.83 Carat Diamond White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
Art Deco step design 18k white gold engagement ring set with an original old European cut diamond
Vintage 1920s Bridal Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
.83 Carat Diamond White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
Art Deco step design 18k white gold engagement ring set with an original old European cut diamond
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
1920s Diamond and Sapphire Yellow Gold Art Deco Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
and sapphire ring has been crafted in 14 k yellow gold with a 14 k white gold setting. The pierced
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold, 14k Gold
Antique 1.63 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Floral Cluster Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive 1.63 carat diamond, 14 karat yellow gold and platinum cluster ring; part of
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$640Sale Price / item|20% Off
Art Deco Style Quartz Carved Ball Ruby 14k White Gold Diamonds Cocktail Ring
By Tutti Frutti Jewellery
Located in Bangkok, TH
Classic and elegant 14 K White Gold ring composed of an engraved Natural Satinated Quartz Ball
Diamond, Quartz, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
Antique Art Deco 1920s Diamond Yellow Gold Marquise Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive 0.12 carat diamond and 14 karat yellow gold, 14 karat white gold set marquise ring
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
$640Sale Price / item|20% Off
Art Deco Style Black Onyx Carved Ball Ruby 14k White Gold Diamonds Cocktail Ring
By Tutti Frutti Jewellery
Located in Bangkok, TH
Classic and elegant 14 K White Gold ring composed of an engraved Natural Black Onyx Ball measuring
Diamond, Onyx, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
$1,539Sale Price / item|30% Off
Sapphire & Diamond 14k White Gold Filigree .50 Carat Diamond Art Deco Style Ring
By Five Star Jewelry
Located in Austin, TX
listed below: Metal Quality: 14 k White Gold Diamond Number: 48 Diamond Total Weight: .13 ct Diamond
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
Art Deco Style Aquamarine Carved Ball Blue Sapphire Gold Diamonds Cocktail Ring
By Tutti Frutti Jewellery
Located in Bangkok, TH
Classic and elegant 14 K White Gold ring composed of an engraved Natural Aquamarine Ball measuring
Aquamarine, Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
$7,351
D 22 in Dm 0.94 in L 1.41 in
Antique 1920s Seed Pearl and 1.11 Carat Diamond and Platinum Pendant
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
European cuts. The pendant suspends from a vintage (circa 1960) 14 k white gold belcher chain, which is
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Belle Epoque Three Diamond 14 Karat Yellow Gold Marquise Engagement Ring, 1920s
Located in Antwerp, BE
A Belle Epoque marquise engagement ring in 14 karat yellow and white gold set with a center old
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Unavailable
1920s Diamond Two-Color Gold Solitaire Ring
Located in Berlin, DE
in 14 K white- and yellow gold. Hallmarked inside with the purity 585. Total weight: 3,29 g. Ring
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Stunning Vintage Art Deco Diamond Engagement Ring, 1920s
Located in Antwerp, BE
origin. Style: Art Deco Period: ca. 1920 Material: 18K white gold Diamond(s): One old European cut
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1920's Art Deco 0.30 Carat French Cut Diamond 14 Karat White Gold Band Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
' Stamped 14K for 14 karat gold Circa: 1920s Ring Size: 6 3/4 & sizable Measures: North to South 2.8 mm
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
0.42Ct Diamond and 14k White Gold Ring - Art Deco Style - Antique Circa 1920
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive 0.42 carat diamond and 14 karat white gold Art Deco style ring; part of our
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1920's Early Art Deco 1.30 Carats Diamond 14 Karat Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
14 karat gold Circa: 1920s Ring Size: 7 1/2 & sizable Measures North to South 10.4 mm and sits 7.5
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco Diamond 14 Karat White Gold Filigree Navette Dinner Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
clarity. Crafted in 14 karat white gold with purity marks. Circa 1920. The ring is a size 5 1/4 and may be
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1920's Art Deco 1.00 Ctw Diamond Platinum 14 Karat Gold Five Stone Band Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Stamped 18ct and Plat for 18 karat gold and platinum, respectively Circa: 1920s Ring Size: 7 1/4
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Art Deco Diamond 14 Karat White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
illusion mount with highly polished tapered shoulders Stamped P-K Ring Size: 5 & Sizable Top measures
Diamond, 14k Gold
