Edwardian Garnet and Opal 9 Carat Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Either side of the glittering garnets in this ring are gorgeous and colourful opals. The garnets total 30pts and the opals total approx 45pts. The setting and shoulders of this ring ...
Garnet, Opal, Gold
Vintage 9 Carat Gold Decorative Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
The engraving on this 9ct gold band is gorgeous and the pattern includes a four point star. This band would make a gorgeous fancy wedding band or a beautiful every day wear ring. Hal...
Gold
Vintage Hematite 9 Carat Gold Signet
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This glossy and shiny Hematite signet ring has a beautifully engraved soldier on the face. Made in Birmingham, England 1980. Ring Size: P or 7 3/4 Stone Face dimensions: 12x10mm We...
Hematite, Gold, 9k Gold
Art Deco Opal and Diamond 9 Carat Gold Band Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This Superb art deco opal is set flush in this 9ct yellow gold band. The glossy and colourful stone is set in a square setting and the rose cut diamonds are set either side. The diam...
Opal, Diamond, Gold
Sweet 9 Carat Yellow Gold Vintage Lovers Knot Puzzle Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Sweet 9ct Yellow Gold Vintage Lovers Knot Puzzle Ring wonderful lovers knot ring The item comes without the box in the photos but will be presented in a gembank1973 gift box Me...
Yellow Gold
Art Deco Onyx and 9 Carat Gold 'P' Initial Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This ring holds a rectangular onyx stone which has the letter 'P' which lays over the top. The shoulders have classic art deco style to them. Modelled in 9carat gold. Ring Size: U o...
Onyx, Gold
Vintage Black Diamond and 9 Carat White Gold Signet Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This signet ring is modelled in 9ct white gold which is perfectly complimented with black diamonds. The total carat weight is approximately 90pts. Made in Birmingham, England. Ring...
Black Diamond, White Gold
Vintage 9 Carat Gold Decorative Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
The engraving on this 9ct gold band is gorgeous and the pattern includes a floral pattern. This band would make a gorgeous fancy wedding band or a beautiful every day wear ring. Hall...
Gold
.20 Carat Total Weight Edwardian 9 Karat Yellow Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 6.5 Metal Type: 9 Karat Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 2.5 grams Center Stone Details: Type: Turquoise Weight: .20 carat, total weight Cut: Oval Cabachon Co...
Yellow Gold
Antique Black Enamel Pearl Ring in 9 Carat Yellow Gold
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Antique Black Enamel Pearl Ring in 9ct Yellow Gold “in memory of” ring, charming and chunky The item comes without the box in the photos but will be presented in a gembank1973 gi...
Pearl, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Vintage Peridot and Diamond 9 Carat Gold Three Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This chunky peridot ring is modelled in 9ct gold. Surrounding the green stone there are Diamond points. The peridot measures approx 75pts and the diamonds total approx 15pts. Ring S...
Diamond, Peridot, Gold
Vintage Aqua and 9 Carat Gold Three-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Modelled in 9carat gold. Ring Size: T or 9 1/2 Width: 10mm Height Off Finger: 6mm Weight: 2.9g
Aquamarine, Gold
Vintage Dark Pink Tourmaline Cabochon and 9 Carat Gold Solitaire Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This gorgeous ring is modelled in 9 carat gold. The deep pink tourmaline cabochon measures approx 75pts.
Tourmaline, Gold
Vintage Sapphire and Diamond 9 Carat Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This gorgeous ring holds two deep blue sapphires which total 15pts and three diamonds which total 25pts. The stones are set in platinum and the rest of the ring is modelled in 9ct go...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold
1.01 Carat Natural Diamond 9 Stone Band Ring G SI 14K White Gold
By Morris & David
Located in New York, NY
1.01 Carat Natural Diamond 9 Stone Band Ring G SI 14K White Gold 100% Natural Diamonds, Not Enhanced in any way Round Cut Diamond Ring 1.01CT G-H SI 14K White Gold, Prong style,...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1.25 Carat Natural Diamond 9 Stone Band Ring G SI 14K White Gold
By Morris & David
Located in New York, NY
1.25 Carat Natural Diamond 9 Stone Band Ring G SI 14K White Gold 100% Natural Diamonds, Not Enhanced in any way Round Cut Diamond Ring 1.25CT G-H SI 14K White Gold, Prong style,...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Vintage Hematite 9 Carat Gold Signet
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This glossy and shiny Hematite signet ring has a beautifully engraved soldier on the face. Made in Birmingham, England 1970. Ring Size: M or 6 1/4 Stone Face dimensions: 10x8mm We...
