Victorian 2.95 CTW No Heat Ceylon Sapphire Diamond 14 Karat Gold Antique Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering an oval cut sapphire weighing 2.65 carats - transparent medium blue in color Natural Sri Lankan in origin with no indications of heat treatment - bezel set With a halo sur...
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian 2.95 CTW No Heat Ceylon Sapphire Diamond 14 Karat Gold Antique Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering an oval cut sapphire weighing 2.65 carats - transparent medium blue in color Natural Sri Lankan in origin with no indications of heat treatment - bezel set With a halo sur...
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold|$10,500
Antique Russian Diamond Enamel Gold Ring, 1860
Located in Chicago, IL
Made in Russia in 1860. This rare early dated Russian gold ring features three bright white and sparkly old mine cut diamonds. The shoulders of the ring are embellished with translu...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
C1860 Five Stone Half Hoop Natural Pearl Ring 18K
Located in Baltimore, MD
Lovely soft pearl five stone Georgian ring with five perfectly matched natural pearls, graduated in size, in a crimped collet setting. Half hoop rings were a popular 19th century st...
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Victorian Pearl and Diamond Three-Stone 18 Karat Gold Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
A beautiful Victorian three-stone ring set with a wonderful central diamond, flanked either side by fantastic seed pearls. The diamond measures approximately 70 points, is of G colou...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique 18 Karat Chrysoprase and Amethyst Ring, circa 1860
Located in Baltimore, MD
Classic 18K Victorian open back ring with three Chrysoprase stones which form the main design of the ring, enhanced by 4 smaller amethysts accents. Chrysoprase is the birthstone for ...
Amethyst, Chrysophrase, 18k Gold
Victorian Opal Cabochon Diamond 14 Karat Yellow Gold Five Stone Antique Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Featuring five oval-shaped opal cabochons, each measuring 3.0 x 4.5 mm Translucent white in body color with spectral play-of-color - prong set in rows Accented by rows of prong set o...
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Turquoise Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Antique Three Stone Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Featuring three graduated oval-shaped turquoise cabochons medium bluish-green to green Ranging in size from 4.0 x 6.0 mm to 5.0 x 7.0 mm - prong set With old European cut diamonds p...
Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian 1.00 Carat Emerald Old Mine Cut Diamond 14 Karat Gold Belcher Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering an emerald cut emerald weighing approximately 0.55 carat total - transparent bright green. Flanked East to West by old mine cut diamonds weighing approximately 0.45 carat t...
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian 0.60 CTW Old Mine Diamond 14 Karat Gold Antique Three Stone Band Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Comprised of three old mine cut diamond prong set diagonally across wrap band Weighing approximately 0.60 carat total - Q/R color with SI2 clarity Flanked by wrapped band terminals a...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian 4.00 CTW Topaz Diamond 18 Karat Gold Scroll Antique Three Stone Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering a prong set cushion cut topaz weighing approximately 1.96 carats total Flanked by round mixed-cut topaz weighing approximately 1.60 carats total Transparent medium pinkis...
Diamond, Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian 18k Yellow Gold Plain Wide Engraved Wedding Band
Located in Great Neck, NY
The inside of the band is engraved but we can only make out the "July 1869". Item #R0838 Metal: 18K Yellow Gold Weight: 9.1 Grams Ring Size: 6 Measurements: 4.80 mm wide Measur...
Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian 18K Yellow Gold Engraved Wedding Band
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 18K Yellow Gold Engraved Wedding Band - Size 4 3/4. This simple wedding band is finely crafted and has "January 24th, 1861" inside it. Item #R0836 Metal...
Yellow Gold
Victorian Enamel and 18 Carat Gold Mourning Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Sweet mourning band with black enamel and fine gold detail. This ring features a locket front holding a plait of hair behind a crystal panel. The inscription on the inner band reads ...
