Old Mine Cut Champagne Diamond Engagement Ring
21st Century and Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s British Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
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Late 20th Century American Artist Brooches
Diamond, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Gold
Vintage 1910s British Belle Époque Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1910s English Edwardian Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Turkish Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Sapphire, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Band Rings
Pink Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Unknown Art Deco More Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Modern Solitaire Rings
Emerald, Yellow Gold, Gold, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Modernist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Band Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold
Recent Sales
Early 20th Century Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Engagement Rings
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Early 20th Century Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
Mid-20th Century British Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Edwardian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Antique 1890s American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
20th Century Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1910s Edwardian Cluster Rings
Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Engagement Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century British Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Antique Mid-19th Century Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Engagement Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow 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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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.