Hematite, Gold, 9k Gold
0.50 Carat 9-Stone Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14 Karat Rose Gold
By Morris & David
Located in New York, NY
0.50 Carat 9 Stone Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14K Rose Gold 100% Natural Diamonds, Not Enhanced in any way Round Cut Diamond Ring 0.50CT G-H SI 14K Rose Gold prong style 1.9 grams 2....
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
0.50 Carat 9-Stone Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14 Karat Yellow Gold
By Morris & David
Located in New York, NY
0.50 Carat 9 Stone Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14K Yellow Gold 100% Natural Diamonds, Not Enhanced in any way Round Cut Diamond Ring 0.50CT G-H SI 14K Yellow Gold prong style 1.9 gram...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1.00 Carat Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14 Karat Yellow Gold 9 Stones
By Morris & David
Located in New York, NY
1.00 Carat Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14K Yellow Gold 9 stones 3mm width 100% Natural Diamonds, Not Enhanced in any way Round Cut Diamond Ring 1.00CT G-H SI 14K Yellow Gold burnish s...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1.00 Carat 9 Stone Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14 Karat White Gold
By Morris & David
Located in New York, NY
1.00 Carat 9 Stone Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14K White Gold 100% Natural Diamonds, Not Enhanced in any way Round Cut Diamond Ring 1.00CT G-H SI 14K White Gold prong style 2.3 grams ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1.00 Carat Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14 Karat White Gold 9 Stones
By Morris & David
Located in New York, NY
1.00 Carat Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14K White Gold 9 stones 3mm width 100% Natural Diamonds, Not Enhanced in any way Round Cut Diamond Ring 1.00CT G-H SI 14K White Gold burnish sty...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1.00 Carat 9 Stone Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14 Karat Yellow Gold
By Morris & David
Located in New York, NY
1.00 Carat 9 Stone Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14K Yellow Gold 100% Natural Diamonds, Not Enhanced in any way Round Cut Diamond Ring 1.00CT G-H SI 14K Yellow Gold prong style 2.3 gram...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1.00 Carat Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14 Karat Rose Gold 9 Stones
By Morris & David
Located in New York, NY
1.00 Carat Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14K Rose Gold 9 stones 3mm width 100% Natural Diamonds, Not Enhanced in any way Round Cut Diamond Ring 1.00CT G-H SI 14K Rose Gold burnish style...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
1.00 Carat 9-Stone Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14 Karat Rose Gold
By Morris & David
Located in New York, NY
1.00 Carat 9 Stone Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14K Rose Gold 100% Natural Diamonds, Not Enhanced in any way Round Cut Diamond Ring 1.00CT G-H SI 14K Rose Gold prong style 2.3 grams 3 ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
0.50 Carat 9-Stone Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14 Karat White Gold
By Morris & David
Located in New York, NY
0.50 Carat 9 Stone Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14K White Gold 100% Natural Diamonds, Not Enhanced in any way Round Cut Diamond Ring 0.50CT G-H SI 14K White Gold prong style 1.9 grams ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Faye Kim 18 Karat Gold Citrine Hinged Bezel Ring, 9 Carats, Size 7.75
By Faye Kim
Located in Darien, CT
Faye Kim's 18 Karat Gold Citrine Hinged Ring features an oversized stone with a warm orange-yellow hue and half round shank. The citrine sits in a beautiful matte-finished bezel. C...
Citrine, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage Garnet and Opal 9 Carat Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Either side of the glistening opals in this ring are gorgeous deep red garnets. The garnets measure a total of 90pts. The opals measure 25pts each and are pale but with lovely fleck...
Garnet, Opal, Gold
Vintage Old Mine Cut Diamond and 9 Carat Yellow Gold Gents Ring
Located in London, GB
This vintage English gents ring from the 1930s is made in 9 carat yellow gold, featuring a bold tapered design set at the centre with a single old mine cut diamond weighing approxima...
Diamond, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Natural Rainbow Sapphire Eternity Band Ring, 14K Gold, 9-10 Carats
Located in jaipur, IN
This stunning, designer-made ring is crafted from 14-carat gold and features a RAINBOW SAPPHIRE gemstone.
