Tiffany Paloma Picasso Sugar Stack Ring
Vintage 1980s American Modernist Band Rings
Quartz, Tourmaline, Peridot, Opal, Aquamarine, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Dome Rings
Amethyst, Yellow Gold
20th Century Solitaire Rings
Agate, Chalcedony, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Dome Rings
Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
20th Century Solitaire Rings
Amethyst, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Fashion Rings
Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Purple Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
20th Century Solitaire Rings
Peridot, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Solitaire Rings
Aquamarine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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2010s Israeli Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Pink Diamond, 14k Gold
2010s French Wallets
21st Century and Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, 22k Gold
20th Century French Solitaire Rings
Agate, Chalcedony, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century Fashion Rings
Citrine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s French Structured Shoulder Bags
1990s French Modern Fashion Rings
Amethyst, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Platinum
2010s Unknown Modern Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
2010s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Quartz, Yellow Gold
Antique 1840s British Early Victorian Link Necklaces
Turquoise, Gold
2010s Australian Artist Engagement Rings
Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Turkish Art Deco Three-Stone Rings
Citrine, Topaz, 14k Gold, Enamel
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2010s Contemporary Dome Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Early 2000s American Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Solitaire Rings
Citrine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Modern Fashion Rings
Citrine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Modern Dome Rings
Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Modern Dome Rings
Spinel, Black Spinel, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Solitaire Rings
Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Dome Rings
Peridot, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Dome Rings
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Dome Rings
Rubelite, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Solitaire Rings
Amethyst, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Solitaire Rings
Citrine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Topaz, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Cluster Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Fashion Rings
Amethyst, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Fashion Rings
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern More Rings
Amethyst, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Fashion Rings
Chalcedony, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Modern Solitaire Rings
Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Solitaire Rings
Rubelite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Dome Rings
Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Cocktail Rings
Citrine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Solitaire Rings
Topaz, Blue Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Solitaire Rings
Amethyst, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Clamper Bracelets
Topaz, Blue Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American More Rings
Citrine, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American More Rings
Amethyst, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American More Rings
Citrine, 18k 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.
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Our Guide to Fancy-Colored Diamond Engagement Rings
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Our Guide to Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco Engagement Rings
Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.
Talking Diamonds with the Jeweler Behind J. Lo’s Engagement Ring
Alon Ruschin, of Vivid Diamonds & Jewelry, channels his passion for gems into helping clients find just the right ring.