TANK RING Classic Ring In 14Kt Yellow And White Gold With Sapphires & Rubies
By Chevalier Tank Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Birthstone: Sapphires for the month of September and rubies for July. Country: United States. Period: Mid-century, Modernist.
Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Mid Century Platinum Diamond Ruby Cocktail Ring
Located in New York, NY
Mid Century platinum cocktail ring, with center ruby cabochon, side rubies and approx. 1.00ctw in diamonds.
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Mid Century Ruby & Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
Crafted from 14 karat yellow gold and set with diamonds and a central ruby this ring dates to the the 1970s. The hand assembled piece centres on a single pear shaped ruby which has b...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,808Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-century Flower Ruby & Diamond Ring in 14k
Located in Bloomington, MN
Mid-century Flower Ruby & Diamond Ring in 14k This ring is crafted in 14k yellow gold and features prong-set red ruby, with a flower design.
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-Century 18k Gold, Enamel, and Ruby Italian Cocktail Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Mid-Century Italian cocktail ring. In 18k gold.
Ruby, 18k Gold, Enamel
Mid Century 1950s Ruby Diamond Platinum Ring
Located in New York, NY
Platinum Mid century circa 1950s ring, with two ruby cabochons (stones are abraded) and approx. 1.60ctw in diamonds.
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Mid-Century Platinum Ruby and Diamond Halo Ring
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
A spectacular Mid-Century platinum ruby and diamond ring showcasing bold color, dimensional design, and exceptional craftsmanship.
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Mid Century Ruby and Diamond Ring by Chaumet
By Chaumet
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
This hand crafted platinum, diamond and ruby ring was manufactured by one of the most esteemed French jewellers, Chaumet. The handmade platinum mount has been mounted with three natu...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Mid-Century Natural Red Ruby and Diamond Ballerina Ring
Located in Denver, CO
This striking mid-century ballerina ring features a natural oval red ruby weighing approximately 1.30 carats, surrounded by a halo of round and baguette diamonds totaling approximate...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-Century Natural Unheated Ruby and Diamond Ring
Located in Denver, CO
This mid-century ring features a natural unheated oval ruby measuring approximately 5.5 x 9mm, surrounded by a halo swirl adorned with eighteen gleaming round diamonds totaling appr...
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Mid Century ruby diamond 14k white gold ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A graceful jewel from the Mid Century era, this elegant ring centers on a vibrant oval cut ruby weighing approximately 0.50 carats.
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Impressive Mid-Century Ruby Diamond and Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Wheaton, IL
This stunning Mid-Century ring, crafted around 1945, showcases a beautiful arrangement of rubies and diamonds meticulously set in lustrous 14-karat yellow gold.
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Mid-18th Century Ruby !8 Karat Gold Ring Flat Cut Rubies
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This mid-eighteenth century ring is set with flat cut rubies.
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Ruby Diamond Ring Vintage 18k White Gold, Mid-Century Certified
Located in Buckingham , Buckinghamshire
A bold and substantial ruby and diamond cluster ring centred on a 4.40 carat natural ruby, certified by GCS London. The oval-cut ruby displays a saturated, vivid red hue with natura...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
$22,400Sale Price|20% Off
Mid Century 3.30ct Unheated Thai Ruby and Diamond 14K Gold Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
A vivid celebration of color and brilliance, this exceptional Mid-Century ring showcases a magnificent 3.30 carat unheated Thai ruby, certified by GIA and accompanied by its report.
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
Mid-Century AGL Certified Oval Ruby Ballerina Ring with Diamonds in Platinum
Located in Houston, TX
A Mid-Century AGL certified 3.00 carat oval-cut Thai ruby ballerina ring, set in platinum.
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Mid Century Old European cut diamond ruby platinum buckle ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A striking symbol of unity and strength, this Mid Century buckle ring from the 1960s showcases eight shimmering old European cut diamonds arranged across its sculptural platinum desi...
Blue Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Mid-Century Ruby and Diamond Gold Ring, circa 1950s
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This ravishing mid-century ruby and diamond ring, crafted in 14K yellow and white gold, centers around a vibrant pinkish-red ruby weighing approximately 1.50 carats.
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Mid-Century Star Ruby Diamond Ballerina Cocktail Ring Platinum 1950s 1960s
Located in Lisbon, PT
Mid-Century Star Ruby and Diamond Ballerina Cocktail Ring in Platinum, circa 1950s–1960s.
