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Colombian Emerald and Diamond Ring, Circa 1970.
Located in London, GB
Colombian emerald and diamond flanked solitaire ring. Centrally set with an octagonal emerald-cut
Category

Vintage 1970s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Colombian Emerald and Diamond Ring, circa 1970
Located in London, GB
Colombian emerald and diamond ring. Set to centre with an octagonal emerald-cut natural Colombian
Category

Vintage 1970s Signet Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold

Mauboussin Emerald and Diamond Cocktail Ring, French, circa 1970
By Mauboussin
Located in London, GB
Mauboussin emerald and diamond cluster ring. Set with one octagonal emerald-cut natural Zambian
Category

Vintage 1970s French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, Yellow Gold

Colombian emerald and diamond ring, English, circa 1970.
Located in London, GB
Colombian emerald and diamond ring. Set to centre with a drop shape old cut natural Colombian
Category

Vintage 1970s British Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Wolfers Frères 2.5 Carat Colombian Emerald and Diamond Ring, circa 1970
Located in London, GB
Wolfers Frères Colombian emerald and diamond ring. Set to centre with an octagonal emerald-cut
Category

Vintage 1970s Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Berca Original 1970 Natural Muzo Emerald White Diamond Marquise Cocktail Ring
By Berca Atelier
Located in Valenza, IT
A chic, one-of-a-kind beautifully handcrafted 1970 Cocktail ring featuring a 0.82Kt square cut Muzo
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

No Oil Colombian Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring, circa 1970
Located in London, GB
No Oil Colombian emerald and diamond cluster ring. Set to centre with an oval mixed cut natural
Category

Late 20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, White Gold

Emerald-Cut 6.95 Carat GIA Diamond Flanked Solitaire Ring, circa 1970
Located in London, GB
Emerald-cut diamond flanked solitaire ring. Centrally set with an octagonal emerald-cut diamond, N
Category

Vintage 1970s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum

1970’s Diamond Coral Emerald Gold Dolphin Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A sweet and stylish dolphin ring! It is made of a coral body with round brilliant-cut diamonds set
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Modern Gold Cocktail Ring 3.25 Carat Natural Green Emerald & Diamond, circa 1970
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Modern 14k White Gold Cocktail Ring. Set with an approximately 2.75 carat Pear Shaped Emerald
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold

Vintage 1.23 Carat Diamond and Emerald White Gold Cocktail Ring, Circa 1970
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive vintage 0.98 carat emerald and 1.23 carat diamond, 18 karat white gold
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

Emerald Uncut Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Get your hands on this incredible 1970 uncut emerald ring! 14K yellow gold beautifully contrasts a
Category

Vintage 1970s Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold

Cabochon Emerald Diamond Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
A Ring in 18kt hammered yellow gold with a cabochon emerald (app. 4 cts), and 6 round brilliant cut
Category

Vintage 1970s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Pearl, Emerald, Diamonds, Platinum Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Fantastic ring in platinum structure mounted with a pearl and an emerald surrounded by diamonds
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Platinum

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

Vintage 1970s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Freshwater Pearl & Emerald Diamond Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
pearl as the centerpiece surrounded by small diamonds and one 1/2 ct emerald cut diamond. Pair with
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold

Emerald Diamond 14K gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Lake Worth, FL
14KG Emerald And Diamond Cocktail Ring Beautiful vintage 14k yellow gold Princess Di style cocktail
Category

Vintage 1970s Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Modernist 1970 Bold Cocktail Ring In 18Kt With 3.15 Cts Of Diamonds And Emeralds
Located in Miami, FL
the early 1970's. This ring has been crafted, with a geometric stepped patterns in solid yellow gold
Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Modernist Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Estate Coral Putti Diamond Emerald Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
of the gold is interrupted by random set Natural Emeralds and Diamonds bringing colour and Sparkle
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Colombian Cabochon Emerald Diamond Platinum Ring
Located in New York, NY
platinum 1970s ring. The emerald comes with a report from the AGL. Embellishing the center gem are
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Emerald Cut Emerald and Diamond White Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
cut Emerald and diamond cluster ring has been crafted in 15k white gold. An impressive emerald cut
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 15k Gold, White Gold

1970's Natural Emerald Diamond Satin Finish White Gold Estate Cocktail Ring
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Diamond and emerald cocktail ring crafted in satin finish 14 karat white gold. The cabochon natural
Category

Late 20th Century American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold

