Suzy Levian 18K White Gold Cabochon-Cut Citrine and Tsavorite Cocktail Ring
By Suzy Levian
Located in Great Neck, NY
Jewelry Type: Fine Stone Shape: Round Band Width: 2-3 mm, 3-4 mm Number of Gemstones: 1 Stone: Gemstone Diamond Color: White Gold Karat: 18k Gemstone Cut: Oval Total Diamond Weight: ...
Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Tsavorite, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Victorian 10.95 CT Untreated Magenta Rubellite or Red Tourmaline Diamond Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
Victorian Rarity This out of this world, spectacular, Victorian period ring is a proud prize of any collector of exceptional things of beauty Rare example to please ahead with its u...
Diamond, Tourmaline, 14k Gold
Art Deco Ring Eternity Band Platinum Diamond Estate Jewelry
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An Art Deco ring designed as an eternity band, made of platinum with diamonds.
White Diamond, Platinum
$40,800Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Platinum Star Ruby Ring, 17.29ct GIA, 3.0ct Diamond Accents
Located in Aspen, CO
All purities involving metals - gold, silver, platinum, palladium are approximated within 1%.
White Diamond, Ruby, Star Ruby, Platinum
$8,288Sale Price|20% Off
Natural Saltwater Fancy Color Pearls and Fine White Diamond Modernist Ring.
Located in Aspen, CO
At each end of the ring there are one or three stylized folded triangles of graduated white gold each pave set with fine diamonds which seem to be set in all the interstices where th...
White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
$5,596Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage 8.26ct Emerald Cut GIA Graded Chrome Tourmaline & Diamond Platinum Ring
Located in Aspen, CO
All purities involving metals - gold, silver, platinum, palladium are approximated within 1%.
Chrome Tourmaline, Tourmaline, Diamond, Platinum
Diamond Giardinetti ring, European, circa 18th century.
Located in London, GB
This is a very fine example of a diamond giardinetti ring, dating to the 18th century.
Alex Jona Quartz Ruby 18 Karat Rose Gold Ring
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 Karat rose gold ring set with a crazy cut quartz over ruby, weighing 8.66 carats.
Amethyst, Quartz, Rubelite, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
$6,396Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage 8.26ct Emerald Cut GIA graded Natural Tourmaline & Diamond Platinum Ring
Located in Aspen, CO
All purities involving metals - gold, silver, platinum, palladium are approximated within 1%.
Chrome Tourmaline, Diamond, Tourmaline, Platinum
$1,440Sale Price / item|20% Off
14K Butterfly with Silver Articulated Wings Opal Body
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This butterfly is unique as they started out as pins and I turned them into rings. The wings are set with Diamonds over silver and they move with your hand as they are flying around.
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Silver
Alex Jona Quartz Amethyst 18 Karat Rose Gold Ring
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 Karat rose gold ring set with a crazy cut quartz over amethyst , weighing 7.18 carats.
Amethyst, Quartz, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Alex Jona Quartz Amazonite 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 Karat rose gold ring set with a crazy cut Quartz over Amazonite, weighing 7.18 carats.
Amazonite, Quartz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Alex Jona Quartz Rubellite 18 Karat Rose Gold Ring
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 Karat rose gold ring set with a crazy cut quartz over rubellite, weighing 8.42 carats.
Ruby, Quartz, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Alex Jona Quartz Ruby 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat yellow gold ring set with a crazy cut quartz over Ruby, weighing 7.18 carats.
Quartz, Ruby, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,740 / item
Alex Jona Quartz Amazonite 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 Karat yellow gold ring set with a crazy cut Quartz over amazonite, weighing 7.90 carats.
Quartz, Amazonite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Alex Jona Quartz Emerald 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 Karat yellow gold ring set with a crazy cut quartz over Emerald, weighing 7.18 carats.
Chrysophrase, Emerald, Quartz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$7,560Sale Price|20% Off
CHARLES KRYPELL Cocktail Ring In Platinum With 3.60 Ctw In Diamonds & Emeralds
By Charles Krypell
Located in Miami, FL
His collections range from pieces designed around incredibly large pink and yellow diamonds, fashion-forward gold and diamonds to sterling silver pieces with an incredibly elevated s...
Diamond, Emerald, White Diamond, Platinum
Alex Jona Turquoise Quartz 18 Karat Rose Gold Ring
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 Karat rose gold ring set with a sugar loaf quartz over turquoise, weighing 4 carats.