Diamond, Ruby, Star Ruby, Platinum
9.17 ctw Mid-Century Burmese Ruby & Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Tysons, VA
Refined and timeless, this Mid-Century ring highlights the enduring appeal of Burmese rubies.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
26.88 ctw Mid-Century Burmese Ruby & Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Ring
By Unbranded
Located in Tysons, VA
Type: Cocktail Ring Era / Style: Mid-Century Metal: Yellow Gold Metal Purity: 18K Setting Style: Prong Band Style: Plain Finish: High Polish Gemstone: Natural Ruby Origin: Burma (Mya...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Opal and Ruby Gold Mid Century 1960s Dome Cocktail Ring
Located in Montreal, QC
Simply Beautiful! Finely detailed Vintage 1960s Opal and Ruby Gold Dome Ring. Centering a securely nestled Marquis Opal, surrounded by .20tcw Rubies and 1.15tcw Opals. Hand crafted i...
Opal, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold
14ct Aquamarine Ring Icy Blue Vintage Mid Century 14k Gold Emerald Cut Ruby
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish vintage mid-century aquamarine & ruby cocktail ring (circa 1940s to 1950s) crafted in 14k rose gold.
Aquamarine, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
11.60 ctw Mid-Century No Heat Burmese Ruby & Diamond 18K Gold Ring
By Unbranded
Located in Tysons, VA
Type: Cocktail Ring Era / Style: Mid-Century Metal: Yellow Gold Metal Purity: 18K Setting Style: Prong Band Style: Plain Finish: High Polish Gemstone: Natural Ruby Origin: Burma (Mya...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid Century Diamond and Ruby 18 karat Yellow and White Gold Ring
Located in Esch sur Alzette, Esch-sur-Alzette
The "Mid Century DIAMOND and RUBY 18KT Yellow and White Gold Ring" is a piece of jewelry that combines elements of mid-century design with exquisite gemstones and high-quality gold.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Mobe Pearl Diamond Sapphire Ruby Halo White Gold Mid-Century Cocktail Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
Fantastic Mid-Century late 1950's Mobe pearl, diamond, sapphire and ruby cocktail ring.
Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage Ruby and OEC Diamond Gold 1960s Mid Century Modern Cluster Ring
Located in Montreal, QC
Simply Beautiful! Vintage Ruby and OEC Diamond Gold 1960s Bombay Cluster Ring. Centering a .55 Carat Hand set Old European Cut Diamond. Surrounded by 1.50tcw Rubies. Hand crafted 14K...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
4.50 ctw Mid-Century Emerald Cut Diamond & Burmese Ruby Platinum Ring
Located in Tysons, VA
Specifications Type: Cocktail Ring Era / Style: Mid-Century Metal: Platinum Metal Purity: PT900 Finish: High Polish Center Diamond: Cut: Emerald Cut Weight: 1.65 carats Color: D Clar...
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Mid-Century 18k Yellow Gold Six Stone Burma Ruby Ring, Circa 1940
Located in Firenze, IT
Mid-20th century six stone ruby ring, c.1940, with graduated oval cut Burma rubies, approximately 3.05cts in all, claw set in gold, accompanied by LAG report no. 119629 giving the Bu...
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid Century French GIA 11 carat no heat cabochon ruby diamond platinum ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This exceptional Mid Century French ruby and diamond ring is a masterpiece of scale, rarity, and refined 1950s design.
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Mid-Century 18k White Gold Ruby Diamond Ring, Circa 1950, Size 5
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This Mid-Century ring from the 1950’s is crafted in 18k white gold and set with five square cut rubies totaling approximately .70 carats.
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
$6,000Sale Price|20% Off
Mid Century 18k Yellow Gold Ruby Diamond Toi Et Moi Engagement Ring
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
A marvelous Mid Century 2 stone engagement ring also known as a Tot et Moi, French for you and me; the romantic implications are limitless for lovers.
Ruby, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-Century 18K Yellow Gold Natural Burmese Red Ruby & Diamond Three-Stone Ring
Located in Denver, CO
A natural Burmese red ruby weighing approximately 1.73 carats and measuring 7.61 x 7.1 mm sits at the center of this vintage trilogy band crafted in the 1950s flanked by two Old Euro...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
2.97 ctw Mid-Century Burmese Ruby & Diamond Platinum Three-Stone Ring
Located in Tysons, VA
Centering a 2.02 carat Burmese ruby, this elegant Mid-Century ring features a rectangular emerald-cut stone with vivid red color and fine transparency.
