Victorian Sapphire and Diamond 15 Carat Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This Victorian cluster ring holds six sparkly pale blue sapphires which are split by a small cluster of six diamonds. The ring is modelled out of 15 Carat Gold and has wonderfully de...
Diamond, Sapphire, 15k Gold
Wrapped in History: A Victorian Serpent Ring with Muzo Emerald
By Glorious Antique Jewelry Collection
Located in Stamford, CT
The silky ring embraces the finger with five coils, the top being a Colombian emerald from the foothills of the Andes, northeast of Bogota. The emerald color is rich, eye catching gr...
Emerald, 15k Gold
Victorian 1.15 Carat Old Cut Diamond Solitaire Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a charming 18ct yellow gold single stone diamond ring. This antique piece dates back to the Victorian period and features single round faceted old European cut diamond a...
Diamond, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian 1.50 Carat Amethyst and Peridot Ring, circa 1866
Located in London, GB
This Mid-Victorian ring has a beautiful design, featuring three amethysts accented by peridot. The amethysts are old oval cuts and are 0.50 carat each. They form a floral design, lik...
Amethyst, Peridot, 15k Gold
Antique 15ct Gold Victorian Diamond & Pearl Horseshoe Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Horseshoe Ring 15ct Gold Stamped Hallmarked Chester 1885 Beautiful, Victorian band style ring. Set with pretty, natural seed pearls in a horseshoe shape & a natural diam...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
Amethyst & Diamond Ring 11 Carats, Victorian Circa 1890s Unisex
Located in Northampton, MA
This circa 1890s ring features an impressive oblong oval-shaped 11 carat amethyst with excellent purple and rose coloring. The 23.63mm x 11.33mm is surrounded by a halo of 22 tiny Eu...
Amethyst, Diamond, 15k Gold
Victorian 1.00ct Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring, c.1880s
Located in London, GB
This Victorian Ruby & Diamond Ring is an exquisite piece, showcasing a deep red ruby with Thailand origin. The enchanting natural ruby is a 1.00 carat oval cut stone and is claw set ...
Diamond, Ruby, 15k Gold, Silver
Sold|$8,105
Victorian Emerald and Diamond Three Row Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a truly wonderful emerald and diamond three row ring dating back to the Victorian era. The ring is crafted in 18ct yellow gold with a silver setting for the diamonds. Th...
Emerald, 15k Gold
Sold|$1,357
Antique Victorian Garnet Opal 15ct Gold Ring
Located in London, GB
This richly detailed Victorian garnet and opal ring is a captivating example of 19th-century (c. 1860s–1880s) sentiment and craftsmanship. Set in warm 15ct yellow gold (unmarked but...
Garnet, Opal, 15k Gold
Victorian 15 Karat Gold Blue White Enamel Floral Motif Band Ring
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is a Victorian band ring crafted in 15K gold. Circa 1850.
Enamel, Gold, 15k Gold
Victorian English Intaglio Crest Signet and 15KT Gold Snake Ring
Located in Wheaton, IL
Pause to marvel at the exceptional craftsmanship of this English Victorian Signet Intaglio Crest Signet and 15Kt Yellow Gold Snake Ring! The ring boasts an oval family crest shield a...
Gold, 15k Gold
Natural Pearl and Garnet Ring Victorian Era c. 1860
Located in Stamford, CT
The gem quality is immediately visible in this treasure of a 15 kt gold natural pearl and garnet ring c. 1860. The pearls are lustrous and well matched as they frame the center garne...
Garnet, Natural Pearl, 15k Gold
Sold|$2,250
Yellow Gold Signet Ring, Dated 1877
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
15k yellow gold signet ring with a unique hexagonal shape and an extraordinary amount of detail. The sides of the shank are hand engraved with a scrolling deign and the back of the r...
