Hancock Octagonal Step Cut

London jeweler Hancocks is renowned all over the world for its exemplary jewels. Founded in 1849, Hancocks has grown from being one of the most prominent jewelers of the 19th century to a prestigious family-run firm that is home to engagement rings, signet rings, three-stone rings and other adornments of choice for all kinds of jewelry lovers.

Hancocks was founded by Charles Frederick Hancock in the heart of London’s Mayfair district. Then known as Charles Hancock and Company, the firm earned a reputation for excellence in providing the finest quality jewelry, silver and gemstones, and quickly drew the attention of Britain’s upper class. Queen Victoria issued them a Royal Warrant in their first year of business — the first of four. Today, antique Victorian jewelry — including the exquisite Hancocks accessories of the era — is very coveted and highly collectible. 

Ever since, Hancocks has had an impressive array of aristocratic clients and sold a large number of illustrious gems and jewels. Among the items that passed through Hancocks were the Hope Diamond, an Egyptian Revival gold and gem-set necklace gifted by Edward VII (then Prince of Wales) to his mistress, and Princess Margaret’s Cartier diamond rose brooch, which she wore to the 1953 coronation of her sister, Queen Elizabeth II, one of the most photographed women in history.

In 1851, Hancocks showed at their first major exhibition, The Great Exhibition, held in London’s Crystal Palace. Then in 1856, Queen Victoria commissioned the firm to design the Victoria Cross medal — the highest honor bestowed for gallantry in British military service. Hancocks exhibited several other important design fairs in the subsequent years, including the International Exhibition in 1862, the French Exposition Universelle in 1867 and the Vienna World’s Fair in 1873.

Charles Hancock retired from the business in the early 1870s and passed it to his two sons and company partners, Henri Dore and Horatio Stewart. From then on, the firm was known as Hancocks and Company. In later years, the name would change again to Hancocks.

Since being acquired by the Burton family in 1992, Hancocks continues its tradition of excellence from its store in London’s famed Burlington Arcade. 

On 1stDibs, discover a range of antique and vintage Hancocks rings, earrings and necklaces.

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.