18K White Gold Spiral Diamond Ring, Italy 1950s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
0.6 carats on the spiral outline / Made in Italy 1950s Ring size US 6.75
20th Century Italian Dome Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K White Gold Spiral Diamond Ring, Italy 1950s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
0.6 carats on the spiral outline / Made in Italy 1950s Ring size US 6.75
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K White Gold Diamond Rivier Ring, 0.70ct, Italy, 1950s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
diamonds around in wire setting / Made in Italy 1950s Ring size US 7
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
14kt Yellow Gold Diamond and Mabel Pearl Cocktail Ring, Italy 1950s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
14 karat yellow gold ring with a Mabel pearl and surrounding diamonds / Made in Italy 1950s Ring
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Vintage 18K White Gold Diamond Ring, 2.5ct Total, Italy Circa 1950s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
tapered diamonds for a total of 2.5 karats, Italy 1950s Ring size US 9
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 18K White Gold Pearl and Diamond Ring, Italy Circa 1950s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
diamonds for a total of 0.6 karats, Italy 1950s Ring size US 7
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K White Gold Diamond Fan Ring, 2.5ct Baguette & Round Cut, Italy 1950s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
carats / Made in Italy 1950s Ring size US 7.5
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K White Gold Diamond Contrarie Ring, 2 x 1.1ct Diamonds, Italy 1950s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
brilliant diamonds on the contour for a total of 0.4 karats / Italy 1950s Ring size US 7.5
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1950s Italian 1.12 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Allesandria, Italy (*1926AL) and 18k gold fineness mark 750. This unusual vintage diamond and gold ring is
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K White Gold Dome Ring with 2.5ct Diamonds, Italy 1950s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
, Italy 1950-1960s Ring size US 6.5
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K White Gold Diamond Ring, 0.5ct Brilliant Cut, Italy Circa 1950s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
stem / Italy 1950-1960s Ring size US 7
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K White Gold Daisy Ring with 1.3ct Diamond, Italy Circa 1950s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
central diamond of 1.3 karats, Italy 1950-1960s Ring size US 6.75
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
0.60 Carat Diamond Engagement Ring Vintage 1950s White Gold
Located in Milano, IT
Antique and harmonious diamond solitaire engagement ring dating back to the 1950s in 18 carat white
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold and Turquoise Cocktail Ring circa 1950s
Located in Zurich, CH
Charming 18 karat yellow gold and turquoise Cocktail ring, circa 1950s. Of bombé design, crafted
Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Handcraft Sapphires 18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamonds Cocktail Ring
Located in Marcianise, IT
message to solve the problem. 1950s handcraft 18 karat yellow gold cocktail ring. Handmade by artisans
Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Unavailable
Diamond Gold Ring, Italy, 1950s
Located in Rome, IT
. Italian assay mark 750. Item condition grading: **** good - Ce.S.Ar. Certificate.
Diamond, Gold
1950s Italian 18K Gold Turquoise and Diamond Navette Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a vintage 1950s Italian 18K Gold Turquoise and Diamond Navette Ring. A striking expression
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold
1950s CJ Auger Carved Cabochon Ruby Diamond Gold Platinum Cocktail Ring
Located in New York, NY
1950's Carved Cabochon Ruby and Diamond Ring, signed CJ Auger. Ruby is approximately 9ct
Diamond, Ruby, 10k Gold, Platinum
1950s Illario Yellow Gold, Diamonds and Natural Sapphires Ring
By Illario
Located in Torino, IT
Extremely elegant Illario geometric Ring finely crafted in Italy in 1956 in rich 18 karat polished
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1950s 18 Karat Gold Buccellati Yellow Sapphire Diamond Ring Certified by SSEF
By Buccellati
Located in London, GB
diamonds, signed Buccellati, size 49 1/2. circa 1950's SSEF cert 72237 dated 14 Jan 2014 Estimated weight
Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold
1950s Retro Engagement Sapphire Ring with Diamonds in 18 Karat Gold
Located in Roma, IT
1950's 18k gold engagement retro ring with 1 sapphire 4.20 carats and 6 tapered cut diamonds 0.50
White Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Unavailable
1950s Buccellati Sapphire and Diamond Ring
By Buccellati
Located in Atlanta, GA
An 18 karat white and yellow gold, sapphire and diamond ring by Buccellati, circa 1950, designed as
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White G...
