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15ct Gold Opal Ring

Antique 15ct Gold Victorian Amethyst Diamond Opal Ruby and Emerald Acrostic Ring
Antique 15ct Gold Victorian Amethyst Diamond Opal Ruby and Emerald Acrostic Ring

Antique 15ct Gold Victorian Amethyst Diamond Opal Ruby and Emerald Acrostic Ring

Located in Brighton, GB

Antique Adore Ring 15ct Gold Circa 1880 Acrostic rings became popular throughout the Victorian

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Ruby, Gold, 15k Gold

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Antique Victorian Garnet Opal 15ct Gold Ring
Antique Victorian Garnet Opal 15ct Gold Ring

Antique Victorian Garnet Opal 15ct Gold Ring

Located in London, GB

. 1860s–1880s) sentiment and craftsmanship. Set in warm 15ct yellow gold (unmarked but tested), the ring

Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Garnet, Opal, 15k Gold

Retro 18kt White Gold Diamond And 15ct Cabochon Opal Ring
Retro 18kt White Gold Diamond And 15ct Cabochon Opal Ring

Retro 18kt White Gold Diamond And 15ct Cabochon Opal Ring

Located in Firenze, IT

Ring in 750°/°°(18K) white gold, set with a beautiful oval cabochon opal weighing approx. 15 ct

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, White Gold

15ct Gold Fancy Victorian Adore Acrostic Ring Amethyst Diamond Opal Ruby Emerald
15ct Gold Fancy Victorian Adore Acrostic Ring Amethyst Diamond Opal Ruby Emerald

15ct Gold Fancy Victorian Adore Acrostic Ring Amethyst Diamond Opal Ruby Emerald

Located in Brighton, GB

Antique Adore Ring 15ct Gold Tested Circa 1850s This stunning early Victorian Adore acrostic

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Ruby, Gold, 15k Gold

Antique 15ct Gold Victorian Amethyst Diamond Opal Ruby and Emerald Acrostic Ring
Antique 15ct Gold Victorian Amethyst Diamond Opal Ruby and Emerald Acrostic Ring

Antique 15ct Gold Victorian Amethyst Diamond Opal Ruby and Emerald Acrostic Ring

Located in Brighton, GB

Antique Adore Ring 15ct Gold Circa 1880 Acrostic rings became popular throughout the Victorian

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Ruby, Gold, 15k Gold

Antique 15ct Gold Victorian Amethyst Diamond Opal Ruby and Emerald Acrostic Ring
Antique 15ct Gold Victorian Amethyst Diamond Opal Ruby and Emerald Acrostic Ring

Antique 15ct Gold Victorian Amethyst Diamond Opal Ruby and Emerald Acrostic Ring

Located in Brighton, GB

Antique Adore Ring 15ct Gold Circa 1880 Acrostic rings became popular throughout the Victorian

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Ruby, Gold, 15k Gold

15ct Two Colour Gold Victorian Amethyst Diamond Opal Ruby and Emerald Adore Ring
15ct Two Colour Gold Victorian Amethyst Diamond Opal Ruby and Emerald Adore Ring

15ct Two Colour Gold Victorian Amethyst Diamond Opal Ruby and Emerald Adore Ring

Located in Brighton, GB

Antique Adore Ring 15ct Gold Stamped Circa 1880 Introducing a breathtaking 15ct gold Victorian

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Ruby, Gold, 15k Gold

Victorian Opal and Diamond Ring
Victorian Opal and Diamond Ring

Victorian Opal and Diamond Ring

Located in London, GB

Here we have a Victorian 15ct yellow gold opal and diamond ring. The central old cut diamond is

Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold

15ct Gold Fancy Victorian Adore Acrostic Ring Amethyst Diamond Opal Ruby Emerald
15ct Gold Fancy Victorian Adore Acrostic Ring Amethyst Diamond Opal Ruby Emerald

15ct Gold Fancy Victorian Adore Acrostic Ring Amethyst Diamond Opal Ruby Emerald

Located in Brighton, GB

Antique Adore Ring 15ct Gold Tested Circa 1850s This stunning early Victorian Adore acrostic

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Ruby, Gold, 15k Gold

Victorian Opal Diamond Ring Old Mine Cut .15ct Antique Original 1840-1870
Victorian Opal Diamond Ring Old Mine Cut .15ct Antique Original 1840-1870

Victorian Opal Diamond Ring Old Mine Cut .15ct Antique Original 1840-1870

Located in Dearborn, MI

Genuine Original Antique from the 1840's-1870's Victorian Opal Diamond Ring .15ct Vintage 14K

