Art Deco GIA 2.01 carat old mine cut diamond platinum engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This authentic Art Deco engagement ring centers on a substantial 2.01 carat old mine cut diamond certified by GIA under report number 6505686430. The diamond is graded I color, givin...
Diamond, Platinum
1.31 Carat Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Ring Size: 7 Metal Type: Platinum Weight: 4.9 grams Center Diamond Details: Shape: Old European Brilliant Carat Weight: 1.31 carat Color: J Clarity: VS1 Finger to To...
White Diamond, Platinum
Art Deco Amethyst Cabochon Diamond Platinum Vintage Stepped Cocktail Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering a sugarloaf shaped amethyst cabochon measuring 11.0 x 13.5 mm Transparent medium purple in color with natural black speckle inclusions Set with wide tab-like prongs and fla...
Amethyst, Diamond, Platinum
Antique Art Deco Platinum Old Euro Diamond Trap Bullet Engagement Ring - GIA
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco Platinum Old Euro Diamond Trap Bullet Engagement Ring - GIA. This incredible Art Deco old Euro and bullet trap cut diamond engagement ring is crafted in pl...
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Platinum
Circa 1930s 14K White Gold Diamond .20ct Old European Brilliant Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Circa 1930s 14K White Gold Diamond .20ct Old European Brilliant Engagement Ring - VHK#56 Item Details: Year: 1930s Ring Size: 7 Metal Type: 14k White Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] W...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Art Deco 2.50 CTW Sapphire Diamond Platinum Vintage Double Halo Dinner Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering a cushion cut sapphire weighing approximately 1.80 carats - transparent medium blue in color Bezel set with a pierced floating double halo surround of single cut diamonds W...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Art Deco 2.50 CTW Garnet Diamond Platinum Vintage Double Halo Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering a rectangular step-cut garnet weighing approximately 1.55 carats total - transparent brownish red in color Set by milgrain bezel a with a bead set double halo surround of s...
Diamond, Garnet, Platinum
Art Deco Amethyst Cabochon Diamond Platinum Vintage Stepped Cocktail Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering a sugarloaf shaped amethyst cabochon measuring 11.0 x 13.5 mm Transparent medium purple in color with natural black speckle inclusions Set with wide tab-like prongs and fla...
Amethyst, Diamond, Platinum
.40 Carat Total Weight Art Deco Diamond Platinum Onyx Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 7.5 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 6.5 grams Diamond Details: Weight: .40 carat total weight Cut: Old European brilliant Color: F-G Clarity: VS On...
Diamond, Onyx, Platinum
Antique 1.45 Carat Emerald and 1.43 Carat Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique 1.45 carat emerald and 1.43 carat diamond, platinum cocktail ring; part of our diverse antique jewelry collections.
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Art Deco 4 Carat Engagement Ring. Old European Cut Diamond Ring K VS1 Platinum
Located in New York, NY
Beneath the center stone, a crown-style under-gallery introduces an intricate architectural detail characteristic of fine period craftsmanship. Handcrafted circa 1930, the Beckton R...
Diamond, Platinum
Art Deco 3.00 Carat Peridot and Diamond Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a striking cluster ring showcasing a vibrant green peridot at the centre, expertly cut to catch the light. Surrounding this radiant principal stone is a frame of shimmer...
Diamond, Peridot, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Art Deco Demaria 0.91 CTW Transitional Diamond Platinum Vintage Engagement Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering a transitional cut diamond weighing approximately 0.73 carat - I color with VS2 clarity Flanked by stylized geometric cathedral shoulders with milgrain detailing throughout...
Diamond, Platinum
Art Deco 0.80 CTW French Cut Diamond Platinum Antique Eternity Wedding Band Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Featuring French cut diamonds channel set fully around Weighing approximately 0.80 carat total H/I color with VS2 to SI1 clarity Accented by milgrain edges Tested as platinum Circa: ...
