Rectangle Shaped Diamond Engagement Rings
2010s American Artist Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s Italian Retro Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Belgian Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Belgian Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Belgian Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Opal, Onyx, Diamond, Silver, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s American Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Engagement Rings
Aquamarine, Gold, 9k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Emerald, Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Engagement Rings
Blue Sapphire, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Engagement Rings
Emerald, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Solitaire Rings
Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Antique 1870s European Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Black Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 22k Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Fashion Rings
Garnet, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Engagement Rings
Emerald, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
2010s American Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Engagement Rings
Black Diamond, White Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
Recent Sales
Vintage 1910s British Edwardian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s British Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Gold
2010s American Engagement Rings
Sapphire, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
2010s American Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Engagement Rings
Coral, Diamond, Gold, White Gold
2010s American Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Engagement Rings
Diamond, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Bridal Rings
Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Bridal Rings
Gold, 14k Gold
20th Century Solitaire Rings
21st Century and Contemporary American Bridal Rings
Gold, 14k Gold
Vintage 1980s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
2010s Italian Art Deco Engagement Rings
White Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Art Deco Engagement Rings
Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, White Diamond, Gold, White Go...
2010s Italian Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, White Gold
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 23, 2024Although trends in bridal jewelry change over time, pear-shaped diamond engagement rings tend to remain popular. Jewelry makers have produced pear-shaped diamonds since the 15th century, when a Flemish diamond cutter named Lodewyk van Bercken first mastered the technique. Many people love the sparkle of the cut and find its mix of curves and points to be visually appealing. Find a diverse assortment of pear-shaped diamond engagement rings on 1stDibs.
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