Category

Antique 1850s Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian 15 Carat Gold and Opal Solitaire Gypsy Solitaire Stack Ring
Victorian 15 Carat Gold and Opal Solitaire Gypsy Solitaire Stack Ring

Victorian 15 Carat Gold and Opal Solitaire Gypsy Solitaire Stack Ring

Located in St Helens, GB

A beautiful true antique solid 15ct gold and opal ring. Designed with an oval shaped natural opal

Category

20th Century British Victorian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Opal, 15k Gold

Early Victorian 15ct Gold Emerald Opal Ruby Snake Cluster Ring
Early Victorian 15ct Gold Emerald Opal Ruby Snake Cluster Ring

Early Victorian 15ct Gold Emerald Opal Ruby Snake Cluster Ring

Located in St Helens, GB

A superb early to mid Victorian period ring. Solid 15 carat gold example. Designed with a closed

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Emerald, Opal, Ruby, Gold

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Victorian Diamond and 18 Carat Gold Star Setting Ring
Victorian Diamond and 18 Carat Gold Star Setting Ring

Victorian Diamond and 18 Carat Gold Star Setting Ring

Located in Chipping Campden, GB

This gorgeous 18ct gold band holds three diamonds. The diamond total of this ring is 17 pts. The central diamond measures 15pts. Ring Size: P 1/2 or 8 Band Width: 7.5mm Height Of...

Category

Antique 1890s British Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Edouard Rambaud Style Byzantine Pearl Dangle Clip Earrings
Edouard Rambaud Style Byzantine Pearl Dangle Clip Earrings

Edouard Rambaud Style Byzantine Pearl Dangle Clip Earrings

Located in Atlanta, GA

These elegant clip-on earrings have a design reminiscent of French designer Edouard Rambaud's works. The Byzantine-inspired dangling shape features shiny, gilded metal that is textur...

Category

Vintage 1980s French Byzantine Dangle Earrings

Materials

Gilt Metal

French Antique 18K Pearl Button Cuff Bangle Bracelet - Auguste Lahaye
French Antique 18K Pearl Button Cuff Bangle Bracelet - Auguste Lahaye

French Antique 18K Pearl Button Cuff Bangle Bracelet - Auguste Lahaye

Located in Hummelstown, PA

A fanciful lace and natural pearl button cuff bangle by Auguste Lahaye (workshop later purchased by the esteemed French jeweler Rene Boivin). Masterfully hand fabricated in contrasti...

Category

Antique 1870s French Bangles

Materials

Pearl, 18k Gold

Antique 18ct Gold Victorian Ruby & Diamond Band Ring, Hallmarked Birmingham 1890
Antique 18ct Gold Victorian Ruby & Diamond Band Ring, Hallmarked Birmingham 1890

Antique 18ct Gold Victorian Ruby & Diamond Band Ring, Hallmarked Birmingham 1890

Located in Brighton, GB

Antique Gypsy Ring 18ct Gold Hallmarked Hallmarked Birmingham 1890 Step back in time with this exquisite 18ct yellow gold Victorian gypsy ring, a true embodiment of timeless eleg...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold

Antique Edwardian Peridot & Seed Pearl Pendant Necklace 9K Gold - 1909
Antique Edwardian Peridot & Seed Pearl Pendant Necklace 9K Gold - 1909

Antique Edwardian Peridot & Seed Pearl Pendant Necklace 9K Gold - 1909

Located in London, GB

We are delighted to offer this splendid Edwardian antique 9ct gold peridot and pearl necklace made in Birmingham 1909. Distinguished in style and unapologetically Edwardian, this pe...

Category

Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Pearl, Peridot, Gold, 9k Gold

Antique Empire Tiara Comb Hair Ornament Head Ornament Silver Guilt Gilt Metal
Antique Empire Tiara Comb Hair Ornament Head Ornament Silver Guilt Gilt Metal

Antique Empire Tiara Comb Hair Ornament Head Ornament Silver Guilt Gilt Metal

Located in Munich, Bavaria

This stunning hair comb was hand crafted in France in 1810 ca. The tiara is made out of fire gilt brass. The top of the comb is made put of polished fire gilt metal. Underneath the p...

