.90 Carat Total Weight Sapphire Platinum Wedding Band
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 6.5 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 4 grams Sapphire Details: Weight: .90 carat, total weight Cut: Square Step Cut Color: Blue Clarity: VS Finge...
Sapphire, Platinum
Hand Engraved Art Deco Platinum Wedding Band Circa 1927
Located in Boston, MA
A handmade Art Deco period wedding band circa 1927. Featuring a hand engraved leaf pattern on all three sides, this band also features an engraved date of 1927 inside the band. In e...
Platinum
1920s Art Deco Platinum 1.46 Carat Cushion Cut Diamond with Side Stones
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Ring Size: 5.75 Metal Type: Platinum Weight: 2.9 grams Center Diamond Details: Shape: Cushion Cut Carat Weight: 1.46 ct Color: K Clarity: VS2 Side Stone D...
White Diamond, Platinum
Vintage Art Deco Priscilla Wedding Band, 14K & Platinum, Size 6.25
Located in Upland, CA
About This Ring: Upgrade your jewelry collection with this sophisticated Vintage 14K white gold & platinum eternity band by Priscilla. The intricate flower design wraps around the b...
White Gold, Platinum
Antique Art Deco 14K Yellow Gold Engraved Wedding Band - Size 10
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco 14K Yellow Gold Engraved Wedding Band - Size 10. This gorgeous Art Deco engraved wedding band is crafted in 14k yellow gold. This classic wedding band feat...
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rare Antique Platinum GIA 8.62ct No Heat Ceylon Sapphire & Old Cut Diamonds
Located in Media, PA
An absolute masterpiece of antique jewelry design, this breathtaking statement ring centers an extraordinary 8.62-carat old-cut Ceylon Sapphire. Fully certified by the GIA (Gemologic...
Sapphire, Diamond, Platinum
Antique Art Deco Art Carved 14K Yellow Gold Classic Wedding Band - Size 8 1/2
By Art Carved
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco Art Carved 14K Yellow Gold Classic Wedding Band - Size 8 1/2. This classic Art Deco wedding band is crafted in 14k yellow gold. This beautiful band feature...
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Art Deco 14K Yellow Gold Engraved Wedding Band - Size 6 3/4
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco 14K Yellow Gold Engraved Wedding Band - Size 6 3/4. This gorgeous Art Deco wedding band is crafted in 14k yellow gold. This beautiful Art Deco wedding band...
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Diamond Pink Ruby Wedding Band. Diamond Eternity Band Platinum Links
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Diamond Secondary Stones: Natural Rubies Ruby Setting: Calibré Set Jewelry Type: Wedding Band Style: Eternity Band Design: Alternating diamond links an...
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Art Deco European Cut Diamond Eternity Band in Platinum Size 9
Located in Boston, MA
Aston Estate Jewelry Presents: A stunning band ring featuring a series of round diamonds, each set in an elegant marquise-shaped bezel. The diamonds are antique european cuts, of ...
Diamond, Platinum
Circa 1920s Platinum 2.03ct Old European Cushion Diamond and Emerald Engagement
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1920s Item Details: Ring Size: 6.5 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 4.7 grams Center Diamond Details: GIA Report#: 2231441768 Weight: 2.03ct total weigh...
Diamond, Platinum
Art Deco White Gold Single Cut Diamond Wedding Band, 7.25
Located in Upland, CA
About This Ring: This exceptional Art Deco Single Cut Diamonds Wedding Band is a genuine vintage treasure! The vibrant starburst pattern paired with a little wheat detail make this ...
Diamond, White Gold
Antique Art Deco Platinum Single Cut Diamond Engraved Wedding Band - Size 7
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco Platinum Single Cut Diamond Engraved Wedding Band - Size 7. This gorgeous Antique Art Deco single cut diamond wedding band is crafted in platinum. This bea...
Diamond, Platinum
Antique Art Deco 14K Yellow Gold Engraved Thin Wedding Band - Size 8 1/4
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco 14K Yellow Gold Engraved Thin Wedding Band - Size 8 1/4. This beautiful Art Deco engraved wedding band is crafted in 14k yellow gold. This beautiful band f...
