Mens Pinky Finger Ring Diamond
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s North American Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Cluster Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s British Modern Signet Rings
White Diamond, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
2010s British Signet Rings
Diamond, Brown Diamond, Gold, 9k Gold
2010s North American Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
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20th Century Link Necklaces
White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Dome Rings
Citrine, Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Pink Diamond, Platinum
2010s Unknown Art Deco Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s American Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Charm Bracelets
White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s American More Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Enamel, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 19th Century Georgian Solitaire Rings
Amethyst, Gold, Enamel
Vintage 1940s French Retro Signet Rings
White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Fashion Rings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Recent Sales
2010s American Modern Fashion Rings
White Diamond, Ruby, 22k Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Signet Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Signet Rings
White Diamond, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Signet Rings
Black Diamond, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Signet Rings
Black Diamond, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Signet Rings
Black Diamond, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Signet Rings
White Diamond, 14k Gold
2010s American Signet Rings
Black Diamond, 14k Gold
2010s American Signet Rings
White Diamond, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Signet Rings
Black Diamond, 14k Gold
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1940s Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1940s Retro Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Rose Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Signet Rings
Diamond, Onyx, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Cluster Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Signet Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Cluster Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s Cluster Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Collectible Jewelry
Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Signet Rings
Black Diamond, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Signet Rings
White Diamond, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Signet Rings
Black Diamond, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Signet Rings
White Diamond, 14k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Signet Rings
Black Diamond, Silver
2010s Italian Contemporary Signet Rings
Black Diamond, Silver
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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Colorful Gemstones Are a Brilliant Choice for Engagement Rings
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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.