Tiffany Pear Shaped Diamond Engagement Ring
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Turquoise, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Engagement Rings
White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum
Early 2000s American Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1990s Loose Gemstones
Diamond
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
People Also Browsed
2010s Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
2010s American Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Multi-gemstone, Morganite, White Diamond, Diamond, Beryl, Rose Gold, 18k...
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary French Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
2010s Unknown Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s British Modern Engagement Rings
White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
21st Century and Contemporary American Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Engagement Rings
Ruby, White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Engagement Rings
White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Recent Sales
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Early 2000s Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1960s Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1980s Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Gold
Vintage 1960s Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1960s American Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Unknown Modern Engagement Rings
Pink Diamond, Platinum
Early 2000s American Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Late 20th Century Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Early 2000s Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Antique 1890s Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Early 2000s American Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Early 20th Century American Edwardian Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
2010s American Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Early 2000s American Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Early 2000s Modern Bridal Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Gold, 14k 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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Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.
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