Vintage Gemstone Cocktail Rings, Colored Gemstone Engagement Rings, Vintage Gemstone Engagement Rings

Variety

They come in all colors of the rainbow.

From greens, pinks, yellows, browns, purples, reds, oranges, turquoise and blues – colored gemstones are available in sumptuous variations of color.

Diamonds come in a variety of colors too, although natural, non-heat treated, ‘fancy’ color diamonds usually have pale coloration. Red, green, purple and orange fancy color diamonds are the rarest, followed by pink and blue. Yellows and brown are the most common colors, and they are generally less valuable. Black and grey diamonds are also considered fancy colors.

Clarity

Sapphires, rubies, (non-white diamonds) and emeralds are the four ‘precious’ colored gemstones. Of these, emeralds and rubies tend to have more inclusions and flaws than diamonds or other gemstones, but many of these are considered acceptable and do not greatly affect their price.

Gemstones are graded for clarity based on how clear they are of inclusions.

These are:

• Inclusion Free. Not seen under 10x magnification, but still some minuscule flaws, as gemstones are naturally flawed to some degree.
• Very Lightly Included. Cannot be seen by the naked eye.
• Moderately Included. Visible but not detrimental to the beauty of the stone
• Heavily Included. Visible affects the stone’s appearance and may affect its durability.

Popular Throughout the Ages

The Georgian era favored garnets; Victorians loved bloodstone, pearls, agate, opals, carnelian, turquoise, and onyx during Queen Victoria’s mourning period for the loss of Prince Albert. During the Art Deco era, onyx, jade and lapis lazuli, emeralds, rubies and sapphires were hugely popular. The Retro era saw semi-precious stones come into their own. These included aquamarine, citrine, chalcedony and amethyst.

Celebrities’ Choice

Colored gemstones have undergone a massive resurgence in recent times. You can attribute it to Kate Middleton’s blue sapphire ring, Princess Eugenie’s padparascha sapphire ring or Meghan Markle’s aquamarine ring.

And what about JLo?

Ben Affleck just gave her a rare, 8.5 carat cushion cut green diamond engagement ring, said to be worth about $8 million. Green is Jlo’s lucky color, and it is the second rarest color for a diamond, red being the rarest. Only a few diamonds of this size and color come onto the market every year – and this one is exceptional in both regards.

Our Picks

• This is a magnificent GIA certified 7.8 carat yellow Ceylon sapphire, diamond and black onyx cocktail ring. It has that distinctive 1980s Retro vibe that is becoming increasingly collectible.
• If you love aquamarine, the lovely design of this vintage 23.07 carat H. Stern sea-blue beauty of a cocktail ring will mesmerize you. It features an unusual bypass halo diamond design.
• You might think this is an emerald – but it’s actually a tourmaline. It is a vintage style GIA certified green tourmaline platinum cocktail ring, again with an unusual ribbon side design.
• We just had to add this one. It is an emerald – and a staggering one at that. It’s a vintage 31.55 carat emerald cut Columbian emerald surrounded by 2 half-moon natural yellow diamonds weighing 6.65 total carats.
• Colored gemstone engagement rings are exceedingly popular, not only with celebrities but also with couples who want to break away from the white diamond engagement ring ‘look.’ What better way to make a statement than with this GIA certified, Ceylon sapphire no-heat three stone engagement ring.
• Kate Middleton, anyone? A classic choice, especially if you were born in the month of September Sapphire and Diamond Three Stone Ring. 
• This gorgeous 6.6 carat heart-shaped sapphire and diamond ring says she’s captured your heart. love her. It is also on sale right now.
• Prefer a ruby?  Here is a GIA certified ruby, diamond and platinum engagement – or right-hand ring – for the woman with classic tastes. It’s simple, stunning and elegant.

Diamonds may have dominated the market for decades, especially for engagement rings, but colored gemstones are making a big comeback. Not seeing anything in particular that tickles your fancy?

Contact our Gem Team Today and we will find you that dream color which is 100% only you!

We invite you to check out our carefully curated collection of gemstone jewelry, and outstanding Cocktail Rings for yourself. We have pieces at all price points, many on sale right now at doverjewelry.com.