Platinum Pink Tourmaline Onyx
2010s Hong Kong Art Nouveau Band Rings
Onyx, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Brooches
Amethyst, Diamond, Onyx, Quartz, Tourmaline, Platinum
Vintage 1920s English Art Deco Beaded Necklaces
Fluorite, Tourmaline, Blue Sapphire, Pearl, Onyx, Silver, Yellow Gold, 1...
2010s British Modern Pendant Necklaces
Tourmaline, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphir...
2010s British Modern Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire...
2010s British Modern Band Rings
White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum, Yellow Gold, White Gold, Rose Gold, 18...
2010s British Modern Band Rings
White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum, Yellow Gold, White Gold, Rose Gold, 18...
2010s British Victorian Engagement Rings
Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s British Victorian Engagement Rings
Opal, 9k Gold, White Gold
People Also Browsed
Early 2000s Italian Modern Stud Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s French Wrist Watches
Silver, Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary French Shoulder Bags
Vintage 1980s Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Solitaire Rings
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Scarves
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Bracelets
Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1990s French Wrist Watches
Silver, Stainless Steel, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Emerald, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
Antique 19th Century Italian Etruscan Revival Link Bracelets
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
2010s More Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Art Deco Fashion Rings
Sapphire, Emerald, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
Recent Sales
Early 20th Century French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Platinum
Early 20th Century British Engagement Rings
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Platinum
Early 20th Century British Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Tourmaline
Early 20th Century British Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Early 20th Century Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Early 20th Century British Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Early 20th Century Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Early 20th Century British Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century British Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Moonstone, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century British Cluster Rings
Diamond, Peridot, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Modern Bracelets
White Diamond, Onyx, Tourmaline, Tsavorite, Platinum
20th Century American Retro Stud Earrings
Onyx, Pink Sapphire, Tourmaline, Diamond, Platinum
2010s British Modern Pendant Necklaces
Emerald, Garnet, Jade, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Moonstone, Multi-gemston...
2010s British Modern Band Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Pl...
2010s British Modern Pendant Necklaces
Green Sapphire, Ruby, Spinel, Tanzanite, Tiger's Eye, Topaz, Tourmaline,...
2010s British Modern Pendant Necklaces
Moonstone, Multi-gemstone, Onyx, Opal, Peridot, Rubelite, Ruby, Sapphire...
Early 20th Century British Bridal Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Early 20th Century Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century British Cluster Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Early 20th Century French Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Early 20th Century British Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
Early 20th Century British Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Early 20th Century British Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Moonstone, Ruby, Platinum
Early 20th Century Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum, Gold
Early 20th Century British Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century British Three-Stone Rings
Green Sapphire, Diamond, Platinum
Early 20th Century Austrian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, White Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century British Cluster Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum, White Gold
Early 20th Century Austrian Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century British Engagement Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century French Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold
Early 20th Century Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold
Early 20th Century Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold
Mid-20th Century French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Morganite, Rose Gold
Early 20th Century British Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold
Early 20th Century British Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Gold
Early 20th Century British Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Early 20th Century Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Early 20th Century British Cluster Rings
Diamond, Jade, Platinum
Early 20th Century French Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Early 20th Century French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold
Mid-20th Century British Engagement Rings
Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, 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.
Read More
Our Guide to Engagement Ring Settings – And How to Choose One
There are many ways to showcase a diamond, from traditional prongs to a smooth, streamlined bezel. Here’s everything you need to consider.
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.