Crystal, 18k Gold
Victorian Five-Stone Old Mine Cut Diamond Band
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
This Victorian band of 18 karat yellow gold is adorned with five old mine cut diamonds weighing .75 carats in total. The round stones are nestled in squares, creating a quilted look ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian 18 Carat Gold and Black Enamel Mourning Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
A wonderful antique Victorian mourning band. The band is in-stepped and set with black enamel and gold lettering reading "IN MEMORY OF". Modelled in 18 carat yellow gold. The inside...
Yellow Gold, Enamel
Dated 1941's 18K Yellow Gold British Hallmarked 1865 Antique Stackable Band
Located in Addison, TX
This antique little beauty is truly unique. This dainty little band looks simple on the outside, but on the inside of the band there is a beautiful story or two. Starting with the Br...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1868 18K Yellow Gold Wide Wedding Band #23759
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Antique 18K Yellow Gold Vintage Wide Wedding Band This is an exquisite solid 1868 Victorian Era 18k yellow gold wedding band. A piece of history with a beautiful engraving "Andrew, ...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold|$2,550
Poetry in Stone, an Antique Italian Cameo
Located in Stamford, CT
We were told but cannot yet confirm that the refined image is likely a poet. Certainly this was a familiar historic image to the people in Victorian Europe. Any comments are welcome....
Agate, 18k Gold
C1860 Columbian Emerald Antique Eternity Band
Located in Baltimore, MD
A lovely hand carved emerald eternity band set in 18K gold. The 18 emeralds total carat weight approximates 1 carat. The face of the ring measures 2mm and weighs 1.4 grams, the ring...
Emerald, 18k Gold
HM B'ham 1868 15 Carat Emerald Pearl Ruby Band
Located in Baltimore, MD
It was in 1867 the first Women's Suffrage Committee was formed, developing into a national movement in the 1870s. This ring likely was not manufactured for the Suffragist movement, a...
Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, 15k Gold
1860's Victorian 1.45 Carats Old Mine Diamond Silver-Topped 14 Karat Gold Band R
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Band ring features old mine cut diamonds weighing in total approximately 1.45 carats - H/I color with SI clarity Well matched and set in dimensional silver forms Completed by a yel...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
1860s Spanish Elizabethan Renaissance Necklace, Earrings, Ring Jewelry Set
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Important 1860s Spanish Elizabethan Renaissance Necklace, Earrings and Ring Jewelry Set Mounted in silver with tear cabouchon colombian emeralds and diamonds Long earrings and ring w...
Diamond, Emerald, Silver, 18k Gold
Wooden Block Complete with Steel Ring with Brass Pulley, 1860
Located in Milan, IT
Simple wooden block complete with steel ring and rope with brass pulley, consisting of two sides inside which the pulley is placed. English manufacture of the second half of the 19th...
Brass, Steel
1870 Wooden Nautical Block Complete with Ring with Iron Pulley Old Marine Tool
Located in Milan, IT
Small simple block made of wood and rope covered with leather complete with ring and pulley made of iron. English manufacture of the second half of the 19th century. 6.5x7x17 cm. Ver...
Iron
Victorian 0.50 CTW Old Mine Cut Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Antique Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Featuring old mine cut diamonds set with belcher-style prongs forming a cross Weighing approximately 0.50 carat total - quality consistent with cut and age Bisected by pierced 'X' mo...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Mauchline Ware Sycamore Wood Scottish Tartan Napkin Rings, Set of Four
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A mixed set of four Victorian Era Mauchline Ware napkin rings découpaged in the Tartans of the McIntosh, McPhearson and Caledonia clans. Made of Sycamore, an ochre colored wood, ...
Wood, Paper
1869 Nordic Ring Renaissance solid 23/18K Gold Opal Pearl Garnet ØUS7 / 5.2gr
Located in SE
Year combination : P5 / made in 1869 Engraved with initials A.G.B Size: Ø US 7 / 17.35 mm.
