20th Century Agate Cameo 18 Karat Rose Gold Antique Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat rose gold, owl hallmark. Important antique ring, of round shape, it is decorated with a cameo on agate representing the profile of a warrior helmeted in broad closed...
Agate, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Certified natural sapphire and diamond ring circa 1900
Located in Uccle, BE
Sapphire and diamond cluster ring circa 1900-1910. Bicolore gold 18 Karat ring set with a center natural non heated cushion Cambodian sapphire of approximately 1.41 Carats (certifi...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
French 20th Century Australian Opal 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold. Sublime antique ring, it is formed by three flat rings which support on the top of a rectangular shaped opal cabochon. Total opal weight: approximately ...
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century 11, 50 Carat Aquamarine Diamonds Platinum Pompadour Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in platinum. Important antique pompadour ring, it is set with an oval aquamarine of a deep blue in a surround of antique cushion-cut diamonds, all in millegrain setting. The bas...
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
20th Century Michaelange Carnelian Cameo 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold. Magnificent antique ring it is decorated with a two layers cameo on carnelian, representing the profile of Michelangelo. The cameo is held at the four c...
Carnelian, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
French Edwardian GIA 5.08 carat diamond 18k yellow gold platinum engagement ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This extraordinary French Edwardian diamond engagement ring is a romantic antique jewel from the 1910’s, centered by a GIA-certified old European cut diamond weighing an impressive 5...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
20th Century Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Flower Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold and platinum. Like a precious flower, the setting of this antique ring is adorned on top with brilliant-cut and cushion-cut antique diamonds, held in pla...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
20th Century Peridot 18 Karat Yellow Gold Silver Antique Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold and silver. The flat setting of this antique ring is square in shape with slightly rounded corners and is adorned all around with 8/8-cut diamonds in a g...
Peridot, Silver, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
20th Century Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold You and Me Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow and white gold. An antique ring known as “Toi et Moi,” it features scrollwork on the front, cornucopia motifs in chiseled white gold, and two floral motifs, e...
White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
0.50 Carat Natural Diamond Cross Ring G SI 14K White Gold
By Morris & David
Located in New York, NY
0.50 Carat Natural Diamond Cross Ring G SI 14K White Gold 100% Natural Diamonds, Not Enhanced in any way Round Cut Diamond Ring 0.51CT G-H SI 14K White Gold, Prong style, 2.4 ...
Diamond, White Gold
French, 1900s, Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Lion Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold, owl hallmark, and platinum, mascaron hallmark. Massive antique ring, it represents the head of a lion the open mouth, which holds an antique- cut diamon...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1878 Ring 0.5ct Diamond Enamel solid 18K Ø US5.5 / 2.26gr
Located in SE
A Ring with engraved and enameled shoulders, central Silver cluster featuring heart rose cut Diamond 5.5 mm x 4.4 mm / ca. 0.5 ct. color ca. N - P, VS. The back of the stone is close...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver, Enamel
1900s 1, 80 Carat Garnet 18 Karat Rose Gold Engraved Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat rose gold. Antique bangle ring, it is decorated on its top of an emerald- cut garnet, on both sides the departure of the ring is finely engraved. An engraving is als...
Garnet, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Belrose Estate Jewelers GIA 5 Carat Antique Elongated Old Mine Cut Diamond Ring
By Belrose Estate Jewelers
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
A "love at first sight" kind of engagement ring. Condition: New Era: Belle Epoque Year: Diamond (19th Century) Setting (21st Century) Metal: 18 Karat yellow gold & platinum Dia...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Fabergé Collection Three Colors of Love Gubelin Cert 6.01 Carat Sapphire Ring
By Fabergé
Located in Genève, GE
Three Colours of Love Sapphire Ring 100RG177/1 The Three Colours of Love Collection exemplifies ‘The Life in Colour’, seamlessly fusing extraordinary coloured gemstones, artistic i...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
1920s Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Platinum Swirl Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold ring and platinum. Antique ring with a rose-cut diamond swirl at the top, holding an antique brilliant-cut diamond in the center. Total weight of the mai...
White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
20th Century Opal Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold. Presenting a flat and openwork setting at the level of its basket this magnificent antique ring is decorated, in closed setting millegrain, of an Austra...