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

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, White Gold

Platinum Vintage Cocktail Ring Diamonds Emeralds
Located in Zurich, Zollstrasse
Lovely Platinum Vintage Ring featruing 30 brilliant cut Emeralds weighing approximately 2.50 ct in
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Certified Emerald, 4.62 Carats Diamonds, Platinum Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Elegant ring in platinum structure mounted with a central emerald surrounded by diamonds. This ring
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Mauboussin diamond flanked engagement ring, French, circa 1970
By Mauboussin
Located in London, GB
Mauboussin diamond flanked solitaire ring. Set to centre with an octagonal emerald cut diamond in a
Category

Vintage 1970s French Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Emerald & Diamond Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Dallas, TX
Estate Emerald and Diamond Ring in 18K Yellow Gold. The ring features a 5.03ct emerald and 2.44ctw
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Emerald, Diamonds, 18 Karat White Gold Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Elegant ring in 18 kt white gold structure mounted with a central emerald in a frame of diamonds
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

Emerald, Diamonds, 18 Karat White Gold Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Amazing ring in 18 kt white gold structure mounted with a central emerald surrounded by brilliant
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

1970s Modernist Gold Diamond Emerald Ring
Located in New York, NY
1970s vintage 14k gold Modernist ring, with emeralds and approx. 0.80ctw H/VS diamonds. Ring size
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold

Cartier Diamond, Emerald and Onyx Panthère Ring
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
A fine Cartier Diamond Pantère ring in 18k white gold, showcasing with approximately 3.00 carats of
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Colombian Emerald No Heat GIA Ring with Diamonds
Located in Darnestown, MD
Stunning emerald and diamond ring set in 18 karat gold. The central stone is an octagonal 2.56
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Modern Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Diamonds Emeralds Pearl White Rose Gold Fantastic Ring
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Fantastic 14kt pink and white gold ring with diamonds, emeralds and a central Australian pearl of
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Pearl, Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Diamonds Emerald Yellow Gold 14 Karat Cocktail Ring
Located in Marcianise, IT
, surrounded with rose cut diamonds and emerald in the middle. Ring total weight 8.40 grams Diamonds weight
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Emerald and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
A superb antique Vintage cluster ring centrally set with a classic 20pt green emerald. The emerald
Category

Vintage 1970s British Modern Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold

Emeralds, Diamonds, 14 Karat White Gold Band Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Band ring in 14 kt white gold structure mounted with emeralds and, between of them, little
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold

Emerald, Diamonds, Rose Gold and Silver Fly Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Fly shape ring in 9 karat rose gold and silver structure mounted with a diamond as head, an emerald
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Diamond and Natural Unenhanced Emerald Three-Stone Ring
Located in London, GB
Diamond and emerald three stone ring. An emerald-cut diamond, G colour, SI1 clarity, is set to
Category

Vintage 1970s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Natural 25 Carat Colombian Emerald Diamond White Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
this emerald, which has not wasted any weight on its depth, displays an amazing spread. This ring is
Category

Vintage 1970s Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Impressive Emerald Cabochon Diamond Platinum Cocktail Ring
Located in Miami Beach, FL
This spectacular 26c. Muzo Colombian Emerald is surrounded by 7.5c of beautiful diamonds mounted in
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Onyx, Emerald, Diamonds, 9 Karat Rose Gold Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
between diamonds. On it, a white gold structure studded with an emerald surrounded by diamonds. This ring
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, 9k Gold, Rose Gold

Cabochon Sapphire Ring with Diamond & Emerald Accents
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
faceted emeralds, golden orbs and brilliant diamonds peppered about the landscape. The emeralds and
Category

Vintage 1970s Dome Rings

Materials

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

14K Yellow Gold Square Shaped Emerald Diamond Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
An exceptional one of a kind handmade ring reminiscent of a "galaxy" featuring a vibrant square
Category

Vintage 1970s More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold

4.70ct Colombian Emerald and Fancy Yellow Diamond 18k Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
A sumptuous Emerald and Diamond Cocktail Ring, showcasing a splendid 4.70ct Colombian Emerald with
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Ruby Sapphire Emerald & Diamond Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Hicksville, NY
Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Ruby Sapphire Emerald & Diamond Ring Year: 1970s Item Details: Ring
Category