Rock Crystal, Turquoise, Quartz, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
$7,920Sale Price|20% Off
David Yurman 22K Gold Large Signet Ring, Petrvs Collection, Size 10.5
By David Yurman
Located in Aspen, CO
David Yurman vintage 22K solid gold large ring from the David Yurman Petrvs Collection.
22k Gold
Alex Jona Rubellite Quartz 18 Karat Rose Gold Dome Ring
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 Karat rose gold faceted dome ring set with a crazy cut quartz over rubellite, weighing 13.10 carats.
Multi-gemstone, Quartz, Apatite, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Alex Jona Quartz Green Jade 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 Karat yellow gold ring set with a crazy cut quartz over green jade, weighing 8.76 carats.
Quartz, Jade, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Alex Jona Apatite Quartz 18 Karat Rose Gold Dome Ring
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 Karat rose gold faceted dome ring set with a crazy cut quartz over apatite, weighing 13.10 carats.
Multi-gemstone, Quartz, Apatite, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique Old European Engagement Ring. GIA 2ct Diamond Sapphire Platinum J SI1
Located in New York, NY
Era: Handcrafted Vintage-Style Material: Silver on 18k Yellow Gold Ring Size: This ring is currently sized at 7 and can be resized to any finger size at no additional cost.
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Alex Jona Quartz Lapis Lazuli 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 Karat yellow gold ring set with a crazy cut Quartz over Lapis Lazuli, weighing 7.18 carats.
Lapis Lazuli, Quartz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$39,200Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Platinum GIA Graded Star Ruby Ring, 17.29 ct & 3.0 ct of fine Diamonds
Located in Aspen, CO
All purities involving metals - gold, silver, platinum, palladium are approximated within 1%.
White Diamond, Ruby, Star Ruby, Diamond, Platinum
$7,920Sale Price|20% Off
David Yurman 22K Gold Large Horse Signet Ring, Petrvs Collection, size 10.5
By David Yurman
Located in Aspen, CO
David Yurman vintage 22K solid gold large ring from the David Yurman Petrvs Collection.
22k Gold
10K Rose Gold over Silver Diamond-Accented Dragonfly Pendant Necklace
Located in New York, NY
Whether worn for daytime glamour or evening sparkle, this necklace is gorgeously versatile. Product features: Diamond Type: Natural White Diamonds Diamond Count: 1 Round-Cut Diamon...
Diamond, White Diamond, 10k Gold, Gold Plate, Rose Gold, Sterling Silver
$10,936 / item
18k Bespoke Teal Cascade Ring
Located in London, GB
This ring is a one-off 18k white gold teal treasure from a series of Bespoke Cascade rings, each made with individual compositions of gemstones - varying in colours, sizes and types.
Aquamarine, Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
$2,295 / item
14k Bubbles Narrative Ring with Marquise Aquamarine
Located in London, GB
One of our dramatic signature styles, the Bubbles of this 14k yellow gold ring circle the finger with small diamonds flush set at the front and a cup set marquise cut Aquamarine risi...
Aquamarine, Diamond, 14k Gold
1800's Georgian Bague au Firmament Antique Rosecut Navette Ring Heirloom Jewelry
Located in EINDHOVEN, NB
GEORGIAN 1700's Georgian Antique Rosecut Diamond Bague au firmament monogram S J Ring in 14K Bristol Glass Heirloom ring This stunning ring features beautiful hand-cut rose-cut diam...
Diamond, 14k Gold
$10,936 / item
18k Halo Blue Sapphire Engagement Ring - 1.40CT
Located in London, GB
Made in our London studio, this one-off statement 18k white gold engagement ring showcases a large cushion cut Ceylon blue sapphire, embraced by a halo of sparkling diamonds.
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Yellow Gold Over Silver 1.0 Carat Champagne Diamond Heart Pendant Necklace
Located in New York, NY
This pendant is the perfect accessory for any event or occasion. Product features: Diamond Type: Natural Champagne Diamond Diamond Count: 18 Round-Cut Diamonds Diamond Color: K-L D...
Diamond, Brown Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
14k Yellow Gold over Silver 4.0 Carat Diamond Cluster Heart Pendant Necklace
Located in New York, NY
This heart cluster necklace hangs from a gold 18" box chain. Product Features: Diamond Type: Natural White Diamonds Diamond Count: 46 Round-Cut Diamonds Diamond Color: K-L Diamond ...
White Diamond, Diamond, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver, Silver, Yellow Gold, ...
