Memorial Urn
Antique 1770s British Georgian Signet Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique 1770s Georgian More Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique 1760s English Georgian Band Rings
Crystal, Gold, Enamel, 15k Gold
Antique 1780s Georgian Dome Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold
Antique 1780s English Georgian Fashion Rings
Agate, Diamond, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1770s Cluster Rings
Crystal, Garnet, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique Early 1800s English George III Band Rings
10k Gold, Enamel
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Antique Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Engagement Rings
Gold, Enamel
Antique 16th Century British Renaissance More Rings
Rock Crystal, 22k Gold
Antique Late 18th Century European Georgian Bridal Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique 1880s British Victorian More Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold, Enamel
2010s Australian George III Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique 1890s English Victorian Dome Rings
Diamond, Star Sapphire, Silver, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique Early 19th Century Spanish Georgian Cluster Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
Antique 1770s Portuguese Georgian Dangle Earrings
Quartz, Rock Crystal, Silver
Antique 1820s British George III More Rings
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique 1840s Solitaire Rings
Diamond
Antique 19th Century British Georgian Wedding Rings
18k Gold
Antique Late 18th Century British Georgian Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Enamel
Antique Late 18th Century Thai More Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 22k Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Band Rings
Carnelian, 22k Gold
Antique 17th Century Italian Renaissance Pendant Necklaces
Multi-gemstone, Pearl, 18k Gold, Enamel
Recent Sales
Antique 18th Century Unknown Georgian More Rings
Diamond, Gold
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Signet Rings
14k Gold
Antique 1750s Georgian More Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique 1790s British Georgian Fashion Rings
Rock Crystal, 15k Gold
Antique Late 18th Century Georgian Band Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Enamel
Antique 1790s Fashion Rings
Pearl, 15k Gold, Enamel
Antique Late 18th Century British George III More Rings
Diamond, 15k Gold
Antique Early 19th Century British George III Fashion Rings
15k Gold
Antique 1780s English Georgian More Rings
Amethyst, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Signet Rings
14k Gold, White Gold
Antique 1880s Victorian Necklace Enhancers
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique Late 18th Century British George III Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique 18th Century British Georgian Brooches
White Diamond, 9k Gold
Antique 18th Century English Georgian More Rings
Natural Pearl, 15k Gold
Antique 18th Century English Georgian Pendant Necklaces
Natural Pearl, 15k Gold
Antique 18th Century English Georgian More Rings
White Diamond, 15k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique 1860s English Victorian More Rings
Diamond, 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.