up to 0.50ct 14k gold and silver
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k rose gold and silver ring with an old European cut diamond, totaling approximately 0.50 ct – G/H – SI – ring size US 8 – EU 18(57) Detailed description The top of the ring is 9...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver
Vintage 14k Two Tone Gold 0.50ct Old European Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
Here we have a gorgeous, vintage, diamond engagement ring that was crafted from solid 14k yellow and white gold.
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1940's Retro Old European Cut Diamond and Ruby Ring 14k Rose Gold
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Circa 1940's. Unique retro ring with old european cut diamonds, single cut diamonds and lab grown rubies which are period appropriate.
Diamond, Ruby, Rose Gold, Platinum
Estate 1940s 14K Yellow Gold .50ct Old European Diamond Engagement Ring - VHK#97
Located in Hicksville, NY
Estate 1940s 14K Yellow Gold .50ct Old European Diamond Engagement Ring - VHK#979 Item Details: Year: 1940s Ring Size: 8.25 (Sizable) Metal Type: 14K Yellow Gold and White Gold Head...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
RETRO ring with ruby verneuille and old European cut diamonds 18k gold, platinum
Located in The Hague, ZH
RETRO 18k rose gold and platinum ring set with ruby verneuille and old European cut diamonds up to 0.30ct - F/G - VS/SI - ring size U.S. 6 – EU. 16.5(52) detailed description: Th...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage GIA 2.20 carat old European cut diamond 18k white gold engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This striking vintage engagement ring showcases a beautifully balanced three-stone design, centered around an old European cut diamond with soft, romantic brilliance and distinctive ...
Diamond, Blue Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage GIA 2.20 carat old European cut diamond 18k white gold engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This striking vintage engagement ring showcases a beautifully balanced three-stone design, centered around an old European cut diamond with soft, romantic brilliance and distinctive ...
Diamond, Blue Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage GIA 2.20 carat old European cut diamond 18k white gold engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This striking vintage engagement ring showcases a beautifully balanced three-stone design, centered around an old European cut diamond with soft, romantic brilliance and distinctive ...
Diamond, Blue Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage GIA 2.20 carat old European cut diamond 18k white gold engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This striking vintage engagement ring showcases a beautifully balanced three-stone design, centered around an old European cut diamond with soft, romantic brilliance and distinctive ...
Diamond, Blue Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Estate 2.50 Carat European Cut Diamond Ruby Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A magnificent ring featuring a 2.50 carat European cut diamond that is bezel set in the center of the piece.
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Old European Cut 0.70 Carat Round Diamond Ring 14 Karat White Gold
Located in Miami, FL
Old European Cut 0.70 Carat Round Diamond Ring 14k White Gold.
Diamond, White Gold
1940s Art Deco .32 Carat Old European Cut Diamond White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Ring Size: 6 Metal Type: 18 Karat White Gold Weight: 2.4 grams Center Diamond Details: Shape: Old European Cut Carat Weight: .32 carat Color: G Clarity: VS1 Finger ...
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage Brutalist Yellow Gold Emerald European Cut Diamond Fingermate Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
Material: Solid 14k Yellow Gold Total Weight: 15.01 Grams Size: 6.5 with Open Shank For Easy Wear (Fitted on a finger) Overall Width: 18.3mm (0.72") (top of the ring - north to sout...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Old European Cut Diamond Solitaire Bezel Set Ring
Located in New York, NY
Details: Metal: 18K White Gold Gemstone: Old European Cut Diamond approx 1CT Measurement: Ring Size 7
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
$3,920Sale Price|20% Off
1950s 18k gold, cabochon sapphire and old European cut diamond cocktail ring
Located in London, GB
This 1950s ring is made in France and features 2 cabochon sapphires totalling approximately 5 carats and old European cut diamonds weighing approximately 1 carat.
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Ring with Old European and single cut diamonds up to 0.40ct 18k yellow gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k yellow gold ring with old European and single cut diamonds up to 0.40ct – G/H - SI - ring size US 7 – EU 17.25(54) Detailed description the top of the ring is 1.2 cm wide and 8...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
14K White Gold .80ct European Cut Diamond Ring with Ruby Halo size 6.75
Located in Big Bend, WI
14K white gold ring made in Art Deco style featuring diamonds and rubies.
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Antique Old European Cut Diamond 18ct Yellow & White Gold Eternity Ring N.5 / 7
Located in SYDNEY, AU
This dainty antique trilogy eternity ring is expertly crafted in 18ct yellow gold and features three dazzling old European cut diamonds nestled in white gold setting, extending onto ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1.24 Carat Old European Cut Diamond Ring
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful, 18ct white gold diamond engagement ring. The focal point of this ring is a stunning 1.24 carat old European cut diamond.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
$23,200Sale Price|20% Off
1960s European 18k gold, natural unheated ruby, diamond and onyx cocktail ring
Located in London, GB
This stunning 1960s cocktail ring is designed around a remarkable unheated natural ruby. It is adorned with onyx and diamonds and set in 18 k gold. It is a beauty to behold.
