Rectangular Intaglio Ring Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Citrine, Pearl, 14k Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Fashion Rings
Carnelian, Chalcedony, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Byzantine Signet Rings
Gold
Antique 1890s Swedish Greek Revival Signet Rings
Hematite, 18k Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Asian Signet Rings
Carnelian, 22k Gold
Vintage 1910s European Art Deco Signet Rings
Onyx, 18k Gold
Antique 1860s Victorian Engagement Rings
Quartz, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique 1860s Victorian Signet Rings
Quartz, Gold, 14k Gold
Antique Early 1800s English Collectible Jewelry
Gold
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Antique 1890s American Late Victorian More Rings
14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Signet Rings
Agate, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings
Citrine, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Art Deco More Rings
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Band Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s British Victorian Signet Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Baroque More Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1970s Italian Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Wedding Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American More Rings
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s American Modernist Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Citrine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1770s Portuguese Georgian Dangle Earrings
Quartz, Rock Crystal, Silver
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1980s Italian Renaissance Revival Cocktail Rings
Carnelian, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Recent Sales
1990s French Contemporary Signet Rings
Carnelian, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Modern Signet Rings
Hematite, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Unknown Signet Rings
Carnelian, 14k Gold
Antique 1790s British Georgian Signet Rings
Garnet, Gold
Antique 1880s Victorian Signet Rings
Onyx, 14k Gold
Antique 1860s English Victorian Signet Rings
Carnelian, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Signet Rings
Carnelian, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
20th Century British Victorian Signet Rings
Agate, Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Scottish Victorian Signet Rings
Carnelian, 18k Gold
20th Century British Victorian Signet Rings
Agate, 9k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Signet Rings
Onyx, 15k Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Persian More Rings
Carnelian, 22k Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Signet Rings
18k Gold, Rose Gold, Gold
Vintage 1910s Italian Signet Rings
Citrine, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1940s Retro Fashion Rings
Citrine, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century Italian Victorian Signet Rings
Citrine, Gold
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Signet Rings
Onyx, 14k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Signet Rings
Chalcedony, 18k Gold
Antique 1830s British Signet Rings
Quartz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1830s British George IV Fashion Rings
Quartz, Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Victorian Fashion Rings
Chalcedony, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Signet Rings
Carnelian, 9k Gold
20th Century British Retro Signet Rings
9k Gold
Vintage 1980s Contemporary Signet Rings
Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1930s Unknown Signet Rings
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s British Retro Signet Rings
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century European Georgian Pendant Necklaces
Chalcedony, 10k Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Signet Rings
Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Signet Rings
Citrine, 9k Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Signet Rings
9k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Signet Rings
15k Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel
Antique 19th Century English Late Victorian Signet Rings
18k Gold
Vintage 1940s French More Rings
Carnelian, 18k 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
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Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.
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