Diamond Solitaire Rings
1930s German Art Deco Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, 14k Gold
1990s Dutch Modern Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1920s German Art Deco Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum
Early 1900s Dutch Edwardian Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Art Deco Diamond Solitaire Rings
Chrysoberyl, Diamond, Platinum
Early 20th Century French Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Artisan Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Dutch Modern Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
2010s Italian Modern Diamond Solitaire Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
1950s Dutch Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century American Modern Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Early 19th Century British Georgian Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s Dutch Modern Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1910s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Silver
2010s Israeli Art Deco Diamond Solitaire Rings
Yellow Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Contemporary Diamond Solitaire Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
1920s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s Turkish Modern Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold
2010s Dutch Modern Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Victorian Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s French Napoleon III Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1910s European Art Nouveau Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
2010s Israeli Art Deco Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Black Opal, Platinum
Late 18th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Enamel, Silver, 18k Gold
1940s Swedish Retro Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Art Deco Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Diamond Solitaire Rings
Yellow Diamond, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Diamond Solitaire Rings
Pink Sapphire, Pink Diamond, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
Early 1900s Russian Art Nouveau Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
1990s French Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1930s German Art Nouveau Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver
2010s Turkish Modern Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Opal, Peridot, 14k Gold
1920s Art Deco Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1920s Dutch Edwardian Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Star Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1850s European Victorian Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
1930s European Art Deco Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
2010s Russian Modern Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Spinel, Gold, 14k Gold
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1990s Dutch Modern Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1930s Italian Vintage Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, White Gold
2010s Japanese Art Nouveau Diamond Solitaire Rings
Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold
17th Century Unknown Renaissance Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Gold, Enamel
20th Century Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Indian Art Deco Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Modern Diamond Solitaire Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Extraordinary Antique Diamond Solitaire Rings for Sale on 1stDibs
Even as jewelry trends have come and gone, antique and vintage diamond solitaire rings are a classic fashion piece. Although enduringly popular as an engagement ring style, a solitaire ring makes a fantastic addition to any outfit with a variety of shapes and settings to explore.
Simple gold rings with single diamonds were prized possessions in Ancient Rome. However, it was not until the 1940s that engagement rings with a solitaire diamond setting became widely popular.
After the turmoil of the Great Depression and World War II led to a decline in diamond prices, De Beers saw an opportunity. The diamond magnate teamed up with the ad agency N.W. Ayer for the “A Diamond Is Forever” campaign. It was a sensation and cemented the solitaire diamond as the leading engagement ring. Statistics show that diamonds are the most common gemstones for engagement rings, preferred by 87 percent of people. (On 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those seeking an antique engagement ring, vintage engagement ring or Art Deco engagement ring.)
During the late 19th century, Cartier sought to render the diamonds in their engagement rings and other rings as brilliantly as possible, initially sourcing platinum specifically from Russian mines and matching the durable metal with an equally robust precious stone. These shimmering rings, such as the timeless Solitaire 1895 engagement ring, gave the impression of delicate lace.
Tiffany & Co. broadly helped put diamonds on the map in 1886 by introducing the American marketplace to the diamond solitaire design, which is still the quintessential engagement ring style. Designed to maximize a diamond’s sparkle, the trademark Tiffany Setting elevated the stone on six prongs (in contrast to the bezel setting, which was common at the time). This setting raises the stone above the band, allowing its facets to catch the light.
Today, the design of diamond solitaire rings takes many forms, and those created by Cartier, Tiffany & Co. and other internationally celebrated jewelry houses are particularly sought-after accessories. Though the single-stone setting remains the same, bands have become more detailed, with some containing other stones or even multiple diamonds. Art Deco, Art Nouveau and other art movements have influenced the design of diamond solitaire rings over the years. However, the simplicity of this accessory remains timeless.
Find antique and vintage diamond solitaire rings on 1stDibs.