Vintage 2.00 Carat Diamonds & Ruby Engagement Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage 2.00 Carat Diamonds & Ruby Engagement Ring.
Vintage 1980s Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 2.00 Carat Diamonds & Ruby Engagement Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage 2.00 Carat Diamonds & Ruby Engagement Ring.
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Ruby and Diamond Ring, circa 1970s
Located in London, GB
This vintage 1970s era ring is set in hand-engraved 18 carat yellow gold with an enticing combination rubies and diamonds.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
$231Sale Price / item|30% Off
Silver925 Natural Ruby Vintage Style Ring
Located in Bangkok, TH
This vintage-style filigree ring is crafted from 925 sterling silver, featuring intricate openwork that captures timeless charm.
Ruby, Silver
Vintage Ruby 9 Carat Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Set in this glossy 9ct gold ring are five rubies and diamond points inbetween. The largest ruby total is 1.2carat and the diamonds measure 1pt each and all stones set within the 9 ca...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
Vintage Ruby Diamond Ring 18 Karat Natural Baguette Ruby and Natural Diamonds
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Brilliant Large Ruby Diamond Ring Vintage pre-owned - as new condition.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage Diamond and Ruby Gold Halo Ring
Located in Montreal, QC
Simply Beautiful! Ruby and Diamond Gold Cluster Ring. Hand set with Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds, weighing approx. 0.55tcw and Rubies, approx. 0.96tcw. The ring is Hand crafted in 14...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 18ct Gold, 1950s Ruby & Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Vintage Ruby Cluster Ring 118ct Yellow Gold Stamped Circa 1950s This exquisite vintage cluster ring, crafted in 18ct yellow gold, is a true statement piece that embodies the eleg...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Diamond Ruby Ring 14K Gold Cocktail Vintage
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Diamond Ruby Ring 14K Gold Cocktail Vintage This beautiful vintage ring is finely crafted in solid 14K Yellow gold and it is also numbered inside of the shank.
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Style Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
Ring Size: UK - K, US - 5.25 1.17 Carats Ruby 0.90 Carats Diamonds
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 4 Star Ruby and Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Montreal, QC
Simply Beautiful! Vintage 4-Stone Star Ruby and Diamond Gold Band Ring.
Diamond, Ruby, Star Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Vintage Victorian Era Ruby & Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Montgomery, AL
We always love a beautiful vintage diamond & gemstone cluster!! Ring Details Material: 14K Yellow Gold Era: Victorian 1840 - 1900 Head Width: 12.9mm Head Height: 6.7mm Weight: 4.8 G...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Silver925 Ruby Cubic Zirconia Vintage Style Filigree Ring
Located in Bangkok, TH
This vintage-style filigree ring is crafted from 925 sterling silver, featuring intricate openwork that captures timeless charm.
Ruby, Zircon, Silver
Vintage Ruby Emerald and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
Condition: Used (Very Good) Weight: 5.6 grams Face Dimensions: 18mm x 16mm Ruby Dimensions: 8 (3mm) Emerald Dimensions: 7mm x 5mm (approx. 0.85ct) Total Diamond Weight: Approx. 0.49c...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold
Diamond Ruby Ring 14K Gold Vintage Cocktail Cluster
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Diamond Ruby Ring 14K Gold Vintage Cocktail Cluster This vintage diamond and ruby ring is finely crafted in solid 14K Yellow Gold.
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Diamond Ruby Ring 14K White Gold Vintage Estate
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Diamond Ruby Ring 14K White Gold Vintage Estate This gorgeous vintage ring is finely crafted in solid 14K White Gold and set with natural Earth mined Rubies and Diamonds.
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
Vintage Ruby & Diamond Eternity Ring 18k Gold - 1990s
Located in Nicosia, Cyprus
Details: Era: Vintage (Circa 1990) Style: Full Eternity Band / Stackable Ring Metal: Solid 18k Gold Weight: 2.5 g Size: 52 FR / 6 US (Note: Eternity bands cannot be resized) St...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 14k White Gold Ruby and Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
This vintage ring is crafted in 14k white gold and showcases a beautiful combination of rubies and diamonds.
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
Silver925 Ruby Cubic Zirconia Vintage Style Filigree Ring
Located in Bangkok, TH
This vintage-style filigree ring is crafted from 925 sterling silver, featuring intricate openwork that captures timeless charm.
Zircon, Ruby, Silver
Vintage 18K Gold Diamond and Ruby Buckle Ring
Located in Venice, CA
Circa 1980’s. If you love this ring, we also have Vintage 18K Gold Diamond and Ruby Buckle Huggie Earrings.
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1.66 Carat Diamond Ruby Cocktail Ring
Located in Napoli, NA
Unusual 18K Yellow gold Cluster Ring centered with a Sparkling Old Mine cut Diamond weighing 1.66 carat, graded K color with SI clarity. It is set with a fine Natural Rubies halo, w...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
10K Yellow Gold and Ruby Dome Ring Vintage
Located in Bradenton, FL
Vintage 10K Yellow Gold and Ruby Dome Ring. Ring features a softly textured domed design with fourteen round cut rubies.
