Art Deco Old Cut Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a striking Art Deco cluster ring focally featuring a centralised antique cushion cut diamond. This principal stone sits slightly risen atop an open backdrop before being...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco 0.84 Carat Diamond Half-Eternity Ring Size P (56.5)
Located in London, GB
Here we have an Art Deco half-eternity ring. This platinum piece features seven bright white round faceted old cut diamonds; all of which have been individually claw set in a single ...
Diamond, Platinum
Antique Art Deco Platinum Cabochon Star Sapphire and Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco Platinum Cabochon Star Sapphire and Diamond Cocktail Ring. This beautiful Antique Art Deco star sapphire and diamond cocktail ring is crafted in platinum. ...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
1920s Natural Burmese Ruby Diamond Platinum Ring
Located in London, GB
Burmese ruby and diamond ring. Set with a round old cut natural unenhanced Burmese ruby in an open back claw setting with an approximate weight of 1.92 carats, flanked by eight round...
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Antique Art Deco 1920s 1.00 Carat Marquise Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in platinum with a Marquise cut Diamond weighing approximately 1.00 carat, F-G color, VS2-SI1 clarity, and two Tapered Baguette cut side Diamonds weighing approximatel...
Diamond, Platinum
Art Deco Sapphire and Diamond Tablet Ring
Located in London, GB
Condition: Used (Very Good) Weight: 4.4 grams Ring Size: O (55) Band Width: 1mm Face Dimensions: 17mm x 11mm Old Cut Diamond Weight: Approx. 0.18 carats Rose Cut Diamond Dimensions: ...
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
.31 Carat Art Deco Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 6.5 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 2.0 grams Center Diamond Details: Weight: .31ct Cut: Old European brilliant Color: F Clarity: VS Side Stone Det...
Diamond, Platinum
Antique Tiffany & Company Yellow Gold 3 Stone Diamond Ring
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1920 Tiffany & Company 3 stone Diamond Ring, a Solid and Heavy 14k Yellow Gold Ring measuring 3/8 inch wide 3 M.M thick and weighing 12 Grams, set with 3 Old Mine cut Diamonds,...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
.87 Carat Art Deco Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 7 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 3.5 grams Center Diamond Details: Weight: .87ct Cut: Old European brilliant Color: I Clarity: SI1 Side Stone Deta...
Diamond, Platinum
.40 Carat Art Deco Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 8.5 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 4.0 grams Center Diamond Details: Weight: .40ct Cut: Old European brilliant Color: F Clarity: SI1 Side Stone De...
Diamond, Platinum
Estate Art Deco Palladium .70ct Old European Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Estate Art Deco Palladium .70ct Old European Cut Diamond Engagement Ring - VHK#1013 Item Details: Year: 1920s Ring Size: 5.25 (Sizable) Metal Type: Palladium [Hallmarked, and Tested...
Diamond, Palladium
Circa 1920s GIA .55ct Old European Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1920s Item Details: Ring Size: 4.5 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 2.6 grams Center Diamond Details: GIA Report#: 2151973992 Weight: .55ct total weight...
Diamond, Platinum
Circa 1920s GIA 1.67ct Old European Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1920s Item Details: Ring Size: 5 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 4.9 grams Center Diamond Details: GIA Report#:6234413471 Weight: 1.67ct total weight...
Diamond, Platinum
French Art Deco Platinum and Diamond Square Ring
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A platinum ring set with four old-cut diamonds in a square.
White Diamond, Platinum
Circa 1920s Platinum Filigree .50ct Old European Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1920s Item Details: Ring Size: 6 (Sizable) Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 2.9grams Diamond Details: Center Diamond weighs .50ct, Old European Brilliant, ...
Diamond, Platinum
Estate Art Deco Platinum Old European Diamond Engagement Ring - VHK#662A
Located in Hicksville, NY
Estate Art Deco Platinum Old European Diamond Engagement Ring - VHK#662A Item Details: Year: 1920s Ring Size: 5 (Sizable) Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 3.0 g...
Diamond, Platinum
Circa 1920s Platinum GIA 1.25ct Old European Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1920s Item Details: Ring Size: 6 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 3.3 grams Center Diamond Details: GIA Report#: 2235480037 Weight: 1.25 ct total weight...
Diamond, Platinum
Circa 1920s GIA 1.46ct Old European Diamond Platinum 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#: 2231441028 Weight: 1.46ct total weig...