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
5.67 ctw Mid-Century Style Diamond & Burmese Ruby 18K Yellow Gold Halo Ring
Located in Tysons, VA
Centering a 4.69 carat natural Burmese ruby, this elegant Mid-Century ring features a cushion-cut stone with rich color and fine clarity.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid Century Ruby Ring with Diamonds in 18K White Gold, England circa 1950
Located in Berlin, BE
Elegant mid century ring crafted in 18K white gold, originating from England and dating to around 1950.
Diamond, Ruby, White Gold
Swedish Mid-Century Modern 18k Gold & Ruby Cocktail Ring signed Ceson, 1979
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Swedish Mid-Century Modern (cigar style) cocktail ring.
Ruby, 18k Gold
Mid-Century Bill Bates for Terrell & Zimmelman Ruby and Diamond Ballerina Ring
By Terrell and Zimmelman
Located in Wailea, HI
Mid-Century Bill Bates for Terrell & Zimmelman Ruby and Diamond Ballerina Ring Embrace timeless elegance with this striking Ruby and Diamond Ballerina Ring, a mid-century masterp...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Mid-Century Victorian Revival Ruby and Diamond Ring in Platinum and Yellow Gold
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This vintage, classic Victorian style ring is set with one natural ruby in the center of the platinum top overlaying the 18K yellow gold framework. This ring was made sometime betwee...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Mid-Century Bombé Ring with 1.91ct Fancy Yellow-Brown Diamond & Rubies
Located in Great Neck, NY
The Epitome of a True 60's Mid Century, Cocktail Ring A dazzling vintage treasure, this Antique 14K Yellow Gold Bombé Cocktail Ring showcases a rare 1.91 ct Fancy Yellow‑Brown Diamon...
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Brown Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k G...
Oscar Heyman Mid Century GIA Ceylon no heat yellow sapphire ruby platinum ring
By Oscar Heyman
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This extraordinary Oscar Heyman ring is a true masterpiece of Mid Century design, centered around a magnificent Ceylon yellow sapphire of exceptional size and natural beauty.
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Sapphire, Platinum
French Mid Century diamond sapphire ruby 18k rose gold ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A vibrant celebration of 1950s French design, this Mid Century ring radiates warmth and color through its rich 18k rose gold setting.
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Mid-20th Century Retro Five Stone Burma Ruby Ring in 18kt Yellow Gold
Located in Firenze, IT
Mid-20th century five stone Burma ruby ring, with graduated round cut ruby, approximately 1.3cts in all, claw set in 18kt yellow gold.
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage French Mid-Century 18K Yellow Gold “Tank-Style” Diamond & Ruby Ring
Located in MONTMORENCY, FR
A striking example of mid-century French design, this solid 18K yellow gold ring (hallmarked “750”) presents a bold “tank” silhouette.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
12.28 ctw Mid-Century Style No-Heat Burmese Ruby & Diamond Ring 18K Yellow Gold
By Unbranded
Located in Tysons, VA
A refined expression of vintage-inspired elegance, this mid-century style ring features a captivating cabochon-cut Burmese ruby, admired for its rich red hue and natural, untreated b...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid Century 1.56 carat Burma no heat ruby diamond 18k white gold cluster ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This exquisite Mid Century ring showcases a rare GIA-certified 1.56 carat no-heat Burmese ruby framed by sparkling marquise, round brilliant, and baguette cut diamonds.
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
$5,500Sale Price|21% Off
Emerald Ruby Diamond Gold Statement Ring
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Impressive custom made ring featuring a large cabochon pear shaped emerald surrounded by prong set cabochon rubies and diamonds. This stunning statement ring is made of 18k yellow g...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
14K Gold Vintage Pink Ruby Diamond Mid Century Bombe Dome Ring Channel Set 7.5
Located in SYDNEY, AU
Stunning vintage bombe dome ring, circa 1970s, featuring three rows of channel set, square cut natural rubies with vivid pink colour, interspersed with two rows of sparkling diamonds...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Vintage Mid-Century Dome Shaped Cocktail Ring 14 Karat Gold Emerald Ruby Diamond
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This elegant pinkie cocktail ring has been made out of 14 karat gold and is deorated with diagonal stripes set with emeralds, rries and diamonds.
