Antique English Snake Ring
Antique 1870s English Victorian Band Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Antique 1890s British Victorian Engagement Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1930s English Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1810s English Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Wedding Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold
Antique 1870s British Victorian Fashion Rings
Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1910s British Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1880s English Victorian Cluster Rings
Spinel, Rose Gold, 9k Gold
1770s Old Masters Nude Sculptures
Bronze
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Antique 18th Century Unknown Victorian Fashion Rings
Diamond, Rose Gold
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Cocktail Rings
Ruby, Pearl, Yellow Gold, 10k Gold, Gold
Antique 19th Century American Victorian Band Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Silver
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Signet Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1910s European Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Ruby, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century British Art Deco Cluster Rings
Agate, Pearl, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Band Rings
Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Vintage 1960s Dome Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Unknown Band Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold
Antique 1870s French Victorian Brooches
Natural Pearl, Diamond, 14k Gold
20th Century French Brooches
Gilt Metal
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Engagement Rings
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, White Diamond, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k ...
20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Early 20th Century Edwardian Band Rings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
Antique 19th Century Pendant Necklaces
Garnet, Silver
20th Century French Brooches
Sterling Silver
Recent Sales
Early 20th Century British Band Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 15k Gold
Antique 1890s British Revival More Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1910s British More Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique 1870s British More Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Antique 1870s British Signet Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Cluster Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1910s British Edwardian Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s British Late Victorian Fashion Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Antique 1880s English High Victorian More Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Band Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s English Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1910s English Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s British Fashion Rings
Diamond, Garnet, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s British Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Quartz, 9k Gold
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Tea Sets
Sterling Silver
Antique 1870s British Victorian Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique Early 1900s British Band Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Vintage 1910s British Edwardian Wedding Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Band Rings
Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1870s English More Rings
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
Antique Early 1900s English Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1870s More Rings
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold
Antique Early 1900s English Victorian Band Rings
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century British Edwardian More Rings
Pink Sapphire, 9k Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Cluster Rings
White Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Fashion Rings
Garnet, Yellow Gold, 9k Gold
Antique 1880s British More Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique 1880s British Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Fashion Rings
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Antique 1870s British Classical Roman More Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique Early 1900s British More Rings
18k Gold
Antique 1860s British Engagement Rings
Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique 1890s British Victorian Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
English Fashion Rings
Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Band Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s English Victorian Solitaire Rings
White Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Fashion Rings
White Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique 19th Century English Victorian More Rings
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Signet Rings
Opal, 18k Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Fashion Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Fashion Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Yellow 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.
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