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Sapphire and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Five Stone Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Set within the gold there are three bright blue and gorgeous sapphires totalling approx 20pts. Sat between the sapphires are two bright diamonds. The diamond total 10pts . The ring i...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold
Circa 1920s Art Deco Palladium Diamond Wedding Band
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1920s Item Details: Ring Size: 7(Sizable) Metal Type: Palladium [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 3.2 grams Diamond Details: .15ct, total weight. Antique single cut, F Color, VS...
Diamond, Palladium
.75 Carat Art Deco Diamond Platinum Wedding Band
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 6.25 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 2.0 grams Diamond Details: Weight: .75 carat Cut: Old European brilliant Color: G Clarity: VS Finger to Top of...
Diamond, Platinum
.40 Carat Total Weight Platinum Wedding Band
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 6.5 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 4 grams Diamond Details: Weight: .40 carat, total weight Cut: Antique Single Cut Color: F Clarity: VS Finger ...
White Diamond, Platinum
.75 Carat Total Weight Diamond Platinum Wedding Band
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 6.5 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 1.5 grams Diamond Details: Weight: .75 carat, total weight Cut: Antique Single Cut Color: F-G Clarity: SI Fin...
White Diamond, Platinum
Antique Art Deco Belais 18K White Gold Engraved Wedding Band - Size 5
By Belais
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco Belais 18K White Gold Engraved Wedding Band - Size 5. This beautiful Belais Art Deco engraved wedding band is crafted in 18k white gold. This gorgeous ring...
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique Art Deco 14K Two Tone Gold Engraved Wedding Band - Size 10 1/2
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco 14K Two Tone Gold Engraved Wedding Band - Size 10 1/2. This gorgeous Antique Art Deco engraved wedding band is crafted in 14k yellow gold and white gold. T...
Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Art Deco 18 Karat White Gold Wedding Band
Located in Great Neck, NY
Gorgeous 18K White Gold wedding band, perfect for stacking. #R0361 Metal: 18K White Gold Weight: 0.9 Grams Ring Size: 6 1/4 This ring can be sized for a $50 fee! *Please note ...
18k Gold
1920s Engraved Platinum Wedding Band
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1920s Item Details: Ring Size: 4.75 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 2.3 grams Band Width: 1.9 mm Condition: Excellent
Platinum
1920s 18K White Gold Engraved Wedding Band Size 6.75
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1920s Item Details: Ring Size: 6.75 (Sizable) Metal Type: 18k White Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 1.5 grams Band Width: 1.6mm Condition: Excellent
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1927 Engraved Date Platinum Art Deco Wedding Band
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1927 (Engraved on inner shank) Item Details: Ring Size: 6.25 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 2.2 grams Band Width: 2.5 mm Condition: Excellent
Platinum
Antique Art Deco 18K White Gold Engraved Wedding Band - Size 7
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco 18K White Gold Engraved Wedding Band - Size 7. This gorgeous wedding band is crafted in 18k white gold. The band is nicely engraved around the entire ring ...
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Platinum Edwardian 1922 Engraved Art Deco .55ct Old European Diamond Engagement
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1922 (Engraved inner shank) Item Details: Ring Size: 4.5 (Sizable) Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 3.7 grams Diamond Details: .50ct, total weight. Old Eur...
Diamond, Platinum
Antique Art Deco 18 Karat White Gold Engraved Wedding Band, circa 1922
Located in Great Neck, NY
Antique Art Deco 18K White Gold Hand Engraved Wedding Band #R0074 Metal: 18K White Gold Weight: 2.7 Grams Ring Size: 5 1/4 *Unfortunately this ring cannot be sized. Measurement...
18k Gold
Lugano 18k White Gold Baguette Sapphire Eternity Band, 1.60ct, Size 10
By Lugano
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This contemporary eternity band by Lugano showcases a continuous row of 27 baguette cut sapphires totaling approximately 1.60 carats, arranged in a seamless geometric pattern that wr...
Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage Belais Engraved Band 18K White Gold Size 5
By Belais
Located in Montgomery, AL
We always love a dainty engraved band!! Band Details Material: 18K White Gold Era: Art Deco 1920 - 1940 Designer: Belais Engraved: LD to LW 5-16-22 Band Width: 2.2mm Weight: 2.5 Gra...
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique Art Deco Orange Blossom Platinum Engraved Wedding Band
By Orange Blossom
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco Orange Blossom Platinum Engraved Wedding Band - Size 6. This classic platinum wedding band is engraved going all the way around and has the orange blossom ...
Platinum
1920 18K White Gold Wedding Band
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1920 Item Details: Ring Size: 6 Metal Type: 18K White Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 1.7 grams Band Width: 2.5 mm Condition: Excellent
18k Gold
Antique Art Deco Platinum Natural Ruby Square Cut Eternity Band - Size 6
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco Platinum Natural Ruby Square Cut Eternity Band - Size 6. This beautiful Art Deco natural ruby eternity band is crafted in platinum. This ring features natu...
Ruby, Platinum
Circa 1920s Yellow Gold Wedding Band Engraved Size 6.5
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1920s Item Details: Ring Size: 6.5 (Sizable) Metal Type: 10k yellow gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 0.7 grams Band Width: 2mm Condition: Excellent
Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
920s 14K Yellow Gold Engraved Wedding Band Size 6
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Ring Size: 6 (Sizable) Metal Type: 14K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 1.0 grams Band Width: 2.3mm Condition: Excellent
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Circa 1920s 18K White Gold Engraved Wedding Band
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: 1920s Ring Size: 6.5 (Sizable) Metal Type: 18k White Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 1.3 grams Band Width: 1.95mm Condition: Excellent
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1920S 10K Yellow Gold Vintage Engraved Wedding Band
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1920s Item Details: Ring Size: 6.75 (Sizable) Metal Type: 10K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: .75 grams Band Width: 2.1mm Condition: Excellent
Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
.05 Carat, Total Weight Diamond Platinum Wedding Band
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Ring Size: Approximately 5.15 Metal Type: Platinum Weight: 2.6 grams Center Diamond Details: Shape: Antique Single Cut Carat Weight: .05 carat, total weight Color: F ...
White Diamond, Platinum
Antique Art Deco 14K/18K Yellow Gold Thin Engraved Wedding Band - Size 6
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco 14K Yellow Gold Engraved Thin Wedding Band - Size 8 1/4. This beautiful Art Deco engraved wedding band is crafted in 14k yellow gold. This beautiful band f...
Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
.15 Carat Total Weight Platinum Wedding Band
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 6 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 2.7 grams Engraved: 11-16-27 Diamond Details: Weight: .15ct, total Cut: Old European brilliant Color: G Clarity...
Platinum
Antique Art Deco Platinum Classic Stackable Wedding Band
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco Platinum Classic Stackable Wedding Band - Size 6 3/4. This classic wedding band is crafted in platinum. The ring is in good condition and fits very comfort...
Platinum
Antique Art Deco Platinum Engraved Wedding Band
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco Platinum Engraved Wedding Band - Size 5 1/4. This classic wedding band is crafted in platinum. The sides of the wedding band are faintly engraved and can b...
Platinum
Art Deco Palladium Die Struck Wedding Band Size 8
Located in Boston, MA
An Art Deco period die struck palladium wedding band with linear and vertical embossed design. Hallmarked, and tested as Palladium. Measurements: 2mm wide by 2mm high. Weight: 1.8...
Palladium
Antique Ruby Wedding Band. Carre Cut Ruby Eternity Band Platinum Art Deco 1920
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Ruby Total Ruby Weight: 2.85 carats Stone Setting: Channel Jewelry Type: Wedding Band Style: Eternity Band Design: An Art Deco eternity band featuring ...
Ruby, Platinum
Antique Art Deco Platinum Old Cut Marquise Diamond Eternity Wedding Band
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco Platinum Old Cut Marquise Diamond Eternity Wedding Band. This incredible old cut marquise diamond wedding band is crafted in platinum. The ring has large o...
