Georgian Spinel
Early 20th Century Victorian Link Bracelets
Pearl, Ruby, Spinel, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
Antique 19th Century European Georgian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Garnet, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Citrine, Garnet, Sapphire, Spinel, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, 14k Gold, Silver
People Also Browsed
Antique Mid-19th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yel...
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, Peridot, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Antique 18th Century Unknown Victorian Fashion Rings
Diamond, Rose Gold
2010s American Edwardian More Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Alexandrite, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Labradorite, Multi-gemstone, Opal, Pe...
Antique Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Engagement Rings
Gold, Enamel
2010s Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Spinel, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s Greek Art Deco Link Necklaces
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1870s British Victorian Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1860s British Victorian Beaded Necklaces
Amethyst, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century European Victorian Solitaire Rings
Moonstone, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Fashion Rings
Garnet, 14k Gold
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Cocktail Rings
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1840s Unknown Victorian Chain Necklaces
Garnet, 14k Gold, 15k Gold
Vintage 1910s European Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold
Recent Sales
21st Century and Contemporary American Georgian Dangle Earrings
Spinel, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century British Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Tourmaline
Early 20th Century British Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Early 20th Century Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Early 20th Century British Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Early 20th Century British Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Moonstone, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century British Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century British Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold
Early 20th Century Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Early 20th Century British Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Turquoise, Gold
Early 20th Century British Engagement Rings
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Platinum
Early 20th Century French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Platinum
Early 20th Century British Cluster Rings
Diamond, Peridot, White Gold
Early 20th Century Georgian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Spinel, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Modern Pendant Necklaces
Spinel, Black Spinel, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Spinel, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
Antique Early 19th Century British Georgian Drop Necklaces
15k Gold, 14k Gold
Antique 1840s British Georgian Brooches
Citrine, White Diamond, Garnet, Peridot, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, S...
Antique 19th Century Georgian Signet Rings
Garnet, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 19th Century French Georgian Wedding Rings
Garnet, 18k Gold
Antique Mid-17th Century Russian Georgian More Jewelry
Diamond, Spinel
Early 20th Century Austrian Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Antique Late 19th Century British Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century British Cluster Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Antique Late 19th Century British Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century British Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Solitaire Rings
Aquamarine, Gold
Early 20th Century British Engagement Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century French Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century British Cluster Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century British Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century Austrian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, White Gold, Platinum
Mid-20th Century British Cluster Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century British Bridal Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Early 20th Century Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold
Late 20th Century British Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century British Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
Early 20th Century British Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Moonstone, Ruby, Platinum
Early 20th Century Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold
Early 20th Century British Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold
Early 20th Century British Three-Stone Rings
Green Sapphire, Diamond, Platinum
Early 20th Century British Cluster Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum, White Gold
Early 20th Century Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum, Gold
Early 20th Century Engagement Rings
Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, White Gold
Early 20th Century Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold
Early 20th Century British Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Antique Early 19th Century Austrian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Gold, Rose Gold
Early 20th Century British Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century British Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold
Mid-20th Century French Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold
Mid-20th Century British Cluster Rings
Emerald, Diamond, White Gold
Early 20th Century French Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Early 20th Century Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century British Cluster Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
Early 20th Century British Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Gold
Mid-20th Century French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Morganite, Rose Gold
Early 20th Century Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold
Early 20th Century British Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, White Gold
Late 20th Century British Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, White Gold
Antique Late 19th Century British Three-Stone Rings
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 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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Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.
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