Rare Old Ring
Antique Late 19th Century European Etruscan Revival Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s Retro Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century European Gothic Revival Cluster Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
Vintage 1930s European Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Unknown Retro Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Early 20th Century European Victorian Cluster Rings
Diamond, Fire Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Wedding Rings
Diamond, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Colombian Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s North American Edwardian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Antique 1880s French Victorian Cluster Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century European Edwardian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Antique 18th Century Georgian Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
2010s Italian Art Deco Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Antique 19th Century British Georgian Wedding Rings
Diamond, White Gold
2010s Unknown Art Deco Solitaire Rings
White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s Italian Art Deco Solitaire Rings
White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Antique Late 19th Century European Late Victorian Cluster Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cluster Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
2010s Italian Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
2010s Hong Kong Aesthetic Movement Fashion Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1910s Art Deco Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Antique Early 19th Century Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Antique Late 19th Century European Victorian Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century Edwardian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Rose Gold
Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s French Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1930s English Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Georgian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold
Antique 19th Century Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique Early 1900s European Edwardian Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique Early 1900s European Edwardian Cluster Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Band Rings
Opal, Diamond, Silver, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
20th Century American Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
2010s Italian Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Bridal Rings
Onyx, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 10k Gold, Gold
2010s Italian Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique 1870s European Victorian Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century Unknown Victorian Fashion Rings
Diamond, Enamel, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
Vintage 1950s Swiss Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Antique 1890s English Victorian Wedding Rings
Pink Sapphire, Diamond, Gold
Vintage 1910s Art Nouveau Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century Unknown Georgian Cocktail Rings
Ruby, Sapphire, Diamond, Silver, 15k Gold
Antique 1890s Victorian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
Vintage 1930s English Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Russian Art Nouveau Bridal Rings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique 19th Century Unknown Belle Époque Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver, Yellow Gold, Gold
Antique 1780s English Georgian Cluster Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s Retro Cluster Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Emerald, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
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Rare Old Ring For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Rare Old 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.
- How old are poison rings?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Poison rings, also known as pillbox rings, grew in popularity in Europe during the 16th century. There is no known date for the introduction of the poison ring. However, it originated in the Far East and India. Today, the poison ring carries small amounts of liquids. Shop a range of antique poison rings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 14, 2023The old rule for buying an engagement ring was that a person should spend the equivalent of three months of their salary on the ring. However, that idea has largely been abandoned in the 21st century due to the rise in the cost of living and wage stagnation. Now, most people find it reasonable to spend only what they can afford on an engagement ring. Shop a wide range of engagement rings on 1stDibs.
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