Early Art Deco 0.75 Carat Diamond 14 Karat White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
14 karat white gold Circa: 1920s Ring Size: 7 & sizable Measures: 11.2 mm wide and sits 5.1 mm
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1920s Antique Emerald and Diamond White Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
dress ring has been crafted in 14 k white gold. The pierced decorated, asymmetric design is ornamented
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Antique Art Deco 1.80 Carat Diamond White Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
impressive antique diamond ring has been crafted in 14 k white gold. The pierced decorated, shaped Art Deco
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Art Deco GIA 1.20 Carat Old European Cut Diamond 14k White Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
color, VS-SI clarity. Crafted in 14 karat white gold with purity mark. Circa 1920. The ring is a size 8
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Antique French Art Deco 14 Karat Gold Ladies Ring with Moonstone and Seed Pearls
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique French Art Deco 14K White Gold Ladies Ring With Moonstone & Seed Pearls Made in France
Pearl, 14k Gold
Art Deco Old European Diamond 14 Karat Two-Tone Gold Floral Engagement Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
flower shoulders and a foliate engraving fully around shank Stamped 14K for 14 karat gold Circa: 1920s
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco GIA 1.84 Carats Old European Cut Diamond Platinum 14k White Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Art Deco GIA 1.84 Carats Old European Cut Diamond Platinum 14k White Gold Ring. Featuring one
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Art Deco Camphor Glass Diamond Filigree Ring in 14K White Gold
Located in Towson, MD
One 1920s Art Deco 14 karat white gold (stamped 14k) filigree camphor glass ring set with one round
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Art Deco 2.95 CTW Old European Cut Diamond 14 Karat Gold Cluster Ring GIA
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Weighing approximately 0.96 carat total I to K color with SI-I clarity - prong set Flanked by white gold
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1.88 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Twist Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique 1.88 carat diamond and 14 karat yellow gold twist ring; part of our
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Early Art Deco Diamond Ring
Located in Towson, MD
14 karat white gold (stamped 14K) bypass style ring set with one 1.02 carat Old European cut
Diamond, 14k Gold
18 Karat White Gold Floral Engraved Wedding Band, circa 1926
Located in Addison, TX
. Item Details: Ring Size: 6.25 Metal Type: 18K White Gold Weight: 3.6 grams Hallmark: 18KW Engraving
18k Gold
Petite Antique Old Mine Cut Diamond Art Deco Engagement Ring
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
luxury. Crafted with lovable 14 karat white gold, the bespoke design sparkles with old-world elegance
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Sold
W 1.02 in L 1.1 in
Krementz 1905 Art Nouveau Flower Enameled Pin Brooch in 18Kt Gold With Diamond
By Krementz & Co
Located in Miami, FL
gold assay mark and signed, "K 14KT (18KT)". Krementz is a jewelry company that has been prospering
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Sold
W 0.87 in D 0.32 in L 1.02 in
Krementz 1900 Art Nouveau Edwardian Enamel Orchid Flower Brooch in 18kt Gold
By Krementz & Co
Located in Miami, FL
14 karats, with satin frosted finish. Embellished with one round white pearl of 2.5 mm and
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Sold
W 0.86 in L 0.95 in
Krementz Art Nouveau 1900 Clover Enameled Brooch in 18Kt Gold with Natural Pearl
Located in Miami, FL
. This beautiful pin brooch has been carefully crafted by Krementz in solid yellow gold of 14 karats with
Natural Pearl, Gold, Enamel, 14k Gold
Sold
W 0.47 in L 0.86 in
Krementz 1905 Art Nouveau Flower Enameled Pin Brooch in 18Kt Gold Natural Pearl
By Krementz & Co
Located in Miami, FL
maker's mark for Krementz, the gold assay mark and signed, "K 14KT (18KT)". Krementz is a jewelry company
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
18 Karat White Gold Floral Engraved Wedding Band Vintage, circa 1925
Located in Addison, TX
. Item Details: Ring Size: 4.75 Metal Type: 18K White Gold Weight: 4.8 grams Hallmark: 18KW Engraving
18k Gold
Sold
W 1.26 in D 0.18 in L 1.42 in
Krementz Art Nouveau 1905 Clematis Flower Enameled Brooch 18kt Gold with Pearl
By Krementz & Co
Located in Miami, FL
beautiful pin brooch has been carefully crafted by the Krementz company in solid yellow gold of 18 karats
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Beautiful Vintage White Sheer Pearl + Beads + Sequins Encrusted Shawl Scarf
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage white sheer oversized piano shawl / scarf! Feature thousands of hand-sewn pearl, beads, rhinestones and sequins. Pearl tassels feature pink iridescent pailliettes o...