Category

Antique 1810s Vanity Items

Materials

Silver, Gilt Metal

18ct Yellow Gold Victorian Ruby, Pearl & Diamond Ring Hallmarked Birmingham 1877
18ct Yellow Gold Victorian Ruby, Pearl & Diamond Ring Hallmarked Birmingham 1877

18ct Yellow Gold Victorian Ruby, Pearl & Diamond Ring Hallmarked Birmingham 1877

Located in Brighton, GB

Antique Ring 18ct Yellow Gold Hallmarked Birmingham 1877 This exquisite 18ct yellow gold Victorian ring showcases a stunning design that embodies the elegance of its era. At the...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 2004 Christian Dior by Galliano Silk Bias-Cut Gown dress, with stole
Vintage 2004 Christian Dior by Galliano Silk Bias-Cut Gown dress, with stole

Vintage 2004 Christian Dior by Galliano Silk Bias-Cut Gown dress, with stole

By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian Dior

Located in CAPELLE AAN DEN IJSSEL, ZH

The vintage John Galliano creation for Christian Dior showcases his signature flair for dramatic elegance, crafted in 2004. This black silk gown is adorned with intricate metallic fl...

Category

Early 2000s Evening Dresses and Gowns

Victorian Peridot Seed Pearl Engraved 15K Gold Ring
Victorian Peridot Seed Pearl Engraved 15K Gold Ring

Victorian Peridot Seed Pearl Engraved 15K Gold Ring

Located in Scotts Valley, CA

Details: Absolutely stunning Victorian piece! This is a beautiful green marquise peridot, surrounded by seed pearls set in a stunning yellow 15K yellow gold, engraved around the enti...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Pearl, Peridot, 15k Gold

Antique 9ct Gold, Georgian Tear Drop Amethyst Pendant, Circa 1850
Antique 9ct Gold, Georgian Tear Drop Amethyst Pendant, Circa 1850

Antique 9ct Gold, Georgian Tear Drop Amethyst Pendant, Circa 1850

Located in Brighton, GB

Antique Georgian Amethyst Pendant 9ct Gold Circa 1850 *The chain is sold separately. Crafted in gold, this pendant features a teardrop-shaped amethyst suspended below a smalle...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Amethyst, Gold, 15k Gold

Art Deco Sapphire, Pearl and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Bangle
Art Deco Sapphire, Pearl and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Bangle

Art Deco Sapphire, Pearl and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Bangle

Located in Chipping Campden, GB

The detailed bangle holds a diamond cluster with nine diamonds. The diamond total is 37pts. either side of the diamond cluster is a row of sapphires and Pearls. the sapphire total is...

Category

Vintage 1910s British Art Deco Bangles

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Pearl, Gold

Christian Dior Haute Couture cream silk two piece dress and wrap skirt, fw 1978
Christian Dior Haute Couture cream silk two piece dress and wrap skirt, fw 1978

Christian Dior Haute Couture cream silk two piece dress and wrap skirt, fw 1978

By Christian Dior

Located in London, GB

Christian Dior: Haute Couture by Marc Bohan cream silk two piece, slip dress and flounced wrap skirt. Fall-Winter 1978

Category

1970s French Evening Dresses and Gowns

Antique Enamel Violet Pendant Brooch of 14k Gold
Antique Enamel Violet Pendant Brooch of 14k Gold

Antique Enamel Violet Pendant Brooch of 14k Gold

Located in Lewisburg, PA

This exquisite dual-purpose, Victorian era jewel (circa 1910-1920), designed as both brooch and pendant, features a richly enameled violet in deep purple tones, crafted in 14k yellow...

Category

Vintage 1910s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel

Antique 18ct Yellow Gold Stamped, Edwardian 5 Stone Diamond Ring with Rope Edge
Antique 18ct Yellow Gold Stamped, Edwardian 5 Stone Diamond Ring with Rope Edge

Antique 18ct Yellow Gold Stamped, Edwardian 5 Stone Diamond Ring with Rope Edge

Located in Brighton, GB

Antique Boat Ring 18ct Yellow Gold Circa 1900 Step back in time with this exquisite Edwardian ring, crafted from 18ct yellow gold. Its elegant boat-shaped design is adorned with ...

Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Etruscan Revival Turquoise Enamel 14K Yellow Gold Earrings and Brooch Parure
Etruscan Revival Turquoise Enamel 14K Yellow Gold Earrings and Brooch Parure

Etruscan Revival Turquoise Enamel 14K Yellow Gold Earrings and Brooch Parure

Located in New York, NY

Exquisite museum quality 19th century Etruscan Revival turquoise enamel and articulated 14K yellow gold pair of earrings and brooch parure Circa 1870 Beautiful design, large scale st...

Category

Antique 19th Century European Etruscan Revival Chandelier Earrings

Materials

14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

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15ct Gold Opal Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

On 1stDibs, you can find the most appropriate 15ct gold opal ring for your needs in our varied inventory. Frequently made of gold, white gold and 9k gold, this item was constructed with great care. You can easily find a 42 antique edition and 49 modern creations to choose from as well. If you’re looking for a 15ct gold opal ring from a specific time period, our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and you’ll find at least one that dates back to the 18th Century while another version may have been produced as recently as the 21st Century. Finding an appealing 15ct gold opal ring — no matter the origin — is easy, but Renata Bernard, Five Star Jewelry and Joke Quick each produced a popular version that is worth a look. Today, if you’re looking for a cabochon version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes oval cut and brilliant cut alternatives. If you’re browsing our inventory for a 15ct gold opal ring, you’ll find that many are available today for women, but there are still pieces to choose from for unisex and men.