Yellow Gold, 15k Gold
That Certain Charm in a Victorian Turquoise and Ruby Ring
By Glorious Antique Jewelry Collection
Located in Stamford, CT
Repousee engraving makes flowers bloom and lends beauty and dimension to a turquoise and ruby ring of 15kt gold. The gemstones form a forget-me-not, the flower that signifies "think ...
Ruby, Turquoise, 15k Gold
Antique Victorian Pear Cut Diamond and Yellow Gold Solitaire Engagement Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique 0.98 carat diamond and 15 karat yellow gold solitaire ring; part of our diamond jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This stunning antique...
Diamond, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 15ct Gold Victorian Demantoid Garnet & Diamond Daisy Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Daisy Ring 15ct Gold Tested Circa 1880 Pretty, Victorian daisy shaped ring. Features a centre demantoid garnet stone, surrounded by a lovely cluster of old cut diamonds. ...
Diamond, Garnet, Gold, 15k Gold
Antique 15ct Gold Victorian Diamond & Seed Pearl Marquise Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Marquise Ring 15ct Gold Tested Circa 1860 Fabulous, 15ct yellow gold, early Victorian marquise/navette shaped ring. Set with five beautiful, old cut diamonds down the cen...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
Antique Victorian 15 Karat Gold Ring with Ruby and Diamonds, England, 1860s
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique Victorian 15k gold ring with ruby and diamonds Made in England Circa 1860's Tested positive for 15kt yellow gold.
Diamond, Ruby, 15k Gold
Victorian 15ct Yellow Gold Rhodolite Garnet & Cultured Pearl Ring
Located in Cape May, NJ
Victorian 15ct yellow gold rhodolite garnet & cultured pearl ring Era: Victorian Composition: 15ct Yellow gold Primary Stone: Three rhodolite garnets Carat Weight: Approximately .6...
Garnet, Cultured Pearl, Rhodolite, Yellow Gold, 15k Gold
Antique Victorian Mourning Ring, 15 Karat Yellow Gold, Hairwork, Bow Front
Located in NEWARK, GB
A stunning antique Victorian mourning ring. Rich 15 karat yellow gold band with a shaped rim and a beautiful gold bow design front, the bow is lightly engraved. The gold band is co...
15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian 15 Karat Ruby and Pearl Band Ring HM Chester 1882
Located in Baltimore, MD
This ruby and pearl band ring, with its 7 deep purplish-red rubies, is the perfect accompaniment to other rings for your ring stack. Rubies are among the most prized and rare preciou...
Pearl, Ruby, 15k Gold
Victorian Baby Ring with Rose Diamonds and Blue Enamel Detailing
Located in Baltimore, MD
We love baby rings, worn around the knuckle or worn clipped to a large split ring and worn around a chain, or simply collected in honor of a new baby. Our baby ring has rose diamonds...
Diamond, 15k Gold, Enamel
Antique 15ct Gold Birmingham Hallmarked Victorian Seed Pearl & Ruby Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Ring 15ct Gold Stamped Hallmarked Birmingham 1876 This exquisite Victorian-era antique ring is a true treasure for any jewellery collector. Made of 15ct yellow gold, this ...
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 15k Gold
Victorian 3.00 Carat GIA Old European Cut Diamond Cluster Engagement Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An Extraordinary Example of Victorian Era 3.00Carat Old European Cut Diamond Cluster Engagement Ring composed of 15k light yellowish rose gold.
Diamond, 15k Gold, Rose Gold
Victorian 1.81 Carat GIA Old European Cut Diamond Cluster Engagement Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A unique Victorian era 1.81 Carat Old European Cut Diamond Cluster Engagement Ring composed of 15k yellow gold.
Diamond, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 15ct Gold Victorian Diamond & Enamel Crowned Heart Marquise Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Marquise Ring 15ct Gold Tested Circa 1850 Fabulous, early Victorian ring. Beautiful marquise/navette shaped, decorated with gorgeous red & white enamel which is in perfe...
