BVLGARI Ruby and Diamond Cocktail Ring, 18k
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
A BVLGARI Ruby and Diamond Cocktail Ring made in 18k yellow gold.
20th Century Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
BVLGARI Ruby and Diamond Cocktail Ring, 18k
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
A BVLGARI Ruby and Diamond Cocktail Ring made in 18k yellow gold.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
BVLGARI Emerald-Cut Ruby and Diamond Ring, 18k
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
A BVLGARI Emerald-Cut Ruby and Diamond Ring crafted in 18k yellow gold.
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
Bvlgari 18k White Gold Burma Ruby and Diamond Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Bvlgari 18k White Gold 1.15 cts of Diamonds 1.02 Cts Oval Ruby GIA Report 2233803252 Ruby is Burma (Myanmar) Gia Report 2233803252 Dec 2 2025 Size 7.5 Ruby 7.5 x 5.2 x 3.4 mm 1.02 c...
Diamond, Ruby, White Gold
Bvlgari Ruby and Diamond Cocktail Ring in Platinum, circa 1950s
By Bulgari
Located in Roma, RM
It is an exceptional acquisition for collectors of signed vintage jewelry and for those seeking an authentic 1950s ruby and diamond ring by one of the most prestigious jewelry houses...
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Bvlgari, 18K Gold Ruby Sapphire Diamond Ring, AGL
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
This Bvlgari ruby and sapphire ring reflects the house’s bold mid-20th-century aesthetic, celebrating vibrant color contrasts and architectural volume.
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1980's Bvlgari Trombino Ring with Unheated Burmese Ruby and Diamonds in Platinum
By Bulgari
Located in Roma, RM
This exceptional vintage ring by Bvlgari is an iconic example of the Maison’s celebrated trombino ring design, created during the 1980s, a period defined by bold architectural elegan...
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Bvlgari Bulgari Band Ring 18k Gold Cabochon Ruby Diamond AGL Certificate
By Bulgari
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A vintage Bulgari band ring made 18k gold, featuring cabochon ruby and diamonds. The ring comes with the AGL and GIA certificates. The band has a smooth and substantial presence wit...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Magnificent Bvlgari 8.23 Carat Ruby Diamond Platinum & 18k Yellow Gold Ring, AGL
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An extremely rare and important gemstone ring by Bvlgari. It features an incredible ruby weighing an astonishing 8.23 carats.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
RARE Vintage Bvlgari Astrea Vivid Red Ruby & Diamond 18k White Gold Bypass Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Birmingham, GB
Rare Vintage Bvlgari Astrea Oval Cut Vivid Red Ruby 18k White Gold Bypass Ring.
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Bulgari Burmese Ruby Diamond Cocktail Ring.
By Bulgari
Located in London, GB
Bulgari Burmese ruby and diamond ring. A natural unenhanced oval old cut Burmese ruby is set horizontally to centre in an open back rubover setting with an approximate weight of 2.80...
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Natural No Heat Burma Ruby, Sapphire and Diamond Ring
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
The Bvlgari ring features an oval-shaped burma ruby no heat measuring 9.85 x 7.00 x 4.28 mm and weighing 3.20 carats, flanked by oval-shaped sapphires approximately 0.75 carat, accen...
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
BULGARI 18K Two-Tone Gold, Diamond and Ruby Eyes Serpenti Ring
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
The Serpenti collection stands among BULGARI's most iconic creations, drawing inspiration from the serpent as an ancient symbol of vitality, wisdom, and transformation. Since its deb...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
BULGARI 18K Yellow Gold Emerald, Ruby and Diamond Ring
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Circa - 1970s Approximate Emerald Weight - 6.01 CTS Certification - AGL No Oil Size - 6.5 Signed - BVLGARI
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Natural Unenhanced Burmese Ruby Diamond Ring
By Bulgari
Located in London, GB
Bulgari Burmese ruby and diamond 'Trombino' ring. An important piece, set to centre with a cushion shape old cut natural unenhanced Burmese ruby, with an approximate weight of 4.42 c...
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
$11,400Sale Price|20% Off
Cabochon Sapphire Ruby Emerald Diamond Cocktail Ring 22.35ct Revival 18K Gold
Located in Great Neck, NY
Wonderful Matching Drop Earrings available on our page, or message us for more details! -listing is for ring only... Metal: Solid 18K Yellow Gold with White Gold Diamond Accents Cabo...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Star Rub...
$5,960Sale Price|20% Off
Toi et Moi Ring 1.02ct Mozambique Ruby & 1.31ct Diamonds Baguettes in 18K Gold
Located in Great Neck, NY
A striking and romantic high-jewelry Toi et Moi ring, masterfully crafted in 18K white gold and showcasing a rare no-heat Mozambique ruby paired with an exceptionally bright pear-sha...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Bvlgari 1980s Unheated Sapphire and Gold Necklace
By Bulgari
Located in Roma, RM
The pendant is suspended from a substantial gold chain and is accented near the suspension ring by two small rubies, one on each side, adding refined touches of color characteristic ...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold
$11,800Sale Price|20% Off
18K Gold Sapphire Ruby Emerald Cabochon and Diamond Earrings
Located in Great Neck, NY
Metal: Solid 18K Yellow Gold Blue Sapphires: 8.11 carats Rubies: 5.25 carats Emeralds: 5.21 carats Diamonds: 2.05 Craftsmanship: Fully hand-fabricated mounting; custom bezels, hand-...
