David Webb Large Ruby Rings
20th Century American Modern Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Enamel
20th Century American Modern Fashion Rings
Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s American Modern Fashion Rings
Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
20th Century American Modern Cocktail Rings
Ruby, Sapphire, Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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2010s Italian Band Rings
White Diamond, Tsavorite, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Pink Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1960s American Brooches
Emerald, 18k Gold
20th Century French Modern Cuff Bracelets
Hematite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Brooches
Diamond, White Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1960s French Drop Earrings
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Bangles
Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond
Vintage 1960s Italian Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Vintage 1960s French Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage 1950s American Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1970s Unknown Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Artist Engagement Rings
Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Modern Brooches
Enamel
20th Century American Modern Beaded Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Recent Sales
20th Century American More Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1970s American Modern Band Rings
Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s American Modern More Rings
Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century American More Rings
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold
Vintage 1950s More Rings
Ruby, Sapphire, Diamond, Emerald, Platinum, 18k Gold
20th Century Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Modern Cocktail Rings
Ruby, Malachite, Diamond, Platinum, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century American Modern Fashion Rings
Ruby, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Brooches
Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Modern Drop Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s American Fashion Rings
Ruby, Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
American Dome Rings
Malachite, Lapis Lazuli, Ruby
20th Century American More Rings
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
20th Century American More Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
David Webb for sale on 1stDibs
“Women are tired of jewelry-looking jewelry,” celebrated American designer David Webb once noted. In response, he created a menagerie of whimsical animals rendered as rings, brooches, earrings and, especially, bangle bracelets. This playfulness permeates all Webb’s work, which is characterized by brightly hued enamel and color-saturated semiprecious stones like coral, azurmalachite and turquoise, the notable exception being the clear, elegant rock crystal for which he had an affinity.
The North Carolina native apprenticed with his uncle, a silversmith, before moving to New York, where he established David Webb Inc. in 1948. He had no formal training in jewelry design. Instead, he culled inspiration from the ornamental styles of ancient Greece, Mesopotamia, Egypt and the Americas, as well as the traditions of India and China — influences discernible in such pieces as his collar necklaces and talisman-like sautoirs.
Webb’s first animal bracelet was produced in 1957. His most famous, the zebra, took shape in 1963; its stripes now form the company’s logo. Although Webb died in 1975, his company continues to produce designs drawn from his extensive archives, and every piece is still made in the workshop above its Madison Avenue store.
Find an alluring collection of David Webb jewelry on 1stDibs, including earrings, brooches and other accessories.
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.