Skip to main content

De Grisogono Allegra Ring

DE GRISOGONO - Allegra ring in rose gold and diamonds
By de GRISOGONO
Located in PARIS, FR
Magnificent DE GRISOGONO Allegra ring in 18k pink gold semi-paved with diamonds. Rare and highly
Category

2010s Swiss Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

18kt Yellow Gold and Diamonds, de GRISOGONO Allegra Ring Exclusive
By de GRISOGONO
Located in Antwerp, BE
Yellow Gold, White Diamonds, de GRISOGONO Allegra Ring Impressive DE GRISOGONO ring in yellow gold
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Bridal Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

de GRISOGONO Pink Gold Allegra Ring w/ Brown Diamonds
By de GRISOGONO
Located in New York, NY
de GRISOGONO Pink Gold Allegra Ring w/ Brown Diamonds. Pink Gold: 37.80 grams 343 brown
Category

2010s Cluster Rings

Materials

Brown Diamond, Gold

de Grisogono Allegra Diamond Ceramic Rose Gold Ring Box Tag
By de GRISOGONO
Located in New York, NY
This gorgeous De Grisogono ring from the chic Allegra collection is crafted in 18k rose gold
Category

2010s Swiss More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Rose Gold

Recent Sales

De Grisogono Allegra Diamond Gold Ring
By de GRISOGONO
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Brand new 18k rose gold ring by De Grisogono. Set with 2.05ctw of VS/G diamonds. Ring size - 5 (50
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

De Grisogono Allegra White Gold Ceramic Diamond Ring
By de GRISOGONO
Located in Lambertville, NJ
18k white gold Allegra ring by De Grisogono, with white ceramic and approx. 1.75ctw in G/VS
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

De Grisogono Allegra White Gold Ceramic Tsavorite Ring
By de GRISOGONO
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Brand new 18k white gold ring by De Grisogono. Set with 0.90ctw in Tsavorite. Ring size - 6.25 (53
Category

21st Century and Contemporary More Rings

Materials

Tsavorite, White Gold

De Grisogono Allegra Rose Gold Black Ceramic Diamond Ring
By de GRISOGONO
Located in Lambertville, NJ
18k rose gold Allegra ring by De Grisogono, with black ceramic and approx. 1.75ctw in G/VS diamonds
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Rose Gold

De Grisogono Allegra White Gold Black Ceramic Diamond Ring
By de GRISOGONO
Located in Lambertville, NJ
18k white gold Allegra ring by De Grisogono, with black ceramic and approx. 1.75ctw in G/VS
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

De Grisogono Allegra Rose Gold Ceramic Diamond Ring 53
By de GRISOGONO
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Brand new 18k rose gold ring by De Grisogono. Set with 0.85ctw in VVS F/G diamonds and briolette
Category

21st Century and Contemporary More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Rose Gold

De Grisogono Allegra Rose Gold Ceramic Diamond Ring
By de GRISOGONO
Located in Lambertville, NJ
18k rose gold Allegra ring by De Grisogono, with white ceramic and approx. 1.75ctw in G/VS diamonds
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Rose Gold

de Grisogono Allegra 18 Karat White Gold Diamond and Ruby Band Ring
By de GRISOGONO
Located in Southampton, PA
The de Grisogono “Allegra” ring is made of 18K white gold and decorated with diamonds and rubies
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

de Grisogono Allegra 18 Karat White Gold 0.60 Carat Diamond Ring
By de GRISOGONO
Located in Southampton, PA
The de Grisogono “Allegra” ring is made of 18K white gold and embellished with diamonds that amount
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

de Grisogono Allegra 18 Karat Yellow Gold and Multi Sapphire Band Ring
By de GRISOGONO
Located in Southampton, PA
The de Grisogono “Allegra” ring is crafted from 18K yellow gold and set with a plethora of multi
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Sapphire, Yellow Gold

de Grisogono Allegra 18 Karat White Gold 2.33 Carat Diamond and Sapphire Ring
By de GRISOGONO
Located in Southampton, PA
The de Grisogono “Allegra” ring is made of 18K white gold and weighs 15.8 grams. It boasts band
Category

21st Century and Contemporary More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

