Garter Rings
Used Garter Rings: Diamonds, Sapphires, and Emeralds at Vintage Prices
Associated with the accessory traditionally worn by women during their wedding, the garter ring symbolizes love, commitment, and fidelity. It consists of a band, often in white gold, rose gold, or platinum, and precious stones—diamonds, emeralds, rubies, or sapphires. Castafiore has selected for you many pre-owned garter rings, from all eras and set with gems of all colors. Explore our jewelry catalog and find the one that suits you, at affordable prices.
The Garter Ring: A Jewel Rich in History
The garter ring gets its name from a traditional accessory worn by brides—an elastic band or ribbon designed to hold stockings in place at the thigh. Symbolically, this piece of jewelry represents purity, fidelity, and commitment between two lovers.
From Aristocratic Origins to the Engagement Ring
Since the Renaissance, the garter ring was offered as a token of love or promise. Originally inlaid with precious stones and engravings, it attested to both the skill of the jeweler and the power of the giver. Historically linked to the aristocracy, the garter ring became popular over time, eventually becoming the quintessential engagement ring in the 1920s—often set with old-cut diamonds on platinum or white gold settings.
The Influence of Art Deco on the Garter Ring
As the garter ring became more widespread, its designs evolved. Originally a simple band adorned with stones on top, this piece of jewelry gained sophistication thanks to the Art Deco style: geometric shapes, platinum or white gold settings, and rigorous lines. During this period, the Art Deco garter ring typically featured three gems—diamonds, emeralds, rubies, or sapphires—whereas contemporary creations can feature up to five, for a much more generous total carat weight. The platinum diamond garter ring remains one of the most sought-after forms on the second-hand market today.
Choosing Your Used Garter Ring: Materials and Stones
The garter ring comes in a wide variety of materials and precious stone combinations. The choice of metal and gems directly influences the aesthetic, total carat weight, and price of the piece. Here are the main combinations found in our selection of pre-owned jewelry.
White Gold, Rose Gold, or Platinum: Which Metal to Choose?
- Platinum Diamonds: The most popular combination for Art Deco garter rings. Platinum, a dense and resistant metal, highlights the brilliance of old-cut diamonds with absolute sobriety—and maintains a high price on the second-hand market.
- White Gold Diamonds: More accessible in price than platinum, white gold offers a very similar visual effect and adapts to all stone sizes, from solitaire diamonds to rectangular-cut emeralds.
- Rose Gold: Rose gold settings bring contemporary warmth to vintage jewelry. White gold and rose gold or platinum and rose gold combinations are particularly sought after for antique garter rings.
Diamonds, Sapphires, Rubies, Emeralds: The Stones of the Garter Ring
The diamond garter ring remains the classic—in old cut, brilliant cut, or baguette cut, depending on the era and price. The diamond and sapphire or diamond and emerald versions offer incomparable chromatic intensity, with colored carats that make all the difference. The emerald, ruby, and sapphire combination, typical of Art Deco platinum creations, produces a tricolor effect of great elegance. The total carat weight and quality of each diamond or colored stone are systematically indicated in our jewelry descriptions, for complete transparency on prices.
Exceptional Garter Rings at Castafiore
Discover our selection of garter rings expertly appraised by the Castafiore teams. Settings in yellow gold, rose gold, platinum, or white gold, set with diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, or rubies—each pre-owned piece of jewelry is authenticated before sale, with precise indication of carat weight and price.
Our Approach: Expertise in the Service of Pre-owned Jewelry
Since 2021, Anne Borde and Charlotte Rey have been offering exceptional second-hand jewelry. Convinced that these rings and jewels deserve better than to end up at the bottom of a drawer, they acquire them from individuals and exclusive resellers to give them a new life. After an initial internal analysis, each garter ring is submitted to the Sancy Expertise Paris firm—at the end of this procedure, the jewelry receives a blockchain-protected certificate, guaranteeing the origin and authenticity of each piece. Some of our garter rings come from major houses such as Mauboussin, Chaumet, Boucheron, Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, or Pomellato—Cartier jewelry and other prestigious signatures offered at pre-owned prices significantly lower than their original value.
This approach allows everyone to access high-jewelry diamond, sapphire, or emerald garter rings at affordable prices, while reducing waste. A symbol of tradition, the garter ring is typically worn on the left ring finger, next to the wedding band—a piece of jewelry rich in history, ready to write yours.