Opal, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s White Opal Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Platinum Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Our opinion : The opal set in this Belle Epoque antique ring is of the finest quality and features numerous vivid plays of color in shades of orange-green with a hint of yellow.
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
French 19th Century Natural Pearl and Old-Cut Diamond Ring in 18K Gold
Located in MONTMORENCY, FR
A romantic French 19th-century ring crafted in 18-karat yellow gold and centered with a natural pearl of softly rounded form. The pearl displays a delicate white tone, attractive nat...
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Wedding Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold. This elegant antique wedding band features a thick, slightly domed ring set with 8 cushion-cut diamonds. Total diamond weight : 0.50 carat approximately...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$197,600Sale Price|20% Off
Fabergé Collection Three Colors of Love Gubelin Cert 8.27 Carat Emerald Ring
By Fabergé
Located in Genève, GE
Three Colours of Love Emerald Ring 103RG180/1 The Three Colours of Love Collection exemplifies ‘The Life in Colour’, seamlessly fusing extraordinary coloured gemstones, artistic in...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
20th Century Diamond 18 Karat Yellow White Gold Comma Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow and white gold ring. This delicate gold ring features an openwork, striated drop design in yellow gold on the top. A comma motif set with a small diamond is e...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
20th Century Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Platinum Swirl Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Our opinion : The antique diamond tourbillon ring is an emblematic model of the Belle Epoque, a refined and elegant piece of antique jewelry.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1910s Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Platinum You and Me Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold and platinum. This charming antique ring features a motif known as “Toi et Moi” (you and me), set with two rose-cut diamonds in prongs. On either side, a...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
French 20th Century Spessartite Garnet Diamonds 18 K Yellow Gold Platinum Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle head hallmark, and platinum. A lovely vintage ring; its oval-shaped setting features a vivid orange spessartite garnet in a closed-prong setting a...
Garnet, White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
Old Cut Diamonds 18 karat White Gold Italian Engagement Ring
Located in Esch sur Alzette, Esch-sur-Alzette
The Old Cut Diamonds 18kt White Gold Italian Engagement Ring is a stunning piece of jewelry that exudes timeless elegance and sophistication. The term "Old Cut Diamonds" refers to di...
Diamond, White Gold
2.37 Carat Old European Cut Diamond Ring in 14K Yellow Gold and Silver
Located in Warszawa, PL
Diamond ring, 2.37 carats total, old European cut, 14K yellow gold and silver, vintage-inspired design. This exceptional ring harmoniously combines 14-karat yellow gold 585 and silve...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Silver
1900s Rose-Cut Diamonds 18 Karat Rose Gold Round Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat rose gold and platinum. A feminine antique ring, round in shape and set with rose-cut diamonds, the center one in a claw setting and those around it in a chased sett...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Platinum
20th Century Turquoise with Pyrite Diamonds 18 Karat Gold Platinum Oval Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold, owl hallmark and platinum, mascaron hallmark. Magnificent oval-shaped antique ring with a flat setting featuring an arabesque openwork basket supporting...
Diamond, White Diamond, Turquoise, Pyrite, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, ...
20th Century Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Engraved Bangle Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold, own hallmark. Antique bangle ring it is formed on its higher half of an openwork setting, such arabesques which join on the top to retain, with claws, a...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Cultured Pearl 18 Karat Yellow Gold Solitaire Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold. This fine ring is adorned with a solitaire pearly white oriental cultured pearl, with an openwork design on either side of the profile. Diameter of the ...
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1900s Sapphire Diamond 14 Karat Rose Gold Bangle Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 14 karat rose gold, shell hallmark. Pretty antique ring in rose gold, it is chiseled of decorations in arabesques and fleur de lys. In the center is a round sapphire in a squ...
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
French 20th Century Rubies Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle head hallmark. A delightful early 20th century ring, its front holds an openwork motif of 2 fleur-de-lis and two small crescents, all set with sma...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Cabochon Chalcedony Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold. Elegant antique ring, its basket all in smoothness supports an important cabochon of chalcedony retained with 4x2 claws. This one is surmounted on both ...
Chalcedony, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
French 20th Century Fine Pearl Diamonds 18 Karat Rose Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat rose gold, eagle head hallmark. This feminine antique ring is set with a pair of fine half-pearls held in place by prongs. One is pinkish white, the other creamy whi...