Fascinating Ring in Silver and 9 Kt Gold with Diamond Rosettes from the 1950s
Located in roma, IT
Fascinating ring in silver and 9 kt gold with diamond rosettes from the 1950s. Ring with a rounded
Diamond, Gold, Silver
Berca Terrier Motif Reverse Crystal Diamond Yellow Gold One-of-a-Kind 1950s Ring
By BERCA
Located in Valenza, IT
yellow gold signet or cocktail ring setting. The multicolor, vivid painting creates an unusual three
White Diamond, Rock Crystal, Diamond, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Berca Original 1950s Yellow Beryl Champaigne Diamond Crown Shaped Cocktail Ring
By Berca Atelier
Located in Valenza, IT
One-of a-kind, Original 1950's, Natural Oval Yellow Beryl in a Champaigne Diamond Hand Inlaid
Beryl, Brown Diamond, Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Beryl, 18k Gold
Vintage 1950s Angel Skin Coral Diamonds 18 Karat Gold Necklace Ring Earring Set
Located in London, GB
brooch too, gold is superbly worked in the 50/60's style and surrounded by big diamonds, wonderful. The
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold
1950s Italian 6.54 Carat Coral Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive vintage 1950s Italian 6.54 carat coral and 18k yellow gold cocktail ring; part of our
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Natural Oxblood Coral Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
deep red oxblood coral. Made in Italy circa 1950s. Measurements: 1.10" (28mm) width. The ring size is
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s 18kt Gold Rubies Ring
Located in Capri, IT
1950s 18kt Gold Rubies Ring 18kt white gold ring weight 18.9 diamonds and rubies size 15 on
Ruby, 18k Gold
1950s Italian 6.54 Carat Cabochon Cut Coral Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive vintage 1950s Italian 6.54 carat coral and 18k yellow gold cocktail ring; part of our
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Mario Buccellati Yellow Sapphire Diamond Gold Ring
By Mario Buccellati
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Magnificent cocktail ring created by Mario Buccellati in Italy in the 1950s. Features a 10
White Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Mario Buccellati Diamond Gold Open-Work Band Ring
By Mario Buccellati
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Lovely signature Buccellati band ring created by Mario Buccellati in the 1950's. The ring is made
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s-1960s Italian Burma No Heat Rubies and Diamond Flower Crossover Gold Ring
Located in Banbury, GB
This stunning ring is made up of two flower-shaped clusters. The lovely rubies are the petals
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Cazzaniga Stunning White and Yellow Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1950s, 18k, Cazzaniga, Italy. This exquisite diamond ring by the renowned Roman firm
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold
1950s Aquamarine Diamond White Gold Dress Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
weighing approximately 2 cts Mounted in 18Kt white gold Finger size: 7 Weight: 26.8 gr
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1950s Italian 2.5 carat Ceylon Sapphire and 1.5 c tapered baguette diamond ring
Located in London, GB
This beautiful 1950s 18 carat gold Italian ring has a Ceylon Sapphire centre stone of approximately
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1950s Serpent Pear Shape Diamond Gold Tube Coil Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Classic Italian made 18kt gold and .40 carat old cut pear shape snake tube ring. Classic revival
Diamond, 18k Gold
1950s Rose Gold Rubies Dome Engraved Little Finger 18 Carat Ring
Located in Milano, IT
An astonishing style bombe ring in solid 18K yellow gold dating to the early 1950s handmade in
Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1950s Italian Manufacture Yellow Gold and Coral Cocktail Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
