CARTIER Gypsy Ruby Diamond Yellow Gold Ring
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
This classic vintage Cartier gypsy ring is crafted in 18k yellow gold and bezel-set with a round
Vintage 1980s Band Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
CARTIER Gypsy Ruby Diamond Yellow Gold Ring
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
This classic vintage Cartier gypsy ring is crafted in 18k yellow gold and bezel-set with a round
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$38,800Sale Price|20% Off
Cartier 18K Yellow Gold Ruby and Diamond Ring
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
This exceptional Cartier ring is crafted in solid 18K yellow gold, fully assayed, and showcases a
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
CARTIER ring in yellow gold with emeralds, sapphires, rubies and diamonds
By Cartier
Located in PARIS, FR
Cartier vintage ring with a floral motif, in 18k yellow gold, featuring emeralds, sapphires, rubies
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$70,400Sale Price|20% Off
Cartier 18K Yellow Gold Ruby Cabochon and Diamond Ring
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
An elegant ruby and diamond ring by Cartier, crafted in 18K yellow gold and bearing French
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier Ruby Diamond Yellow Gold Ring and Earrings
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
This elegant set of Cartier wrap earrings and band ring features faceted pear-cut rubies and
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Cartier Ellipse Yellow Gold Ring Two Crossed Heads with Rubies
By Cartier
Located in Esch sur Alzette, Esch-sur-Alzette
timeless elegance and masterful design. Crafted from 18-karat yellow gold, the ring features Cartier
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier Ruby Emerald Yellow Gold Wide Band Ring Sz 6
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
This rare Cartier ring features an elegant openwork wide band design crafted in 18k yellow gold and
Emerald, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Cartier 18k Yellow Gold Round Ruby Sapphire & Diamond Rolling Band Ring sz4
By Cartier
Located in Montclair, NJ
Material: Solid 18k Yellow Gold Weight: 12.85 Grams Ring Size: Approx. 4 US (We cannot custom size this
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$44,000Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Cartier 18K White and Yellow Gold Diamond and Ruby Cocktail Ring
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Cartier 18K White and Yellow Gold Diamond and Ruby Cocktail Ring A striking vintage
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier Diabolo Diamond Mystery Invisible Set Ruby K18 Yellow Gold Ring US 6.5
By Cartier
Located in Tokyo, JP
Diamond, 8P Ruby, 750 K18 YG Yellow Gold ■Weight: 8.7g (Approx) ■Ring Size: EU: 53 / USA: 6.5 (Approx
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rare Vintage Cartier Ruby And Diamond Mimi 18k Yellow Gold Oval Cabochon Ring
By Cartier
Located in Birmingham, GB
Rare Vintage Cartier Ruby And Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Mimi Ring. Stunning yellow gold Cartier ring
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Cartier Pink Red Ruby Oval Cut 18k Yellow Gold Solitaire Ellipse Ring 50
By Cartier
Located in Birmingham, GB
Vintage Cartier Vivid Red Ruby 18k Yellow Gold Solitaire Band Ring. Stunning yellow gold ring set
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$18,400Sale Price|20% Off
Cartier 18K Gold Invisible Ruby Diamond Band Ring
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
An authentic Cartier Diabolo band ring, exquisitely crafted in rich 18 karat yellow gold and
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage Cartier Diamond Ruby Daphne 18k Yellow Gold Three Stone Domed Ring EU50
By Cartier
Located in Birmingham, GB
Rare Vintage Cartier Diamond & Ruby 18k Yellow Gold Three Stone Daphne Ring. Stunning yellow gold