$1,008 / item
10k Gold Over Silver Heart Pendant Necklace
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful necklace includes 18” box chain with Spring Ring clasp. These no diamonds. "Video Available Upon Request"
Gold, 10k Gold, Silver, White Gold, Yellow Gold
$8,720Sale Price|20% Off
David Yurman Solid 22K Vintage Ring, from the Petrvs Collection, c 2010
By David Yurman
Located in Aspen, CO
David Yurman 22K solid gold large ring from the David Yurman Petrvs Collection.
22k Gold
10k Yellow Gold Over Silver 1/2 Carat Champagne Diamond Heart Pendant Necklace
Located in New York, NY
You will love the addition of this necklace to your jewelry collection. Product Features: Diamond Type: Natural White Diamonds Diamond Count: 20 Round-Cut Diamonds Diamond Color: K...
White Diamond, Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver, Yellow Gold, Gold Plate...
Victorian Silver Over Gold and 7.50 Carat Diamond Star Cluster Earrings C.1850s
Located in New York, NY
Victorian 7.50ct Old Mine and Old Euro Cut Diamond Silver and 18 Karat Yellow Gold Star Earrings c.1850 As fascination with astronomy grew throughout the Victorian era, the image of...
Diamond, Sterling Silver, Gold, Silver
14k Rose Gold Over Sterling Silver 1/3 Cttw Diamond Solitaire Pendant Necklace
Located in New York, NY
A twinkling 1/3ct round diamond rests in a soft bezel setting. Anchored on each side, a cable chain holds the pendant in place. This 14k rose plated sterling silver necklace is the p...
White Diamond, Diamond, Sterling Silver, Rose Gold
14K Yellow Gold Over Sterling Silver 1/2 Carat Diamond Cross Pendant Necklace
Located in New York, NY
This cross pendant is the perfect piece to celebrate your faith everyday. Product Features: Diamond Type: Natural White Diamonds Diamond Count: 21 Round-Cut Diamonds Diamond Color:...
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
14K Yellow Gold over Silver 1 1/2 Carat Diamond Composite Heart Pendant Necklace
Located in New York, NY
Product Features: Diamond Type: Natural White Diamonds Diamond Count: Total 140 Diamonds includes 120 Baguette and 20 Round-Cut Diamonds Diamond Color: I-J Diamond Clarity: I1-I2 Di...
Diamond, White Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
10K Rose Gold over Silver 1/10 Carat Diamond Heart Link Adjustable Bolo Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
Bracelet features secure slider and can adjust from 6" to 9". Product Features: Diamond Type: Natural White Diamonds Diamond Count: 12 Round-Cut Diamonds Diamond Color: H-I Diamond...
White Diamond, Diamond, 10k Gold, Sterling Silver, Silver, Rose Gold, Go...
1864 Imperial Russian Serving Platter House of Pechnikof 84 Silver / 562 gr
Located in SE
Maker is Орлов Дмитрий Иванович / Orlov Dmitriy Ivanovich, owner of the manufacture of finest goods in Gold and Silver in Moscow from 1840 till the early 1870s.
Silver
10k Gold Over Silver Heart Pendant Necklace by Haus of Brilliance
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful necklace includes 18” box chain with Spring Ring clasp. These no diamonds.
Gold, 10k Gold, Silver
10K Yellow Over Sterling Silver 1/4 Ct Champagne Diamond Cross Pendant Necklace
Located in New York, NY
You will love the way this pendant looks on you. Product Features: Diamond Type: Natural Champagne Diamonds Diamond Count: 17 Round-Cut Diamonds Diamond Color: K-L Diamond Clarity:...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sterling Silver
Amethyst Earrings Studs-Gemstones Birthstone 18k rose gold plated over silver
Located in New York, NY
♥ Welcome to Blue Star Gems Our Joyful and Meaningful Jewelry At Blue Star Gems, we are passionate about providing joyful and statement jewelry for everyday wear. Our collection feat...
Amethyst, Gold Plate, Rose Gold, Silver
Amethyst Halo Earring-Gemstones Earrings-18k Gold Plated Over Silver Birthstone
Located in New York, NY
♥ Welcome to Blue Star Gems Our Joyful and Meaningful Jewelry At Blue Star Gems, we are passionate about providing joyful and statement jewelry for everyday wear. Our collection feat...
Amethyst, Gold Plate, Silver
Amethyst Emerald Cut Gemstone Earrings, 18k Gold Over Silver February Birthstone
Located in New York, NY
♥ Welcome to Blue Star Gems Our Joyful and Meaningful Jewelry At Blue Star Gems, we are passionate about providing joyful and statement jewelry for everyday wear. Our collection feat...