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold
Mid-Century 3.00 Carat No-Heat Ruby Diamond 18k White Gold Ring, GIA Certified
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A captivating ruby, weighing approximately 3 carats, commands attention in this exquisite ring. The ruby, expertly cut in a cushion shape, displays a rich and intense red hue that is...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
$1,000Sale Price|20% Off
Seven-Stone Diamond and Ruby Band Ring
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Classic seven stone ring featuring four diamonds with a total approximate weight of 0.40 carats and three rubies with an approximate weight of 0.30 carats, prong set in an 18k white ...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
$12,160Sale Price|20% Off
Lady's Ruby & Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Sausalito, CA
Lady's ballerina cocktail ring with ruby center stone. Consisting of: One 1.75ct. round ruby Approximately 2.60cttw. of Diamonds Clarity VS1 Color H 18k yellow gold
Retro 14K Gold, Quartz, and Ruby Cocktail Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Marked to the shank. Simply a wonderful Mid-Century cocktail ring! Date: Mid-20th Century Overall Condition: It is in overall fair, as-pictured, used estate condition.
Quartz, Ruby, 14k Gold
$6,780Sale Price|40% Off
Ruby Diamond Gold Platinum Three-Stone Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A platinum and gold ring featuring an intensely colored ruby weighing 1.50 carats. There are 2 trillion cut diamonds on the sides of the ruby weighing a total of 0.64 carats. A lovel...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum, Gold
$30,550
Platinum 3 stone Ruby Ring
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite platinum ring features a 2.50-carat cushion-cut ruby at its center, exuding a deep, fiery red allure. Flanking the ruby are two round brilliant diamonds, together tota...
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Designer Ruby Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
A master-crafted 18k Gold ring composed of round brilliant cut Diamonds weighing approx. 0.90 ct graded color F-G clarity Vs and navette cut Rubies of approx. 0.95 total carats. Cir...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Retro Citrine Diamond Ruby Ring
Located in Palm Beach, FL
A 14K yellow gold ring set with one rectangular scissors cut citrine weighing approximately 54ct, accented on either side by two rows of rubies, and one row of diamonds. Diamonds wei...
Citrine, Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
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.
This deep red gem is the color of heat and passion — vintage and antique ruby jewelry is perfect for those born in the middle of summer.
Rubies are one of the few gemstones that can give diamonds a run for their money. Just consider the Van Cleef & Arpels “scarf” necklace the Duke of Windsor presented to the Duchess on her 40th birthday, in 1936 — set with diamonds and dripping with rubies, a testament to the deep-red gemstone’s power — or the slippers encrusted with 4,600 rubies that Harry Winston made to commemorate The Wizard of Oz’s golden anniversary. July babies have permission to adorn themselves with this beautiful red stone even when it’s not their birthday.
Rubies are considered precious stones — along with diamonds, sapphires and emeralds — and have a hardness of 9.0 on the Mohs Scale, surpassed only by Moissanite and diamonds. They are composed of corundum, a colorless mineral that is also the basic material of sapphires. In the July birthstone, the red of the gemstone — and the various hues seen in sapphires — are produced by the presence of trace elements. In the case of a ruby, this element is chromium. Rubies range in color from vermilion to a violet red. They are also pleochroic, which means that a stone’s hue can vary depending on the direction of viewing. The most sought-after color is pigeon’s blood: pure red with a hint of blue.
Rubies that are hosted in dolomite marble are the most prized: Because the marble is low in iron, so are the rubies, resulting in a more intense color. Rubies found in basalt, which has a higher iron content, are generally darker and less intense.
When shopping for antique and vintage ruby jewelry, remember that the 4Cs of selecting the perfect diamond — color, clarity, cut and carat — also apply to rubies.
According to the Gemological Institute of America, the color of the July birthstone should be a vibrant to slightly purplish red, and the stone should be clear and inclusion-free. Accordingly, the cut should show off its color and clarity. As for the last criterion, fine rubies more than a carat in weight are rare. Often, large rubies are more expensive than diamonds of comparable weights.
Find a collection of ruby necklaces, ruby rings and other accessories 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.
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