Garnet, Opal, Pearl, 18k Gold, 22k Gold
Victorian Opal and Amethyst 15 Carat Gold Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Hallmarked Birmingham 1869. Ring Size: M or 6 1/4 Widest Point: 8mm Weight: 1.5g
Amethyst, Opal, Gold
Victorian Garnet and Pearl 12 Carat Gold Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Fully hallmarked Birmingham 1869. Ring Size: L 1/2 or 6 Widest Point: 7mm Weight: 1.2g
Garnet, Pearl, Gold
Sold|$1,200
Antique Pietra Dura Ring, circa 1860
Located in Baltimore, MD
Antique Pietra Dura ring depicting a flower, set in 12K gold, circa 1860
Sold|$1,800
Victorian Gold Buckle Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
A solid, warm tone 15 Kt gold buckle ring, like the buckle motif bracelets of the Victorian era symbolized two people united, joined together as one. The ring is engraved with rose...
Gold, 15k Gold
Sold|$1,850
Silver Gold Intaglio Ring
Located in Wallkill, NY
Stunning warrior Intaglio Ring Silver carved profile Set in 10K gold Monogrammed and hallmarked inside band Measures 11 and can be sized by u s or your jeweler Any questions plea...
10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold|$1,320
Antique Braided 18 Karat Knot Ring
Located in Baltimore, MD
Strong and sturdy 18K braided Knot ring, a symbol of infinite strength through unity. The three braided intertwined bands which are even more visible and especially beautiful viewed ...
18k Gold
Sold|$3,500
Antique Five-Stone Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Baltimore, MD
Wonderful Victorian 18K five stone diamond ring hallmarked Birmingham, C1880. The elaborate setting is enhanced by an ornately carved gold shank. Beautiful to wear alone or stacked w...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique Engraved Garnet Rosecut Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1860s, 15k, Germanic. This antique ring has a distinctive style found in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. Surrounded by .50 carats of rose cut diamonds, the superb red purpl...
Diamond, Garnet, 15k Gold
Sold|$1,900
HM London 1863 18K Poison Ring
Located in Baltimore, MD
This is a classic original poison ring, yes you read that right! Poison rings have a long and murky history dating back to the middle ages, but our poison ring is definitively Victor...
18k Gold
Sold|$3,600
C1860 18K Victorian Five Stone "ADORE" Ring
Located in Baltimore, MD
This is an unusual classic Victorian five stone ADORE ring : our ADORE ring spells out the first letter of each gemstone in the following linear pattern: Amethyst-Diamond-Opal-Ruby-E...
18k Gold
Victorian Turquoise and Ruby 9 Carat Gold Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This beauty has an incredibly beautiful 9ct gold shank. Sat on top of the swirling detail is a cluster of four bright turquoise and a gorgeous ruby in the middle. The ruby measures 5...
Ruby, Turquoise, Gold
Victorian Yellow Gold and Sardonyx Cameo Gents Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1860s 14k Yellow Gold Cameo Ring, the top of the ring measures 13/16 X 13/16 inch and is set with a Sardonyx, Hard-stone Double Face Cameo of a Man and Woman in the Greek - Rom...
Agate
Large Articulated Sterling Silver Armor Shield Ring Viking Goth
Located in Wallkill, NY
This is an amazing! Ring has three sections and little moving pins in the hinged section for finger movement. Hallmarked on the inside The ring fits my finger as a 9, please note the...
Sterling Silver
Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Numbered Napkin Rings Set of Six 1869
By Hirons, Plante & Co. 1
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Full hallmarks struck to the surface of each napkin ring are all very clear. Dimensions: Diameter 4.5 cm/1.8" Height 2.5 cm/1" Total weight 4.4 troy ounces/136g Maker: Hirons, Pla...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Sold|$1,650
Antique Ruby and Chrysoberyl 15K Gold Ring
Located in Baltimore, MD
Lovely 15k early Victorian ring with two cushion cut chrysoberyls and four rubies, hallmarked Birmingham and dated 1868. Swirls, whorls and curlicues engraved along the band add inte...