Diamond, Platinum
Art Deco Old European Cut Diamond 3-Stone Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Art Deco era Old European Cut Diamond 3-Stone Ring composed of platinum. With a 0.74 carat Old European Cut diamond at the center, approximate color ranging I-J color/VS2.
Diamond, Platinum
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
Vintage Art Deco 3.02 Carat Asscher Cut Diamond Platinum Hidden Halo Ring
Located in Montgomery, AL
We are beyond thrilled to have this vintage beauty!! Ring Details Material: Platinum Era: Art Deco 1920 - 1940 Head Width: 9.5mm Head Height: 6.2mm Shank Width: 1mm Weight: 4.7 Gram...
Diamond, Platinum
Circa 1920s GIA 1.54ct Old European Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1920s Item Details: Ring Size: 7 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 3.7 grams Center Diamond Details: GIA Report#:6237364335 Weight: 1.54ct total weight Cut:...
Diamond, Platinum
Antique Art Deco Platinum Emerald Cut Diamond Engagement Ring - GIA
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco Platinum Emerald Cut Diamond Engagement Ring - GIA. This gorgeous Art Deco emerald cut diamond engagement ring is crafted in platinum. This gorgeous engage...
Diamond, Platinum
Antique Art Deco Emerald and Diamond Ring, circa 1920s
Located in OVIEDO, AS
Antique Art Deco Emerald and Diamond Ring, circa 1920s A rare and elegant Art Deco emerald and diamond ring dating from the 1920s, featuring a striking shield-shaped design with refi...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
Antique Art Deco Platinum Asscher Cut Diamond Marquise Engagement Ring - GIA
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco Platinum Asscher Cut Diamond Marquise Engagement Ring - GIA. This incredible antique Art Deco Asscher cut diamond marquise diamond engagement ring is craft...
Diamond, Platinum
Antique Art Deco 1920s 3.50 Carat Diamond Dinner Ring
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in platinum with Old European cut Diamonds weighing a total of approximately 3.50 carats and two accenting synthetic sapphires. Circa 1920s Size 6 1/2, resizable
Diamond, Platinum
$2,100Sale Price|40% Off
Diamond and Ruby Art Deco Ring in Platinum
Located in Dallas, TX
Ladies Diamond and Ruby Art Deco Ring in Platinum. The ring features a .61 natural round full cut ruby, AA quality. Complimenting the center stone are 14 single cut round diamonds,...
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Estate Art Deco Platinum Old European Diamond Engagement Ring - VHK#737A
Located in Hicksville, NY
Estate Art Deco Platinum Old European Diamond Engagement Ring - VHK#737A Item Details: Year: 1920s Ring Size: 6 (Sizable) Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 3.81 ...
Diamond, Platinum
.80 Carat Art Deco Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 8.25 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 4.8 grams Center Diamond Details: Weight: .80ct Cut: Antique Marquise Color: F Clarity: VS Side Diamond Detail...
Diamond, Platinum
1920s Diamond and Yellow Gold Silver Set Twist Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This impressive antique diamond twist ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with a silver setting.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Art Deco Platinum Old Cut Marquise Diamond Engagement Ring - GIA
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco Platinum Old Cut Marquise Diamond Engagement Ring - GIA. This incredible Art Deco old cut marquise diamond engagement ring is crafted in platinum. This gor...
Diamond, Platinum
Art Deco Platinum Halo Ring with 0.29ct Sapphire & 0.22ct Diamonds
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This Art Deco platinum ring from the 1920s showcases a vibrant sapphire, accented by sparkling old European cut diamonds, capturing timeless elegance with vintage charm.
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
$1,732Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Circa 1920s 18k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 5 grams. Totally is diamond 0.60 ct. The diamond is has G-H color and vvs-vs clarity. Ring size is US 7 We can make any size. Box is not inclu...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique 1920s 0.41ct Diamond Twist Ring in 14k Yellow & White Gold
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique 0.41 carat diamond and 14 karat yellow gold, 14 karat white gold set twist ring; part of our diverse diamond jewellery and estate jewelry collections.
Diamond, White Gold, Yellow Gold
.15 Carat Total Weight Art Deco Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 7 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 1.8 grams Diamond Details: Weight: .15 carat total weight Cut: Old European brilliant Color: F Clarity: VS Finger...
