Chanel Diamond Large White Gold Flower Ring
By Chanel
Located in Southampton, PA
18k White Gold Diamond Large Flower Ring by Chanel. With round brilliant cut diamonds E color VVS2
20th Century French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Chanel Diamond Large White Gold Flower Ring
By Chanel
Located in Southampton, PA
18k White Gold Diamond Large Flower Ring by Chanel. With round brilliant cut diamonds E color VVS2
Diamond, 18k Gold
Big Flower Ring 18 Karat Gold With Round and Chanel Baguette Diamonds
By Angeletti
Located in Roma, IT
Big Flower Ring 18kt Gold With Round and Chanel Baguette Diamonds. A Cascade of Blue sapphires for
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold
Unavailable
Chanel Diamond White Gold Flower Ring
By Chanel
Located in Sunny Isles Beach, FL
CHANEL Diamond Flower Cocktail Ring in 18K White Gold, Total Diamond Weight: 1.84ct, Center Diamond
Diamond, 18k Gold
CHANEL 18K White Gold Flower Ring With Diamonds Size 6
By Chanel
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
This Camelia ring from Chanel is made of 18K white gold and features sparkling Pave white diamonds
18K Gold "Chanel" Like 7.6 Carat Pink Sapphire, Diamond and Pariba Flower Ring
Located in Dallas, TX
Exceptional and Rare Oval Pariba weighing 1.08 carats. This Pink Sapphire Flower cocktail ring is
White Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gol...
CHANEL platinum diamond solitaire flower ring
By Chanel
Located in Southampton, PA
Exquisite! Authentic Chanel Platinum Diamond Solitaire Flower Ring. Metal: Platinum Ring size
Diamond, Platinum
Chanel Camelia Diamond Gold Flower Ring
By Chanel
Located in Southampton, PA
18k White Gold Diamond Camelia Flower Ring by Chanel. Part of Chanel's gorgeous "Camelia
Diamond, 18k Gold
Chanel Diamond Flower Cocktail White Gold Ring
By Chanel
Located in Feasterville, PA
A magnificent Chanel diamond cocktail ring featuring 2.35cts of the finest round brilliant cut and
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Chanel Large Camelia Flower Diamond Gold Ring
By Chanel
Located in Southampton, PA
18k White Gold Diamond Large Camelia Flower Ring by Chanel. From the Chanel "Camelia" Collection
Diamond, 18k Gold
CHANEL Camelia Diamond White Gold Flower Ring
By Chanel
Located in Southampton, PA
18k White Gold Diamond Flower Ring by Chanel. Part of Chanel's gorgeous "Camelia" collection
Diamond, 18k Gold
Chanel Byzantine Diamond White Gold Flower Ring
By Chanel
Located in Southampton, PA
Drawing on artistic influences from the Byzantine Empire, this ring from Chanel's Byzantine
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Chanel Diamond Flower Cocktail White Gold Ring
By Chanel
Located in Feasterville, PA
An extraordinary diamond white gold cocktail ring by Chanel that features 2.35 carats of the finest
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Chanel Diamond White Gold Two-Flower Camellia Ring
By Chanel
Located in Southampton, PA
18k White Gold Diamond "Camellia" Two-Flower Medium Ring by Chanel. With round brilliant cut
Diamond, White Gold
Chanel Gold Flower Cocktail Ring
By Chanel
Located in Greenwich, CT
Authentic Chanel Flower Ring, crafted in 18k white gold. This dazzling ring is previously loved, is
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, White Gold
Chanel Multi Gem Flower Ring
By Chanel
Located in New York, NY
Colorful and Vibrant Chanel ring composed of peridot, amethyst, and aqua "petals" with small round
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Diamond, Pearl, Peridot, 18k Gold
Chanel Diamond Camelia Camellia Flower Yellow Gold Band Ring
By Chanel
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond Camelia Flower Ring by Chanel. With 1 Round Brilliant Cut Diamond VS1
Diamond, 18k Gold
Chanel Camelia Camellia Flower Diamond Onyx White Gold Ring
By Chanel
Located in Southampton, PA
18k White Gold "Camelia" Diamonds And Black Onyx Flower Ring by Chanel. With 102 brilliant cut
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
Chanel Camelia Camellia Flower Diamond Onyx White Gold Ring
By Chanel
Located in Southampton, PA
18k White Gold "Camelia" Diamonds And Black Onyx Flower Ring by Chanel. With 102 brilliant cut
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
Chanel 18k White Gold Ceramic and Diamond Flower Ring
By Chanel
Located in Southampton, PA
This pretty Chanel 18K White Gold Ceramic Diamond Flower Ring is made with 18K White Gold forming a
Diamond, White Gold
Chanel White Gold Diamond and Triple Gemstone Flower Cocktail Ring
By Chanel
Located in Southampton, PA
