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French 1920s Diamonds Platinum Round Shape Engagement Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in platinum, dog head hallmark. Charming antique ring of the 1920s, it represents a round
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum

French 1960s Retro Five Round 0.75 Cts. Diamond Ring in Platinum
Located in New York, NY
A French 1960s Retro Five Round 0.75 cts. Diamond Ring in Platinum. Ring Size US 6.50. Total Weight
Category

20th Century French Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Cartier BALLERINE Round Diamonds French Pave Set Full Eternity Ring
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Cartier BALLERINE 0.37 ct Round Diamonds French Pave Set Full Circle Eternity Band Ring in Platinum
Category

2010s Unknown Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum

Platinum Diamond French Set Wedding Band - Round Brilliant .41ctw Ring
Located in Greensboro, NC
Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .41ctw Cut: Round Brilliant Color: F - G Clarity: VS1 - VS2 Total
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

French Diamond Ring
Located in Geneva, CH
French Diamond White gold 18K Ring. In our opinion, Diamonds are estimated to be H color and Vs
Category

1990s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Cartier, France 45 Round Diamond and Gold 'Panther' Band Ring
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
18 kt., 45 round diamonds ap. .90 ct., signed Cartier, nos. 760868, 51, with maker's mark & French
Category

Early 20th Century French Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

French 1930s Diamonds Pavement 18 karat White Gold Platinum Round Shape Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
ring set in a round shape and paved with old-cut diamonds, the center one being larger. The basket is
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Diamond, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

GIA 1.21 Carat F/VS2 Round Brilliant Diamond French Platinum Ring
Located in San Francisco, CA
round brilliant diamonds, & detailed with milgrain & openwork. The ring weighs 4.3 grams and is a size
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

French Art Deco Diamond Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
diamonds HALLMARKS: Dog's head French assay mark for platinum, maker's mark, and registration numbers
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Yellow Gold Emerald Diamond Band - 18k Round .89ctw French Set Ring
Located in Greensboro, NC
Natural Emeralds Treatment: Oiling Carat(s): .52ctw Cut: Round Color: Green Natural Diamonds Carat(s
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

French 18k Gold 3ctw Fiery Round Pave Diamond Bold Dome Bombe Cocktail Band Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
ring. Enjoy! --Stone(s):-- (88) Natural Genuine Diamonds - Round Brilliant Cut - Pave Set - F/G Color
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Modern Diamonds Platinum Lace Round Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in platinum. Presenting a round setting, this sublime diamond ring is crafted in platinum lace
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum

White Gold Diamond French Set Wedding Band, 14k Round Brilliant .79ctw Ring
Located in Greensboro, NC
Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .79ctw Cut: Round Brilliant Color: F - G Clarity: VS2 - SI1 Total
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

French 19th Century Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Round Shape Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold, horse head hallmark. A charming round-shaped antique ring set with
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Engagement Rings

Materials

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

White Gold Diamond Wedding Band - 14k Round .52ctw French Set Stack Ring
Located in Greensboro, NC
Stone Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .52ctw Cut: Round Brilliant Color: H - I Clarity: SI1
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Yellow Gold Diamond French Set Wedding Band - 18k Round Brilliant 1.50ctw Ring
Located in Greensboro, NC
Stone Information: Natural Diamonds Total Carats: 1.50ctw Cut: Round Brilliant Color: G Clarity: VS1
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Yellow Gold Diamond French Set Wedding Band - 14k Round .28ctw Stackable Ring
Located in Greensboro, NC
Stone Information: Natural Diamonds Total Carats: .28ctw Cut: Round Brilliant Color: G Clarity: VS2
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Yellow Gold Diamond Wedding Band - 14k Round Brilliant 1.00ctw French Set Ring
Located in Greensboro, NC
Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): 1.00ctw Cut: Round Brilliant Color: G - H Clarity: VS2 - SI1 Total
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Yellow Gold Diamond Wedding Band - 14k Round Brilliant .25ctw French Set Ring
Located in Greensboro, NC
Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .25ctw Cut: Round Brilliant Color: G - H Clarity: VS2 - SI1 Total
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Yellow Gold Diamond Wedding Band - 14k Round Brilliant .50ctw French Set Ring
Located in Greensboro, NC
Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .50ctw Cut: Round Brilliant Color: G - H Clarity: VS2 - SI1 Total
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

White Gold Diamond Wedding Band - 14k Round Brilliant 1.00ctw French Set Ring
Located in Greensboro, NC
Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): 1.00ctw Cut: Round Brilliant Color: G - H Clarity: VS2 - SI1 Total
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

