Georgian Skull Ring
20th Century Engagement Rings
Gold, Enamel
20th Century Signet Rings
Gold, Enamel
20th Century Signet Rings
Lapis Lazuli, Gold
Antique 1730s Unknown Band Rings
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Black Diamond, Brown Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary George III Band Rings
Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces
Black Diamond, Silver
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Early 20th Century European Classical Roman Signet Rings
Agate, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s British Victorian Signet Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s Scottish Victorian Signet Rings
Agate, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Byzantine Link Bracelets
Diamond, Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Antique 1890s British Victorian Signet Rings
Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s British Modernist Signet Rings
18k Gold
Antique 1890s American Signet Rings
Carnelian, 18k Gold
20th Century Signet Rings
Onyx, Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Signet Rings
Onyx, 10k Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Signet Rings
Carnelian, Chalcedony, 10k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Etruscan Revival Signet Rings
Sapphire, 18k Gold
Antique 1890s Victorian Link Necklaces
Diamond, 10k Gold, 14k Gold
Antique 1870s Unknown Victorian Band Rings
Agate, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Byzantine Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Silver, Yellow Gold, 24k Gold, Gold
Antique Mid-18th Century European Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Gold
Recent Sales
Antique 1730s Georgian Band Rings
Crystal, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary British Georgian Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
Antique 17th Century British Georgian Fashion Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique Early 19th Century British Georgian Beaded Bracelets
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 18th Century European Georgian Pendant Necklaces
Carnelian, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s British Georgian Solitaire Rings
Garnet, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Antique 1710s Georgian Band Rings
22k Gold
20th Century British George III Band Rings
Gold, Enamel
20th Century Unknown George III Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique 1760s Georgian Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
20th Century Signet Rings
Gold, Enamel
20th Century British George III Band Rings
Gold, Enamel
2010s British Modern Fashion Rings
Diamond, Sterling Silver, Enamel
2010s British Modern Fashion Rings
Diamond, Silver, Enamel
Antique 1710s British Georgian More Rings
Rock Crystal, 22k Gold
Antique 1810s British Georgian Cluster Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s British Georgian Fashion Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Antique 18th Century British Georgian More Rings
Diamond, Garnet, Gold, Silver
1990s British Georgian Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s British Georgian Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s British Georgian Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century British Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
1990s British Georgian Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century British Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique 19th Century British Band Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique 1780s British Georgian Bangles
Garnet, 18k Gold
Antique Early 1800s British Georgian Beaded Bracelets
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Mid-17th Century English George II Sculptures and Carvings
Iron
Antique 1790s Georgian More Rings
Diamond, Gold
Antique Mid-18th Century English George II Band Rings
18k Gold
Antique 19th Century British Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow 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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Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.
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