Sapphire, 14k Gold
Vintage Ruby and Diamond Horizontal Cluster Dress Ring in 9 Carat Gold
Located in London, GB
This striking ruby and diamond cluster ring is crafted in 9 carat gold, with five oval cut rubies, of approximately 1.00ct combined, running horizontally across the finger.
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Round Ruby and 9 Carat Yellow Gold Hexagonal Cluster Cocktail Ring
Located in London, GB
Round, faceted rubies surround a central stone, forming a wonderful hexagonal cluster of approximately 3.00ct in total. Crafted in buttery 9 carat yellow gold, the ring features an ...
Ruby, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Emerald and Diamond 9 Carat Gold Triple Cluster Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
The three emerald stones in this triple cluster are a gorgeous bright green colour which is complimented by the bright diamonds which surround it. The diamonds total 20pts, the emera...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold
14K Yellow Gold Ruby and Diamond Halo Ring, 8-9 Carats
Located in jaipur, IN
This stunning, designer-made ring is crafted from 14-carat yellow gold and features a RUBY gemstone set within a halo of sparkling diamonds.
Ruby, Diamond, 14k Gold
Vintage 9 Carat Gold Russian Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This triple band is made up of a white gold, yellow gold and rose gold band. Made in London, England and modelled in 9ct gold. Ring Size: L 1/2 or 6 Band Width: 8mm Weight: 4g
Gold
0.50 Carat 9-Stone Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14 Karat White Gold
By Morris & David
Located in New York, NY
0.50 Carat 9 Stone Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14K White Gold 100% Natural Diamonds, Not Enhanced in any way Round Cut Diamond Ring 0.50CT G-H SI 14K White Gold prong style 1.9 grams ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
0.50 Carat 9-Stone Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14 Karat Yellow Gold
By Morris & David
Located in New York, NY
0.50 Carat 9 Stone Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14K Yellow Gold 100% Natural Diamonds, Not Enhanced in any way Round Cut Diamond Ring 0.50CT G-H SI 14K Yellow Gold prong style 1.9 gram...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1.00 Carat 9-Stone Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14 Karat Rose Gold
By Morris & David
Located in New York, NY
1.00 Carat 9 Stone Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14K Rose Gold 100% Natural Diamonds, Not Enhanced in any way Round Cut Diamond Ring 1.00CT G-H SI 14K Rose Gold prong style 2.3 grams 3 ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
0.50 Carat 9-Stone Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14 Karat Rose Gold
By Morris & David
Located in New York, NY
0.50 Carat 9 Stone Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14K Rose Gold 100% Natural Diamonds, Not Enhanced in any way Round Cut Diamond Ring 0.50CT G-H SI 14K Rose Gold prong style 1.9 grams 2....
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
1.00 Carat 9 Stone Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14 Karat White Gold
By Morris & David
Located in New York, NY
1.00 Carat 9 Stone Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14K White Gold 100% Natural Diamonds, Not Enhanced in any way Round Cut Diamond Ring 1.00CT G-H SI 14K White Gold prong style 2.3 grams ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
0.50 Carat Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14 Karat White Gold 9 Stones
By Morris & David
Located in New York, NY
0.50 Carat Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14K White Gold 9 stones 100% Natural Diamonds, Not Enhanced in any way Round Cut Diamond Ring 0.50CT G-H SI 14K White Gold Prong style 1.6 grams...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1.00 Carat Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14 Karat White Gold 9 Stones
By Morris & David
Located in New York, NY
1.00 Carat Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14K White Gold 9 stones 3mm width 100% Natural Diamonds, Not Enhanced in any way Round Cut Diamond Ring 1.00CT G-H SI 14K White Gold burnish sty...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1.00 Carat Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14 Karat Rose Gold 9 Stones
By Morris & David
Located in New York, NY
1.00 Carat Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14K Rose Gold 9 stones 3mm width 100% Natural Diamonds, Not Enhanced in any way Round Cut Diamond Ring 1.00CT G-H SI 14K Rose Gold burnish style...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
1.00 Carat Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14 Karat Yellow Gold 9 Stones
By Morris & David
Located in New York, NY