18K Yellow Gold Turquoise and Diamonds Tennis Bracelet
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Bracelets are worn to enhance the look. Women love to look good. It is common to see a woman rocking a lovely gold bracelet on her wrist. A gold gemstone bracelet is the ultimate sta...
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$967Sale Price|25% Off
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Emerald, Ruby & Diamond Ring Set In 18K Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Retro Emerald, Ruby & Diamond Ring Set In 18K Gold & Silver Natural Red Ruby From Burma, Oval Cut 9 Carat Natural Green Emerald from Zambia, Roun...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver
$600Sale Price|20% Off
Natural Turquoise, Onyx & Diamonds Art Deco Style Victorian Cocktail/ Dome Ring
By JEWEL HUB
Located in Hong Kong, HK
A very beautiful Turquoise, Onyx & Diamonds Art Deco style, Victorian Cocktail/ Dome Ring set in 14K Gold & Silver 925. The weight of the Turquoise is 1.14 carats. The weight of Blac...
Diamond, Onyx, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Silver
Diamond Crescent and Flower Brooch, Victorian, ca. 1880s
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
A Victorian diamond crescent and flower brooch in silver and gold, ca. 1880s. The crescent has a beautiful design with a flower attached in the centre, creating an aesthetic and sy...
Diamond, Gold, Silver
Vintage Sapphire Diamond Cluster Engagement Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1950s The 14K white gold ring is centered with a bezel set natural sapphire (9.2 x 7.8 x 4.6 mm, approximately 2.64 ct) surrounded by 12 bright white brilliant cut diamonds (F-...
Diamond, Sapphire
$520Sale Price / item|20% Off
Genuine Turquoise Turban Ring Blue Sapphire Cabochon 14 Karat Solid Yellow Gold
By Tutti Frutti Jewellery
Located in Bangkok, TH
Melon cut Turquoise Round Bead of 20 mm. in diameter and 14 mm. thick with in the center a round Blue Sapphire cabochon of 7 mm. in diameter is mounted on top of a 14 Kt. yellow go...
Blue Sapphire, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
7.66 Carat Morganite Kite Necklace in 18K Rose Gold with Diamond Accents
By Merkaba
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Exclusive 7.66 Carat Morganite Kite Necklace in 18K Rose Gold with Merkaba Diamond Accent by Merkaba Jewelry Beverly Hills. Discover an Icon of Elegance Introducing a truly extraord...
Multi-gemstone, Morganite, White Diamond, Diamond, Gold, Rose Gold, 18k ...
Circa 1920s GIA 2.58ct Old European Brilliant Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1920s Item Details: Ring Size: 6.25 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 4.1 grams Center Diamond Details: GIA Report#: 2235467044 Weight: 2.58ct total weig...
Diamond, Platinum
Italian Paperclip Link Chain Necklace 14 Karat Yellow Gold 6 Grams
By Harbor Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
New & trendy paperclip link chain crafted in 14K White gold. Comes in different MM size, Length and Gold Color. Email for more details. Italian fashion pendants available. Ema...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
3.65 Carat Elongated Cushion Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
This unique ring, boasts an approximate 3.65 carat elongated cushion cut diamond mounted in collet style claw prongs, in a beautiful flush setting. Perfect for the heirloom seeker! ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late Victorian Opal and Diamond Tiara
Located in London, GB
A late Victorian opal and diamond tiara/necklace, consisting of seven knife-edge gold bars graduating from the centre, each set with two round cabochon-cut opals and an old-cut diamo...
