Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
1920s Art Deco Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, Platinum
1920s French Art Deco Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Pearl, Sapphire, Diamond, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold, Platinum
1920s Unknown Art Deco Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, Platinum
1920s Art Deco Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
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20th Century Art Deco Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1920s French Art Deco Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Onyx, Diamond, Platinum
Early 1900s Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
1990s French Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, Yellow Gold
19th Century British Victorian Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1920s American Art Deco Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Gold-filled
1890s Unknown Victorian Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Modern Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, 18k Gold
1880s Unknown Victorian Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Late 18th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, Platinum, Yellow Gold
Recent Sales
1920s Unknown Art Deco Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
1920s American Art Deco Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Emerald, Platinum
1910s Unknown Art Deco Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
1920s Art Deco Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, Platinum
19th Century Unknown Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, Platinum
1920s French Art Deco Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, Platinum
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, Platinum
20th Century Unknown Edwardian Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
1910s American Art Deco Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, Platinum
Early 20th Century French Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, Platinum
1920s French Art Deco Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
White Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
1920s Art Deco Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
1920s Art Deco Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, Platinum
Early 1900s Modern Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
1920s French Art Deco Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, Platinum
1920s French Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, Platinum
1920s Unknown Art Deco Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Yellow Gold
1920s Unknown Art Deco Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, Platinum
1880s American Contemporary Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
White Diamond, Platinum
19th Century Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, Platinum
1890s Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s French Art Deco Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
1920s Art Deco Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Platinum
1920s American Art Deco Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Jade, Platinum
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, Platinum
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, Platinum
1920s Unknown Art Deco Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Platinum
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Cartier Engagement Ring
Diamond, Platinum
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.