Diamond, Platinum
.50 Carat Total Weight Art Deco Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Ring Size: 7.75 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 2.5 grams Diamond Details: Weight: .50 carat total weight Cut: Old European brilliant Color: F C...
Diamond, Platinum
.15 Carat Total Weight Art Deco Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Ring Size: 8.25 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 2.2 grams Diamond Details: Weight: .15 Carat Total Weight Cut: Old European brilliant Color: F C...
Diamond, Platinum
Circa 1920s Platinum 1.73ct Antique Pear Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1920s Item Details: Ring Size: 6.75 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 4.0 grams Center Diamond Details: GIA Report#: 5231358600 Weight: 1.73ct total weight ...
Diamond, Platinum
Circa 1920s Old European Brilliant Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Details Year: 1920s Ring Size: 5 Metal Type: Platinum & 18k White Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 3.3 grams Diamond Details: Weight: 1.60ct total weight Cut: Old European brill...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Art Deco Sapphire and Diamond Ring
Located in London, GB
This beautiful sapphire and diamond ring dates to the Art Deco era. At its centre sit three vibrant sapphires, elegantly framed on either side by rows of chunky old-cut diamonds. Off...
Sapphire, White Gold
Art Deco Emerald and Diamond Dress Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a wonderfully unique dress ring crafted during the Art Deco movement. Fashioned from 18ct white gold, the centrepiece features a vertical arrangement of vibrant green sq...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Art Deco GIA Certified 2.04ct Old European Cut Diamond & Sapphire Ring
Located in Amsterdam, NL
This is a gorgeous art deco 'target' ring that was made around 1920 in Germany. The main stone is a 2.04ct old european cut diamond, that is M color and SI1 clarity.
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold
GIA Certified 1.00 Carat Art Deco Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Ring Size: 6.25 Metal Type: 14 Karat Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 2.5 grams Center Diamond Details: GIA REPORT #: 2215426666 Weight: 1.00 Cut: Old Eur...
Diamond, Platinum
GIA Certified .70 Carat Art Deco Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Ring Size: 6.25 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 3.5 grams Center Diamond Details: GIA REPORT #: 6214393193 Weight: .79 Carat Cut: Old European b...
Diamond, Platinum
Circa 1920s GIA 1.12ct Old European Brilliant Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1920s Item Details: Ring Size: 5.75 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 3.4 grams Center Diamond Details: GIA Report#: 2235302811 Weight: 1.12ct total weight ...
Diamond, Platinum
GIA Certified .91 Carat Art Deco Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Ring Size: 5.25 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 2.0 dwt Center Diamond Details: GIA REPORT #: 2191947516 Weight: .91 Cut: Old European brilliant...
Diamond, Platinum
GIA Certified 1.27 Carat Art Deco Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Ring Size: 5.5 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 4.7 grams Center Diamond Details: GIA REPORT #: 5212548774 Weight: 1.27 carat Cut: Old European b...
Diamond, Platinum
Circa 1920s Platinum GIA 1.20ct Old European Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1920s Item Details: Ring Size: 5.25 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 3.1 grams Center Diamond Details: GIA Report#:6237076192 Weight: 1.20ct total weight C...
Diamond, Platinum
GIA Certified 1.28 Carat Art Deco Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 6.5 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 3.3 grams Center Diamond Details: GIA REPORT #: 2211528005 Weight: 1.28 carat Cut: Old European brilliant Color:...
Diamond, Platinum
Art Deco 1.18CTW Diamond Three Stone Vintage Engagement Ring in Platinum
Located in Boston, MA
Aston Estate Jewelry Presents: An exquisite engagement ring featuring a trio of European-cut diamonds, each meticulously set in an intricate design. The primary diamond is 0.40 car...
Diamond, Platinum
French Art Deco Diamond Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1920s, 18k, France. This French Art Deco diamond ring is set with a brilliantly white and sparkly .85-carat old mine cut diamond (H color, VS clarity). Well-made, well-designe...
Diamond, 18k Gold
.65 Carat Art Deco Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 5.5 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 3.3 grams Center Diamond Details: Weight: .65ct Cut: Antique Cushion Color: J Clarity: VS1 Finger to Top of Sto...