A joyful festival of vivacious colors and refreshing glisten, this spellbinding ring from Chanel
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Peridot, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Chanel White Gold Diamond and Triple Gemstone Flower Cocktail Ring
By Chanel
Located in Southampton, PA
A joyful festival of vivacious colors and refreshing glisten, this spellbinding ring from Chanel
Amethyst, Aquamarine, White Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage Chanel Camélia Galbé White Ceramic and Diamond Flower Ring in White Gold
By Chanel
Located in London, England
An extremely elegant vintage Chanel white ceramic and Diamond flower ring set in 18k white gold
Diamond, White Gold
Chanel Camélia 18 Karat Yellow Gold and Ceramic, 3.00 Carat Diamond Flower Ring
By Chanel
Located in Southampton, PA
The Chanel “Camélia” ring is made out of 18K yellow gold and ceramic and weighs 21.7 grams. It is
White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Chanel Diamond Yellow Gold Large Camellia Flower Ring
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond Large Camelia Flower Ring by Chanel. From the Chanel "Camelia" Collection
Diamond, 18k Gold
Chanel Diamond Flower Cocktail White Gold Ring
By Chanel
Located in Feasterville, PA
An extraordinary diamond white gold cocktail ring by Chanel that features 2.35 carats of the finest
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Chanel 1932 Flower Diamond White Gold Large Ring
By Chanel
Located in Southampton, PA
18k White Gold Diamond Flower Large 1932 Ring by Chanel. Part of Chanel's gorgeous 1932 collection
Diamond, 18k Gold
Chanel Camelia Women’s 18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond Flower Ring
By Chanel
Located in Southampton, PA
reflective surface of 18K yellow gold, this gorgeous ring from Chanel boasts a wonderfully designed and
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Chanel Bouton de Camélia Diamond Flower ring 18K White Gold
By Chanel
Located in Honolulu, HI
Beautiful CHANEL Bouton de Camélia Diamond Flower ring. This stunning Chanel ring is beautifully
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Chanel Diamond White Gold Flower Ring
By Chanel
Located in Sunny Isles Beach, FL
CHANEL Diamond Flower Cocktail Ring in 18K White Gold, Total Diamond Weight: 2.08ct, Center Diamond
Diamond, 18k Gold
Chanel Agate Diamond Gold Flower Ring
By Chanel
Located in Paris, FR
A diamond, agate and 18 k white gold ring. Signed Chanel and numbered 6F521. Total diamonds
Agate, Diamond, 18k Gold
Chanel Citrine and Cognac Diamond Camellia Aquatique Flower Ring
By Chanel
Located in Columbia, MO
Camellia Aquatique Flower Ring Custom flower cut citrine Cognac diamonds 18 karat yellow gold Size 8 Comes
Citrine, Diamond, Brown Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Rhodium
A diamond and gold flower ring by Chanel
By Chanel
Located in Greenwich, CT
An circular-cut and pave-set diamond flower ring, the circular flowerhead with two tiered petals
Chanel Bouton de Camélia Diamond Flower 18K White Gold Ring Size 59
By Chanel
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
wear. This incredible Chanel camelia ring from the Bouton de Camélia line is presented in 18k white
White Gold
Chanel Flower Ring, Pearl and Multi-Gem, "San MarCo" Collection
By Chanel
Located in Paris, IDF
A 18kt white gold Chanel ring, "San Marco" collection, figuring a flower enhanced by an Akoya white
White Diamond, Pearl, Pink Sapphire, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, White Gold
Chanel Camellia Diamond Gold Flower Engagement Ring
Located in Lambertville, NJ
An 18k white gold ring in the form of a flower, set with a 0.52ct E/VVS2 diamond which is
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Chanel 18 Karat Camellia Flowers & Four-Leaf Clovers Diamond Ring 11.9g
By Chanel
Located in Southampton, GB
Diamond Weight: 0.15ct Ring Material: 18ct White Gold Total Ring Weight: 11.9g Ring Size: O The ring is
Diamond, 18k Gold
Cartier 18k Yellow Gold EU 53 Panthere Head Solid Design Spotted Lacquer Ring
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
CARTIER 18K Yellow Gold Panthere Head Solid Design Spotted Lacquer Ring. This is a must-have Cartier ring for every "Cartier addict". The beautiful solid gold Cartier Panthere head...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Hermes Birkin 40 Crocodile Shiny Porosus Red Bag with Diamonds 18K White Gold
By Hermès
Located in New York, NY
Hermes Birkin 40 Red with Diamonds 18 k white gold. Comes with dust bag, keys,Clochette,locker. Great condition. Original hermes diamonds not aftermarket. No CITES.