Diamond, Platinum
Art Deco 0.87 CTW Old European Cut Diamond Platinum Vintage Engagement Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering an old European cut diamond weighing approximately 0.72 carats I color with VS2 clarity - set via talon prongs in a decorously pierced gallery Flanked by geometric cathedra...
Diamond, Platinum
Art Deco 2.25 CTW Emerald Diamond Platinum Vintage Scrolling Halo Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering a square step cut emerald weighing approximately 0.90 carat - transparent deep green Bezel set and flanked by bezel set marquise cut diamonds weighing approximately 0.44 ca...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
.99 Carat Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Ring Size: Approximately 6.55 Metal Type: Platinum Weight: 3.3 grams Center Diamond Details: Shape: Old European Carat Weight: .99 carat Color: J Clarity: VS2 Side S...
White Diamond, Platinum
Art Deco Fancy Diamond Platinum Vintage Toi Et Moi Heart Engagement Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Featuring two old European cut diamonds bead set east to west In the Toi et Moi style - translating from French as "You and Me" One weighs approximately 0.47 carat - fancy dark brown...
Diamond, Brown Diamond, Platinum
Art Deco 1.13 CTW Old European Diamond Platinum Scrolling Wheat Engagement Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering an old European cut diamond weighing approximately 1.07 carats total - H color with VS1 clarity Set with wide prongs in a pierced mounting accented by bead set old European...
Diamond, Platinum
Antique Art Deco Platium Diamond Wide Floral Band Ring 6.50mm Sz 7.25
Located in Winter Springs, FL
An original Art Deco diamond band crafted in platinum, dating to the 1920s–1930s. The design features an elegant continuous floral and foliate motif, intricately pierced and set thro...
Diamond, Platinum
Art Deco 2.15 CTW European Diamond Platinum Vintage Ornate Wheat Engagement Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering an old European cut diamond weighing approximately 1.49 carats total - I color with VS2 clarity Set with grooved tab prongs in a cushion shaped gallery with scrolling openw...
Diamond, Platinum
Art Deco GIA 1.09 carat old mine cut diamond platinum engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This elegant Art Deco engagement ring centers on a 1.09 carat old mine cut diamond, certified by GIA #2231903947, displaying a soft, romantic brilliance with its J color and SI2 clar...
Diamond, Platinum
Antique Art Deco Diamond Blue Sapphire Filigree Engagement Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Fine Art Deco Engagement ring, with a high-quality center-diamond surrounded by handmade filigree design, Crafted in solid Platinum, the center is adorned by (1) Old Cut, prong-set,...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Art Deco 3.90ctw Navette Diamond Platinum Ring IGI Certified 7.46g Size 6.5
Located in Media, PA
This spectacular Art Deco "Navette" ring is a true masterpiece of early 20th-century design, featuring an impressive total weight of approximately 3.90 carats of natural diamonds. Cr...
Diamond, Platinum
Art Deco GIA 1.51 carat old mine cut diamond platinum engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This exceptional Art Deco engagement ring showcases a beautifully bright 1.51 carat old mine cut diamond, offering a rare combination of high color and soft, romantic antique brillia...
Diamond, Platinum
Art Deco GIA 1.03 carat rose cut diamond ruby platinum engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This captivating Art Deco engagement ring showcases a rare 1.03 carat rose cut diamond, offering a soft, glowing brilliance that evokes the romance of antique candlelight. The low-pr...
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Art Deco 0.52 Carat Diamond Platinum Vintage Scrolled Wheat Engagement Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering a transitional cut diamond weighing approximately 0.52 carat - I color with VS clarity Set by wide prongs with a puffed round gallery pierced with scroll motif Flanked by c...
Diamond, Platinum
Antique 1930s Ruby and Diamond Yellow Gold Unisex Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This fine and impressive antique ruby and diamond ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold.
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco GIA 1.03 carat rose cut diamond ruby platinum engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This captivating Art Deco engagement ring showcases a rare 1.03 carat rose cut diamond, offering a soft, glowing brilliance that evokes the romance of antique candlelight. The low-pr...
