Moghul Ring
Early 2000s Hong Kong Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, Diamond, 14k Gold
Vintage 1980s American Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, Enamel, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Dome Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Engagement Rings
Emerald, White Diamond, Platinum
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Australian Artist Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Artist Engagement Rings
Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Art Deco Vanity Items
Malachite, Onyx
Antique 19th Century Indian Victorian Band Rings
Emerald, Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver
Vintage 1960s French Modernist Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1930s Canadian Art Deco Brooches
White Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Vintage 1970s French Modernist Cocktail Rings
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Drop Necklaces
Emerald, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold
2010s Art Deco Choker Necklaces
Emerald, Silver
2010s Turkish Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Anglo-Indian Stud Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, Enamel
20th Century American Modern Cuff Bracelets
Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Rubelite, 18k Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Recent Sales
American Dome Rings
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Indian Artisan Band Rings
Moonstone, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s Indian Artisan Band Rings
Chalcedony, 18k Gold
2010s Indian Artisan Band Rings
Moonstone, 18k Gold
2010s Indian Artisan Band Rings
Chalcedony, 18k Gold
2010s Indian Artisan Band Rings
Moonstone, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Artisan Cocktail Rings
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Artisan Band Rings
18k Gold
2010s Indian Artisan Band Rings
Agate, 18k Gold
2010s Indian Artisan Band Rings
Moonstone, 18k Gold
2010s Indian Artisan More Rings
Moonstone, 18k Gold
2010s Indian Artisan More Rings
Moonstone, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s Indian Artisan More Rings
Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Indian Artisan Cluster Rings
Moonstone, 18k Gold
2010s Indian Artisan Band Rings
Moonstone, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Artisan More Rings
Moonstone, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Indian Artisan Cocktail Rings
Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, 24k Gold
2010s Indian Artisan Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, 24k Gold
2010s Indian Artisan More Rings
Moonstone, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s Indian Artisan More Rings
Chalcedony, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Indian Artisan Cocktail Rings
Pink Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, 24k Gold
2010s Indian Artisan More Rings
Lapis Lazuli, Moonstone, 18k Gold
2010s Indian Artisan More Rings
18k Gold
2010s Indian Artisan More Rings
18k Gold
Antique 19th Century Indian More Jewelry
Emerald, Pearl, Turquoise, Gold
2010s Indian Artisan Dangle Earrings
Blue Sapphire, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s Indian Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century American Art Nouveau Dome Rings
Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century French Modern Band Rings
Chrysophrase, Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Jade, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Jade, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Indian Cluster Rings
Diamond, 22k Gold
Diamond, 18k Gold
Diamond, 18k Gold
Diamond, 18k Gold
Diamond, 18k Gold
Diamond, 18k Gold
Diamond, 18k Gold
Diamond, 18k Gold
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 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.
Read More
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Colorful Gemstones Are a Brilliant Choice for Engagement Rings
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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.