De Grisogono Allegra 5.44 Carat Diamond Ring
By de GRISOGONO
Located in London, GB
A stunning 18k white gold De Grisogono diamond ring from the Allegra collection. The ring comprises
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

De Grisogono Allegra Rose Gold Cocktail Ring
By de GRISOGONO
Located in Feasterville, PA
A chic De Grisogono ring featuring a large bold pattern or interwoven bands in 18k rose gold. Size
Category

2010s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

DE GRISOGONO Allegra Diamond White Gold Ring Size 50
By de GRISOGONO
Located in New York, NY
This glamorous ring from De Grisogono's Allegra collection is made in 18k white gold and features a
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss More Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

de Grisogono Allegra Yellow Sapphire Diamond Gold Band Ring
By de GRISOGONO
Located in Southampton, PA
This highly luxurious ring from de Grisogono's Allegra collection is without comparison. The outer
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Band Rings

Materials

Black Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

De Grisogono 5.44 Carat Diamond Rose Gold Allegra Cocktail Ring
By de GRISOGONO
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Box & Papers: De Grisogono Certificate of Authenticity dated 05/12/2012, De Grisogono Certificate
Category

2010s Swiss Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

De Grisogono 18 Karat Rose Gold Brown Diamond Allegra Cocktail Ring
By de GRISOGONO
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Code: COM2195 Brand: De Grisogono Description: 18k Rose Gold Brown Diamond Allegra Ring Accompanied
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

DE GRISGONO - Allegra ring yellow gold and diamonds
By de GRISOGONO
Located in PARIS, FR
Allegra De Grisogono ring in 18k yellow gold and diamonds. Retail price: €15,000. Condition
Category

2010s European Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

de Grisogono Allegra Yellow Gold Earring and Ring Set
By de GRISOGONO
Located in Southampton, PA
Feast your eyes upon the dazzling design of this ring and earring set from de Grisogono's Allegra
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown More Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

DeGrisogono Rose Gold Allegra Diamond Ring
By DeGRISOGONO
Located in Dallas, TX
De Grisogono 18K Rose Gold Allegra Diamond Ring. Finger size 55 (7.5). Stamped DE GRISOGONO 55 AU
Category

Vintage 1980s Modern More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Rose Gold, 18k Gold

de Grisogono Allegra 18 Karat Rose Gold 2.05 Carat Diamond Ring
By de GRISOGONO
Located in Southampton, PA
The de Grisogono “Allegra” ring is made of 18K rose gold and embellished with 79 brown diamonds
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Rose Gold

De Grisogono Allegra 18k White Gold 2.05 Ct Diamond Ring
By de GRISOGONO
Located in Southampton, PA
A series of intertwined bands make this De Grisogono Allegra ring a contemporary take on a classic
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

De Grisogono Allegra Diamond Gold Ring
By de GRISOGONO
Located in Bal Harbour, FL
From the magnificent Allegra collection, this bold ring features app. 5cts of the most beautiful
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Cocktail Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold

de Grisogono Allegra Rose Gold Brown Diamond Band Ring
By de GRISOGONO
Located in Southampton, PA
this outstanding ring from de Grisogono while the precious brilliance of diamonds totaling 5.44 carats
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Band Rings

Materials

Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

De Grisogono Allegra Rose Gold Ring, Diamonds
By de GRISOGONO
Located in Paris, IDF
A 18Kt rose gold de Grisogono ring, "Allegra" collection, entirely set with 210 brilliant cut
Category

2010s Swiss Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

De Grisogono Allegra Pink Gold and White Diamond Ring
By de GRISOGONO
Located in London, GB
Allegra ring in rose gold and white diamonds. 210 White diamonds - 5.44 cts. Pink gold: 23.50 Gr
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

De Grisogono Allegra White Gold Diamond Ring
By de GRISOGONO
Located in Lambertville, NJ
18k white gold Allegra ring by De Grisogono, with approx. 1.75ctw in G/VS diamonds. Retail $17700
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

de Grisogono ​Aquamarine White Gold Allegra Ring
By de GRISOGONO
Located in Greenwich, CT
"Allegra" aquamarine cocktail ring, centering a large cushion-shaped cabochon aquamarine, in a wide
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, 18k Gold, White Gold

de Grisogono "Allegra" Diamond Gold 9 Band Ring
By de GRISOGONO
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A fashionable, fun, and full of character the "Allegra" diamond and gold ring is an iconic
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