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Cartier Diamond Ruby Daphne 18k Yellow Gold Three Stone Domed Ring EU53
By Cartier
Located in Birmingham, GB
Rare Vintage Cartier Diamond & Ruby 18k Yellow Gold Three Stone Daphne Ring. Stunning yellow gold
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Cartier Vivid Ruby Round 18k Tricolour Multi Tone Gold Solitaire Ring 49
By Cartier
Located in Birmingham, GB
Vintage Cartier Round Cut Ruby 18k Tri Colour/Multi Tone Gold Solitaire Ring. Stunning multi tone
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Rare Vintage Cartier Red Ruby Ellipse Oval Cut 18k Gold Bypass Split Ring 51
By Cartier
Located in Birmingham, GB
Rare Vintage Cartier Oval Cut Red Ruby 18k Yellow Gold Split Bypass Ring. Stunning yellow gold
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rare Vintage Cartier Large Red Ruby Ellipse Oval Cut 18k Gold Bypass Split Ring
By Cartier
Located in Birmingham, GB
Rare Vintage Cartier Oval Cut Red Ruby 18k Yellow Gold Split Bypass Ring. Large ruby size
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
c1992 Cartier Ellipse Ruby Band Sz 6.25 Ring EU 53 18k Gold Signed Jewelry
By Cartier
Located in Torrance, CA
Vintage Cartier ruby 'Ellipse' ring crafted in 18k yellow gold (circa 1992). Oval faceted ruby
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier Tutti Frutti Ruby, Emerald, Sapphire, Diamond Ring, 18K
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
A Cartier Tutti Frutti Ruby, Emerald, Sapphire, Diamond Ring made in 18 Karat Yellow Gold. The ring
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Cartier Ruby, Sapphire and Diamond Cocktail Ring, circa 1975
By Cartier
Located in London, GB
Cartier ruby, sapphire and diamond cocktail ring. Set with five octagonal emerald-cut diamonds in
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, Platinum
Cartier - Vintage Contessa Wedding Band in Yellow and White Gold, Diamonds, Rubi
By Cartier
Located in PARIS, FR
Vintage Contessa Eternity Band by Cartier from the 1990s. Made of 18K yellow and white gold (750
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier Sorbet Diamond 18k White Gold Cocktail Ring
By Cartier
Located in Feasterville, PA
A fabulous Cartier cocktail ring showcasing pear-shaped rose quartz accented by rubies, yellow
Diamond, Quartz, Yellow Sapphire, Tourmaline, White Gold, 18k Gold
OSCAR HEYMAN Cocktail Ring 18Kt Yellow Gold With 1.52 Ctw In Diamonds & Rubies
By Oscar Heyman
Located in Miami, FL
solid yellow gold of 18 karats with high polished finish. The ring is embellished with a gorgeous
Diamond, Ruby, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Oscar Heyman 18k Yellow Gold 2.5mm Square Ruby Band Ring sz 6.25
By Oscar Heyman
Located in New York City, NY
Oscar Heyman 18k yellow gold ruby calibre band ring contains 35 square rubies weighing 1.48 cts
Ruby, Yellow Gold
Cartier Diamond and Gemstone Band
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
diamonds, rubies and emeralds; all mounted in 18 karat yellow gold. Signed Cartier, 677586 with French
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
Louis Feron Citrine Ruby Ring 60s Vintage Band 18k Yellow Gold Sz 8.5 Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed vintage Louis Feron citrine & ruby ring crafted in 18 karat yellow gold (circa
Citrine, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
OSCAR HEYMAN Cocktail Ring In 18Kt Gold With 2.64 Ctw In Diamonds And Rubies
By Oscar Heyman
Located in Miami, FL
yellow gold of 18 karats with high polished finish. The ring is embellished with a gorgeous selection of
Diamond, Ruby, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
$8,600Sale Price|20% Off
Lucky Diamond Ruby Pearl 18 Karat Yellow Gold Precious Alligator Ring for Her
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
store to make sure Cartier got it just right. She even suggested they live there for a while, just in
Diamond, Tsavorite, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow...