This Mid-Century Modern, 1950 cica, gold and coral cocktail ring is a work of art of the most fine
Coral, Gold
1950s Italian Yellow Gold and Coral Ring
By Mario Buccellati
Located in Firenze, IT
Cabochon Ring, Circa 1950s. Buccellati Style. Wide selection of fine 1950s Florentine Jewelery. Please ask
Coral, Yellow Gold
Sold
H 3.5 in W 6.5 in D 5 in
Salviati Murano, 1950s Purple Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Ring Bowl Dishes
By Salviati
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Company, circa 1950s. Simple and elegant shapes. Covered all around with gold leaf. Flat dishes measure 6
Gold Leaf
Salviati Murano 1950s Gold Flecks Star Design Italian Art Glass Ring Bowls
By Salviati
Located in Kissimmee, FL
, circa 1950s. Although small, they are packed with a gold leaf layer surrounding the starfish designs
Gold Leaf
Sold
H 6 in W 4.25 in D 5.25 in
Salviati Murano 1950s White Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Ring Bowl and Basket
By Salviati
Located in Kissimmee, FL
FREE Shipping Worldwide! See details below description. Beautiful Murano Hand Blown Gold Flecks
Gold Leaf
Sold
H 6.25 in W 5 in D 4 in
Salviati Murano 1950s Orange Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Ring Bowl Basket
By Salviati
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage set of Murano hand blown gold flecks over orange Italian art glass ring or
Gold Leaf
1950s Mario Buccellati Sapphire and Gold Band Ring
By Mario Buccellati
Located in Atlanta, GA
An 18 karat white and yellow gold and sapphire ring by Mario Buccellati, circa 1950, the slightly
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Sweet 1950s Mario Buccellati Amethyst Diamond Gold Ring
By Mario Buccellati
Located in Atlanta, GA
An 18 karat white and yellow gold, amethyst and diamond ring by Mario Buccellati, circa 1950, of
Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Mario Buccellati Pink Sapphire, Diamond and Gold Ring
By Mario Buccellati
Located in Atlanta, GA
An 18 karat white and yellow gold, pink sapphire and diamond ring by Mario Buccellati, Italy, circa
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, White G...
1950s-1960s Vintage Corletto Signed Enameled Bee 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in St. Louis Park, MN
This vintage ring is from the 1950's-1960's. It is a signed Corletto piece. It is a fun bumble
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat Emerald and Diamond Chain Ring, 1950s, Mid-Century Modern
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Italian craftsmanship explains itself in this spectacular 1950's creation! Artfully crafted in 18
White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Minotto Chalcedony Pearl Gold Brooch and Ring Set
Located in Cremona, Lombardia
1950s Marcello Minotto set consisting of brooch and ring in engraved and segrinato gold with
Chalcedony, 18k Gold
1950s sapphire ring
Located in Florence, IT
beautiful ring made in gold , set with two mine cut diamonds , total weight ct. 0.50 circa and
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Original 1950s 12.10 Carat Natural Emerald Cut Citrine Rose Gold Cocktail Ring
By BERCA
Located in Valenza, IT
One-of-a-kind Original 1950's 12.10 Carat Natural Emerald Cut Citrine Rose Gold Setting Chic
Citrine, 18k Gold
Original Poodle Motif Essex Glasses Diamond Yellow Gold One-of-a-Kind 1950s Ring
By BERCA
Located in Valenza, IT
yellow gold signet ring setting. The multicolor painting creates an unusual three-dimensional effect
White Diamond, Rock Crystal, 9k Gold
Original Hounds Motif Essex Glasses Diamond Yellow Gold One-of-a-Kind 1950s Ring
By BERCA
Located in Valenza, IT
Essex Glasses or Reverse Painting Under Crystal featuring two hounds in a diamond and yellow gold
White Diamond, Rock Crystal, 9k Gold
Antique Ring 25ct natural Blue Sapphire solid 18K Gold Ø 4.75 US /9.6gr
Located in SE
Luxurious Antique Ring in Renaissance style, band and crown tested solid 18K Gold,not hallmarked, European, ca. XVIII - early XIX centuries. Huge cabochon of natural Light - Blue Sa...
