Kay Jewelers Bridal Sets White Gold

For more than a decade, Los Angeles–based fine jeweler Neil Lane has found enormous brand recognition through an unlikely source: a reality dating television show. Yes, Lane is the “official jeweler” of The Bachelor, ABC’s wildly successful dating competition show as well as its spin-offs, The Bachelorette, Bachelor in Paradise and more. The jeweler is a familiar face toward the close of each season, when he counsels romantic prospects to select the most appropriate diamonds to present during their televised proposals, which are seen by millions of viewers per episode.

Long before Lane was a fixture on one of America’s most-watched TV franchises, however, he was captivated with jewelry. The Brooklyn-born creative left New York City in his early 20s for Paris, where he embarked on painting and drawing before intensely studying jewelry design, gaining expertise in 19th-century gold and later antique engagement rings.

In the late 1980s, Lane settled in Los Angeles, where he opened a space in an antiques mall on Beverly Boulevard and found success outfitting celebrities for red-carpet appearances and events. (Ellen DeGeneres, Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Hudson have all worn his creations.)

Lane is a vintage jewelry expert and his curated collection of period jewelry is known internationally. His work is characterized by this longtime fascination with historic jewels — a collector of antique pieces, he is often informed by the styles of the past, incorporating Edwardian and Art Deco silhouettes and old European cuts. The result is a prolific output that runs the stylistic — and cost — gamut, from understated solitaire rings to intricate floral motifs.

Lane is best known for his engagement rings (his wide range in this genre is likely what makes him an appealing candidate to present ring options to a slew of television paramours year after year), but he also produces rings, earrings, bracelets, brooches and more through his Neil Lane Couture label.

Find an exquisite collection of Neil Lane 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.  

If you’re shopping for antique and vintage band rings, you likely know that this particular kind of ring is among the most versatile in jewelry.

You don’t need a special occasion to dazzle friends with a flashy sapphire band ring or to make a statement with a wide band ring — this accessory knows no boundaries, and many different iterations have materialized over the years. Whether you’re seeking an unadorned modern sterling-silver band ring for everyday wear or dual gold wedding bands for the big day, there are lots of options waiting for you.

On 1stDibs, there are enduring antique wedding bands to be found dating from the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Jewelers who were active during the reign of Queen Victoria — specifically, the Romantic period — designed rings with large colorful gemstones and decorative motifs, while the jewelry of the latter era was all about the exquisite diamond, platinum and pearl creations made by such famous names as Cartier and Boucheron. Matching wedding bands, which may reduce the stress of wedding-band shopping if you prefer a traditional route, afford you and your partner the chance to have the engagement ring and wedding bands in the same metal and design.

And because band rings aren’t necessarily relegated to black-tie events, they’ve come a long way, design-wise. David Yurman’s band rings, for example, are well known for their integration of mixed metals, and the celebrated jewelry designer’s powerful silver and gold bracelets, rings, pendants and earrings frequently express his iconic industrial-cable motif.

A simple and chic band ring goes with anything, from the evening gown you’ve chosen for a weekend gala to the jeans and vintage tee you’ve thrown on for a casual lunch with colleagues. Browse a distinctive collection of contemporary and vintage diamond band rings, gold band rings and other accessories on 1stDibs today.