Diamond, Platinum
Art Deco Asscher Cut Diamond and Sapphire Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have an intricately crafted ring taken from a time when the Art Deco style was at the height of world design. At its centre we find a single asscher cut diamond, exhibiting a...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Art Deco Platinum Ruby and Diamond Dome Ring
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
An exquisite Art Deco-era dome ring crafted in platinum, centering an oval-cut ruby weighing approximately 0.70 carats. Surrounding the ruby are 50 antique old mine and small-cut dia...
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Art Deco 0.80ct Diamond Solitaire Flower Blossom Motif Vintage Engagement Ring
Located in Boston, MA
Aston Estate Jewelry Presents: An art deco period engagement ring featuring a 0.80 carat Old European cut diamond, set in a classic prong setting. The diamond boasts an H color gr...
Diamond, Platinum
Art Déco 6 Carat aquamarine and diamond ring, platinum
Located in Uccle, BE
Unique high quality Art Déco Ring. The ring is set with an elongated emerald cut aquamarine of approximately 6 Carat, four baguette shape diamonds and 24 brilliant diamonds for a t...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
GIA Certified 1.61 Carat Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Ring Size: 6.5 Metal Type: Platinum [Tested & Hallmarked] Weight: 3.8 grams Center Stone Details: GIA REPORT # 6204406613 Weight: 1.61 carat Cut: Old European Brillia...
White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
18k White Gold Old European Cut Cluster Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Lexington, KY
This 18k white gold diamond cluster ring is gorgeous! The ring features a total of 15 bright white old european cut diamonds, with 7 of them clustered together to form the center, en...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Platinum Art Deco 2.56ct Emerald and Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
A masterful example of Art Deco craftsmanship, this vintage platinum ring showcases a vivid 2.56-carat natural emerald framed by 0.12 carats of fine G color, VS clarity diamonds. The...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Estate Art Deco Platinum Old European Diamond Bombe Ring - VHK#285A
Located in Hicksville, NY
Estate Art Deco Platinum Old European Diamond Bombe Ring - VHK#285A Item Details: Year: 1920s Ring Size: 6 (Sizable) Metal Type: platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 7.9 gram...
Diamond, Platinum
Fascination with the Jazz Age is endless, and even today jewelry designers continue to be inspired by authentic Art Deco jewelry and watches.
The Art Deco period, encompassing the 1920s and ’30s, ushered in a very distinct look in the design of jewelry. There were many influences on the jewelry of the era that actually began to take shape prior to the 1920s. In 1909, Serge Diaghilev brought the Ballet Russes to Paris, and women went wild for the company’s exotic and vibrant costumes It’s no wonder, then, that jade, lapis lazuli, coral, turquoise and other bright gemstones became all the rage. There already existed a fascination with the East, particularly China and Japan, and motifs consisting of fans and masks started to show up in Art Deco jewelry.
However, the event that had the greatest influence on Deco was the excavation of the tomb of King Tut in 1922. When the world saw what was hidden in Tut’s burial chamber, it sent just about everyone into a frenzy. Pierre Cartier wrote in 1923 that “the discovery of the tomb will bring some sweeping changes in fashion jewelry.” And he couldn’t have been more right. “Egyptomania” left an indelible mark on all of the major jewelry houses, from Cartier to Van Cleef & Arpels, Boucheron and Georges Fouquet. (Cartier created some of the most iconic jewelry designs that defined this era.)
While a lot of Art Deco jewelry was black and white — the black coming from the use of onyx or black enamel and the white from rock crystal and diamonds — there is plenty of color in jewelry of the era. A perfect accent to diamonds in platinum settings were blue sapphires, emeralds and rubies, and these stones were also used in combination with each other.
Many designers employed coral, jade and lapis lazuli, too. In fact, some of the most important avant-garde jewelers of the period, like Jean Després and Jean Fouquet (son of Georges), would combine white gold with ebony and malachite for a jolt of color.
A lot of the jewelry produced during this time nodded to current fashion trends, and women often accessorized their accessories. The cloche hat was often accented with geometric diamond brooches or double-clip brooches. Backless evening dresses looked fabulous with sautoir necklaces, and long pearl necklaces that ended with tassels, popular during the Edwardian period, were favored by women everywhere, including Coco Chanel.
Find unique Art Deco necklaces, earrings, bracelets and other 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.
Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.
Ready to rock? Some of our favorite jewelry designers and dealers share indispensable advice for choosing that most important ring.
Will your beloved be enchanted by an Edwardian ring or a trendy Art Deco piece? We clue you into period styles and tips for finding the perfect ring.