Ruby, Chrysoberyl, 15k Gold
Sold|$1,600
Antique Pearl and Turquoise Cluster Ring
Located in Baltimore, MD
Lovely early Victorian 15K turquoise and pearl floral cluster half hoop ring features a large cabochon turquoise center stone surrounded by natural pearls in cut down collet settings...
Natural Pearl, Turquoise, Pearl, 15k Gold
Victorian Pear Shaped Diamond Ring, circa 1860s-1880s
Located in London, GB
This stunning victorian ring is a total beauty! The centre pear shape stone is an impressive 2.38 carat, and is certified by GIA. With the top colour grade of D, and a clarity gradin...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
Victorian Diamond and Pearl 9 Carat Cluster Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This charming 9ct gold Victorian cluster ring holds a shiny pearl which is surrounded by eight sparkling diamonds. The diamonds weigh a total of 60pts. Ring Size: P or 7 1/2
Diamond, Pearl, 9k Gold
Antique Blue Enamel and 9 Gold Band Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This antique mourning band has plale blue enamel all the way around and a small heart panel at the front which reads "MEB". Modelled in 9carat gold and hallmarked Birmingham. Ring S...
Gold, Enamel
Mid Victorian Engraved “1863” Tourmaline and Pearl Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1863 (Engraved on inner shank) Item Details: Ring Size: 7 Metal Type: 9k Yellow-Rose Tone Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 3.0 grams Center Details: Tourmaline, Deep Purpl...
Gold, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
19th Century Italian Micro Mosaic Gold Flower Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
Bernardo Antichita' Ponte Vecchio Florence The oval cut mosaic plaque depicting a flower bouquet, on black ground within reeded bordered later rose gold mount. Finger size: 7 We...
9k Gold, Rose Gold
1860s Stunning Antique Victorian Rose Gold Cabochon Garnet Ring
Located in Wallkill, NY
A stunning large Bezel set Garnet set in 9ct Gold Bezel measuring .52 in x .44 in wide Ring is a size 9.5 Any questions please call or hit request more information
Garnet, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
Sold|$12,500
19th Century Amethyst and Diamond Bishop Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
The oval-cut amethyst intaglio seal, within a surround of old brilliant-cut diamonds, between tapered shoulders, each decorated with budded crosses, the inner hoop engraved 'Presb...
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Rose Cut Diamond Silver and Gold Cluster Ring
Located in New York, NY
Cocktail rings are always a classic. This Victorian cluster ring makes a statement. We converted a Victorian silver and gold brooch to this ring by adding the ring shank. Now it cu...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
14 Karat Gold Victorian Blue Sapphire Poison Ring
Located in Wallkill, NY
Stunning Victorian Blue Cabochon Sapphire poison ring set in 14K Gold. Hallmarked on the underside shown in photos. The ring is a size 7-1/4 and can be sized by us or by your jeweler...
Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Almandine Garnet and Pearl 18 Carat Gold Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This sweet ring holds four pale pink almandine garnets and at the centre and either side are seed pearls. The ring is modelled in 18ct gold. The shoulders and the band have fine engr...
Garnet, Pearl, Gold
Victorian 9 Carat Gold and Black Enamel Mourning Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
A superb antique victorian mourning ring. The is set with glossy black enamel around the ring. The borders of the band are ornately detailed. The inscription on the inside of the ban...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian Rose Cut Diamond Blue Glass Panel Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
A mid-Victorian blue glass panel ring set with a center round rose cut diamond and surrounded by additional rose cut diamonds on the panel and around the glass rectangle. This ring ...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Sold|$2,800
Victorian 18 Kt Fire Opal Diamond Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
Ouch, you feel the fire of this five stone 18 Kt Victorian Fire Opal ring. It is as bright as lava freshly flowing from a volcano.There are tiny diamonds set between the opals. They ...
Opal, Fire Opal, Diamond, 18k Gold
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.