Georgian Sepia Ring
Antique 18th Century More Rings
Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique 1770s British Georgian Signet Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique 1770s Cluster Rings
Crystal, Garnet, Yellow Gold, Enamel
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Antique Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Engagement Rings
Gold, Enamel
Antique 1880s British Victorian Band Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 15k Gold
Antique Late 18th Century European Georgian Bridal Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique 1760s British George III Dangle Earrings
Crystal, 15k Gold, Sterling Silver
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Band Rings
Carnelian, 22k Gold
Antique 1880s English Late Victorian Signet Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel
Antique Late 18th Century American Georgian Fashion Rings
Rock Crystal, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century American Art Deco More Bracelets
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21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
Antique Late 18th Century British Georgian Cluster Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique 1810s British Georgian Band Rings
Crystal, 18k Gold
Antique 1720s British George I More Rings
Rock Crystal, Silver, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
Antique 1780s British George III More Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique 1890s Belle Époque More Rings
14k Gold
Antique 1820s British Georgian Band Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1830s British William IV More Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
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Antique 18th Century More Rings
Gold
Antique 1790s British Georgian More Rings
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1800s Georgian Fashion Rings
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Signet Rings
14k Gold
Antique 1780s English Georgian More Rings
Amethyst, 18k Gold
Antique 19th Century British George III Cluster Rings
Garnet, 15k Gold
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Engagement Rings
Diamond, 15k Gold
Antique Early 19th Century British Georgian Engagement Rings
Diamond, 15k Gold
Antique 1790s British George III Fashion Rings
Antique Early 1800s British More Rings
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 18th Century British Regency Signet Rings
18k Gold
Antique Early 19th Century British Georgian More Rings
Antique 18th Century British Georgian More Rings
15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 18th Century English Georgian More Rings
15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1780s British Georgian More Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 15k 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.