Antique Cartier Diamond Engagement Rings
2010s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings
Pearl, Sapphire, Diamond, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold, Platinum
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Antique Early 1900s Pendant Necklaces
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Solitaire Rings
Emerald, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Cluster Rings
Sapphire, Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Gold-filled
Vintage 1980s French Artist Engagement Rings
Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s American Retro Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary More Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Antique 19th Century Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Early 2000s Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Early 20th Century Italian Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Antique 1750s Unknown Georgian More Necklaces
Topaz, 18k Gold
Recent Sales
Vintage 1910s Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
2010s Italian Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s French Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1980s American Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s French Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
2010s French Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Engagement Rings
Diamond, Rose Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s French Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Edwardian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s Italian Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Late 20th Century French Modern Band Rings
Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
Early 2000s Unknown Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Modern Bangles
18k Gold
2010s French Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1950s French Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
2010s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Books
Paper
Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Platinum
Late 20th Century American Cluster Rings
Diamond, White Gold
Vintage 1950s English Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
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.
Read More
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Our Guide to Fancy-Colored Diamond Engagement Rings
Accounting for just 1 percent of all diamonds, these marvels of nature are exceedingly rare and gorgeously complex.
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.