Retro Unique Engagement Rings
1990s American Modern Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Unknown Artisan Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Jade, 14k Gold
1960s Unknown Art Deco Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Late 20th Century Art Deco Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
1970s Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1960s Unknown Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century American Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Late 20th Century English Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s Retro Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Modernist Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1980s Retro Unique Engagement Rings
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century English Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
1990s Retro Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
1990s Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century English Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Brazilian Art Deco Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Tourmaline, Indicolite, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s British Victorian Retro Unique Engagement Rings
White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Italian Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s American Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century English Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1980s Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Belle Époque Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Gold
1990s American Modern Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Gold
1990s Unknown Retro Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Late 20th Century Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Brown Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Platinum
Late 20th Century English Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Platinum
Late 20th Century Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1950s American Art Deco Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Late 20th Century Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Green Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Late 20th Century Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1980s American Contemporary Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s American Contemporary Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Modernist Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s French Retro Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century English Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
1960s Retro Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
1980s Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1970s French Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century English Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Late 20th Century English Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 9k Gold
1970s French Modern Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century British Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
1970s Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Silver
Mid-20th Century European Contemporary Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1970s Danish Modern Retro Unique Engagement Rings
Spinel, Silver
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Retro Unique Engagement Rings For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Retro Unique Engagement Rings?
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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Our Guide to Fancy-Colored Diamond Engagement Rings
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Talking Diamonds with the Jeweler Behind J. Lo’s Engagement Ring
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