Ancient Rings Bc
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Greek Classical Greek Signet Rings
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Hellenistic Engagement Rings
Gold, Silver
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Classical Greek Dome Rings
Carnelian, Crystal, Rock Crystal, Gold, Silver
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Classical Greek Signet Rings
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Classical Greek Cocktail Rings
18k Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Balinese Classical Greek Fashion Rings
22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Classical Greek Fashion Rings
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Classical Greek Cocktail Rings
18k Gold
2010s Italian Classical Roman Cocktail Rings
22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Classical Greek Fashion Rings
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Classical Greek Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Classical Roman Cocktail Rings
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Classical Greek Cocktail Rings
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Classical Greek Cocktail Rings
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Classical Greek Cocktail Rings
18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Classical Greek Fashion Rings
22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Classical Greek Cocktail Rings
22k Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Cocktail Rings
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Classical Greek Cocktail Rings
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Classical Greek Cocktail Rings
22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Classical Greek Cocktail Rings
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Classical Greek Cocktail Rings
18k Gold, Silver
Late 20th Century Greek Classical Greek Signet Rings
14k Gold, 22k Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Classical Greek Chain Necklaces
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Classical Greek Cocktail Rings
18k Gold, Silver
Recent Sales
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Signet Rings
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Greek Signet Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Greek Classical Greek Signet Rings
Silver
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Classical Roman Cocktail Rings
Gold, 18k Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Cocktail Rings
18k Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Classical Roman Cocktail Rings
Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s Greek Cocktail Rings
Gold, Silver
Vintage 1970s Italian Classical Greek Signet Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Greek Signet Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Greek Signet Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Greek Classical Greek Antiquities
Pottery
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Egyptian Antiquities
Faience
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Greek Classical Greek Signet Rings
Bronze
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Greek Classical Greek Cocktail Rings
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Classical Greek Fashion Rings
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Fashion Rings
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Classical Greek Fashion Rings
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Classical Greek Cocktail Rings
18k Gold
Vintage 1930s Greek Greek Revival Signet Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
2010s European Classical Roman Cocktail Rings
Silver
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Egyptian Classical Greek Signet Rings
Gold, Yellow Gold, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Classical Greek Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Classical Greek Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Classical Greek Cocktail Rings
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Classical Greek Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Classical Greek Cocktail Rings
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Classical Roman Cocktail Rings
18k Gold, Sterling Silver, Gold, Silver
2010s Italian Classical Roman Cocktail Rings
18k Gold
2010s European Classical Roman Cocktail Rings
Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Classical Greek Fashion Rings
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Classical Greek Cocktail Rings
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Neoclassical Cocktail Rings
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Classical Greek Cocktail Rings
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Classical Greek Fashion Rings
18k Gold, Silver
2010s Indonesian Classical Greek Cocktail Rings
18k Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Cocktail Rings
Silver
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Cocktail Rings
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Classical Greek Cocktail Rings
18k Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Classical Greek Cocktail Rings
18k Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Classical Greek Cocktail Rings
18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Classical Greek Cocktail Rings
18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Classical Greek Cocktail Rings
18k Gold, Sterling Silver, Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Classical Greek Cocktail Rings
18k Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Classical Greek Cocktail Rings
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Classical Greek Cocktail Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Classical Greek Cocktail Rings
18k Gold, Sterling Silver, Gold, Silver
Vintage 1960s Greek Signet Rings
18k Gold
People Also Browsed
2010s American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Antique 1870s French Bangles
Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Wrist Watches
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Classical Roman Dome Rings
Gold
2010s European Russian Empire Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel
Antique 1860s French Cuff Bracelets
Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
1990s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
1990s French Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
Early 2000s French Cocktail Dresses
Early 2000s Italian Low Heels
1950s French Evening Gowns
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Byzantine Signet Rings
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chandelier Earrings
Diamond, Platinum
1970s French Aesthetic Day Dresses
Vintage 1960s French More Objets d'Art and Vertu
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Vintage 1960s American More Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Ancient Rings Bc For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Ancient Rings Bc?
Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship
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.
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.