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Platinum GIA 1.27ct Old European Brilliant Diamond and Sapphire Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1930s Item Details: Ring Size: 6.25 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 3.7 grams Center Diamond Details: GIA Report#: 6237295765 Weight: 1.27ct total weight ...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Art Deco GIA 2.04 carat old mine cut diamond sapphire platinum engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The geometry of the era is unmistakable in the mounting, where the diamond sits within a crisp, architectural platinum frame that defined jewelry design in the years around 1930.
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
3 Carat Ring. Antique Old European Cut Diamond Square Halo Engagement Ring K VS1
Located in New York, NY
Handcrafted in platinum circa 1930, the Glenview Ring is a striking example of Art Deco design, combining a remarkable antique diamond with crisp geometric forms and finely executed ...
Diamond, Platinum
.55 Carat Total Weight Art Deco Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1930s Item Details: Ring Size: 7.5 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 3.1 grams Diamond Details: GIA Report#: 5221948721 Weight: .55ct total weight Cut: O...
Diamond, Platinum
.50 Carat Total Weight Art Deco Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 4.5 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 4.5 grams Diamond Details: Weight: .50ct total weight Cut: Old European brilliant Color: F-G Clarity: VS Type: N...
Diamond, Platinum
Enchanting 1.24CTW European Cut Diamond Scroll Work Engagement Ring in Platinum
Located in Boston, MA
An exquisite engagement ring featuring a central Old European cut diamond of 1.12 carats, H color, VS2 clarity. Accented by additional Old European cut diamonds totaling 0.12 carats...
Diamond, Platinum
Art Deco 1.44 CTW Old European Diamond Platinum Vintage Engagement Ring GIA
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering an old European cut diamond weighing 1.20 carats total - I color with VS2 clarity Prong set by eight grooved milgrain prongs - with a pierced geometric trellis motif galler...
Diamond, Platinum
Art Deco GIA 0.90 carat old mine cut diamond platinum engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This elegant Art Deco engagement ring showcases a beautifully bright 0.90 carat old mine cut diamond, offering a rare combination of high color and soft, romantic antique brilliance....
Diamond, Platinum
Art Deco Old European Cut Diamond Platinum Vintage Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering an old European cut diamond weighing approximately 0.60 carat - H color with VS2 clarity Bead set in a square form head with a pierced floating halo surround Featuring a pi...
Diamond, Platinum
Art Deco 0.45 CTW French Cut Diamond Platinum Vintage Eternity Wedding Band Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Featuring French cut diamonds channel set fully around Weighing approximately 0.45 carats total L/M color with VS2 to I1 clarity Flanked by milgrain edges Tested as platinum Circa: 1...
Diamond, Platinum
1.10 Carat Total Weight Art Deco Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 6.25 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 4.3 grams Diamond Details: Weight: 1.10ct total weight Cut: Old European brilliant Color: G Clarity: VS Type: N...
Diamond, Platinum
GIA Certified 1.91 Carat Art Deco Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 6.25 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 3.3grams Center Diamond Details: GIA LAB REPORT #: 5221843577 Weight: 1.91ct Cut: Old European brilliant Color:...
Diamond, Platinum
Gia Certified 1.39 Carat Art Deco Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 7 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 4.5 grams Center Diamond Details: GIA LAB REPORT #: 7458903834 Weight: 1.39ct Cut: Old European brilliant Color: N...
Diamond, Platinum
Art Deco Sapphire and Diamond Cluster Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in London, GB
An Art Deco sapphire and diamond cluster platinum engagement ring This beautiful Art Deco ring is set to its centre with a royal blue emerald cut sapphire with a classic diamond clu...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Late Art Deco 1.40ct Diamond Cluster Ring, circa 1930s
Located in London, GB
The late Art Deco years produced this stunning bombé style ring designed around a fiery 0.70 carat old cut diamond. The ring’s millegrain-edged c.1930s pierced platinum setting glit...