Diamond, Onyx, Ruby, 18k Gold
Antique Engagement Ring in 18K White Gold with .70ct Old European Cut Diamond
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Ring Size: 7 Metal Type: 18K White Gold Weight: 1.5 grams Center Diamond Details Carat Weight: .15ct Measurements : 3.0mm Color: H Clarity: VS2 Finger To Top Of Stone...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 14k White Gold Old European Cut Diamond Statement Ring
Located in New York, NY
This vintage 14k white gold ring makes a bold statement with its intricate design and sparkling array of diamonds.
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Art Deco European Cut Diamond & 14k Yellow Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Introducing a stunning Art Deco European Cut Diamond & 14k Yellow Gold Cluster Ring, a captivating piece that beautifully embodies the elegance of the Art Deco era.
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 14k Gold Sapphire Old European Cut Diamond Three Stone Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Antique 14k yellow gold sapphire and old European cut diamond ring, circa 1900, designed with a round blue sapphire set at the center and flanked by two old European cut diamonds.
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1.09 Carat Old European Cut H VS2 Diamond 14 Karat Yellow Gold Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
Title: 1.09 Carat Old European Cut H VS2 Diamond 14 Karat Yellow Gold Engagement Ring Style: Engagement Metal: 14 Karat Yellow Gold Gemstone 1: 1.09 Carat Diamond Number of Stones: 1...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2.07 Carat Old European Cut N VS1 Diamond 14 Karat Yellow Gold Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
Title: 2.07 Carat Old European Cut N VS1 Diamond 14 Karat Yellow Gold Engagement Ring Style: Engagement Metal: 14 Karat Yellow Gold Gemstone 1: 2.07 Carat Diamond Number of Stones: 1...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
European Cut Diamond Ring 14K Gold Cocktail 3 D 4.60 TDW Vintage Estate
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
European Cut Diamond Ring 14K Gold Cocktail 3 D 4.60 TDW Vintage Estate This absolutely gorgeous unusual 3-D vintage ring is finely crafted in solid 14K Yellow Gold with a slight Ro...
Diamond, 14k Gold
Vintage 0.70 Carat Old European Cut Engagement Ring. Diamond 18k White Gold JVS1
Located in New York, NY
Ring Size: 7 US, Resizable Color: J Color Clarity: VS1 Metal: Gold, White Gold Stone: Diamond Stone Cut: Old European Cut Style: Retro This exquisite vintage engagement ring showc...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
Vintage 18 Karat Yellow Gold 0.45 Cttw Old European Cut Diamond Solitaire Ring
Located in Troy, MI
You will look fabulous wearing this classic 5 ribbed solitaire ring featuring a rare Old European Cut Diamond weighing just shy of a half carat (0.45 ct.) Diamond is of Collection qu...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1940s 14 Karat Yellow Gold and Platinum 1.56 Carat European Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Boston, MA
Vintage 1940s 14KY Gold and Platinum 1.56ct European Cut Diamond Engagement Ring - The center European Cut diamond weighs 1.56ct with J color and VS1 clarity.
Diamond, Gold, Platinum
French Made 2.10 Carat Old European Cut Diamond and 18k Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Chevy Chase, MD
This is a gorgeous French made Old European cut diamond cluster ring! The center top old European cut Diamond is prong set with a single row of of old European cuts angled outward j...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2.7 Ct Peridot Platinum Yellow Gold European Ring Boxed, 1900
Located in Herzelia, Tel Aviv
Peridot Platinum Yellow Gold European Ring Boxed. Platinum and Yellow Gold used together was a common technique of the period in Europe.
Peridot, Yellow Gold, Platinum
C.D Peacock 2.79 Carat Old European Cut Diamond 14K White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
Designer: C.D PEACOCK Title: C.D Peacock 2.79 Carat Old European Cut I VS1-VS2 Diamond 14 Karat White Gold Engagement Ring Style: Engagement Metal: 14 Karat White Gold Gemsto...
Diamond, 14k Gold
$880Sale Price|20% Off
Art Deco 14k 2Tone Gold Hand Engraved Diamond Ring with Old European Cut Diamond
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Specifications: Pre-Owned (Great condition) Metal: 14K Gold Weight: 2.35 Gr Main Stone: .17ct Old European Cut Diamond G VS2 Size: 7 US
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
$1,280Sale Price|20% Off
Art Deco 14k 2Tone Gold Hand Engraved Diamond Ring with Old European Cut Diamond
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Specifications: Pre-Owned (Great condition) Metal: 14K Gold Weight: 3.0 Gr Main Stone: .25ct Old European Cut Diamond G VS2 Size: 8 US
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Ring with old European and single cut diamonds up to 0.90ct 14k gold 6.4 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k white gold ring set with a central Old European cut surrounded by single-cut diamonds up to 0.90ct - K/L, G/H - SI - ring size U.S. 7.25 - EU. 17.5(55) detailed description top...
Diamond, 14k Gold
0.72 Carat Old European Cut H VS Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in New York, NY
Title: 0.72 Carat Old European Cut H VS Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring Style: Cocktail Metal: 18 Karat Yellow Gold Gemstone 1: 0.72 Carat Diamond Number of Stones: 24 Col...
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 0.75 Carat Old European Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Montgomery, AL
We are loving this classic vintage beauty!!!! Ring Details Material: 14K White Gold Head Width: 5mm Head Height: 4mm Weight: 1.7 Grams Finger Size: 7 Sizable Upon Request Accented ...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White 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.”
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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.