Vintage 1970s Engagement Rings

Materials

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

1970s 1.43 Carat Emerald and Diamond Platinum Cluster Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive vintage 1.43 carat emerald, 0.68 carat diamond and platinum cocktail ring
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Yellow Gold and Platinum Daisy Ring with Emerald and Diamonds
Located in MONTMORENCY, FR
: Floral / Daisy motif Materials: 18K yellow gold, platinum 950‰, emerald, brilliant-cut diamonds Metal
Category

Vintage 1970s French Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Mauboussin marquise diamond emerald 18k yellow gold bezel ring
By Mauboussin
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Crafted in the 1970s, this vintage Mauboussin bezel-set ring showcases a marquise cut diamond of
Category

Vintage 1970s Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Vintage 1.35ct Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring, c.1970s
Located in London, GB
This captivating Vintage 1970s cluster ring showcases a vibrant 1.35 carat emerald cut emerald at
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Handcraft Emerald 18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamonds Cocktail Ring
Located in Marcianise, IT
assembled with emerald and baguette diamonds Ring total weight 6 grams Emerald weight 0.90 karat Diamonds
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Artisan Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

14 Karat White Gold Ring with Emerald Stones and Diamonds
Located in Tel Aviv, IL
14 Karat White Gold Ring with Emerald Stones and Diamonds Elegant white gold ring with 5 rows of
Category

Vintage 1970s French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, White Gold

Vintage 1970s 7.00 Carat Colombian Emerald and 4.00 Carat Diamond Ballerina Ring
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in platinum with an AGL certified Colombian Emerald weighing 7.00 carats, set in a
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Emerald, Diamonds, Rose Gold and Silver Fly Shape Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
, an emerald as body and wings studded with diamonds. This ring was totally handmade by Italian master
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Emerald, Diamond, Silver, Rose Gold, 9k Gold

18K Yellow Gold Ring with Emerald and White Diamonds
By Olivo Micheletto
Located in Milano, Lombardia
This exquisite ring features a lush emerald at its center, framed by sparkling white diamonds, all
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian More Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Emeralds, Diamonds, Rose Gold and Silver Ladybug Shape Ring
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Gorgeous ladybug shape ring in 9 karat rose gold and silver structure mounted with two emeralds as
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Emeralds, Diamonds, 14 Karat Rose Gold and Silver Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
surrounded by diamonds and emeralds. This ring was totally handmade by Italian master goldsmiths and they are
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

1970s Chatham Emerald Diamond Gold Free Form Ring
Located in New York, NY
1970s 18k gold free form ring with Chatham emeralds and approx. 0.32ctw in diamonds. One stone has
Category

Vintage 1970s More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold

Enamel Diamonds Emerald Yellow Gold 14 Karat Cocktail Ring
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
. Ring total weight 9.60 grams Diamonds weight 0.30 karat Emerald weight 1.13 grams Ring size 15 ITA
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Onyx, Emerald, Diamonds, 14 Karat White Gold Band Ring.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
a central emerald surrounded by diamonds. This ring was totally handmade by Italian master
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Band Rings

Materials

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

Luxurious Royal Blue Emerald Cut Sapphire & Baguette Diamond Ring in Platinum
Located in Boston, MA
Aston Estate Jewelry Presents: A striking statement ring featuring a 5.10 carat blue sapphire
Category

Vintage 1970s Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum

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1970 Ring Emerald Diamond For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact 1970 ring emerald diamond you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Each design created in this style — which was crafted with great care and often made from Gold, 18k Gold and Yellow Gold — can elevate any look. Our collection of these items for sale includes 662 vintage editions and 3 modern creations to choose from as well. If you’re looking for a 1970 ring emerald diamond from a specific time period, our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and you’ll find at least one that dates back to the 20th Century while another version may have been produced as recently as the 21st Century. A 1970 ring emerald diamond from David Webb, Van Cleef & Arpels and Bulgari — each of whom created a beautiful version of this treasured accessory — is worth considering. Today, if you’re looking for an emerald cut version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes round cut and oval cut alternatives. When shopping for a 1970 ring emerald diamond, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for unisex or men today than there are for women.

How Much is a 1970 Ring Emerald Diamond?

The price for a 1970 ring emerald diamond starts at $434 and tops out at $455,000 with these rings, on average, selling for $4,264.

Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship

Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself. 

Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.

Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany & Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.

For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany & Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.

Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.

In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so. 

Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.

Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle. 

BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.

A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in

Since Van Cleef & Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.

Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.

Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.