How Much is a 15ct Gold Opal Ring?

The price for a 15ct gold opal ring starts at $220 and tops out at $96,000 with these rings, on average, selling for $2,500.

A Close Look at Victorian Jewelry

The reign of Queen Victoria encapsulates a quickly evolving period of history — and jewelry styles were no exception. No single period has seen such a diverse group of jewelry attributed to it than the Victorian era. Today, there is a vast collection of authentic antique Victorian jewelry and watches on 1stDibs.

Victorian jewelry is named after Queen Victoria, whose reign lasted from 1837 to 1901, making her the second longest-ruling monarch. (She was surpassed by Queen Elizabeth II in 2015.) During this time, different styles of fashion and jewelry came and went. Thanks to our fascination with royalty and swoon-worthy melodramas like Netflix’s The Crown — which is rife with evocative fashion, jewelry and interiors — and the 2017 feature film Victoria & Abdul, we are all familiar with her story. After the death of Victoria’s father and three childless uncles, she ascended to the throne at age 18. In 1840, Queen Victoria married the love of her life, her first cousin Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

Queen Victoria loved serpentine jewels, and she had even more power to shape trends than Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle do today. The British monarch’s best-known piece in this mold is the gold coiled-snake engagement ring she received from Prince Albert — the sinuous reptile was considered a symbol of everlasting love.

The Queen's 63-year reign has been divided by historians into the Romantic period, the early happy years, circa 1837–60; the Grand period, marked by the deaths of the Queen’s mother and husband, circa 1860–80; and the late Victorian or Aesthetic period, which lasted from about 1880 until 1901 and ushered in the Belle Époque. Queen Victoria wore her heart on her sleeve, and her fashion and jewelry reflected her emotions.

Romantic period jewelry, which featured common decorative motifs and was embellished with seed pearls, coral and turquoise, was a celebration of the young monarch’s love. Everything changed with the death of Prince Albert, and the Grand period is most often associated with mourning jewelry. Jewelry was smaller, lighter and more dainty during the late Victorian period. During this era, diamonds came into fashion, and semiprecious gems such as amethysts and opals became prevalent, too. Using gemstones for their natural beauty and not their worth was something that jewelers of the era felt passionate about, and this ideology would really become relevant in Art Nouveau jewelry.

Find a collection of authentic antique Victorian jewelry — from rings, necklaces and brooches to a range of other accessories — on 1stDibs. 

Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship

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.

The Legacy of Opal in Jewelry Design

Opals were discovered in 400 BC, and since then five types have been found throughout the world. Before you start shopping for mysteriously beautiful vintage opal rings and other opal jewelry, learn about the different varieties of the gem — and find out which historical figure was reportedly willing to trade his kingdom for a single stone.

Here is a little riddle for you: the month of October has two birthstones, but only one of them encompasses the colors of other birthstones. If you guessed opal, you’re right! (The other gemstone associated with the month of October is tourmaline.)

Opals are such unusual gemstones that there are too many old-wives tales associated with them, like if you’re a blond, wearing an opal necklace will protect your locks from losing color. Opals were also very fashionable in the early 19th century, up until the publication of Sir Walter Scott’s novel Anne of Geierstein in 1829. The title heroine wears an opal and succumbs to an untimely death. However, the British monarchy, and in particular Queen Victoria, did not let this story get in their way, and they frequently gifted opals to friends and family members. October babies should disregard the noise and proudly wear their opals!

There are five types of precious opals: boulder opal, fire opal, crystal/water opal, black opal, and white/light opal. Each variety is distinguished by its color.

So, where does the name come from? The word opal is thought to originate from the Roman opalus or from the Sanskrit úpala (“precious stone”) or from the Greek opallios (“to see a color change”). So while there have been many names for the stones, opals were first discovered in 400 BC in Ethiopia. But the early reference that comes up most often in history books is from the Roman philosopher Pliny the Elder, who wrote about it in 75 AD. In his text he refers to it as opali. The Romans were big fans of opal, Mark Antony was so enamored by it that, as the story goes, he was willing to trade a portion of his kingdom for a single opal.

There's a wide variety of antique and vintage opal jewelry on 1stDibs (and you won't have to trade your kingdom for it).

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 ringsvintage 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.