Ruby, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 14K Gold Ruby and Diamond Cocktail Ring, Approximately 6 Carats Rubies
Located in Plantation, FL
An impressive vintage ruby and diamond cluster cocktail ring crafted in solid 14 karat gold, showcasing a vibrant and dimensional floral burst design.
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
Vintage Edwardian Ruby & Sapphire 18k Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Montgomery, AL
Refined yet full of character, this Edwardian 18k yellow gold ring showcases a vivd blue sapphire nestled between two vibrant rubies. Gracefully hand-carved details sweep across the...
Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Ruby 9 Carat Gold Five-Stone Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Set in this glossy 9ct gold ring are five rubies and diamond points inbetween. The diamonds measure 1pts each and all stones set within the 9 carat gold band. Ring Size: S or 9 Ba...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
$976Sale Price / item|44% Off
Round Ruby 14k Gold Ring, Ruby Engagement Ring
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
Genuine ruby ring. Ruby vintage ring. July birthstone ring.
Ruby, 14k Gold
Vintage Ruby and Diamond Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Montreal, QC
Simply Beautiful! Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring. Hand set with Diamonds weighing approx. 0.48tcw and Rubies, approx. 0.90tcw. The ring is Hand crafted in 14K White Gold. Measuring ap...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Diamond Ruby Ring 14K White Gold Vintage Cocktail
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Diamond Ruby Ring 14K White Gold Vintage Cocktail This tremendous vintage ring is finely crafted in solid 14K White Gold.
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
Vintage Synthetic Ruby Cluster Ring in 9k Yellow Gold
Located in Bloomington, MN
Vintage Synthetic Ruby Cluster Ring in 9k Yellow Gold Crafted in 9k yellow gold, this vintage cluster ring is centered with a floral-style arrangement of round synthetic rubies in r...
Ruby, Yellow Gold
Vintage 19k Yellow Gold 1.33tcw Ruby Connected Stack Ring
Located in New York, NY
This vintage ring features 1.33ctw of rubies set across a connected stack design crafted in rich 19k yellow gold.
Ruby, Yellow Gold
Vintage 14K White Gold Synthetic Ruby Filigree Ring
Located in Montgomery, AL
An alluring Art Deco ring centered by a vivid synthetic ruby, its elongated rectangular form accented by a single diamond for a subtle flash of brilliance. Delicate openwork and eng...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Vintage Ruby Emerald and Diamond Floral Bombe Ring
Located in London, GB
We are unable to confirm if the marking inside the band is a Kutchinsky mark As this is a vintage ring, we have left the natural patina untreated.
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage Burma ruby and diamond ring GIA Certificate
Located in Milano, MI
Vintage ring set in 18ct gold with natural Ruby - Burma (Myanmar) of 1.5ct c.a. and diamonds for circa 0.60ct total.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Ruby Cluster Ring Sterling Silver and 18k Vintage
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Ruby Ring Cluster of Natural Brilliant Ruby Stones Black Rhodium to compliment the red ruby Approx ruby area size 17 x 13 mm Mostly Sterling Silver 925 and the bezel is Real ...
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
$1,115Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage 18kt Gold Natural Ruby and Diamond Ring Fully Hallmarked 0.45ct Ruby
Located in Braintree, GB
Vintage 18kt Gold Natural Ruby and Diamond Ring Fully Hallmarked 0.45ct Ruby A charming vintage ring crafted in 18kt yellow gold and fully hallmarked with English assay marks.
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
$976Sale Price / item|44% Off
Pear Ruby 14k Gold Ring, Ruby Gold Ring
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
Natural ruby ring. Ruby jewelry. Ruby vintage ring. Ruby and diamonds gold ring.
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
$976Sale Price / item|44% Off
Round Ruby 14k Gold Ring, Ruby Engagement Ring
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
Ruby Wedding Ring. Vintage ruby ring. Round halo ruby gold ring.
Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold
$976Sale Price / item|44% Off
Genuine Ruby 14k Gold Ring, Ruby Engagement Ring
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
Genuine ruby 14k gold ring. Ruby engagement ring. Ruby vintage ring.
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
Vintage 1.36 Carat Ruby and Diamond Band Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Ruby & Diamond Band Ring The ruby stones are channel set and give it a very luxurious look.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s 2.50 Carat Ocal Cut Ruby Ring
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow and white gold with an Oval cut center Ruby weighing approximately 2.50 carats, accented by Baguette cut and Cabochon Rubies weighing a total of approxim...
Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s Ruby and Diamond Studded Band Ring
Located in Santa Monica, CA
This vintage ring from the estate vintage fine jewelry collection at Bracken Jewelers in Santa Monica, California is studded on its top with alternating rubies and diamonds, circa 19...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Dome Ring 18k Gold French Diamond Ruby
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A beautiful vintage dome ring, crafted in 18k gold, features diamonds and rubies.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage Yellow Gold Pearl and Ruby Cluster Ring
Located in New York, NY
A striking vintage ring designed in a cluster motif, featuring a central large pearl surrounded by smaller pearls and vibrant round cut rubies, set in a gold mount.
Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold
Vintage 14k Yellow Gold Flush Set Ruby Band Ring
Located in New York, NY
This vintage band ring is crafted in 14k yellow gold and accented with 0.25ctw of flush-set rubies.
Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage GIA 1.02 carat Burma ruby diamond platinum ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage ring centers on a GIA-certified round brilliant cut ruby weighing 1.02 carats.
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage Opal & Ruby Chevron Ring – 14k Yellow Gold
Located in beverly hills, CA
Make a bold yet romantic statement with this vintage teardrop-shaped chevron ring, featuring a luminous opal centerpiece accented by rich red rubies totaling approximately 0.60 carats.
Opal, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Platinum Vintage Filigree Ruby and Diamond Dome Ring
Located in Fairfield, CT
Platinum ring. This beautiful vintage platinum ring is a pierced filigree dome style, set in the center with a round faceted, dark pinkish red color ruby, approximately 0.37 CTS, acc...
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
$1,981Sale Price|70% Off
Vintage 18kt. gold star ruby cabochon ladies ring
Located in Braintree, GB
Vintage 18kt. yellow gold star ruby cabochon ladies ring accentuated with six round brilliant-cut diamonds.
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage Red Ruby and Diamond Platinum Cocktail Ring
Located in Montreal, QC
Stylish and Finely detailed Vintage Ruby and Diamond Platinum Ring. Centering set a securely nestled Ruby, weighing approx. 0.44 Carat, surrounded by Diamonds, weighing approx. 0.59 ...
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage 0.80 Carat Burmese Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
Colour: G-H, Clarity: SI Box: The Vintage Jeweller Ring Box
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$976Sale Price / item|44% Off
Ruby and peridot vintage style 14k gold ring
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
Ruby and peridot vintage style 14k gold ring. Art deco style ruby ring in 14k gold.
Peridot, Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1.53 Carat Ruby and Diamond Platinum Vintage Ring
Located in Miami, FL
This is a Vintage Ruby and Diamond Ring. This ring showcases an unheated, 1.09 carat, oval cut prong set Ruby at the center.
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage Ruby and Diamond Statement Ring, Circa 1920s
Located in Lewisburg, PA
The starry spotlight sets the perfect stage for its constellation of twinkling diamonds and radiant rays of rubies. This unique ring was created from a vintage jewelry component (l...
Diamond, Ruby, 10k Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage White Gold 1.1ct Ruby and Diamond Bypass Ring
Located in New York, NY
Bold and elegant, this vintage bypass ring showcases a vivid oval-cut ruby at its center, glowing with rich pinkish-red color.
Diamond, Ruby, White Gold
Oscar Heyman vintage GIA ruby diamond platinum cluster ring
By Oscar Heyman
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This extraordinary vintage Oscar Heyman cluster ring is a beautifully sculptural 1980’s jewel, centered by a GIA-certified marquise cut ruby weighing 1.00 carat.
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage Ruby Ring Cabochon Oval Ruby Gemstone & Diamonds 5.60 Carat 18 Karat
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Ruby & Diamonds - Hand Made in Italy 18k Two Tone Yellow & White Gold 8.40 grams - mat finish (not shiny gold) Ruby Cabochon 5.60 Carat Oval shape / Dome approx size 12 x 10...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage Rolex-Style 18K Gold Diamond & Ruby Link Ring
Located in Flushing, NY
A substantial vintage Rolex-style link ring crafted in 18K yellow gold, designed with a bold, structured band reminiscent of the architectural link construction associated with class...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage Diamond and Ruby Flower Ring, c.1950s
Located in London, GB
This characterful, vintage flower ring, features a central diamond surrounded by oval cut rubies.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 14K Yellow Gold Ruby and Diamond Ring
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Crafted in 14K yellow gold, this vintage ring showcases a vivid 2.85 carat oval ruby, flanked by two VS2 brilliant-cut diamonds totaling 0.42 carats.
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 18K Gold and Ruby Italian Buckle Ring
Located in Venice, CA
Circa the 1950’s or 1960’s, this Italian 18k gold ring is a modern take on the buckle ring, a jewelry motif that has been repeatedly seen in various iterations since the Victorian er...
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
5.60 Carat Ruby Cabochon Vintage Ring 18 Karat Oval Ruby Gemstone & Diamonds
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Ruby & Diamonds - Hand Made in Italy 18k Two Tone Yellow & White Gold 8.40 grams - mat finish (not shiny gold) Ruby Cabochon 5.60 Carat Oval shape and Dome approx size 12 x ...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k 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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