Museum Ring
2010s American Contemporary Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Moonstone, 18k Gold
Antique 1830s British Georgian Cluster Rings
Amethyst, Yellow Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Greek Greek Revival Cocktail Rings
Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Greek Greek Revival Cocktail Rings
Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Emerald, 18k Gold
Antique 16th Century Tudor Engagement Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Unknown Retro Band Rings
Carnelian, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Greek Greek Revival Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 22k Gold
Antique 1820s British Georgian Band Rings
Pearl, Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Asian Signet Rings
Carnelian, 22k Gold
Antique Late 18th Century Thai More Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 22k Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Greek Classical Greek Cocktail Rings
Silver
Antique Mid-19th Century Thai Victorian Cluster Rings
Diamond, 22k Gold
Antique 18th Century Unknown Georgian Bridal Rings
Garnet, 10k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Art Deco Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Sterling Silver
20th Century Chinese Art Deco Bridal Rings
White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Art Deco Fashion Rings
Diamond, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Art Deco Fashion Rings
Diamond, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Art Deco Fashion Rings
Diamond, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Art Deco Fashion Rings
Diamond, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Art Deco Fashion Rings
Diamond, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Art Deco Fashion Rings
Diamond, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Art Deco Fashion Rings
Diamond, Sterling Silver
20th Century Chinese Art Deco Bridal Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Chinese Art Deco Bridal Rings
White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Byzantine Engagement Rings
Yellow Gold
Antique Early 17th Century Stuart Dome Rings
Rock Crystal, Crystal, Yellow Gold
Antique 18th Century Unknown Georgian Cocktail Rings
Garnet, Diamond, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Enamel
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian More Rings
Antique Late 17th Century Italian Renaissance More Rings
Agate, Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Fashion Rings
Sterling Silver
1990s Italian Contemporary Fashion Rings
Sterling Silver
2010s American Artisan Fashion Rings
18k Gold, Gold
Antique Early 1700s Italian Baroque Band Rings
Turquoise, Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier European Classical Roman Signet Rings
Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s British Modernist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Quartz, 15k Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Fashion Rings
Sterling Silver
1990s Italian Contemporary Fashion Rings
Sterling Silver
Antique 18th Century Indian Signet Rings
Carnelian, Gold
Antique 16th Century European Renaissance Engagement Rings
Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary More Rings
Diamond, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s Austrian Modernist More Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Fashion Rings
Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Signet Rings
Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Cocktail Rings
Garnet, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier English Medieval Band Rings
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Band Rings
Onyx, Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Fashion Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch More Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s North American Artisan Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Blue Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Greek Classical Greek More Rings
18k Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Greek Classical Greek More Rings
18k Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Greek Classical Greek More Rings
18k Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Greek Classical Greek More Rings
18k Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Medieval Solitaire Rings
Sapphire, Yellow Gold, Gold
Vintage 1960s Swiss Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, 18k Gold
Antique 17th Century English Band Rings
Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Wedding Rings
Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
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Museum Ring For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Museum Ring?
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 rings, vintage 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.
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