Amethyst, Silver, Gold Plate
6.12 Ctw OVAL AMETHYST 18K ROSE GOLD PLATED OVER 925 SILVER NECKLACE JEWELRY
Located in New York, NY
Pendant Details :ಥ_ಥಥ_ಥಥ_ಥಥ_ಥಥ_ಥಥ_ಥ ________________________________________ Featured Item: Blue Amethyst Pendant Design & Material • Style: Dainty Pendant • Metal: 925 Silver Ro...
Amethyst, Rose Gold, Silver, Gold Plate
$937Sale Price / set|25% Off
Thomas Barker 1825 London Georgian Pair of Fruit Spoons in Gilded .925 Sterling
By Thomas Wilkes Barker
Located in Miami, FL
Some of our collection of Georgian gemstone rings. Popular cuts for diamonds included 'rose cut', 'old mine cut' and 'table cut.
Silver, Sterling Silver
3.8 Cts Oct Shape Amethyst 18K ROSE GOLD PLATED OVER 925 SILVER BRIDAL NECKLACE
Located in New York, NY
Pendant Details :ಥ_ಥಥ_ಥಥ_ಥಥ_ಥಥ_ಥಥ_ಥ ________________________________________ Featured Item: Blue Tanzanite Pendant Design & Material • Style: Dainty Pendant • Metal: 925 Silver R...
Amethyst, Zircon, Rose Gold, Silver, Gold Plate
Mid-Century Antique Diamond Round Shield Leverback Earrings, 9K Gold & Silver
Located in Marcianise, IT
The gold and silver parts retain a gorgeous, warm historical patina, and all antique diamonds are pristine, secure, and completely intact.
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 9k Gold, Silver
VICTORIAN Antique Bracelet 18K Rose Gold Silver Top 6.50 CTW Rose Cut Diamond
Located in Miami, FL
The central focal motif features an openwork, high-dome flower blossom centered by a monumental focal rose-cut diamond. True to the premier historical manufacturing traditions of the...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
Antique Chandelier Grapes Earrings 3.5ctw Diamonds solid 18K Gold Silver / 14.7g
Located in SE
Old European Chandelier Diamond Earrings with Silver over 18K Gold earrings designed as leafed clusters of hanging grapes.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
Antique Earrings natural 3.35 ctw Diamonds solid 18K Gold Silver / 8.7g
Located in SE
Old European Diamond Earrings with Silver over 18K Gold designed and hand - crafted ca. middle of 19th century and modified ca. 1930s Each earring measures 36 mm long from the very...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
Antique 18ct Yellow Gold & Silver French, Victorian era 7 Carat Diamond Bracelet
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Fancy Link Bracelet 18ct Yellow Gold & Silver French Hallmarked Circa 1870 Step into elegance with this stunning Victorian era bracelet, crafted in 18ct yellow gold and s...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century Diamond & 14k Gold Ring
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Early 20th century diamond & 14k gold ring. Size 6. 1/4 carat old European cut diamond set into a floret design with tulip cut work motif base. 15/16" x 0.75".
Gold
Antique Earrings natural 4.3 ctw Green Diamonds solid 18K Gold Silver / 10 gr
Located in SE
Old European Diamond Earrings with Silver over 18K Gold designed and hand - crafted ca. late 18th - early 19th century and modified in 1939 at famous Swedish workshop of W.A.Bolin.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
12mm South Sea Pearl 4.26 Carat Diamond 18K Two-Tone Gold Ring and Earring Set
Located in Miami, FL
Ring size adjustable. Product Specifications: Item Type: Matching Jewelry Suite — Ring and Earring Pair Metal: 18K Two-Tone Yellow and White Gold Total Suite Weight: 36 grams (23g e...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1.63 Carat Black Diamond Stainless Steel Silver Logo Macrame Bead Bracelet
By Tresor Paris
Located in London, GB
Made to order, this 1.63 Carat Black Diamond Stainless Steel and Silver beaded bracelet features 18 satin beads and 8 Stainless Steel beads and two Magnetite rings with a Silver Hexa...
Black Diamond, Diamond, Silver, Stainless Steel, Steel, Sterling Silver
$3,998Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Mid Century White Gold 3.25ctw Diamond Detailed Spiral Bracelet
Located in Montclair, NJ
Material: Solid 14k White Gold w/ Silver Safety Chain Weight: 17.1 Grams Length: Measure 7 Inches Next to a Ruler.
Diamond, Gold, White Gold, Silver
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 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.
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Accounting for just 1 percent of all diamonds, these marvels of nature are exceedingly rare and gorgeously complex.
Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.