Diamond, Platinum
1930s Art Deco Diamond and Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive antique 1930's Art Deco 0.25 carat diamond and 18 karat yellow gold, platinum set cocktail ring; part of our diverse antique estate jewelry collections.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
J.E. Caldwell GIA 4.02 carat old European cut diamond platinum engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An extraordinary engagement ring from the renowned American jeweler J.E. Caldwell, this Art Deco masterpiece centers on a magnificent 4.02 carat old European cut diamond certified by...
Diamond, Brown Diamond, Platinum
Antique French Diamond and 18k White Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
The solitaire ring is supplied with an independent diamond grading certificate.
Diamond, White Gold, Platinum
Gia Certified .60 Carat Art Deco Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 7.5 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 4.81 grams Center Diamond Details: GIA REPORT #: 2225649465 Weight: .60ct Cut: Old European brilliant Color: K C...
Diamond, Platinum
Art Deco White Gold Ring, 0.12ct Diamonds & Synthetic Sapphires, 1930s
Located in Chorzów, PL
An old white gold ring with old-cut diamonds and synthetic sapphires. This ring is made of white gold, which was a popular choice in the Art Deco style for its modernity and elegance...
Diamond, White Gold
GIA Certified 1.06 Carat Art Deco Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 6 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 3.1 grams Center Diamond Details: GIA REPORT #: 6442588947 Weight: 1.06ct Cut: Old Mine Brilliant Color: J Clarity...
Diamond, Platinum
.75 Carat Total Weight Art Deco Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 6.75 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 3.0 grams Diamond Details: Weight: .75ct, total weight Cut: Old European brilliant Color: G/H Clarity: SI Fing...
Diamond, Platinum
Deco Ring with Diamonds & Pearl
Located in Milano, MI
Unusual Deco period ring set in gold and platinum with rose cut and old cut diamonds and pearl. Highlights - Platinum and gold - Rose cut and old cut diamonds - Cultured pearl Meas...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
French Art Deco GIA 1.01 carat diamond 18k white gold solitaire ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Crafted in France circa 1930, this solitaire ring captures the Art Deco era at its most disciplined — a moment when jewelers traded Edwardian lace for bold, geometric restraint.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Art Deco 0.46 CT Diamond Platinum Vintage Fleur-De-Lis Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering a transitional cut diamond weighing approximately 0.46 carat - H color with VS2 clarity Bead set in a square form head with a pierced fleur-de-lis motif gallery Flanked by ...
Diamond, Platinum
GIA Certified 1.36 Carat Art Deco Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 7.5 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 5.8 grams Diamond Details: GIA REPORT #: 2225497413 Weight: 1.36ct Cut: Old European brilliant Color: K Clarity:...
Diamond, Platinum
GIA Certified .70 Carat Art Deco Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 7.75 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 4.2 grams Diamond Details: GIA REPORT #: 6223493538 Weight: .70ct Cut: Old European brilliant Color: L Clarity:...
Diamond, Platinum
Antique Natural Saltwater Pearl and Diamond White Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This stunning, fine and impressive large antique pearl and diamond ring has been crafted in 18k white gold.
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
.45 Carat Total Weight Art Deco Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 5.75 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 4.6 grams Diamond Details: Weight: .45ct, total weight Cut: Old European brilliant Color: G-H Clarity: VS Fing...
Diamond, Platinum
.25 Carat Total Weight Art Deco Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 6.25 Metal Type: Platinum [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 3.0 grams Diamond Details: Weight: .25ct, total weight Cut: Old European brilliant Color: G Clarity:VS Finger ...
Diamond, Platinum
Antique Art Deco 1930s 0.60 Carat Marquise Cut Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in platinum with a Marquise cut center Diamond weighing approximately 0.60 carat, accenting French cut Sapphires and additional Marquise and Old European cut Diamonds ...
Diamond, Sapphire, 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.