1990s Baroda-Style 18kt Gold Tourmaline, Emerald, Ruby, Diamond Ring
Located in Malmö, Skåne län
This exceptional 1990s cocktail ring, set in 18 kt gold with a faceted green tourmaline flanked by
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,252Sale Price|25% Off
Bochic “Orient” Vintage Elephant Ruby & Sapphire Ring 18K Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Orient” VIntage Neoclassical Elephant Ruby and Fancy Sapphire Ring Set 18K Gold &
Ruby, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
Oscar Heyman Vintage Cocktail Ring Gold Platinum Ruby Diamond Estate Jewelry
By Oscar Heyman
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
evident in every angle. The ring is made of 18 karat yellow gold and features table cut rubies (total
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Platinum, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$11,200Sale Price|20% Off
Oscar Heyman Gold and Platinum Square Ruby Band Ring, sz. 6
By Oscar Heyman
Located in New York City, NY
Oscar Heyman 18kt yellow gold and platinum ruby band ring contains 16 bright Square Rubies weighing
Ruby, Gold, Platinum
AGL Burma Ruby Halo Ring. 1.40ct Unheated Cushion Cut Ruby Diamond Platinum Ring
Located in New York, NY
-Carats, certified by AGL for its authenticity and rarity. The ruby is elegantly set in 18k yellow gold
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Ruby Pink Sapphire Rose Cut Diamond Bee Fly Ring French Antique Insect Bug Gold
Located in New York, NY
fine Ruby, Pink Sapphire and Rose Cut Diamonds in 18 Karat Yellow Gold. The French Belle Epoque insect
Diamond, Ruby, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
$5,539Sale Price|20% Off
7.54 Rhodolite Ring-Radiant Cut-18KT Yellow Gold-GIA Certified-Rare
Located in London, GB
Rhodolite Ring Creator: Carson Gray Jewels Ring Size: 5 Metal: 18KT Yellow Gold Stone: Rhodolite
Rhodolite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
MAUBOUSSIN Paris Cocktail Ring In 18Kt Gold With 3.24 Cwt. In Sapphire &
By Mauboussin
Located in Miami, FL
A sapphire cocktail ring designed by Mauboussin. This is a beautiful and elegant cocktail ring
Diamond, Sapphire, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, White Gold, 18k G...
MAUBOUSSIN Paris 1970 Carved Coral Ring In 18Kt Gold, Platinum And VS Diamonds
By Mauboussin
Located in Miami, FL
crafted in solid yellow gold of 18 karats and platinum parts for the settings of the diamonds, all with
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, 18k Gold
Vintage Cartier Charm Bracelet 18k Gold French Estate Jewelry
By Cartier
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A rare vintage Cartier charm bracelet, made of 18 karat yellow gold, featuring gemstones
Diamond, Emerald, Malachite, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
AENEA Brazilian Emeralds Rubies 18k Yellow Gold Sterling Silver Stud Earrings
By AENEA Jewellery
Located in Salzburg, AT
. The fantastic Brazilian Emeralds are combined with intense Rubies and handcrafted in yellow gold and
Emerald, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver, 18k Gold, Rhodium
1950s French Ruby Emerald Chrysoprase Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Bird Brooch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Brooch in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle's head hallmark. Lovely retro brooch, it represents a bird of
Chrysophrase, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yel...
Bulgari Diamond Burma Ruby Bombe Earrings GIA Certified in 18 Karat Gold
By Bulgari
Located in Dallas, TX
diamonds, all set in 18 karat yellow gold. Two large oval rubies are of richly-saturated color and
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Boucheron Ruby And Diamond Earrings Day & Night Vintage Jewelry
By Boucheron
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
. The French vintage earrings are made of 18 karat yellow gold, cabochon rubies and diamonds. The rubies
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Lacloche Frères Pair Of Ruby And Sapphire Bracelets With Necklace Attachment
By Lacloche Freres
Located in Weston, MA
bracelet features two 18K yellow gold woven mesh tubogas-style bands accented by three-dimensional
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
David Webb Station Necklace Cabochon 18k Gold Vintage Estate Jewelry
By David Webb
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
is made of 18 karat yellow gold and bezel-set cabochon ruby, emerald and sapphire. The chain measures
Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
David Webb Kingdom Bracelet Ram Aries Gold Platinum Gemstones Estate Jewelry
By David Webb
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
karat yellow gold, platinum, cabochon rubies (approximately 0.75 carat total), emeralds (approximately
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1950s Multi Precious Stones Rose Gold Tutti Frutti Bouquet Brooch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Brooch in 14 karat rose gold, shell hallmark and platinum. A sublime retro brooch inspired by the
Diamond, White Diamond, Garnet, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Citrine, Ruby, ...