rare ALEXANDER MCQUEEN 2011 Runway floral laser cut cropped leather jacket IT40
By Alexander McQueen, Sarah Burton
Located in Hong Kong, NT
rare ALEXANDER MCQUEEN 2011 Runway black floral laser cut cropped leather jacket IT40 S Reference: MAEA/A00006 Brand: Alexander McQueen Designer: Sarah Burton Collection: Spring Summ...
$1,036Sale Price|20% Off
Size: 10
1990s Bob Mackie Size 10 Black Crepe Sexy 90s Vintage High Slit Evening Gown
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Sexy, yet sophisticated 1990s BOB MACKIE black crepe bodycon evening dress! Features an elegant sweetheart neckline, with satin trim. Figure flattering silhouette that hugs the body ...
15.9 Carat Diamond and Sapphire Drop Earrings
By Gems Paradise
Located in Jaipur, IN
Immerse yourself in the opulence of our 15.9 Carat Diamond and Sapphire Drop Earrings, where impeccable design meets the brilliance of precious gemstones. Each pair is meticulously c...
Diamond, Sapphire, Silver
Chanel Gift Box Minaudière Black Plexiglass GHW
By Chanel
Located in London, GB
Chanel Black Plexiglass Gift Box Minaudière Gold Hardware, 2017. The interior is lined in black leather. Includes authenticity card, and dust bag. This pre-owned Chanel® item has b...
CARTIER Paris Art Deco Enameled Cocktail Ring 18Kt Gold With Diamonds & Gemstone
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
An art deco ring designed by Cartier. This is a magnificent art deco ring, created in Paris France and designed by the jewelry house of Cartier. This colorful cocktail ring is very ...
Amethyst, Diamond, Jade, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel, 18k Gold
New Roberto Cavalli Buckle Stiletto Heel Black Leather Platform Boots 37 - US 7
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in Montgomery, TX
New Roberto Cavalli Black Leather High Heel Boots Designer size - 37 Style - BQS023-PZ220 Smooth Black Leather, Multiple Straps, Gold-Tone Buckles with Engraved Logo, Inner Half Zip...
David Webb 18K Yellow Gold Jade, Diamond, Black Enamel Statement Ring
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Embrace the extraordinary with this strikingly sculptural ring by David Webb, a piece that beautifully marries historical inspiration with modern design. Crafted in luxurious gold, t...
Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Enamel
Christian Dior by John Galliano 2005 Silk Nude Embellished Dress Fr. 42 US 10
By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in Montgomery, TX
Vintage Christian Dior by John Galliano Silk Embellished Dress 2005 Collection French size 42 ( US 10 ) Silver tone beads over the beige silk, Signature Galliano little buttons closu...
Chopard La Strada Diamond Wristwatch
By Chopard
Located in San Francisco, CA
This rare Chopard La Strada stainless steel model is designed with quartz movement, arched rectangular black dial, Arabic numeral markers, and subsidiary seconds dial. The bezel, lug...
Diamond, Stainless Steel
$31,200Sale Price|20% Off
IGI Certified Rare 25.49 Carat Burma Ruby & Diamond Ring in 18K White Gold
Located in KOWLOON, HK
Behold the magnificence of this IGI certified 25.49ct Ruby & 3ct Natural Diamonds Ring in 18K White Gold, a true embodiment of luxury and sophistication. This exquisite piece of jewe...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Chanel Coco Crush 18 Karat White Gold Band with Diamonds
By Chanel
Located in Bay Harbor Islands, FL
Coco Crush Diamond Band by Chanel Quilted motif, large version, 18K white gold, diamonds Ring Size 7.5 Metal Weight 18 Grams
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Chanel Vintage F/W 1993 Black Velvet Gold Chain Strap Corset 93A Dress
By Chanel
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Presenting a stunning black velvet Chanel dress designed by Karl Lagerfeld from the Fall/Winter 1993 collection. This elegant piece has a structured boned corset for a flattering fit...
