Messika Butterfly Ring

Messika jewelry is a contemporary French luxury house, founded in 2005 in Paris by Valérie Messika, daughter of diamond merchant André Messika. It creates timeless and fashionable works of art that sit perfectly on the wearer as naturally as a tattoo moves on the skin. Valérie Messika’s modern perspective on diamonds is that they should be celebrated daily, not reserved for special occasions, and give confidence to the women and men who wear them. 

From a young age, she was influenced by her father’s work. He would bring pieces home for her to play with and explain to her what made each piece of jewelry special and unique. He taught her how to see into the heart of a diamond, and as her dream of running her own design house grew, encouraged her to remain true to her vision and the legacy of the Messika name. Messika jewelry is very much a family-run business, employing several family members as well as a largely female staff. The confidentially located atelier where the pieces evolve from concept to completion is a bright and modern space that evokes the powerful feminine energy Valérie Messika has infused into the work. 

Messika jewelry seeks to step into the unknown, breaking from traditional haute couture ideals while honoring the roots of the industry and creating a fresh and female-forward path for new industry leaders. While it is a young design house, it has still captured the attention of the celebrity spotlight. American actress Mila Kunis wore Messika designs to the 94th Academy Awards. Venus Williams, Jennifer Lopez and Beyoncé have also chosen Messika jewelry for red-carpet events. Supermodel Kate Moss partnered with Messika to create the collaborative collection High Jewelry, which is flamboyant with lines that complement the feminine body, inspired by natural elements, fine jewelry, Art Deco, and bohemian style. 

On 1stDibs, find a selection of Messika bracelets, rings, necklaces and more.

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.