Antique 18K Yellow Gold Platinum Gia 5.20ct Old Mine Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Houston, TX
Might shows minor signs of wear. 8-Prong Set in 900 Platinum in the center with: One (1) old mine cut natural diamond: Measurements: 10.81mm x 9.91mm x 6.86mm in depth.
Diamond, Platinum, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
Antique Old Mine Cut Diamond & 18K Yellow Gold Solitaire Gents Ring, London 1904
Located in London, GB
Meticulously crafted in rich 18 carat yellow gold, this bold ring features a spectacular old mine cut diamond at its centre, weighing approximately 0.60ct, nestled in a classic raise...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian 0.80ct Old Mine-Cut Diamond Gypsy Ring in 18K Yellow Gold
Located in London, GB
- Victorian antique three stone diamond gypsy ring - Three Old Mine-cut diamonds totalling approx 0.80ct - Rub-over setting - 18K yellow gold - Antique (Victorian), circa 1839-1901...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique Victorian 18K Yellow Gold 1.2ctw Old Mine Cut Diamond 4 Stone Ring
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
An antique diamond, and yellow gold ring, comprising four old mine cut diamonds, in 18 karat yellow gold.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Old Mine Cut Diamond 18 Carat Yellow Gold Solitaire Gents Ring, Chester 1938
Located in London, GB
At the heart of the ring sits a striking old mine cut diamond, weighing 0.41ct boasting soft, romantic scintillation through its hand cut facets.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Edwardian old mine cut diamond 18k gold platinum engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This graceful Edwardian engagement ring showcases a beautifully charming old mine cut diamond, radiating soft, romantic brilliance with its hand-cut facets and antique character.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
French old mine diamond 18k yellow gold engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This French 18k yellow gold and platinum engagement ring features a stunning approximately 1-carat old mine cut diamond, L color, SI2 clarity, accented by eight single-cut diamonds t...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
GIA 5.03 carat old mine cut diamond 18k yellow gold collet engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This exceptional engagement ring showcases a remarkable 5.03 carat old mine cut diamond, radiating a soft, candlelit brilliance that captures the essence of antique beauty. Set in a ...
Brown Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
GIA 5.03 carat old mine cut diamond 18k yellow gold collet engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This exceptional engagement ring showcases a remarkable 5.03 carat old mine cut diamond, radiating a soft, candlelit brilliance that captures the essence of antique beauty. Set in a ...
Brown Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Victorian GIA 3.65 carat old mine cut diamond 14k yellow gold cluster ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This exceptional Victorian cluster ring is a remarkable antique jewel from the 1900’s, centered by a GIA-certified old mine cut diamond weighing an impressive 3.65 carats. Graded J c...
Diamond, Silver, Yellow Gold, Rose Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
1960s Freeform Pearl and Old Mine Cut Diamond Halo Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1960s Item Details: Ring Size: 7 Metal Type: 14k Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 9.7 grams Diamond Details: Old Mine Cut, Natural Diamonds, .75ct, total weight - G...
Diamond, Pearl
Antique Old Mine Cut Diamond and 22 Carat Yellow Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in London, GB
The ring is beautifully centred with a fantastic old mine cut diamond, that we believe was later added to it, probably around the 1900's or before.
Diamond, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
Edwardian 1.74 CTW Old Mine Cut Diamond Platinum 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a Toi et Moi style bypass ring terminating with two old mine cut diamonds prong set in platinum Weighing approximately 1.68 carats total - H/I color with VS2 clarity Fla...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Victorian old mine cut diamond 14k yellow gold 6 stone band
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This Victorian old mine cut diamond band is a beautifully romantic antique jewel from the 1880’s, crafted in warm 14k yellow gold with a graceful six stone design.
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian 14k Yellow Gold Old Mine Cut Diamond Toi et Moi Bypass Ring
Located in New York, NY
A romantic Victorian bypass ring crafted in 14K yellow gold and set with two old mine cut diamonds in a classic “toi et moi” (you and me) design.
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
14K Yellow Gold Ruby and Old Mine Cut Diamond 3 Stone Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1920s Item Details: Ring Size: 6.75 Metal Type: 14K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 2.3 grams Diamond Details: Old Mine Brilliant, .15ct total weight, I Color, Si ...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Engagement Ring 14k Gold Silver Old Mine Cut Diamond
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This classic Victorian ring is made of 14 karat yellow gold and silver and featuring an approximately 1.75-carat hand-faceted old mine cut diamond (O-P color, VS2 clarity).
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Silver, 14k Gold
Victorian Old Mine Cut Diamond Three Stone Ring 0.30ct approx
Located in London, GB
A charming late Victorian three-stone diamond ring set with a trio of old-cut diamonds in an elegant graduated arrangement. The centre diamond is flanked by two slightly smaller ston...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage old mine cut diamond five stone 18k yellow gold band
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage five stone band showcases a harmonious row of 5 old mine cut diamonds totaling approximately 1.25 carats, each exhibiting the soft, romantic brilliance characteristic of...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Burnish Set Old Mine Diamond Ring 14k Yellow Gold
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Lovely and versatile burnish set band with 3 old mine cut diamonds. This style of ring in true antique form is very sought after and becoming harder to find!
