Elongated Modernist Rings
2010s American Engagement Rings
Diamond, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s American Modernist Fashion Rings
Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Cocktail Rings
18k Gold
Vintage 1970s Unknown Modernist Cluster Rings
Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century Modernist More Rings
Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Italian Modern Band Rings
Silver, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modernist Link Bracelets
Jade, 14k Gold
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2010s British Signet Rings
Diamond, Brown Diamond, Gold, 9k Gold
Vintage 1970s Italian Modernist Cocktail Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Dome Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Finnish Modern Cocktail Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Dome Rings
Lapis Lazuli, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Vintage 1970s Swiss Fashion Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold
Vintage 1970s American Modernist Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Crystal, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Fashion Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Modernist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Cocktail Rings
Opal, Black Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s British Artisan Brooches
Tourmaline, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Solitaire Rings
Tourmaline, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s Brooches
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Vintage 1960s American Modernist Brooches
Coral, Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Recent Sales
Vintage 1960s Mexican Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1970s Unknown Modernist Cocktail Rings
Opal, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1960s Modernist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Modernist Fashion Rings
18k Gold
Vintage 1950s American Modernist Cocktail Rings
Moonstone, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1960s Modernist Cocktail Rings
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Swedish Modernist Band Rings
Pearl, Silver
Vintage 1960s French Modernist Fashion Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modernist Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1970s French Modernist Band Rings
Chrysophrase, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Italian Modern Band Rings
Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1960s French Link Necklaces
18k Gold
Vintage 1970s American Modernist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s Argentine Modernist Cocktail Rings
Bronze
Vintage 1960s American Modernist Fashion Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
Vintage 1970s Italian Modernist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Italian Modernist Cocktail Rings
Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1960s American Modernist Band Rings
White Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, 14k Gold
Vintage 1960s Norwegian Link Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s Modernist Dome Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Mexican Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
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.