$1,340Sale Price|20% Off
Size: 39.5
New Gucci Ad Runway 2014 Purple Orange Suede Mirrored Pump Heels Sz 39.5
By Gucci
Located in Conroe, TX
Gucci Brand New * With Gucci Box & Extra Heel Tips Spring/Summer 2014 Purple Black & Orange Suede Orange Mirrored Heels $1675 * Size: 39.5 Heels: 5.25" Platforms: 1/2"
$37,800Sale Price|30% Off
GIA Certified 12.25 Carat African Emerald and Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
This stunning Cocktail Ring features a beautiful GIA Certified 12.25 Carat Emerald Cut African Emerald with a Diamond Halo, that sits on a Double Diamond Shank. This Ring is set in...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
In the years following the opening of her modest millinery shop, Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel became a pivotal designer of both fashionable casual wear and Paris haute couture as well as an icon and arbiter of 20th-century style with her bob haircut and pearls. Today vintage Chanel handbags, jackets and evening dresses are among the most sought-after clothing and accessories for fashion lovers all over the world.
The first Chanel shop was established in 1910 in Paris on rue Cambon by the young milliner Gabrielle Chanel (1883–1971), who had picked up the nickname “Coco” while working as a club singer. The boutique drew the attention of the Parisian fashion elite who popularized her wide-brimmed Chanel Modes hats. Soon she added a sportswear store in the Normandy resort town of Deauville, where Coco set the tone for her defining sense of style — traditionally masculine garments reimagined for feminine shapes, made from simple jersey fabric.
Effortless and elegant, Chanel's designs promoted comfort and grace in women’s wear that had been dominated in the previous century by complicated layers of fabric and cumbersome corsets. She followed this success with a couture house, opened in 1915 in Biarritz.
But Chanel was not born into a life of glamour. Following the death of her mother, her father left her in an orphanage where she lived until the age of 18. It was there that she learned to sew as well as appreciate the classic pairing of black and white as worn by the nuns.
In 1926, Chanel introduced her first little black dress, reclaiming a color that had once been reserved for mourning and working-class women. That same decade, she debuted her perfume, Chanel No. 5, as well as the Chanel suit with a fitted skirt, inspired by the boxy lines of men’s clothing and employing a sporty tweed.
Chanel closed her fashion operations during World War II, then returned to the industry in 1954 to design for the functional needs of modern women.
Structure and wearability endured in all of Chanel’s clothing and accessories, like the quilted leather 2.55 handbag — a 1955 update of a 1920s-era design — with its gold-chain shoulder strap that freed up a woman’s hands. The 1957 two-tone slingback pumps had a practical heel height while offering a bold statement in the black tip of the shoes. Her collarless jacket reacted against the constricting styles of Christian Dior's New Look, replacing them with a design that was timeless, an instant classic.
After Coco Chanel died in 1971, the brand underwent several changes in leadership, including fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, who took over as artistic director in 1983. His collections for Chanel displayed his knack for synthesizing old and new, high and low. Lagerfeld revived Chanel ballet flats and thoroughly embraced the classic logo's interlocking CCs, which took the form of a clasp featured on so many of the rare Chanel bags that are much sought after today.
Vintage Karl Lagerfeld designs for Chanel dresses, coats and other clothing of the 1980s, '90s and 2000s riffed on its iconography, accenting a lexicon of Chanel-isms with tastes of the moment. And as the 1990s have become associated with styles adopted by today’s supermodels and influencers, vintage Chanel bags of the 1990s are among the most prized of the brand’s offerings.
Over the years, the company has continued to innovate, such as expanding into ready-to-wear fashion in 1978 and, in 2002, establishing a subsidiary company — Paraffection — dedicated to preserving the heritage skills of fashion artisan workshops. The House of Chanel still operates its flagship on rue Cambon in Paris, where it all began.
Browse vintage Chanel bags, evening dresses, shoes, jewelry and other clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
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.