Gold And Enamel Memento Mori Skull Ring
Antique Mid-19th Century Unknown Gothic Revival Fashion Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 17th Century Medieval Band Rings
Yellow Gold
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Vintage 1970s French Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Antique 16th Century British Renaissance More Rings
Rock Crystal, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Byzantine Link Bracelets
Diamond, Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique 1860s English High Victorian Fashion Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1850s English Victorian More Rings
18k Gold
Antique 19th Century British Georgian Wedding Rings
18k Gold
Antique 17th Century Unknown Band Rings
Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s American More Jewelry
Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Classical Roman Signet Rings
Carnelian, 18k Gold
Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby
Antique 16th Century Renaissance Fashion Rings
Gold
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Antique Late 18th Century Portuguese George III Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1990s British Blouses
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Medieval Solitaire Rings
Sapphire, Yellow Gold, Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Three-Stone Rings
Garnet, Gold, 22k Gold
Recent Sales
2010s Australian Baroque Cocktail Rings
Rubelite, Tourmaline, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique 1730s Georgian Band Rings
Crystal, 18k Gold, Silver
Antique Mid-18th Century British More Rings
Yellow Gold
2010s Baroque Cocktail Rings
24k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s Australian Baroque Cocktail Rings
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Purple Sapphire, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold, E...
2010s Australian Baroque Cocktail Rings
Tanzanite, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, 22k Gold
Antique 17th Century British Georgian Fashion Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique Early 19th Century British Georgian Beaded Bracelets
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s Italian Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Italian Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s Italian Fashion Rings
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 17th Century Dutch Baroque Fashion Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
20th Century Italian Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s Italian Dome Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
Vintage 1980s Italian Renaissance Revival Fashion Rings
Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century French Necklace Enhancers
Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s Italian Retro Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Enamel, Gold
Vintage 1980s Italian Retro Fashion Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Enamel, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, Gold, Enamel
Late 20th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Fashion Rings
Ruby, Gold, Enamel, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Italian Fashion Rings
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Modern Fashion Rings
Diamond, Silver, Enamel
2010s British Modern Fashion Rings
Diamond, Sterling Silver, Enamel
20th Century Unknown Fashion Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century British Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique 18th Century British Georgian More Rings
Diamond, Garnet, Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary English Contemporary Fashion Rings
White Diamond, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
1990s British Georgian Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1810s British Georgian Cluster Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Baroque Cocktail Rings
Garnet, Tsavorite, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s Australian Baroque Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, Rubelite, Gold, Yellow Gold, 22k Gold, Enamel
Antique Early 1800s British Georgian Beaded Bracelets
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1780s British Georgian Bangles
Garnet, 18k Gold
Antique 1790s Georgian More Rings
Diamond, Gold
2010s Australian Baroque Cocktail Rings
Tsavorite, Garnet, Gold, Yellow Gold, 22k Gold
2010s Australian Baroque Cocktail Rings
Citrine, Garnet, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Mid-18th Century English George II Band Rings
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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