Popes Ring
Vintage 1960s Italian Modern Cocktail Rings
Jade, 18k Gold, Silver
Vintage 1980s Italian Modernist Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Modernist Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1970s Italian Modernist Dome Rings
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Turkish Art Deco Band Rings
Diamond, Sapphire
20th Century Italian Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s English Late Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Agate, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Turkish Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
14k Gold
2010s American Rococo Drop Necklaces
Amethyst, Freshwater Pearl, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
People Also Browsed
2010s Art Deco Choker Necklaces
Emerald, Silver
Antique Late 19th Century European Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Three-Stone Rings
Blue Diamond
1990s French Modern Solitaire Rings
Aquamarine, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s Italian Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Chain Necklaces
Carnelian, Malachite, Tiger's Eye, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1870s British Victorian Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s Italian Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s French Pendant Necklaces
Malachite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Cocktail Rings
Multi-gemstone, White Diamond, Diamond, Beryl, Aquamarine, Platinum
20th Century Classical Roman Cocktail Rings
Lapis Lazuli, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s French Modernist Cocktail Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Italian Renaissance Revival Cocktail Rings
Carnelian, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Brazilian Modernist Fashion Rings
Aquamarine, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s French Modernist Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Recent Sales
2010s American Classical Roman Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1980s Italian Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique 1890s Italian Victorian Signet Rings
Amethyst, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Signet Rings
Amethyst, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Signet Rings
Onyx, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cluster Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Signet Rings
Carnelian, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Signet Rings
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Baroque Revival Band Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Georgian Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Silver
Vintage 1910s British Arts and Crafts Signet Rings
18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Victorian Cocktail Rings
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier European Medieval Solitaire Rings
Amethyst, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Emirian Romantic Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s Brazilian Modernist Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Cocktail Rings
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Italian Baroque Revival Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Jade, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Y...
Antique Early 19th Century British Georgian Three-Stone Rings
Amethyst, Yellow Gold
Italian More Rings
2010s Italian Artisan Fashion Rings
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Tsavorite, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Unknown Belle Époque More Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold, 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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Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.
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