White Gold Diamond Wedding Band - 14k Round Brilliant .25ctw French Set Ring
Located in Greensboro, NC
Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .25ctw Cut: Round Brilliant Color: G - H Clarity: VS2 - SI1 Total
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

White Gold Diamond Wedding Band - 14k Round Brilliant .50ctw French Set Ring
Located in Greensboro, NC
Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .50ctw Cut: Round Brilliant Color: G - H Clarity: VS2 - SI1 Total
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Yellow Gold Diamond French Set Wedding Band - 14k Round Brilliant .49ctw Ring
Located in Greensboro, NC
Stone Information: Natural Diamonds Total Carats: .49ctw Cut: Round Brilliant Color: G Clarity: SI1
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

White Gold Diamond French Set Wedding Band - 14k Round Brilliant .43ctw Ring
Located in Greensboro, NC
Stone Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .43ctw Cut: Round Brilliant Color: G Clarity: VS2 - SI1
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Cartier Round Brilliant Cut Diamond Band Platinum Ring
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Round Brilliant Cut Side Diamonds weighing approximately 0.51 ct, D-F in Color, VVS-VS2 in Clarity, Pave
Category

2010s French Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum

White Gold Diamond Wedding Band - 14k Round Brilliant .49ctw French Set Ring
Located in Greensboro, NC
Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .49ctw Cut: Round Brilliant Color: G - H Clarity: VS1 - VS2 Total
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

French Ruby and Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
This French ruby and diamond ring in platinum-topped 18K gold dates from circa 1910. The slender
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Yellow Gold Diamond Wedding Band - 14k Round Brilliant .85ctw French Set Ring
Located in Greensboro, NC
Stone Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .85ctw Cut: Round Brilliant Color: G Clarity: VS2 - SI1
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

White Gold Diamond French Set Wedding Band - 14k Round Brilliant .79ctw Ring
Located in Greensboro, NC
Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .79ctw Cut: Round Brilliant Color: F - G Clarity: VS2 - SI1 Total
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

French Art Deco Jade Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
French Art Deco Jade Diamond Ring Center Diamond approx 1.02 ct Set in Platinum. French Stamp
Category

Vintage 1920s French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Jade, Platinum

1.53ct GIA French Platinum Diamond Ring
By Sebastien Barier
Located in San Francisco, CA
Exceptional design featuring a phenomenal center diamond. This custom French platinum ring by
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

French 20th Century Diamonds 18 Karat Rose Gold Minerva Round Shape Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
diamonds in star settings decorate the all. The setting is openwork and the ring is a round wire. Diameter
Category

Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Wedding Rings

Materials

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

Art Deco French GIA 3.02 Round Brilliant Cut Diamond Platinum Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Art Deco French GIA 3.02 Round Brilliant Cut Diamond Platinum Ring. Featuring one GIA round
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum

Round Cut Yellow Gold Engagement Ring Vintage Boucheron 1.06ct Diamond Ring
By Boucheron
Located in New York, NY
with a radiant halo of brilliant round-cut diamonds. The design is further elevated by additional
Category

Vintage 1980s French Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold

French Diamond Yellow Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive vintage 1950's French 0.32 carat diamond and 18k yellow gold dress ring; part of our
Category

Vintage 1950s French Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier diamond dress ring, French, 1963
By Cartier
Located in London, GB
Cartier diamond dress ring. Set with eight round brilliant cut diamonds in open back claw settings
Category

Vintage 1960s French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum, Yellow Gold

White Gold Diamond Enhancer Wedding Band -14k Round .14ctw French Set Guard Ring
Located in Greensboro, NC
White Gold Stone Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): .14ctw Cut: Round Brilliant Color: G Clarity
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Multi-Gemstone and Diamond Yellow Gold French Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
vintage French dress ring; part of our diverse gemstone jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This
Category

Vintage 1910s French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Sapphire, Multi-gemstone, Garnet, Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Flexible Ring Diamonds Round Shape White Gold 18 Karat
Located in Vannes, FR
a luxurious accessory that won't go unnoticed. The ring is beautifully set with round diamonds
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

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

1950s, French Diamond and Platinum Full Eternity Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive vintage French 0.75 carat diamond and platinum full eternity ring; part of
Category

Vintage 1950s French Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Rachel Koen Diamond Ball Ring 14K White Gold 0.40Cttw
Located in New York, NY
A round ball shaped ring, crafted in 14K white gold and adorned with diamonds for maximum shine
Category

