Heart Big Gemstone Ring
Antique 1820s European Georgian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Fashion Rings
Quartz, Gold, 14k Gold
Vintage 1960s North American Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s French Link Bracelets
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s French Charm Bracelets
Diamond, Emerald, Malachite, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Bangles
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s Israeli Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Pink Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Engagement Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Platinum
Vintage 1910s Cluster Rings
Antique 1890s Cluster Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Engagement Rings
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Fashion Rings
Garnet, 14k Gold
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Boxes and Cases
18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Aesthetic Movement Brooches
Diamond
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Antique Late 19th Century French Cluster Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Recent Sales
Antique Early 1800s Georgian More Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Irish Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s American Artisan Three-Stone Rings
Coral, Diamond, 14k Gold
2010s American Artisan Three-Stone Rings
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Belgian Contemporary Three-Stone Rings
Black Diamond, Diamond, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s Swiss Fashion Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s American Cocktail Rings
Iolite, Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s American Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s French Fashion Rings
Citrine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s American Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, 14k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Fashion Rings
Aquamarine, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Models and Miniatures
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Black Diamond, Garnet, Pearl, Black Pearl...
Vintage 1970s Link Bracelets
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s Retro Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, 18k Gold
Vintage 1950s American Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, 14k Gold
Vintage 1950s Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, 14k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1950s American Fashion Rings
Aquamarine, 14k Gold
Vintage 1950s American Fashion Rings
Diamond, Aquamarine, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s American Fashion Rings
Aquamarine, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Vintage 1960s American Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, 14k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1960s Swiss Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1930s American Cocktail Rings
Citrine, 14k Gold
20th Century American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Amethyst, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1940s American Retro Brooches
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Armenian Modern Three-Stone Rings
Garnet, Rhodolite, Spinel, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Go...
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.
Read More
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Nothing Says Summer Heat Like This Ruby-Red Cartier Stunner
The vintage bombé ring is bursting with color and timeless style.
Zircon Rings: Our Guide to a Uniquely Colorful Natural Gemstone
Zircon is a magnificent and underrated natural gemstone that has been worn and adored for centuries.
[Survey] Two-Thirds of Jewelry Gift Recipients Don’t Want to Be Surprised
Givers of fine gems enjoy surprise more than receivers, and women more than men. Find out what else our survey of 3,000 Americans revealed.
Colorful Gemstones Are a Brilliant Choice for Engagement Rings
If diamonds don’t seem right, what about a magnificent sapphire, ruby or emerald?
Our Guide to Fancy-Colored Diamond Engagement Rings
Accounting for just 1 percent of all diamonds, these marvels of nature are exceedingly rare and gorgeously complex.
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.