What were antique rings made of?

Antique rings were made of a variety of materials. You can find pieces produced out of many of the same precious metals used today, such as yellow gold, white gold, sterling silver and platinum. In addition, some antique rings feature a material called pinchbeck, which is a combination of copper and zinc. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse assortment of antique rings.

Do antique rings have hallmarks?

Yes, some antique rings have hallmarks. However, some do not. Before 1950, jewelry makers didn't add hallmarks to their pieces, but some did to indicate who produced the jewelry and/or tell the buyer what type of metals they contained. Shop a large collection of antique rings on 1stDibs.

Is my antique ring real?

To find out if your antique ring is real, you can first try researching the maker. Look for a hallmark inside the ring and then use trusted online resources to determine who produced it. From there, you can find out if the jewelry maker typically produced jewelry out of precious metals and genuine gemstones or specialized in costume jewelry crafted from less costly materials. Another option is to have an experienced jeweler or certified appraiser inspect your ring for you. Explore a wide variety of antique rings on 1stDibs.

How can you tell if a ring is antique?

To tell if a ring is an antique, see if you can locate a maker's marking on the inside of the band. If you can, research the artisan, company or workshop using trusted online resources. By learning when they were active and reviewing image galleries of their work, you can often estimate approximately when a particular ring was produced. If your ring is 100 years old or older, it is an antique. In the event that you can't find a maker's mark or still have lingering questions about your ring's age, consult a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. Find a wide variety of antique rings on 1stDibs.

Are antique engagement rings popular?

Yes, antique engagement rings do tend to be popular. They especially appeal to brides-to-be who want something unique and like the idea of owning a ring that has a long history. Rings from the Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco eras are among the most highly sought-after antique options. On 1stDibs, explore a wide variety of antique engagement rings.

Where can I buy antique rings online?

You can buy antique rings online from a number of trusted platforms, including 1stDibs. Popular antique pieces on these platforms include band rings, signet rings, engagement rings, cocktail rings, wedding rings and more. The vast options for online ring shopping bring centuries of styles from across the globe to you, including rings made with precious metals like gold and silver and gemstones like diamonds, pearls, rubies, sapphires and garnets. Explore a wide range of antique rings on 1stDibs.

How can you tell how old an antique ring is?

To tell how old an antique ring is, you have two main options. First, you can conduct online research using trusted sources. If you know the maker of the ring or the ring has a maker's mark that you can use to identify who produced it, learning more about the designer, artisan or company and their styles can help with the dating process. When the maker is unknown, you can familiarize yourself with the characteristics of various antique jewelry styles, such as Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian, to try and identify the period in which your ring was likely produced. The second option is to have a certified appraiser, experienced antique dealer or knowledgeable jeweler date your ring for you. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of antique rings.

What is the difference between vintage and antique engagement rings?

The difference between vintage and antique engagement rings is age. For an engagement ring to be considered an antique, it must be at least 100 years old. Vintage engagement rings are pieces made at least 20 years ago. Shop a collection of vintage and antique engagement rings on 1stDibs.

What is the difference between vintage, antique and estate engagement rings?

The difference between vintage, antique and estate engagement rings comes down to age and history. Rings that are over 100 years old are antiques, while those produced 20 to 99 years ago are vintage. Estate engagement rings are any rings that have had a previous owner. They can include antique, vintage and even contemporary rings produced during the last 20 years. Shop a large selection of engagement rings on 1stDibs.

Rare Antique Rings

Old Mine Cut Diamond And Pearl Ring

Ring 1869

Edwardian Era Diamond Engagement Rings

Art Nouveau Gold Ring 18

19th Century Emerald Ring

Medieval Gold Jewlery

Uniting an intriguing abstract painting with the geometry of interlocking planes and layered strata, this rare ring is powerful work of painterly and sculptural modernism.

Category

Early 20th Century French Modernist Rare Antique Rings

Materials

Crystal, Silver

Victorian Scarab Ring

$18,850

Victorian Scarab Ring

Located in New Orleans, LA

Nature and artistry converge in this extraordinarily rare 19th-century ring, which features a preserved iridescent green scarab beetle set within a richly detailed gold setting.

Materials

Materials

Agate, Diamond, 18k Gold

Rare Yellow and White Gold Ring by Boivin

Unavailable

Unavailable

Certified Colombian Emerald Diamond Rare French Art Deco Ring

Located in Napoli, IT

Brethtaking Art Deco ring of impressive design French hallmarks, 1920 ca Solid Platinum made Stunning artful design of the purest Deco, flat crown with lines of Black made by Black O...

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Silver

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An early 20th century diamond-set tiara by Skinner & Co

Located in London, GB

An early 20th century diamond-set tiara/necklace by Skinner & Co, the five principal old-cut diamonds estimated to weigh a combined total of 2 carats, each rub over millegrain-set to...

Category

20th Century English Modern Rare Antique Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Vintage A. Tillander Diamond Platinum Tiara

$46,775Sale Price|20% Off

$1,875Sale Price|25% Off

Art Deco 14k White Gold Hand Engraved Diamond Ring with Old European Cut Diamond

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Specifications: Pre-Owned (Great condition) Metal: 14K Gold Weight: 3.7 Gr Main Stone: .34ct Old European Cut Diamond G VS2 Side stones: 2 triangle sapphires .10pts. Size: 8 US

Category

Late 20th Century American Art Deco Rare Antique Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

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Rare Antique Rings For Sale on 1stDibs

Find an expansive variety of rare antique rings available on 1stDibs. Frequently made of Gold, 18k Gold and Platinum, these items were constructed with great care. Our inventory has long been popular, and it includes earlier versions that date to the 18th Century and newer variations that were made as recently as the 20th Century. The designs in our inventory of rare antique rings bearing Victorian or Georgian hallmarks are very popular. Glorious Antique Jewelry Collection, Damati and Malcolm Betts each produced beautiful examples of these items that are worth considering. While most can agree that any pick from our collection easily elevates most outfits, but the choice of Diamond versions from the 110 available is guaranteed to add a special touch to your ensemble. A selection of rose cut, old mine cut and cabochon can be found today on these pages. There aren’t many items for men in our collection of rare antique rings, as most of the options available are for women.

How Much are Rare Antique Rings?

Prices for rare antique rings start at $204 and top out at $79,000 with these rings, on average, selling for $4,300.

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.