The Legacy of Diamond in Jewelry Design

Antique diamond rings, diamond tiaras and dazzling vintage diamond earrings are on the wish lists of every lover of fine jewelry. And diamonds and diamond jewelry are primarily associated with storybook engagements and red-carpet grand entrances — indeed, this ultra-cherished gemstone has a dramatic history on its hands.

From “A Diamond Is Forever” to “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” pop culture has ingrained in our minds that diamonds are the most desired, the most lasting and the most valuable gemstone. But what makes the diamond so special? Each stone — whether it’s rubies, sapphires or another stone — is unique and important in its own right. April babies might claim diamonds for themselves, but just about everyone wants this kind of sparkle in their lives!

There are several factors that set diamonds apart from other stones, and these points are important to our gem education.

Diamonds are minerals. They are made up of almost entirely of carbon (carbon comprises 99.95 percent; the remainder consists of various trace elements). Diamonds are the hardest gemstones, ranking number 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Even its name, diamond, is rooted in the Greek adamas, or unconquerable. The only object that can scratch a diamond is another diamond. Diamonds are formed deep within the earth at very high temperatures (1,652–2,372 degrees Fahrenheit at depths between 90 and 120 miles beneath the earth’s surface) and are carried up by volcanic activity. Diamonds are quite rare, according to the Gemological Institute of America, and only 30 percent of all the diamonds mined in the world are gem quality.

In the 1950s, the Gemological Institute of America developed the 4Cs grading system to classify diamonds: clarity, color, cut and carat weight. Not all diamonds are created equal (there are diamonds, and then there are diamonds). The value of the diamond depends on the clarity (flawless diamonds are very rare but a diamond's value decreases if there are many blemishes or inclusions), color (the less color the higher the grade), cut (how the diamond’s facets catch the light, certain cuts of diamonds show off the stone better than others) and carat weight (the bigger, the better).

When you start shopping for a diamond engagement ring, always prioritize the cut, which plays the largest role in the diamond's beauty (taking the time to clean your diamond ring at least every six months or so plays a role in maintaining said beauty). And on 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement ringsvintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings

Shop antique and vintage diamond rings, diamond necklaces and other extraordinary diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.  

Finding the Right Rings for You

Antique and vintage rings have long held a special place in the hearts of fine jewelry lovers all over the world.

No matter their origin or specific characteristics, rings are timeless, versatile accessories. They’ve carried deep meaning since at least the Middle Ages, when diamond rings symbolized strength and other kinds of rings were worn to signify romantic feelings or to denote an affiliation with a religious order. Rings have also forever been emblematic of eternity.

Over time, rings have frequently taken the form of serpents, which have long been associated with eternal life, health and renewal. Italian luxury jewelry house Bulgari has become famous for its widely loved Serpenti motif, for example, and its Serpenti ring, like the other accessories in the collection, began as an homage to jewelry of the Roman and Hellenistic eras. The serpent is now a popular motif in fine jewelry. Jewelry devotees have long pined for rings adorned with reptiles, thanks to antique Victorian rings — well, specifically, Queen Victoria’s illustrious engagement ring, which took the form of a gold snake set with rubies, diamonds and an emerald (her birthstone). Designs for Victorian-era engagement rings often featured repoussé work and chasing, in which patterns are hammered into the metal.

Engagement rings, which are reliably intimidating to shop for, are still widely recognized as symbols of love and commitment. On 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement ringsvintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings

The most collectible antique engagement rings and vintage engagement rings are those from the Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco eras. Named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who in succession ruled England starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign), antique Georgian rings, be they engagement rings or otherwise, are also coveted by collectors. Pearls, along with colored gemstones like garnets, rubies and sapphires, were widely used in Georgian jewelry. The late-1700s paste jewelry was a predecessor to what we now call fashion or costume jewelry

The Art Nouveau movement (1880–1910) brought with it rings inspired by the natural world. Antique Art Nouveau rings might feature depictions of winged insects and fauna as well as women, who were simultaneously eroticized and romanticized, frequently with long flowing hair. Art Deco jewelry, on the other hand, which originated during the 1920s and ’30s, is by and large “white jewelry.” White metals, primarily platinum, were favored over yellow gold in the design of antique Art Deco rings and other accessories as well as geometric motifs, with women drawn to the era’s dazzling cocktail rings in particular.

Whether you’re hunting down a chunky classic for a Prohibition-themed cocktail party or seeking a clean contemporary design to complement your casual ensemble, find an exquisite collection of antique, new and vintage rings on 1stDibs.