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
$13,000Sale Price|23% Off
Ruby Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
Ruby and diamond ring in 18k yellow gold, 1960s. The ruby in the centre is a beautiful gemstone with a vivid red colour and extra ordinary crystal. It is surrounded by round brillian...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
GIA Certified Natural Emerald &Old Cut Diamond Three Stone Cluster Platinum Ring
Located in OVIEDO, AS
Natural Colombian Emerald and diamond three stone Ring This Colombian emerald has a beautiful combination of color and tone. The emerald is 70% primary green color with a medium inte...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
18K Yellow Gold 38cttw Round Cut Diamond Wide Cuff Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
Introducing a statement piece of unparalleled elegance: This wide estate 18K Yellow Gold Tapered Cuff Bangle. Measuring an impressive 3 inches in width, this exquisite bangle feature...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
5.18ct Diamond Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in New York, NY
This is a stunning 18k yellow gold ring. The ring is set with sparkling round cut diamonds that weigh approximately 5.18ct. The color of these diamonds is F-G with VS clarity. The to...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Cartier GIA Certified 13.46 Carats Oval Cut Yellow Diamond Engagement Ring
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite Cartier engagement ring, showcasing a vibrant 13.46 carats oval cut yellow diamond certified by GIA as Fancy Intense Yellow color and VS1 clarity, set on a classic four ...
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
GIA Certified 15.87 Carat Emerald-Cut Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Zurich, CH
Magnificent 15.87 carat emerald-cut diamond solitaire engagement ring. Classic solitaire ring centering upon a stunning emerald-cut diamond of 15.87 carats, I / VVS2. The ring mount ...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum, Rose Gold
5.03 Carat Royal Blue Sapphire Cushion Three Stone Platinum Engagement Ring
By Merkaba
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Magnificent 5.03ct Royal Blue Sapphire Platinum Engagement Three Stone Diamond Ring by Merkaba Jewelry Beverly Hills. Merkaba Jewelry Beverly Hills proudly presents this magnificent...
Diamond, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Vintage Granat Brothers Old European Cut Diamond and Platinum Engagement Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Ring size: 5.75 This stunning vintage diamond engagement ring will absolutely take your breath away. Exquisitely designed with multiple shapes of diamonds in a luxurious platinum se...
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Art Deco Style Diamond Sapphire Target Platinum Engagement Cocktail Dress Ring
Located in Lisbon, PT
Art Deco Style diamond and sapphire target stylized engagement or cocktail/dress ring in platinum, 2000s. This ring features a round brilliant-cut diamond millegrain-set to the cente...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
$2,640Sale Price|20% Off
Set in 18K Gold, 3.66 carats Morganite & Emerald cut Diamonds Engagement Ring
By JEWEL HUB
Located in Hong Kong, HK
A very gorgeous and beautiful, modern style, Morganite Engagement Ring set in 18K White Gold & natural Diamonds. The weight of the Morganite is 3.66 carats. The combined Diamonds wei...
Diamond, Emerald, Morganite, 18k Gold
Antique Edwardian 18K Gold Platinum Old Euro Diamond Engagement Ring - GIA
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Edwardian 18K Gold Platinum Old Euro Diamond Engagement Ring - GIA. This gorgeous Edwardian old European diamond engagement ring is crafted in 18k yellow gold and p...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1970s Style GIA 2.02ct ROUND Diamond 14k Yellow Gold Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
Free-Form Vintage 1970s Style GIA 2.02ct Natural ROUND Diamond 14k Yellow Gold Ring This an impressive, a smashing ring for connoisseurs of 1960s-1970s free-style design, perfectly ...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
GIA Certified 2.08 Carat Natural Two-Diamond Circular Toi et Moi Art Deco Ring
Located in Baltimore, MD
GIA Certified 2.08 Carat Natural Two-Diamond Toi et Moi Art Deco Ring Metal: 14k white/yellow gold Weight: 2.94 grams Diamonds: GIA certified 1.14 carat circular brilliant I SI2 & G...