1.00 Carat Natural Diamond Ring G SI 14K Yellow Gold 9 stones 3mm width 100% Natural Diamonds, Not Enhanced in any way Round Cut Diamond Ring 1.00CT G-H SI 14K Yellow Gold burnish s...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Aqua and 9 Carat White Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Modelled in 9 carat white gold. Ring Size: R or 8 3/4 Width: 7mm Height Off Finger: 5.5mm Weight: 2.7g
Aquamarine, Gold
Vintage Fancy 9 Carat Gold Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This gorgeous 9ct gold band features open work detail with hearts and scrolls. Made in Birmingham, England. Ring Size: N or 6 3/4 Band Width: 7mm Weight: 2.6g
Gold
Antique 9 Carat Gold Fancy Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
The 9ct gold band is engraved with a fancy design on both of the outer edges of the band. Ring Size: P or 7 1/2 Band Width: 5mm Weight: 2.44g
Gold
Vintage 9 Carat Gold Fancy Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
The design is like rippled gold. This would make a great fancy wedding band or an ornate everyday ring. Made in Chester, England. Size: P 1/2 or 7 1/2 Band Width: 10mm Weight: 3.3g
Gold
$11,472Sale Price|40% Off
Fire Agate gold ring Rainbow Mexican Agate 9 carats gemstone unisex
By Alexey Gabilo
Located in Berlin, DE
14K gold ring with natural Fire Agate gemstone origin - Mexico gem size is 0.24 x 0.51 x 0.59 in / 6 x 13 x 15 mm agate weight - 9.15 carat ring size - 7.75 US ring weight - 8.1...
Agate, Fire Agate, Gold, 14k Gold
Antique 9 Carat Gold Engraved Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This band has engraving all the way around but it is very subtle due to the age of the piece and the wear. Modelled in 9ct gold. Ring Size: K or 5 1/4 Band Width: 5.5mm Weight: 2.6g
Gold
Vintage Opal and Diamond Point 9 Carat Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
The opals in this ring are pale but throw some great colours. They are set flush within the 9ct gold claws, there are also diamond points between each one. Ring Size: P 1/2 or 8 F...
Opal, Diamond, Gold
$35,988Sale Price|20% Off
GIA Certified 9 Carat Ceylon Sapphire Diamond Ballerina Vintage Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
This exquisite vintage ballerina ring features an impressive approximately 9-carat total weight composition, highlighted by a breathtaking, natural, unheated oval-cut Ceylon sapphire.
Diamond, Sapphire, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Vintage 9 Carat Gold Fancy Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
The 9ct gold band is engraved with a fancy design through the centre of the band. Made in Birmingham, England. Ring Size: J 1/4 or 5 Band Width: 6mm Weight: 5.8g
Gold
Vintage Diamond and 9 Carat Chunky Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
At the centre of this gorgeous star setting sits a stunning diamond. The stone measures pts and is bright with a wonderful sparkle. the whole style of the ring is chunky and has groo...
Diamond, 9k Gold
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
Diamond Ring of 14 Carat White Gold with 9 Oval Diamonds
Located in bronshoj, DK
Diamond ring of 14 carat white gold with 9 oval diamonds.
Diamond, White Gold
9 Carat Diamonds VS Quality Dome Shape Cocktail Platinum and Gold Ring Estate
Located in New York, NY
9 carat Diamonds VS quality Dome shape cocktail Platinum and Gold Ring estate This is a Dome shape cocktail ring from our premium wedding collection. approximately 9 carat of rou...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
Certified 18K Gold Matt Finish Cocktail Ring With 9 Carat Emerald
By Royaal Stones Ltd
Located in Bangkok, Thailand
*ALL OUR PRICES INCLUDE PREPAID TARRIFS & CUSTOMS DUTIES FOR USA CLIENTS.* A natural cushion-cab Zambian emerald in a sugarloaf shape, weighing 9.60 carats, sits at the heart of thi...
Emerald, 18k Gold
Vintage Sapphire and Diamond 9 Carat Gold and Platinum Panel Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This ring is gorgeous and holds a pale blue sapphire and sparkling diamonds. The sapphire measures approx 10pts each and the diamond total is approx 8pts. There is an inscription on ...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, Platinum
$76,000Sale Price|20% Off
GRS Certified 9 Carat Green Emerald Insignificant OIL Diamond Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
9 Carat Green Emerald Ring with Certification certified as insignificant oil!
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage Blue and White Paste 9 Carat Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This gorgeous ring holds three deep blue paste stones. The central blue stone measures 40pts and the outer sapphires measure 15pts each. The white stones between these blue stones me...
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.