Natural Pearl, Pearl, White Diamond, Diamond, Rose Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
20th Century Diamond 18 Karat Rose Gold Curved Bangle Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat rose gold, eagle's head hallmark. Rounded rose gold ring set with a brilliant-cut diamond. Total weight of the diamond : 0.10 carat approximately. Height : 10 mm app...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
6.50 Carat BlueSapphire and 1.10 Carat Diamond Ring in 18K Yellow and White Gold
Located in Warszawa, PL
Sapphire ring, 6.50 carats, diamond ring, 1.10 carats, 18K yellow and white gold, oval-cut sapphire halo ring. This exquisite two-tone ring is masterfully crafted from 18-karat yello...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
GRS Certified 4.15 Ct Indicolite Tourmaline and 0.18 Ct Diamond Ring in 14K Gold
Located in Warszawa, PL
Tourmaline ring, 4.15 carats, diamond ring, 0.18 carats, 14K white gold, GRS certified. This refined ring is crafted from 14-karat white gold and features a natural indicolite tourma...
Diamond, Tourmaline, Indicolite, 14k Gold
20th Century Rubies Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Platinum Round Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Our opinion : A refined yet easy-to-wear Belle Epoque ruby diamond ring. Specialized in antique and creation jewelry since 1975, we deliver all our jewel with their certificate of a...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
20th Century Mediterranean Coral Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold, owl hallmark, and platinum. Pompadour ring, it is decorated in closed setting with a cabochon of Mediterranean coral, in a surround of antique- cut diam...
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
20th Century Rose Cut Diamonds 18 Karat Rose Gold Duo Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat rose gold. Antique rose gold ring featuring two arabesque motifs set on high claws with rose-cut diamonds. Total weight of the diamonds : 0,18 carat approximately. H...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
20th Century Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Solitaire Bangle Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold. This elegant antique ring features a smooth, slightly domed yellow gold band that widens at the front. In the center, an antique cushion-cut diamond is ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
French 20th Century Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow White Gold You and Me Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow and white gold, eagle head hallmark. An antique ring known as “Toi et Moi,” it features white gold leaf and flower motifs set on the front, with each flower s...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
French 20th Century Purple Sapphire Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Platinum Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle head hallmark and platinum. A feminine vintage ring featuring a slender, openwork setting set on a platinum band with small rose-cut diamonds. In ...
White Diamond, Diamond, Purple Sapphire, Sapphire, Platinum, Yellow Gold...
French 20th Century Mabé Pearl 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle head hallmark. This charming antique ring is set on a small, delicately chased corolla with a Mabé pearl and a palmette motif on either side of th...
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Fine Pearl Diamonds Yellow gold Platinum Marquise Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 Karats yellow gold and platinum. Antique marquise ring, slightly elongated in shape and set in the center with a fine button pearl surrounded by antique cushion-cut diamon...
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum, Yellow Gold
1920s Ruby Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Platinum Shuttle Shape Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold, and platinum. Elegant antique ring, its mounting is of shuttle shape and decorated in the center on platinum, of rose- cut diamonds surrounded by synthe...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
New 1900s Style Ruby Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Platinum Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle head hallmark, and platinum. This charming and feminine platinum and gold ring is set with claws on its top of an oval ruby, vertically supported ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
French, 20th Century, Diamond Pearl 18 Karat Rose Gold Crown Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat rose gold, eagle head hallmark. Surprising antique ring, its mounting is formed of a setting in the form of openwork crown and decorated on its top of a pearly pink ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
French 20th Century Australian Opal Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat in yellow gold, eagle head hallmark. Sober and elegant antique ring, it is decorated on its top with an important Australian cabochon opal held with claws and surmou...
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
French 20th Century Garnet Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Platinum Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle head hallmark, and platinum. Delightful antique ring, its round setting is decorated in the center of a faceted garnet in a closed setting of rose...
Garnet, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
French 20th Century Sapphire Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold and platinum, own and grotesque hallmarks. Antique ring from the beginning of the XXth century, its flat mounting is decorated in closed setting with a s...
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow ...
