Cathedral Shank Ring
Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Solitaire Rings
White Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1960s Dome Rings
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Solitaire Rings
Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Modern Cocktail Rings
Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s American Modern Cocktail Rings
Emerald, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Platinum
2010s Cocktail Rings
Sapphire, Platinum
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Modern Cocktail Rings
Morganite, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
Vintage 1950s Retro Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Platinum
2010s American Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1910s Edwardian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1940s Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cluster Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Topaz, Platinum
2010s Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1950s Retro Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Platinum
2010s American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1950s Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s Canadian Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Morganite, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1950s Modern Cocktail Rings
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum
1990s Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1950s Retro Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1940s Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Modern Cocktail Rings
Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s American Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Burmese Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary More Rings
Diamond, Emerald, White Gold
Vintage 1910s Edwardian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
2010s American Modern Engagement Rings
White Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s Australian Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Engagement Rings
Yellow Diamond, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1940s Engagement Rings
White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
20th Century Unknown Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1950s Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
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Cathedral Shank Ring For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Cathedral Shank Ring?
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.
- What is a shank on a ring?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021A shank on a ring is another word for the band. It is the portion of the ring that encircles the finger.
- What is a split shank ring?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Split shank rings are differentiated by their band, which splits in two on either side to frame the gem in the center. The double band provides area to add additional accenting gems.
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