Allsopp Brothers
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Decorative Boxes
Gold, Sterling Silver
Antique 1890s Victorian Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
People Also Browsed
1990s American Fashion Rings
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1910s French Trunks and Luggage
Brass
20th Century Engagement Rings
Sterling Silver
2010s American Modern Link Bracelets
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Charm Bracelets
Sterling Silver
1990s American Engagement Rings
Diamond, Silver
1990s American Fashion Rings
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Decorative Boxes
Brass
20th Century Modern Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Vanity Items
Sterling Silver
1990s American Fashion Rings
Sterling Silver
Antique Mid-19th Century German Victorian Jewelry Boxes
Bronze, Ormolu
20th Century Engagement Rings
Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1800s Unknown Victorian Band Rings
Yellow Gold
1990s American Wedding Rings
Silver
Antique 1890s British Victorian Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Gold
Recent Sales
Antique Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Dome Rings
Turquoise Matrix, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Chrysophrase, Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Chrysophrase, Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Signet Rings
Carnelian, Diamond, 10k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Link Bracelets
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Moonstone, Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Solitaire Rings
Moonstone, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century American Edwardian Band Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century American More Rings
Opal, 18k Gold
Finding the Right rings for You
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.