Memento Mori Ring
Antique Mid-18th Century Georgian Engagement Rings
Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, Enamel
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Fashion Rings
Agate, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 17th Century Medieval Band Rings
Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s American Fashion Rings
Sterling Silver
2010s American Victorian Signet Rings
Emerald, Bronze
2010s Indian Victorian Band Rings
Enamel, Gold, 14k Gold
Early 2000s Italian Medieval Fashion Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Victorian Band Rings
Gold Plate, Brass, Enamel
2010s Indian Victorian Band Rings
Gold Plate, Brass, Enamel
2010s Indian Victorian Band Rings
14k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass, Enamel
2010s American Victorian Signet Rings
Black Diamond, Bronze
2010s American Victorian Signet Rings
Emerald, Bronze
2010s American Victorian Signet Rings
Emerald, Bronze
2010s American Contemporary Signet Rings
Silver, Vermeil, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
2010s Indian Victorian Band Rings
14k Gold, Enamel, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Signet Rings
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Vermeil
2010s American Victorian Signet Rings
Black Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Victorian Signet Rings
Black Diamond, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Victorian Signet Rings
Ruby, Bronze
2010s American Victorian Signet Rings
Silver
2010s American Contemporary Signet Rings
10k Gold, Yellow Gold, Vermeil
Antique 1780s European George III Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
Antique Mid-19th Century Unknown Gothic Revival Fashion Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Victorian Signet Rings
Emerald, Vermeil, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Victorian Signet Rings
Emerald, Vermeil, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Victorian Signet Rings
Emerald, Ruby, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Fashion Rings
Purple Sapphire, Sapphire, Rose Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s Indian Victorian Band Rings
White Diamond, Diamond, Gold, Enamel, 14k Gold
2010s Indian Victorian Fashion Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Enamel, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Victorian Band Rings
14k Gold, Gold Plate, Enamel
Antique 1860s Victorian Signet Rings
10k Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel
English More Rings
Antique 1730s Georgian Band Rings
Crystal, 18k Gold, Silver
Antique Mid-18th Century British More Rings
Yellow Gold
Antique Late 18th Century Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Antique 17th Century Dutch Georgian Band Rings
Silver, Enamel, Sterling Silver
2010s Australian Baroque Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, Rubelite, Enamel, Yellow Gold, 22k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Fashion Rings
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary British Fashion Rings
Silver
2010s Baroque Cocktail Rings
Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel, 24k Gold
2010s Australian Baroque Cocktail Rings
Tanzanite, Gold, 22k Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Baroque Cocktail Rings
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Purple Sapphire, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold, E...
2010s Australian Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, Citrine, Yellow Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Georgian Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary North American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
2010s American Artisan Fashion Rings
14k Gold
2010s American Artisan Fashion Rings
14k Gold
Antique Late 18th Century European Rococo Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Silver
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Memento Mori Ring For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Memento Mori 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.
- What is a memento mori ring?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021Memento mori ring is a ring that is an artistic reminder of the inevitability of death. ‘Memento mori’ is a Latin term that means “remember you must die.” These rings typically either feature a skull, crossbones or skeletons to prompt people to remember the shortness of life. Shop a range of memento mori rings on 1stDibs.
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