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage Yellow Gold Engraved Wedding Band Size 9
Located in Montgomery, AL
We always love vintage bands like this!! Such great detail! Band Details Material: 14K Yellow Gold Era: Art Deco 1920 - 1940 Band Width: 2.2mm Weight: 1.9 Grams Finger Size: 9 Sizab...
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Art Deco 18K Yellow Gold Thin Classic Engraved Wedding Band - Size 6 1/4
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco 18K Yellow Gold Thin Classic Engraved Wedding Band - Size 6 1/4. This beautiful classic Art Deco wedding band is crafted in 18k yellow gold. This ring is a...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Art Deco Platinum Glycine Old Cut Diamond Evening Watch
By Glycine
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco Platinum Glycine Old Cut Diamond Evening Watch. This incredible Art Deco Glycine old cut diamond evening watch is crafted in platinum. This gorgeous watch ...
Diamond, Platinum
Antique Art Deco Platinum Engraved Wedding Band
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco Platinum Engraved Wedding Band - Size 7 1/2. This classic wedding band has nice engravings going around the entire ring. It is in great condition and can b...
Platinum
Antique Art Deco Platinum Single Cut Diamond Wedding Band - Size 7 1/4
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco Platinum Single Cut Diamond Wedding Band - Size 7 1/4. This beautiful Art Deco diamond wedding band is crafted in platinum. The ring features five single c...
Diamond, Platinum
Antique Art Deco Wood and Sons 18K White Gold Engraved Wedding Band - Size 8
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco Wood and Sons 18K White Gold Engraved Wedding Band - Size 8. This beautiful wedding band is crafted in 18k white gold. The ring has faint engravings on the...
White Gold
Antique Art Deco Platinum Single Cut Diamond Classic Eternity Band - Size 6
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco Platinum Single Cut Diamond Classic Eternity Band - Size 6. This gorgeous classic Art Deco diamond eternity band is crafted in platinum. The ring features ...
Diamond, Platinum
14 Karat White Gold Wedding Band
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1920s Item Details: Ring Size: 6 Metal Type: 14K White Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 1.7 grams Band Width: 1.70mm Condition: Excellent
White Gold
Antique Art Deco Platinum Single Cut Diamond Eternity Band - Size 5 3/4
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco Platinum Single Cut Diamond Eternity Band - Size 5 3/4. This gorgeous Art Deco eternity band is crafted in platinum. The ring features beautiful single cut...
Diamond, Platinum
Antique Art Deco Platinum Single Cut Diamond Eternity Band - Size 5
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco Platinum Single Cut Diamond Eternity Band - Size 5. This beautiful Art Deco diamond wedding band is crafted in platinum. The ring features beautiful single...
Diamond, Platinum
Antique Art Deco 18K White Gold Two Tone Engraved Wedding Band - Size 4 1/2
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco 18K White Gold Two Tone Engraved Wedding Band - Size 4 1/2. This beautiful wedding band is crafted in 18k white gold and yellow gold inside the band. The r...
White Gold
Antique Art Deco Lambert Bros Platinum Engraved Wedding Band
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco Lambert Bros Platinum Engraved Wedding Band - Size 5. This classic wedding band is signed by Lambert Bros which is a well known jewelry house in which was ...
Platinum
Antique Art Deco Platinum Old Cut Diamond Engraved Eternity Band - Size 5
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco Platinum Old Cut Diamond Engraved Eternity Band - Size 5. This beautiful Antique Art Deco diamond engraved eternity band is crafted in platinum. The ring f...
Diamond, Platinum
Antique Art Deco 18K White Gold Classic Engraved Wedding Band - Size 6
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco 18K White Gold Classic Engraved Wedding Band - Size 6. This classic wedding band is crafted in 18k white gold. The sides of the band are engraved and they ...
White Gold
Antique Art Deco Platinum Old Mine Diamond Eternity Wedding Band
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco Platinum Old Mine Diamond Eternity Wedding Band - Size 5 1/2. This classic engraved old mine diamond wedding band is in good condition and has hand engravi...
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.