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Yellow Gold 0.56ctw Old Mine Cut Diamond w/ Pearl Rope Design Wrap Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (2) Natural Genuine Diamonds - Old Mine Cut Cushiony Round Chunky - Prong Set - Nice Brilliant White Diamonds - 0.56ctw (approx.) (1) Genuine Cultured Pearl - Round Sha...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Sapphire and Old Mine Cut Diamonds in 10K Yellow Gold
Located in Houston, TX
Antique Sapphire and Old Mine Cut Diamonds in 10K Yellow Gold A captivating antique ring from the 1920s, beautifully handcrafted in 10K yellow gold and weighing 3.4 grams.
Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 10k Gold
Ring with old mine cut diamond up to 0.20ct 18k yellow gold 5.5 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k yellow gold ring with old mine-cut diamond up to 0.20 ct – H/I - pique - ring size US 7.5 – EU 17.75 (56) Detailed description The top of the ring is 6.9 mm wide and 3.2 mm hig...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Old Mine Cut Diamond & 18k Yellow Gold Three-Stone Ring - Size 7.25
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Stone Information - --------------------------------------------- Primary Stone(s): Diamond - Stone Grading: - Color: White - Clarity: I1 - Color Grade: K - Shape: Round - Stone Cut...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Old Mine Cut Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Gents Three-Stone Ring
Located in London, GB
The ring is exquisitely set with 3 old mine cut diamonds, estimated to weigh a total of approximately 1.20ct, each securely held in elegant rub-over, open back settings.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Yellow Gold Diamond Vintage Solitaire Engagement Ring 14k Old Mine
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 6 1/4 Sizing Fee: Up 2 sizes for $40 or Down 2 sizes for $30 Era: Vintage Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold & 14k White Gold Stone Information Natural Diamond Carat(s): .08ct ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Old Mine Diamond Solitaire Ring, circa 1900
Located in London, GB
Old mine diamond solitaire ring. Set centrally with a cushion shape old mine diamond, L colour, SI2 clarity, with a weight of 4.48 carats, in an open back claw setting, flanked by si...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian 1.20 Carat Old Mine Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 14k yellow gold and platinum with an Old Mine cut Diamond weighing approximately 1.20 carats. Circa late 1800s Size 6 1/4, resizable
Diamond, 14k Gold, Platinum
Victorian Pearl & Old Mine Cut Diamond Cluster Blue Enamel 14k Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Bernardsville, NJ
Pearl Dimensions: 4 mm Diamond: Old Mine Cut diamond, approximately 0.20 carats G-H Color, VS1-SI1 clarity Material: Marked 14k Dimensions of head: 21 mm by 16.8 mm Weight: 10 gra...
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Enamel, Yellow Gold
Antique Edwardian 18k Yellow Gold Old Mine Rose Cut Diamond Toi et Moi Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Edwardian 18K Yellow Gold Old Mine Rose Cut Diamond Toi et Moi Ring.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Platinum 0.78ct Old Mine Cut Illusion Set Diamond Flower Solitaire Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (1) Natural Genuine Diamond - Old Mine Cut - 7 Prong Illusion Flower Set- Faint Yellow Color - SI1 Clarity - 5.9mm - 0.78ct (approx.)
Yellow Diamond, Platinum
Bespoke 3.51 Ct. GIA Old Mine Cut Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Victorian Revival Style 3.51 Ct. Old Mine Cut Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring from Bespoke by Platt, composed of 18k yellow gold.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Old Mine Diamond Cluster Ring Vintage Estate 14K Yellow Gold Cocktail
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Old Mine Diamond Cluster Ring Vintage Estate 14K Yellow Gold Cocktail.
Diamond, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco GIA 0.80 carat old mine cut diamond platinum engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This authentic Art Deco engagement ring centers on a 0.80 carat old mine cut diamond certified by GIA under report number 2235903907.
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Platinum
Antique, GIA 4.04 Carat Old Mine Brilliant Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
This gorgeous antique ring boasts a 4.04 carat old mine cut diamond flanked by six single diamonds along the shank.