3 Carats Green sapphire and diamond cluster ring circa 1900 - 1910
Located in Uccle, BE
Sapphire cluster ring circa 1910. Bicolor 18 Karat white gold on top and yellow gold for the body of the ring. The ring is set with a Ceylon green sapphire of approximately 3 Cara...
Diamond, Green Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century Dendrite Agate Diamonds 18 Karat Rose Gold Silver Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat rose gold, and silver, owl hallmark. Rare and elegant antique rose gold ring, its setting is rectangular shape with cut sides and it is decorated in the center with ...
Agate, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
$620Sale Price|20% Off
FRENCH Edwardian 18kt Gold and Platinum Ring with Pearl and Diamond
Located in Aventura, FL
This enchanting antique French ring is crafted in 18kt yellow gold, showcasing a lustrous pearl at its center, elegantly complemented by sparkling diamonds totaling approximately 0.0...
Diamond, Pearl, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
20th Century Rose-Cut Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Platinum Rosette Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold, and platinum. Feminine, this ring presents a round shape openwork like a rosette in 2 tones : gold and platinum. Rose-cut diamonds enhance the setting a...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
20th Century 1, 40 Carat Emerald Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 Karat yellow gold. Charming antique ring, it is decorated on its top of a round cabochon emerald closed set, and shouldered on both sides of 2 antique brilliant- cut diamo...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1900s Green Agate Rose-Cut Diamonds 18 Karat Rose Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat rose gold, owl hallmark and silver, swan hallmark. Pompadour ring style, this antique ring is closed- set in the center with a green agate cabochon on a paillon in a...
Agate, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver, Sterli...
20th Century Turquoise Diamonds 18 Karat Rose Gold Round in Shape Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat rose gold. A charming round-shaped antique ring set with a cabochon turquoise in a surround of small rose-cut diamonds set in platinum. The basket is openwork and th...
Diamond, White Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique Edwardian 14K Gold & Platinum 0.81ctw Old Cut Diamond and Pearl Ring
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
Or the shimmering seed pearls? This Belle Epoque ring centres upon a pair of large, old mine cut diamonds.
Diamond, Pearl, 10k Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Antique diamond rings, diamond tiaras and dazzling vintage diamond earrings are on the wish lists of every lover of fine jewelry. And diamonds and diamond jewelry are primarily associated with storybook engagements and red-carpet grand entrances — indeed, this ultra-cherished gemstone has a dramatic history on its hands.
From “A Diamond Is Forever” to “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” pop culture has ingrained in our minds that diamonds are the most desired, the most lasting and the most valuable gemstone. But what makes the diamond so special? Each stone — whether it’s rubies, sapphires or another stone — is unique and important in its own right. April babies might claim diamonds for themselves, but just about everyone wants this kind of sparkle in their lives!
There are several factors that set diamonds apart from other stones, and these points are important to our gem education.
Diamonds are minerals. They are made up of almost entirely of carbon (carbon comprises 99.95 percent; the remainder consists of various trace elements). Diamonds are the hardest gemstones, ranking number 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Even its name, diamond, is rooted in the Greek adamas, or unconquerable. The only object that can scratch a diamond is another diamond. Diamonds are formed deep within the earth at very high temperatures (1,652–2,372 degrees Fahrenheit at depths between 90 and 120 miles beneath the earth’s surface) and are carried up by volcanic activity. Diamonds are quite rare, according to the Gemological Institute of America, and only 30 percent of all the diamonds mined in the world are gem quality.
In the 1950s, the Gemological Institute of America developed the 4Cs grading system to classify diamonds: clarity, color, cut and carat weight. Not all diamonds are created equal (there are diamonds, and then there are diamonds). The value of the diamond depends on the clarity (flawless diamonds are very rare but a diamond's value decreases if there are many blemishes or inclusions), color (the less color the higher the grade), cut (how the diamond’s facets catch the light, certain cuts of diamonds show off the stone better than others) and carat weight (the bigger, the better).
When you start shopping for a diamond engagement ring, always prioritize the cut, which plays the largest role in the diamond's beauty (taking the time to clean your diamond ring at least every six months or so plays a role in maintaining said beauty). And 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.
Shop antique and vintage diamond rings, diamond necklaces and other extraordinary diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.
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.