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow G...
Bulgari Diamond Burma Ruby Bombe Earrings GIA Certified in 18 Karat Gold
By Bulgari
Located in Dallas, TX
Both large oval rubies are certified by GIA as Burma geographic origin and of vivid richly saturated color - These earrings showcase iconic Bulgari 1980s bombe design that is a true ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Unavailable
Ruby and Diamond Bvlgari Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Aventura, FL
Magnificent 5.00 Ct Oval Natural Heated Ruby from Thailand GIA Certificate # 1152809555 18K Yellow Gold Bvlgari Mounting with 2Diamonds equaling 1.10 Cts Weight: 17.05 gm. Size 7.75
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980’s Bvlgari Yellow Gold Ruby and Diamond Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Torino, IT
Timeless and sleek 1980’s Bvlgari Ruby and Diamond Ring. An oval Ruby cabochon is set horizontally to centre in an open back rubover setting with an approximate weight of 7.59 cara...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari vintage emerald cut diamonds & baguettes rubies ring in yellow gold.
By Bulgari
Located in Surfside, FL
Vintage Bvlgari ruby & diamond ring in 18k yellow gold. 5 emerald cut diamonds (approx. 0.50 carat), F-G color, VVS-VS clarity. 10 baguette rubies (approximately 1.50 carat).
Yellow Gold
60's Bulgari gold ring with blue topaz, diamonds and rubies
By Bulgari
Located in Valenza, IT
This spectacular Bulgari ring in blue topaz, diamonds and rubies fully respects the spirit of those years.
Diamond, Ruby, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold
Bvlgari Cabochon Burma Ruby and Diamond Ring, 1970s
By Bulgari
Located in Braintree, GB
Bvlgari Cabochon Burma Ruby & Diamond Ring Designer : Bvlgari Made in : Italy Circa.1970's Fully hallmarked Dimensions - (UK) = JK (US) = 5 1/2 (EU) = 50 1/4 Size : 2.4 x 2 x 0.85 ...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Bvlgari Yellow and White Gold Diamond and Ruby Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Southampton, PA
The ring is set with diamonds and a ruby and weighs 7.6 grams.
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Yellow and White Gold Diamond and Ruby Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Southampton, PA
The ring is set with diamonds and a ruby and weighs 7.6 grams.
White Diamond, Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
Bvlgari Gold Diamond and Burmese Ruby Ring
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Metal: Gold Condition: Excellent Circa 1960s Made in Italy Gemstone: Diamond & Ruby Oval Ruby Weight: 2 CT Diamond Weight: 0.30 CT Ring Size: 6 Total Item Weight: 14.5 g
Bvlgari Vintage Ruby Diamond Yellow Gold Band Rings
By Bulgari
Located in Feasterville, PA
A fabulous vintage stack of Bvlgari rings once showcasing calibre cut diamonds and one with rubies, circa 1960s.
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari 18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond and Ruby Band Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Southampton, PA
Set amidst a plethora of resplendent diamonds and against the luxurious sheen of 18K yellow gold, the stunning ruby gives a compellingly regal appeal to this marvelous Bvlgari ring.
Diamond, Yellow Gold
BULGARI Heart Ruby Diamond Yellow Gold Ring, 1980s Bvlgari
By Bulgari
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Classic yet prominent cocktail ring created by Bulgari in Italy in the 1980's. Colorful, elegant and wearable, the ring is a great addition to your jewelry collection. The ring is ma...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage BVLGARI Bulgari 18 karat White Gold Ruby and Diamond Gypsy ring
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
BVLGARI Bulgari vintage 18-karat white gold, ruby and diamond Gypsy ring Maker: Bulgari / Bvlgari Period: c.1980s-90s Material: 18k White Gold, Ruby and Diamond Weight: 9.2 grams Ri...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Bvlgari Tronchetto 18 Karat Gold Asscher Cut Diamonds and Ruby Baguettes Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Southampton, PA
"Beautifully accentuating the luxurious radiance of 18K yellow gold, the diamonds and rubies lend their resplendent allure to this marvelous Bvlgari ring.
Ruby, Yellow Gold
"Bvlgari" Peridot, Ruby, & Diamonds in 18K Yellow Gold Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
This is a signed "Blvgari" ring with a peridot, a ruby, & .20 carats of diamonds. It is a very clean and simple design offering elegant fashion.
Diamond, Peridot, Ruby, 18k Gold
Bulgari Bvlgari Diamond Blue Topaz Ruby Yellow Gold Naturalia Fish Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Southampton, PA
With 16 Diamonds Weighing .25ct With G Color And VVS Clarity Blue Topaz 10mm x 9mm Round ruby Details: Ring Size: 6 (resizing is available) Weight: 7.9 Width: 11mm Stamped Hallmarks:...