Diamond, Gold, 15k Gold, Enamel
Antique Victorian Pearl Star Mourning Ring, 15 Karat Gold, Locket Back
Located in NEWARK, GB
To the verso there is a glazed panel with a small silk round, this can be removed to store a small lock of hair or tiny memento It appears to have been enamelled at some stage with ...
Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 15ct Gold Victorian Ruby & Pearl Ring With Ornate Gold Work
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Pearl & Ruby Ring 15ct Gold Tested Circa 1880 Pretty, Victorian gold ring.
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 15k Gold
15 Karat Striking Victorian European Cut Diamond Enamel Floral Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
A stunning ring of 15 kt gold, lustrous medium blue enamel and a central diamond flower of antique diamonds makes an important appearance in its broad cigar band shank. This is high ...
Diamond, 15k Gold, Enamel
Victorian 15 Karat Yellow Gold Ladies Ring with Emeralds and Diamonds, 1880s
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique Victorian 15kt yellow gold ladies ring with emeralds and diamonds. Made in England Circa 1880's Tested positive for 15kt gold. Dimensions - Finger Size: (UK) = M (US) = 6 1/...
Diamond, Emerald, 15k Gold
Victorian No Heat Sapphire Old Cut Diamond Silver Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Victorian era cluster ring, handcrafted in 15 karat yellow gold and silver topped. Featuring an Antique Cushion Mixed Cut Natural Blue Sapphire weighing an estimated 2.70 ct, surroun...
Diamond, Sapphire, 15k Gold, Sterling Silver
Antique 15ct Gold Victorian Ruby & Seed Pearl Daisy Cluster Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Daisy Cluster Ring 15ct Gold Tested Circa 1880 Pretty, Victorian cluster ring. Set with a natural ruby centre & a cluster of natural, milky seed pearls making a beautiful...
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 15k Gold
Victorian Four Leaf Clover Ring Old Mine Diamonds & Natural Pearl Gemstone
Located in MIAMI, FL
Exceptional treasure from the Victorian era. This ring is truly fantastic and shows exquisite details throughout. The ring is crafted in a 15-16k yellow gold and is in the shape of ...
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 15k Gold
Antique 15ct Gold, Early Victorian Peridot & Emerald Floral Ring, Circa 1840
Located in Brighton, GB
Early Victorian Peridot & Emerald Ring 15ct Gold Circa 1840 Early Victorian three-stone ring featuring a central oval cut peridot flanked by two emeralds. The gold shoulders are ...
Emerald, Peridot, Gold, 15k Gold
English Victorian 3.61 Ct. GIA Old European Cut Diamond Belcher Engagement Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
English Victorian era 3.61 Ct. Old European Cut Diamond "Belcher" Engagement Ring composed of 15k light rose gold.
Diamond, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 15ct Yellow Gold, Victorian Ruby & Diamond 3 Stone Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Ring 15ct Gold Stamped Hallmarked Chester 1891 Makers Mark H Introducing a stunning 15ct gold Victorian 3-stone ring, adorned with a central ruby and a diamond on each ...
Diamond, Ruby, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s Antique Victorian 1.12 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Dress Ring Pin
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This fine and impressive antique Victorian jewellery set has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with a 15k pin setting.
Diamond, 15k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
15ct Gold, Victorian Dome Shaped Ruby & Pearl Ring, Hallmarked Birmingham 1876
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Dome Ring 15ct Yellow Gold Stamped Hallmarked Birmingham 1876 This exquisite Victorian dome-shaped ring is crafted from 15ct gold and features vertical rows of alternatin...
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 15k Gold
Dated 1899 Victorian 15 Karat Yellow Gold British Cultured Pearl Antique Ring
Located in Addison, TX
This beautiful piece of history is a Victorian British crafted pearl ring Dated 1899. This ring has beautiful hallmarks that tell its history.
Cultured Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Ring circa 1878 Pearl Emerald 15 Karat Rose Gold Quatrefoil Vintage
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed antique Victorian ring (circa 1878) crafted in 15 karat rose gold.
