Poison Locket
Antique 19th Century Unknown Georgian Pendant Necklaces
Garnet, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cufflinks
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Cocktail Rings
Gold
1990s Italian Modernist Cocktail Rings
Moonstone, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
Mid-20th Century Victorian More Rings
Diamond, Onyx, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold
Antique 1840s English Victorian More Rings
Agate, Gold, 18k Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Cluster Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
People Also Browsed
2010s Italian Band Rings
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 17th Century Burmese Byzantine Cocktail Rings
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1970s Bangles
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Hoop Earrings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century French Vanity Items
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Band Rings
Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold,...
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1960s French Modernist Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Spanish Art Nouveau Band Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Italian Etruscan Revival Charm Bracelets
Turquoise, Other, Garnet, Coral, Citrine, Chrysophrase, Chalcedony, Carn...
Antique 1840s British Early Victorian Cluster Rings
Pearl, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Belgian Art Deco Enamel Frames and Objects
Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Antique 1890s English Victorian Dome Rings
Diamond, Star Sapphire, Silver, Yellow Gold
Recent Sales
Antique 1880s Victorian Solitaire Rings
Spinel, 14k Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Brooches
Turquoise, 15k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cluster Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian More Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Signet Rings
Sapphire, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Rhodium, Gold
Antique 19th Century Signet Rings
Emerald, 18k Gold
Vintage 1930s Art Deco More Rings
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s Italian Victorian Signet Rings
Gold, 18k Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Victorian Cocktail Rings
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1860s British Victorian More Rings
18k Gold
Vintage 1960s American Artisan Cocktail Rings
Moonstone, 14k Gold
Antique Early 19th Century Georgian Signet Rings
Onyx, 14k Gold, Gold
Antique 1840s Swedish Victorian Fashion Rings
Yellow Gold, Enamel, 18k Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Signet Rings
15k Gold
Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Band Rings
9k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Cuff Bracelets
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
Antique 1820s French Georgian Fashion Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
European Cocktail Rings
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Victorian Signet Rings
Pearl, Rose Gold, Enamel, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American More Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold
Antique 1870s British Victorian Signet Rings
18k Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Signet Rings
15k Gold
20th Century Mexican Dome Rings
Malachite, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Agate, Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Fashion Rings
Agate, Diamond, Sapphire, 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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