Emerald Cut Diamond Ring 7 Carats Plus
2010s Italian Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
2010s Thai Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Alexandrite, Diamond, Platinum
20th Century Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Indicolite, Tourmaline, Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold, Gold
Early 20th Century American Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Blue Sapphire, Ruby, Pearl, Garnet, Emerald, Blue Diamond,...
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1990s American Brooches
Yellow Gold, Enamel
Vintage 1970s European Retro Band Rings
Sapphire, 14k Gold
2010s Australian Artist Engagement Rings
Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American More Rings
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Wedding Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, Emerald, White Gold, 14k Gold
1980s French Sunglasses
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Wrist Watches
2010s Sri Lankan Loose Gemstones
Alexandrite
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Fashion Rings
Alexandrite, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Alexandrite, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond
2010s British Modern Signet Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Brazilian Loose Gemstones
Alexandrite
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Renaissance Revival Cluster Rings
18k Gold, Rose Gold
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Late 20th Century German Modernist Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Thai Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1950s Retro Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Late 20th Century Thai Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Engagement Rings
Emerald, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Fashion Rings
Emerald, Sapphire, Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Engagement Rings
White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Modern Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1950s Italian Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s Cluster Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Emerald, White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Band Rings
Diamond, Peridot, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Band Rings
Quartz, Citrine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
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.
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Our Guide to Fancy-Colored Diamond Engagement Rings
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Our Guide to Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco Engagement Rings
Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.
Talking Diamonds with the Jeweler Behind J. Lo’s Engagement Ring
Alon Ruschin, of Vivid Diamonds & Jewelry, channels his passion for gems into helping clients find just the right ring.