De Grisogono Allegra Rose Gold Ceramic Orange Sapphire Ring 55
By de GRISOGONO
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Brand new 18k rose gold ring by De Grisogono. Set with 2.35ctw in orange sapphires. Ring size
Category

21st Century and Contemporary More Rings

Materials

Sapphire, Rose Gold

People Also Browsed

Cartier Caresse D'orchidées Orchid Flower Diamond Gold Cocktail Ring
By Cartier
Located in Geneva, CH
Cartier Ring Orchidée Diamond and White Gold 18K. Signed Cartier, numbered and marked. With original box. Dimensions Orchidée: approx. 2.30 centimeters x 2.30 centimeters. Ring Si...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold

Tiffany & Co. Schlumberger 3.92 Carat Step-Cut Engagement Ring
By Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Tiffany & Co. Schlumberger GIA Certified 3.92 Carat E Color Diamond Ring. A stunning ring made by Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. The center diamond is a square emerald-cut, E color, ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

BVLGARI Intarsio Diamond Mother-of-Pearl Rose Gold Ring Size 51
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
This stunning Bvlgari cocktail ring from the elegant Intarsio collection features a geometric cutout design hand-crafted in 18k rose gold and mother-of-pearl and accented with brilli...
Category

Early 2000s Italian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Rose Gold

Heart garnet Eternity Ring in 14k gold
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
14k gold ring with heart natural garnets. Heart garnet eternity ring band. Valentines gift jewelry. Full circle of hearts. January birthstone ring. Heart Garnet gold ring. Love ring...
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Bridal Rings

Materials

Garnet, 14k Gold

Harry Winston Vintage Collection Diamond Snowflake Drop Earrings
By Harry Winston
Located in New York, NY
HARRY WINSTON Snowflake Drop Earrings in 18k White Gold and Platinum. The recognizable Harry Winston Snowflake geometric clusters, with icy needles of marquise and round brilliant d...
Category

1990s American Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Cartier Diamond and Pearl Necklace
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Cartier Triple Strand Cultured Pearl Necklace with Platinum and Diamond Clasp. Composed of three strands of pearls ap. 10.0 to 9.3 mm., completed by a clasp of 14 cut-cornered rectan...
Category

Late 20th Century French Artist Link Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl

Cartier Trinity Classic Diamond Three Color Gold Rolling Band Ring Size 5.5
By Cartier
Located in New York City, NY
Dive into the world of luxury with the Cartier Trinity Ruby Pink Sapphire Diamond 18k Rose Gold Band — a testament to Cartier's iconic Trinity collection, combining precious gemstone...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold, Rose Gold

Bulgari Serpenti Vintage Pink Coral Bracelet-Watch, circa 1970
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Step into the captivating embrace of history and luxury with the Bulgari Serpenti Bracelet-Watch - an extraordinary vintage treasure that encapsulates the essence of timeless allure....
Category

20th Century Italian Contemporary Wrist Watches

Materials

Coral, 18k Gold

de GRISOGONO Pink Gold 376 White Diamond Earrings
By de GRISOGONO
Located in New York, NY
de GRISOGONO Pink Gold 376 White Diamond Earrings. Pink Gold: 27 grams 376 White Diamonds : 7.75 cts
Category

2010s Hoop Earrings

Materials

White Diamond, Gold

Magnificent Old European Cut Diamond and Sapphire Ring
By Paul Binder
Located in Lucerne, CH
Well played fusion of an antique diamond with a modern design. Binder Zurich is a well know name for collectors all over the world. The 7.21 ct old European cut diamond of approxim...
Category

Early 2000s Swiss Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

BVLGARI - Allegra ring in yellow gold
By Bulgari
Located in PARIS, FR
BVLGARI Allegra ring in 18k yellow gold, colored stones and diamonds. Condition: excellent. Size: 52.5 - 53 (US equivalent 6.25 - 6.5). Diamond weight: 1.10 carat. Stones: peridot...
Category