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian 0.70 Carat Old Mine Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in platinum and 18k yellow gold with an Old Mine cut Diamond weighing approximately 0.70 carat. Circa late 1800s Size 7 3/4, resizable
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
GIA 1.54 carat old mine cut diamond 18k gold engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This modern engagement ring showcases a captivating 1.54 carat GIA-certified old mine brilliant cut diamond that glows with soft, antique-style fire.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
$3,797Sale Price|30% Off
PANIM 18K Rose Gold Old Mine Cut Diamond & Emerald Ring
By PANIM
Located in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
PANIM 18K Rose Gold Old Mine Cut Diamond & Emerald Ring A super 18 karat yellow gold, three stone diamond & emerald ring that displays three bright Old Mine Cut diamonds , with a to...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Gold, Rose Gold
Antique 5-Stone Old Mine Cut Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Wedding Band
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Antique Old English 18K yellow gold wedding band featuring 5 old mine cut diamonds that total 0.38ct. Set in a classic prong setting characteristic of the time, circa 1915. From our ...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco 1.90ct Old Mine Cut Diamond 18K Yellow and White Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in London, GB
- Art Deco diamond cocktail ring - Seventeen Old Mine-cut diamonds totalling approx 1.90ct - Art Deco, circa 1920-1935 - 18K yellow and white gold - Accompanied by lab report (WGI...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
VICTORIAN Ring with old mine cut diamond up to 1.00ct 14k yellow gold 5.5 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k yellow gold ring set with old mine cut diamond 1.00 ct - K - P1 - ring size US 7.25 - EU 17.5(55) detailed description: the top of the ring is 9.5 mm wide weight 5.5 grams ri...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
0.70ct Opal & Old Mine Cut Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
- Opal & diamond cluster engagement ring - 0.70ct opal - Halo of old-mine-cut diamonds - 18K yellow gold - Ring size: UK K1/2 / US 5.5 / EU 50.5 - Accompanied by lab report (WG...
Opal, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s Antique Purple Sapphire and Old Mine Cut Diamond Fashion Ring
Located in Santa Monica, CA
- Approximately 1.00 carat purple-pink natural sapphire - 0.50 carat old mine cut natural diamond, SI1 clarity, H color - 0.50 carat old mine cut natural diamond, VS1 clarity, H co...
Purple Sapphire, Sapphire, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
0.75CT Old Mine Cut Natural Diamond Gypsy Engagement Ring in California Gold
By Bracken Jewelers
Located in Santa Monica, CA
This gypsy engagement ring is a one-of-a-kind handcrafted by Bracken Jewelers in Santa Monica, California. It is unique in many ways – from the genuine antique 0.75 carat old mine cu...
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique French 18k Gold Old Mine Cut Diamond Marquise Shape Dinner Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (3) Pinkish Red Stones - Baguette Cut -Channel Set - Pinkish Red Color - 7.1x2.3mm each (approx.) (28) Natural Genuine Diamonds - Old Mine & Single Cut - Pave Set - Nic...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Yellow Gold Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring - 14k Old Mine .11ct
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 5 Sizing Fee: Up 2 sizes for $40 or Down 1 size for $30 Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold & 14k White Gold Stone Information Natural Diamond Carat(s): .11ct Cut: Old Mine C...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
GIA 1.52 carat old mine cut diamond 18k gold engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This modern engagement ring showcases a beautifully cut 1.52 carat GIA-certified cushion brilliant diamond whose old mine influence brings soft, romantic depth to its bright G color ...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
GIA 2.01 carat old mine cut diamond 18k gold engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Modern elegance meets antique charm in this exquisite engagement ring showcasing a luminous 2.01 carat GIA-certified old mine brilliant cut diamond.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
$4,001Sale Price|20% Off
Antique 9K Yellow Gold Pearl and Old Mine Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique 9K yellow gold cluster ring, featuring a central old mine-cut diamond surrounded by a halo of seven natural saltwater pearls.
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian 14K Yellow Gold Old Mine Diamond Cluster Engagement Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
The center holds a chunky old mine cut diamond with a yellow hue that is surrounded by white old mine cut diamonds.
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
GIA Certified 1.5 Carat Old Mine Cut Diamond Bezel Set Signet Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
The center stone is a masterfully crafted antique-style old mine cut diamond, boasting an elongated cushion brilliant shape that captures light with a soft, vintage-inspired brillian...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Platinum Marquise-Shaped Emerald and Old Mine Cut Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in New York, NY
Details: Metal: Platinum Gemstone: 14 Old Mine Cut Diamonds 1.60CT Square Cut Emerald .62CT Measurement: Ring Size 6
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Antique Victorian 14K Yellow Gold Old Mine Diamond Engagement Ring - GIA
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 14K Yellow Gold Old Mine Diamond Engagement Ring - GIA.
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian 14K Yellow Gold Old Mine Diamond Cluster Engagement Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
This gorgeous Victorian old mine cut diamond cluster engagement ring is crafted in 14k yellow gold.
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Gold .90 Carat Old Mine Cut Engagement Ring
Located in Venice, CA
Part of Kirsten’s Corner Signature Collection, we took an existing diamond from a Victorian brooch and had an 18k gold band made to compliment the stone. The stunning Old Mine Cut di...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
c.1900 Art Nouveau Antique Ring – Old Mine Cut Diamonds & Opals 18K Yellow Gold
Located in Santa Monica, CA
This extraordinary Art Nouveau ring circa 1900 captures the ethereal beauty of its era with a harmonious blend of old mine cut diamonds and glowing opals.
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold, Silver, 18k Gold
Antique Star Set Old Mine Cut Diamond 18 Carat Yellow Gold Band Ring, c.1900s
Located in London, GB
At the centre sits a single old mine cut diamond weighing approximately 0.0ct, star set into the gold within a finely engraved setting that flows into a broad polished face.
Diamond, White Diamond, 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.”
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Zircon is a magnificent and underrated natural gemstone that has been worn and adored for centuries.
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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.