2010s French Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Cartier 1895 Platinum Diamond Engagement Ring with Round .25ct FVS1
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
from premium platinum with a stunning 0.25 carat round brilliant cut diamond at its center. The diamond
Category

2010s French Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

1.50 Carat Brilliant Round Diamond French Cut Eternity Band
By Simon Ardem
Located in New York, NY
Diamond Eternity Wedding Band set in Platinum. 25 French cut micro-pave set brilliant round
Category

2010s American Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum

Cartier Platinum 0.51 Carat Round Cut Diamond Ballerine Engagement Ring
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
The Cartier diamond engagement ring from the Ballerine collection is a stunning piece of jewelry
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

3.16 Carat Round Diamond D Internally Flawless Solitaire Platinum Ring
Located in Geneva, CH
Stunning Solitaire Platinum Ring centered by a 3.16 carat Round Diamond D Internally Flawless with
Category

2010s French Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

French GIA 1.01 round brilliant cut diamond 18k yellow gold engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage French engagement ring showcases a GIA-certified 1.01 carat round brilliant diamond
Category

20th Century Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

French Ruby and Diamond Platinum Ring
Located in New York, NY
A French Ruby and Diamond Platinum Ring. The center ruby is 0.78 carats. The total weight of the
Category

20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

French GIA 3.56 carat round brilliant diamond 18k white gold engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This captivating French Mid Century engagement ring showcases a dazzling GIA-certified 3.56-carat
Category

Vintage 1960s Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

French GIA 1.19 carat round brilliant diamond 18k yellow gold engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This modern French engagement ring showcases a stunning 1.19 carat GIA-certified diamond, enhanced
Category

20th Century Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold

Cartier "Destinee" GIA Certified 0.73 Carat Round Brilliant Diamond Ring
By Cartier
Located in Surfside, FL
Cartier "Destinee" collection, GIA certified 0.73 carat full cut round brilliant diamond set in a
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

French Retro Diamond and Sapphire Cocktail Ring
Located in Riverdale, NY
French Retro Diamond and Sapphire Swirl Cocktail Ring. 18k yellow gold with prong set diamonds and
Category

Vintage 1940s French Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

French 1920s Diamond and Platinum Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique French 0.53 carat diamond and platinum solitaire engagement ring
Category

Vintage 1920s French Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Custom French GIA 1.55 Carat Diamond Platinum Ring
By Sebastien Barier
Located in San Francisco, CA
ring features a 1.55ct round brilliant cut diamond with G color and VS1 clarity accented by 60 round
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Vintage French 2.20ct Diamond and Platinum Full Eternity Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive vintage French 2.20 carat diamond and platinum full eternity ring
Category

Vintage 1940s French Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Platinum Eternity French U Pave Round Diamond Engagement Band
Located in Los Angeles, CA
making it ASAP) Stones- 21-25 Round Diamonds F-G Color, VS1-VS2 Clarity, 2.50-2.80 Carats.(Number of
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

French Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Cocktail Ring, 18k
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
A French Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Cocktail Ring made in 18 Karat Yellow Gold. The diamonds weigh
Category

20th Century French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage 0.50ct Round Brilliant Cut Diamond Engagement Ring, I Color, Platinum
Located in New York, NY
A stunning vintage French engagement ring, meticulously handcrafted in platinum circa 1950
Category

Vintage 1950s French Retro Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

1960S French Coral Sapphire Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Geneva, CH
Great unique ring in white gold 18k 750 centered by an oval Coral surrounded by diamond and blue
Category

Vintage 1960s French Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold

Vintage French Emerald and Diamond Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive vintage French 0.55 carat emerald and 0.80 carat diamond, 18 karat yellow
Category

Vintage 1980s French Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

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Round French Diamond Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

Surely you’ll find the exact round french diamond ring you’re seeking on 1stDibs — we’ve got a vast assortment for sale. Every item for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using gold, 18k gold and white gold. In our selection of items, you can find a vintage example as well as a contemporary version. If you’re looking for a round french diamond ring from a specific time period, our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and you’ll find at least one that dates back to the 18th Century while another version may have been produced as recently as the 21st Century. A round french diamond ring from Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Diamonds Mine — each of whom created a beautiful version of this treasured accessory — is worth considering. 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 and oval cut alternatives. If you’re browsing our inventory for a round french diamond ring, you’ll find that many are available today for women, but there are still pieces to choose from for unisex and men.

How Much is a Round French Diamond Ring?

Prices for a round french diamond ring can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $90 and can go as high as $1,575,000, while this accessory, on average, fetches $5,192.

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.