18K Solid Gold Diamond Blue Bird Brooch
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Crafted from solid yellow gold, this brooch features a mama bird
Diamond, Gold
Unavailable|$11,882
Cartier Multicolor Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire Ring in 18K Yellow Gold
By Cartier
Located in London, GB
Cartier Multicolor Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire Ring in 18K Yellow Gold Additional Information
Yellow Gold
Unavailable|$5,950
Cartier Invisibly Set Ruby Diamond Gold Ring
By Cartier
Located in Toronto, ON
18 kt yellow gold diamond and invisibly set ruby ring, signed Cartier, registration mark 305029
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Unavailable|$18,000
CARTIER Panther Ruby and Diamond Gold Ring
By Cartier
Located in Bay Harbor Islands, FL
This beautiful CARTIER ring,"Panther Collection", is crafted in 18K Yellow Gold and it is
Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold
Unavailable|$35,000
Cartier Ruby Diamond Gold Ring
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Cartier 18KT white and yellow gold diamond and ruby cocktail ring. Ring contains
Unavailable|$4,860
Vintage Cartier Gaia Emerald, Ruby and Diamond Ring
By Cartier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Cartier true work of art. the Gaia 18K yellow gold ring showcases a spectacular design. the ring
Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, Ruby, 18k Gold
Cartier 18k Gold & 2.25 Carat Ruby Solitaire Ring w/ 1.30 Carat Diamonds, Size 6
By Cartier
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
Beautiful French Cartier Ruby, Diamond, Gold Ring The ring features an oval-shaped ruby cabochon
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Unavailable|$10,000
CARTIER Elegant Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald and Diamond Ring
Located in Bay Harbor Islands, FL
This elegant Ring is signed by CARTIER and is crafted in 18K Yellow Gold. It is embellished with
Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold
Cartier, 18K Yellow Gold, Ruby and Diamond Ring
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
. Stamp: Cartier 18KT 647. Ring Size: 6 1/2 Material: 18 karat yellow gold Gross weight: 2.85 grams
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier Diamond and Ruby Yellow Gold Dome Ring
By Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
Incredibly designed in 18K yellow gold, this gorgeous Cartier ring demonstrates utmost magnificence
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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.
This deep red gem is the color of heat and passion — vintage and antique ruby jewelry is perfect for those born in the middle of summer.
Rubies are one of the few gemstones that can give diamonds a run for their money. Just consider the Van Cleef & Arpels “scarf” necklace the Duke of Windsor presented to the Duchess on her 40th birthday, in 1936 — set with diamonds and dripping with rubies, a testament to the deep-red gemstone’s power — or the slippers encrusted with 4,600 rubies that Harry Winston made to commemorate The Wizard of Oz’s golden anniversary. July babies have permission to adorn themselves with this beautiful red stone even when it’s not their birthday.
Rubies are considered precious stones — along with diamonds, sapphires and emeralds — and have a hardness of 9.0 on the Mohs Scale, surpassed only by Moissanite and diamonds. They are composed of corundum, a colorless mineral that is also the basic material of sapphires. In the July birthstone, the red of the gemstone — and the various hues seen in sapphires — are produced by the presence of trace elements. In the case of a ruby, this element is chromium. Rubies range in color from vermilion to a violet red. They are also pleochroic, which means that a stone’s hue can vary depending on the direction of viewing. The most sought-after color is pigeon’s blood: pure red with a hint of blue.
Rubies that are hosted in dolomite marble are the most prized: Because the marble is low in iron, so are the rubies, resulting in a more intense color. Rubies found in basalt, which has a higher iron content, are generally darker and less intense.
When shopping for antique and vintage ruby jewelry, remember that the 4Cs of selecting the perfect diamond — color, clarity, cut and carat — also apply to rubies.
According to the Gemological Institute of America, the color of the July birthstone should be a vibrant to slightly purplish red, and the stone should be clear and inclusion-free. Accordingly, the cut should show off its color and clarity. As for the last criterion, fine rubies more than a carat in weight are rare. Often, large rubies are more expensive than diamonds of comparable weights.
Find a collection of ruby necklaces, ruby rings and other accessories 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.