2010s Italian Fashion Rings

Materials

Citrine, Diamond, Peridot, Tourmaline, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Diamond Butterfly Brooch
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional yellow gold butterfly brooch from the 1970s is adorned with round brilliant cut white, champagne and cognac diamonds, totaling approximately 35 carats. The retro bro...
Category

20th Century Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

1.20ct Antique Cushion Cut Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring in 18ct Yellow Gold
Located in Brisbane, AU
Elongated cushion / oval cut antique diamond ( unique shape) Solitaire Reef Knot style in 18ct yellow gold soltiaire Made to order - please contact our team with your size
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Bulgari Diamond Trombino Ring, Italian, circa 1963
By Bulgari
Located in London, GB
Bulgari diamond Trombino ring. Set to centre with a drop shape brilliant cut diamond, E colour, VS2 clarity with a weight of 2.83 carats, in an open back claw setting, flanked by two...
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

BULGARI - B.Zero1 ring in white gold and diamonds
By Bulgari
Located in PARIS, FR
BVLGARI B.Zero1 ring in 18k white gold and diamonds. Condition: as new. Size: 57 (engraved 58 but closer to a 57). Diamond weight: approx. 1 carat. Total weight : 12.78 gr. Width: 1 ...
Category

2010s Italian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Cartier Rue De La Paix Diamond Bombe Ring
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Cartier Rue De La Paix Diamond Bombe Ring Comprising a resplendent ring by Cartier crafted in 18k yellow gold set with a myriad of lustrous round brilliant-cut diamonds throughout a...
Category

Vintage 1980s French Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "De Grisogono Allegra Ring", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

De Grisogono Allegra Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

On 1stDibs, you can find the most appropriate de grisogono allegra ring for your needs in our varied inventory. Each design created in this style — which was crafted with great care and often made from Gold, White Gold and 18k Gold — can elevate any look. Take a look at a de grisogono allegra ring featuring Diamond from our inventory today to add the perfect touch to your look. Today, if you’re looking for a round cut version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes brilliant cut alternatives. There aren’t many items for men if you’re seeking a de grisogono allegra ring, as most of the options available are for women and unisex.

How Much is a De Grisogono Allegra Ring?

On average, a de grisogono allegra ring at 1stDibs sells for $9,000, while they’re typically $3,900 on the low end and $26,582 for the highest priced versions of this item.

de GRISOGONO for sale on 1stDibs

Lebanese-Italian jeweler Fawaz Gruosi (b. 1952) founded the Geneva-based de Grisogono in 1993, naming the luxury jewelry company after his mother, who had been the Marquise de Grisogono. He wanted a name that would conjure elegance and rarity. Gruosi would soon have his own aristocratic nickname — “King of Black Diamonds” — for the stones that made his jewelry house famous.

Born in Beirut, Gruosi grew up in Florence and as a teenager got a job with the Florentine jeweler Torrini and went on to work for luxury jewelry houses Harry Winston and Bulgari in the years that followed. When de Grisogono was established, most jewelers favored the simplicity of white diamonds and platinum. Gruosi was more interested in color and diamonds with character. Along with the then-undervalued black diamonds, he designed vibrant pieces that exuberantly mixed stones like emeralds, sapphires, amber, pink opal and jade.

De Grisogono's earrings, bracelets, rings and other audacious pieces bedecked with black diamonds captured the fancy of well-heeled buyers in the 1990s, leading to the brand’s meteoric rise to fame. It entered the world of luxury watches in 2000 with the Instrumento Uno for men, which led to the development of the Crazy Skull in 2015. The playful made-to-order timepiece could be outfitted with up to 45 carats of gems.

Since the early aughts, de Grisogono has become synonymous with A-listers who donned the jeweler’s wares on red carpets; the company was also known for hosting an annual party at the Cannes Film Festival. De Grisogono made headlines in 2017 by partnering with Christie’s to sell a necklace made with a dazzling 163.41-carat emerald-cut diamond for $33.7 million — a record price for a D-color flawless diamond.

In January 2020, the jewelry house filed for bankruptcy. Today, Gruosi continues to sell his intricately designed decadent pieces from his namesake boutique in London.

Find de Grisogono jewelry for sale on 1stDibs, including necklaces, cuff bracelets and other accessories.

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.