Elizabeth Gage Diamond Ring
2010s English Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century English Band Rings
Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Band Rings
Diamond, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s English Egyptian Revival Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, E...
20th Century Byzantine Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Italian Dome Rings
Jasper, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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Vintage 1950s French Band Rings
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Italian Modern Charm Bracelets
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1980s French Link Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Fashion Rings
Garnet, 14k Gold
2010s American Dome Rings
Yellow Gold
1990s French Modern Fashion Rings
Amethyst, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Brown Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
Late 20th Century American Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
Antique 1870s British Victorian Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Malachite, Carnelian, Pearl, Tiger's Eye, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Modern Band Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century English Modernist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Swiss Modern Clip-on Earrings
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s Austrian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Ruby, Natural Pearl, Pearl, White Diamond, Diamond, Enamel, Yellow Gold,...
Late 20th Century French Modernist Link Bracelets
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Recent Sales
21st Century and Contemporary British Band Rings
Diamond
Late 20th Century British Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 2000s British Band Rings
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century British Dome Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 2000s English Dome Rings
Beryl, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century English Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Fashion Rings
Diamond, Kunzite, Enamel
1990s English Modernist Band Rings
Diamond, Gold, Enamel
Early 2000s English Baroque Revival Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Topaz, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
1990s European Retro Band Rings
Diamond, Aquamarine, Yellow Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Band Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1990s English Band Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s English Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s British Modern Band Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Contemporary Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century British Etruscan Revival Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Modern Fashion Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s British Etruscan Revival Fashion Rings
Quartz, 18k Gold
1990s American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s British Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Rubelite, 18k Gold, White Gold
English More Rings
20th Century British More Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century British More Rings
Diamond, Tourmaline
English More Rings
21st Century and Contemporary British More Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century English Bridal Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s English Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British More Rings
Garnet, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary More Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
English More Rings
Vintage 1980s British Band Rings
18k Gold
Vintage 1980s English Band Rings
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary More Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s British Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century British Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century British Modernist More Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century British More Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century British More Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century British Modernist More 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.