Emerald, Pearl, 15k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique 15ct Yellow Gold, Early Victorian Turquoise & Diamond Daisy Cluster Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Turquoise Ring 15ct Gold Tested Circa 1860s This lovely early Victorian gold ring would make a great addition to any antique jewellery collection. The ring features a clu...
Diamond, Turquoise, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian Four Coil Snake Ring with Diamonds
Located in Stamford, CT
A benign serpent coils its body four times around your finger and charms all. The head, studded with old mine diamonds, rests diagonally atop the coils. Fertility, power, balance, re...
Diamond, 15k Gold
Antique 15ct Gold, Early Victorian Pearl & Rose Cut Diamond Daisy Cluster Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Daisy Cluster Ring 15ct Gold Tested Circa 1875 Presenting a stunning Victorian daisy-shaped cluster ring, perfect for Bridgerton enthusiasts. This exquisite ring feature...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
Antique 15ct Gold Victorian Amethyst Emerald and Pearl Suffragette Cluster Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Suffragette Ring 15ct Yellow Gold Tested Circa 1880 This stunning Suffragette ring is crafted from 15ct yellow gold and features a beautiful combination of Amethyst, Emer...
Amethyst, Emerald, Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
Antique 15ct Gold Birmingham Hallmarked Victorian Ruby & Diamond Five Stone Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Ring 15ct Gold Stamped Hallmarked Birmingham 1879 Makers Mark H & S This 15ct gold ring is a true beauty and features alternating natural rubies and diamonds elegantly se...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 15k Gold
Antique 15ct Gold Early Victorian Emerald Diamond & Pearl Daisy Cluster Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Daisy Cluster Ring 15ct Gold Circa 1860 This stunning early Victorian daisy cluster ring is a true treasure. Crafted from 15ct gold, it features a beautiful cluster of se...
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
Antique 15ct Yellow Gold Stamped, Victorian Ruby & Diamond Crossover Band Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Ruby & Diamond Ring 15ct Gold Stamped Circa 1880s Hallmarked Birmingham- The date letter and makers mark have rubbed. Makers Mark --- & E This exquisite Victorian ring ...
Diamond, Ruby, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
15ct Yellow Gold Victorian Five Stone Pearl Band Ring Hallmarked Chester 1887
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Band Ring 15ct Gold Stamped Hallmarked Chester 1887 This exquisite Victorian Band ring is crafted from 15ct gold and showcases five natural seed pearls. The intricate ha...
Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian Gold GIA AGL 6.30ctw No Heat Old Sapphire & Diamond Halo Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
Total Carat Weight: 6.30 (approx.) Material: Solid 15k Yellow Gold Weight: 4.91 Grams Ring Size: 9.0 (Fitted on a finger.
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
1889 British Victorian 15 Karat Gold Hand Set Antique Diamond and Sapphire Ring
Located in Addison, TX
This is a true antique piece, and we are honored to offer it to our 1st Dibs family. Item Details: Ring Size: 5.75 Metal Type: 15K Yellow Gold Weight: 2 grams Hallmarks: 15, CB (Br...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
15ct Gold Fancy Victorian Adore Acrostic Ring Amethyst Diamond Opal Ruby Emerald
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Adore Ring 15ct Gold Tested Circa 1850s This stunning early Victorian Adore acrostic ring is a true testament to the beauty of antique jewellery. Crafted from 15ct gold a...
Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Ruby, Gold, 15k Gold
Antique 15ct Gold Victorian Amethyst Diamond Opal Ruby and Emerald Acrostic Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Adore Ring 15ct Gold Circa 1880 Acrostic rings became popular throughout the Victorian period. The Adore ring being one of the romantic gifts typically given in the earl...
Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Ruby, Gold, 15k Gold
Antique 15ct Gold Victorian Amethyst Diamond Opal Ruby and Emerald Acrostic Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Adore Ring 15ct Gold Circa 1880 Acrostic rings became popular throughout the Victorian period. The Adore ring being one of the romantic gifts typically given in the earl...
Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Ruby, Gold, 15k Gold
15ct Two Colour Gold Victorian Amethyst Diamond Opal Ruby and Emerald Adore Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Adore Ring 15ct Gold Stamped Circa 1880 Introducing a breathtaking 15ct gold Victorian acrostic ring, adorned with a captivating combination of amethyst, diamond, opal, ...
Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Ruby, Gold, 15k Gold
1889 British Victorian 15 Karat Gold Hand Set Antique Diamond and Sapphire Ring
Located in Addison, TX
This is a true antique piece, and we are honored to offer it to our 1st Dibs family. Item Details: Ring Size: 5.75 Metal Type: 15K Yellow Gold Weight: 2 grams Hallmarks: 15, CB (Br...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Victorian 1.36 CTW Old European Cut Diamond Silver 14 Karat Gold Halo Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering an old European cut diamond weighing approximately 0.40 carat - H color with VS2 clarity Set with talon prongs with a halo surround of additional old European cut diamonds ...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, 15k Gold, Silver
ETRUSCAN REVIVAL 1880 Victorian Scarab Micro Mosaic Ring In 18Kt Yellow Gold
Located in Miami, FL
An Etruscan revival scarab ring. This is an exceptional ring, created in Rome Italy during the Victorian (1840-1901) era, back in the 1880. The ring was masterfully crafted with Etr...
Citrine, Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Onyx, Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold, 15k Gol...
The reign of Queen Victoria encapsulates a quickly evolving period of history — and jewelry styles were no exception. No single period has seen such a diverse group of jewelry attributed to it than the Victorian era. Today, there is a vast collection of authentic antique Victorian jewelry and watches on 1stDibs.
Victorian jewelry is named after Queen Victoria, whose reign lasted from 1837 to 1901, making her the second longest-ruling monarch. (She was surpassed by Queen Elizabeth II in 2015.) During this time, different styles of fashion and jewelry came and went. Thanks to our fascination with royalty and swoon-worthy melodramas like Netflix’s The Crown — which is rife with evocative fashion, jewelry and interiors — and the 2017 feature film Victoria & Abdul, we are all familiar with her story. After the death of Victoria’s father and three childless uncles, she ascended to the throne at age 18. In 1840, Queen Victoria married the love of her life, her first cousin Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.
Queen Victoria loved serpentine jewels, and she had even more power to shape trends than Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle do today. The British monarch’s best-known piece in this mold is the gold coiled-snake engagement ring she received from Prince Albert — the sinuous reptile was considered a symbol of everlasting love.
The Queen's 63-year reign has been divided by historians into the Romantic period, the early happy years, circa 1837–60; the Grand period, marked by the deaths of the Queen’s mother and husband, circa 1860–80; and the late Victorian or Aesthetic period, which lasted from about 1880 until 1901 and ushered in the Belle Époque. Queen Victoria wore her heart on her sleeve, and her fashion and jewelry reflected her emotions.
Romantic period jewelry, which featured common decorative motifs and was embellished with seed pearls, coral and turquoise, was a celebration of the young monarch’s love. Everything changed with the death of Prince Albert, and the Grand period is most often associated with mourning jewelry. Jewelry was smaller, lighter and more dainty during the late Victorian period. During this era, diamonds came into fashion, and semiprecious gems such as amethysts and opals became prevalent, too. Using gemstones for their natural beauty and not their worth was something that jewelers of the era felt passionate about, and this ideology would really become relevant in Art Nouveau jewelry.
Find a collection of authentic antique Victorian jewelry — from rings, necklaces and brooches to a range of other accessories — on 1stDibs.
Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself.
Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.
Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany & Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.
For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany & Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.
Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.
In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so.
Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.
Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle.
BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.
A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in.
Since Van Cleef & Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.
Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.
Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.
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.
Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.
Will your beloved be enchanted by an Edwardian ring or a trendy Art Deco piece? We clue you into period styles and tips for finding the perfect ring.