Historic Ring
2010s Australian Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1940s Burmese Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
20th Century Retro Cocktail Rings
21st Century and Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 14k Gold
Antique Early 19th Century Unknown Fashion Rings
Mixed Metal
Antique Mid-19th Century Unknown Renaissance Fashion Rings
Mixed Metal
Antique Early 19th Century French More Rings
Crystal, Gold
Vintage 1960s Signet Rings
Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century French Georgian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Fashion Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Modern Fashion Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Polish Contemporary Signet Rings
Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Early 20th Century Art Deco Fashion Rings
Citrine, 14k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century Art Deco Fashion Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Fashion Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique 19th Century Early Victorian Cluster Rings
Diamond, Spinel, 18k Gold
2010s Thai Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Cocktail Rings
Topaz, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1930s Italian Art Nouveau Engagement Rings
Sapphire, Diamond, Silver, 18k Gold, Gold
Mid-20th Century German Modernist Cocktail Rings
Crystal, Yellow Gold, Gilt Metal
Antique 1760s English Georgian Band Rings
Crystal, Gold, Enamel, 15k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, Rhodium, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Fashion Rings
White Diamond, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald
Antique Late 18th Century Victorian Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Cluster Rings
Tourmaline, White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Engagement Rings
Other, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1930s American Signet Rings
Onyx, Gold, 10k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Cluster Rings
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Opal, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Fashion Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Rhodium
Vintage 1970s British Artist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Bridal Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Wedding Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
Early 20th Century French Modernist Fashion Rings
Crystal, Silver
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Engagement Rings
Ruby, Diamond, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Other, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Fashion Rings
Freshwater Pearl, Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Fashion Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, Whi...
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Engagement Rings
Other, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Band Rings
Coral, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Band Rings
Coral, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Fashion Rings
Agate, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Garnet, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, Whi...
Antique Early 18th Century British George IV Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Engagement Rings
Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1970s French Artisan Signet Rings
18k Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Band Rings
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
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Historic Ring For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Historic Ring?
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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