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Silver
$1,040Sale Price / item|20% Off
Art Deco Style 14k Gold Diamonds Blue Sapphires Aquamarine Pyramid Cocktail Ring
By Tutti Frutti Jewellery
Located in Bangkok, TH
Unique and classic handmade Art Deco Style cocktail ring with Natural Aquamarine Pyramid measuring 16x16 mm set in a 14 kt yellow gold mounting,including full cut diamonds and 2 smal...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
$720Sale Price / item|20% Off
Genuine Pink Opal Flower Oval Ruby Cabochon Solid 14K Yellow Gold Fashion Ring
By Tutti Frutti Jewellery
Located in Bangkok, TH
Genuine Pink Opal Flower 33 mm. in diameter with in the center a Oval Ruby Cabochon size 8x10 mm set in solid 14 Kt yellow gold is mounted on top of a 14 Kt. yellow gold shank. US si...
Opal, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,040Sale Price / item|20% Off
Art Deco Style 14k Gold Diamonds Blue Sapphires Pink Opal Pyramid Cocktail Ring
By Tutti Frutti Jewellery
Located in Bangkok, TH
Unique and classic handmade Art Deco Style cocktail ring with Natural Pink Opal Pyramid measuring 16x16 mm set in a 14 kt yellow gold mounting,including full cut diamonds and 2 small...
Diamond, Opal, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
$1,040Sale Price / item|20% Off
Art Deco Style 14k Gold Diamonds Blue Sapphires Amethyst Pyramid Cocktail Ring
By Tutti Frutti Jewellery
Located in Bangkok, TH
Unique and classic handmade Art Deco Style cocktail ring with Natural Amethyst Pyramid measuring 16x16 mm set in a 14 kt yellow gold mounting,including full cut diamonds and 2 small ...
Amethyst, Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself.
Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.
Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany & Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.
For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany & Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.
Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.
In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so.
Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.
Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle.
BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.
A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in.
Since Van Cleef & Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.
Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.
Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.
Antique diamond rings, diamond tiaras and dazzling vintage diamond earrings are on the wish lists of every lover of fine jewelry. And diamonds and diamond jewelry are primarily associated with storybook engagements and red-carpet grand entrances — indeed, this ultra-cherished gemstone has a dramatic history on its hands.
From “A Diamond Is Forever” to “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” pop culture has ingrained in our minds that diamonds are the most desired, the most lasting and the most valuable gemstone. But what makes the diamond so special? Each stone — whether it’s rubies, sapphires or another stone — is unique and important in its own right. April babies might claim diamonds for themselves, but just about everyone wants this kind of sparkle in their lives!
There are several factors that set diamonds apart from other stones, and these points are important to our gem education.
Diamonds are minerals. They are made up of almost entirely of carbon (carbon comprises 99.95 percent; the remainder consists of various trace elements). Diamonds are the hardest gemstones, ranking number 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Even its name, diamond, is rooted in the Greek adamas, or unconquerable. The only object that can scratch a diamond is another diamond. Diamonds are formed deep within the earth at very high temperatures (1,652–2,372 degrees Fahrenheit at depths between 90 and 120 miles beneath the earth’s surface) and are carried up by volcanic activity. Diamonds are quite rare, according to the Gemological Institute of America, and only 30 percent of all the diamonds mined in the world are gem quality.
In the 1950s, the Gemological Institute of America developed the 4Cs grading system to classify diamonds: clarity, color, cut and carat weight. Not all diamonds are created equal (there are diamonds, and then there are diamonds). The value of the diamond depends on the clarity (flawless diamonds are very rare but a diamond's value decreases if there are many blemishes or inclusions), color (the less color the higher the grade), cut (how the diamond’s facets catch the light, certain cuts of diamonds show off the stone better than others) and carat weight (the bigger, the better).
When you start shopping for a diamond engagement ring, always prioritize the cut, which plays the largest role in the diamond's beauty (taking the time to clean your diamond ring at least every six months or so plays a role in maintaining said beauty). And 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.
Shop antique and vintage diamond rings, diamond necklaces and other extraordinary diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.
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.
Ancient Egyptians referred to the vibrant stone as the “gem of the sun.”
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The vintage bombé ring is bursting with color and timeless style.
Zircon is a magnificent and underrated natural gemstone that has been worn and adored for centuries.
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If diamonds don’t seem right, what about a magnificent sapphire, ruby or emerald?
Accounting for just 1 percent of all diamonds, these marvels of nature are exceedingly rare and gorgeously complex.
Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.