Antique Men Russian Ring
Antique Late 19th Century Russian Victorian Cluster Rings
Diamond
Early 20th Century Russian Arts and Crafts Signet Rings
Onyx, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century European Medieval Signet Rings
Carnelian, 18k Gold
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Vintage 1920s Art Deco Signet Rings
Lapis Lazuli, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 18th Century Italian Victorian More Jewelry
18k Gold, Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Fashion Rings
Garnet, 14k Gold
Antique 1820s Swedish Medieval Signet Rings
Chalcedony, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, Black Diamond, Titanium, Rose Gold
Antique 19th Century Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Gold, Silver
20th Century Italian Signet Rings
Peridot, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Classical Greek Signet Rings
Carnelian, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s French Retro Signet Rings
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s Signet Rings
Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary George III Band Rings
Gold, Enamel
Vintage 1970s British Modern Signet Rings
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 9k Gold
Vintage 1960s Italian More Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Signet Rings
Citrine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Classical Roman Signet Rings
Carnelian, 18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver
Recent Sales
Antique Late 19th Century Russian Russian Empire Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Vintage 1960s Unknown Modernist Fashion Rings
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1960s Unknown Modernist Fashion Rings
Carnelian, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Unknown Retro Cocktail Rings
Jade, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1960s Cocktail Rings
Opal, Sterling Silver
Antique 16th Century Unknown Renaissance Fashion Rings
Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century Russian Revival Signet Rings
Sapphire
Early 20th Century Russian Edwardian Solitaire Rings
Diamond
Early 20th Century Russian Russian Empire Solitaire Rings
Diamond
Early 20th Century Russian Wedding Rings
Diamond
Antique Early 19th Century Russian Victorian Cluster Rings
Diamond
Antique Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century Russian Renaissance Revival Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Sapphire
Antique Late 19th Century Russian Art Nouveau Signet Rings
Early 20th Century Russian Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Sapphire
Antique Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Solitaire Rings
Diamond
Early 20th Century Art Deco Solitaire Rings
Diamond
Early 20th Century Russian Edwardian Solitaire Rings
Ruby
Antique Late 19th Century Russian Art Nouveau Solitaire Rings
Diamond
Early 20th Century Russian Victorian Solitaire Rings
Yellow Diamond
Vintage 1910s Russian Art Nouveau Solitaire Rings
Diamond
20th Century Russian Edwardian Solitaire Rings
Diamond
Antique Late 19th Century Russian Victorian Cluster Rings
Diamond
Antique Mid-19th Century Russian Victorian Solitaire Rings
Diamond
Vintage 1910s Russian Art Deco More Rings
Early 20th Century Russian Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Sapphire
Early 20th Century Russian Art Nouveau Solitaire Rings
Diamond
Antique Late 19th Century Russian Victorian Solitaire Rings
Diamond
Antique Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Solitaire Rings
Diamond
Antique Late 19th Century Russian Victorian Signet Rings
Antique 19th Century Russian Signet Rings
Antique Early 1900s Russian Art Nouveau More Rings
Antique Mid-19th Century Victorian Signet Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver, Enamel
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.
Read More
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The vintage bombé ring is bursting with color and timeless style.
Zircon Rings: Our Guide to a Uniquely Colorful Natural Gemstone
Zircon is a magnificent and underrated natural gemstone that has been worn and adored for centuries.
[Survey] Two-Thirds of Jewelry Gift Recipients Don’t Want to Be Surprised
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.
Colorful Gemstones Are a Brilliant Choice for Engagement Rings
If diamonds don’t seem right, what about a magnificent sapphire, ruby or emerald?
Our Guide to Fancy-Colored Diamond Engagement Rings
Accounting for just 1 percent of all diamonds, these marvels of nature are exceedingly rare and gorgeously complex.
Our Guide to Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco Engagement Rings
Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.
Talking Diamonds with the Jeweler Behind J. Lo’s Engagement Ring
Alon Ruschin, of Vivid Diamonds & Jewelry, channels his passion for gems into helping clients find just the right ring.