Diamond, Ruby, Topaz, 18k Gold
BVLGARI ITALY 18k Yellow Gold, Pearl, Diamond, Ruby & Sapphire Cocktail Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Highly collectible and well-made vintage Bvlgari 18k yellow gold, diamond, pearl, cabochon ruby & sapphire ring.
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire
Bvlgari 18 Karat Yellow Gold 0.25 Carat Diamond and Ruby Heart Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Southampton, PA
This Bvlgari ring is crafted from 18K yellow gold and set with a heart-shaped 0.85 ct ruby and with diamonds that total 0.25 carats.
Diamond, Yellow Gold
BVLGARI Italy 20k Yellow Gold, Diamond, Ruby & Emerald Cocktail Ring 1970s Rare
By Bulgari
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Highly collectible and well-made vintage Bvlgari Italy 20k yellow gold, diamond, ruby & emerald cocktail ring.
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Roma Fish Pesce Ring in 18Kt Two Tones Gold with Diamonds and Ruby
By Bulgari
Located in Miami, FL
A ring in the shape of a fish designed by Bvlgari.
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Made in France 18k Yellow Gold, Diamond, Cabochon Emerald & Ruby Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Bvlgari Made in France 18k Yellow Gold, Diamond, Cabochon Emerald & Ruby Ring Here is your chance to purchase a beautiful and highly collectible designer ring The ring size is 6.
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Vintage Bvlgari 18k Yellow Gold Blue Sapphire & Red Ruby W/ Diamond Bypass Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Montgomery, AL
Bvlgari 18k Yellow Gold Bypass Ring Ring Size 7.25 8.6 Grams White Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds Color: E-F Clarity: VS1 Cabochon Sapphire Cabochon Ruby This is a beautiful vintage...
Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Divas Dream White Gold Diamond Cocktail Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Feasterville, PA
A magnificent Bvlgari diamond cocktail ring from the Divas Dream collection inspired by feminine elegance. Designed after the Baths of Caracalla's marble and the curves of fan shaped...
Diamond, Ruby, White Gold
Bulgari Late-20th Century Ruby and Diamond 'Trombino' Ring
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
An 18 karat gold “Trombino” ring with ruby and diamonds by Bulgari. The ring has a cushion-cut ruby with a weight of 2.34 carats, 12 baguette diamonds and 48 round diamonds with an a...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Bulgari Diamond Ruby Gold Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Designed in 18k gold featuring white diamonds and a single red ruby. Signed Bvlgari. Ring size 4-1/4 and may be resized.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Bulgari Diamond Ruby Gold Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Designed in 18k gold featuring white diamonds and a single red ruby. Signed Bvlgari. Ring size 4-1/4 and may be resized.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Bulgari Diamond Ruby and Sapphire Bypass Band Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Southampton, PA
The ring is embellished with a splendid sapphire and a striking ruby that are accentuated by scintillating diamond stones.
White Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Serpenti Tubogas Diamond and Ruby Yellow Gold Snake Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Southampton, PA
The Bvlgari “Serpenti” ring is made of 18K yellow gold and set with diamonds and a ruby.
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Diamond and Ruby Yellow, White, and Rose Gold Band Ring
By Bulgari
Located in Southampton, PA
The ring is beautifully made of 18K yellow, 18K white and 18K rose gold and it is embellished with dazzling diamonds and striking rubies.
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Greek silversmith Sotirios Voulgaris arrived in Rome in 1881 and set up his own shop there in 1884, calling it Bulgari, an Italianization of his last name (in the brand's logo, it's styled BVLGARI, using the classical Latin alphabet in a nod to ancient Roman culture). In 1905, he opened the company’s flagship boutique on Rome’s Via dei Condotti. Since then, Bulgari has looked to Rome as a source of reference for its fanciful and decidedly romantic designs for necklaces, bracelets, earrings and other accessories.
Although the iconic jewelry house found success with its silverwork and Art Deco designs, popular through the 1920s, Bulgari’s signature style — bold, often using yellow gold embellished with big colorful gemstones — began to emerge when Sotirios’s sons inherited the business, in 1932.
The brand truly hit its stride in the dolce vita era of the 1950s and ’60s, when the founder’s grandsons Paolo, Gianni and Nicola Bulgari decisively departed from demure traditional styles to develop the house’s exuberant multi-gem looks, attracting celebrity collectors like Elizabeth Taylor.
In the 1940s, Bulgari debuted perhaps its most famous design, the Serpenti bracelet watch. The piece’s snakelike coils were made possible by the tubogas jewelry technique, which links a flexible series of thin horizontal bands. Both the sleek, modern tubogas construction and the sinuous snake motif continue to be synonymous with the Bulgari brand.
On 1stDibs, the collection of vintage Bulgari jewelry includes rings, pendant necklaces, watches and other accessories.
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.
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.