Diamond, White Gold
Tiffany & Co., 5.06 Carats Diamond Engagement Ring
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
This beautiful engagement ring crafted by Tiffany & Co. boasts one emerald cut diamond weighing 5.06 carats with F color, VS2 clarity, surrounded by 28 calibre cut baguettes weighing...
Diamond, Platinum
GIA Cert. 5.49 Emerald Platinum Yellow Gold Ring White Diamonds F/VVS Ring
By AENEA Jewellery
Located in Salzburg, AT
With this unique Emerald ring you will never be overdressed and still it will never be an Understatement. The unique Zambian Emerald with an octagonal shape step cut is amazingly be...
White Diamond, Emerald, Platinum, Yellow Gold
Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself.
Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.
Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany & Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.
For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany & Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.
Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.
In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so.
Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.
Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle.
BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.
A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in.
Since Van Cleef & Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.
Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.
Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.
Antique and vintage rings have long held a special place in the hearts of fine jewelry lovers all over the world.
No matter their origin or specific characteristics, rings are timeless, versatile accessories. They’ve carried deep meaning since at least the Middle Ages, when diamond rings symbolized strength and other kinds of rings were worn to signify romantic feelings or to denote an affiliation with a religious order. Rings have also forever been emblematic of eternity.
Over time, rings have frequently taken the form of serpents, which have long been associated with eternal life, health and renewal. Italian luxury jewelry house Bulgari has become famous for its widely loved Serpenti motif, for example, and its Serpenti ring, like the other accessories in the collection, began as an homage to jewelry of the Roman and Hellenistic eras. The serpent is now a popular motif in fine jewelry. Jewelry devotees have long pined for rings adorned with reptiles, thanks to antique Victorian rings — well, specifically, Queen Victoria’s illustrious engagement ring, which took the form of a gold snake set with rubies, diamonds and an emerald (her birthstone). Designs for Victorian-era engagement rings often featured repoussé work and chasing, in which patterns are hammered into the metal.
Engagement rings, which are reliably intimidating to shop for, are still widely recognized as symbols of love and commitment. On 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement rings, vintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings.
The most collectible antique engagement rings and vintage engagement rings are those from the Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco eras. Named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who in succession ruled England starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign), antique Georgian rings, be they engagement rings or otherwise, are also coveted by collectors. Pearls, along with colored gemstones like garnets, rubies and sapphires, were widely used in Georgian jewelry. The late-1700s paste jewelry was a predecessor to what we now call fashion or costume jewelry.
The Art Nouveau movement (1880–1910) brought with it rings inspired by the natural world. Antique Art Nouveau rings might feature depictions of winged insects and fauna as well as women, who were simultaneously eroticized and romanticized, frequently with long flowing hair. Art Deco jewelry, on the other hand, which originated during the 1920s and ’30s, is by and large “white jewelry.” White metals, primarily platinum, were favored over yellow gold in the design of antique Art Deco rings and other accessories as well as geometric motifs, with women drawn to the era’s dazzling cocktail rings in particular.
Whether you’re hunting down a chunky classic for a Prohibition-themed cocktail party or seeking a clean contemporary design to complement your casual ensemble, find an exquisite collection of antique, new and vintage rings on 1stDibs.
Ancient Egyptians referred to the vibrant stone as the “gem of the sun.”
There are many ways to showcase a diamond, from traditional prongs to a smooth, streamlined bezel. Here’s everything you need to consider.
The vintage bombé ring is bursting with color and timeless style.
Zircon is a magnificent and underrated natural gemstone that has been worn and adored for centuries.
Givers of fine gems enjoy surprise more than receivers, and women more than men. Find out what else our survey of 3,000 Americans revealed.
If diamonds don’t seem right, what about a magnificent sapphire, ruby or emerald?
Accounting for just 1 percent of all diamonds, these marvels of nature are exceedingly rare and gorgeously complex.
Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.