Snowflake Halo Engagement Ring
21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Gold
Recent Sales
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Tanzanite, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s North American Victorian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Rhodolite, White Gold
2010s British Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, White Gold
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.
- Are halo engagement rings a fad?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJanuary 23, 2024No, halo engagement rings are not a fad. The design emerged on the engagement scene with the minimalist style of the 1990s and has been worn by brides ever since. Initially, halo rings just featured a round stone at the center, but soon makers were offering them in many diamond shapes, including emerald cuts and ovals. A chic variation on traditional prong-set styles, these elegant rings have been favored by several celebrity fiancées, including Amy Adams and Natalie Portman. One big bonus of the halo is that it makes the center stone appear larger than its actual carat size. Find a wide range of halo engagement rings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 15, 2024Whether you can add a halo to your engagement ring depends largely on the style of the ring. Solitaire rings featuring prong settings often lend themselves to aftermarket halos, but other types of settings and ring styles may not work with a halo. Consult an experienced jeweler for specific advice about whether adding a halo to your ring is feasible. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of engagement rings.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 27, 2023Whether halo engagement rings are vintage depends on their age. Any ring made at least 20 to 80 years ago is vintage, while older pieces are antiques. Halo engagement rings emerged during the Art Deco period and have remained popular since. As a result, you can find many antique and vintage examples, as well as contemporary rings that show off a central gemstone surrounded by a halo of accent stones. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse assortment of halo engagement rings.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021A double halo engagement ring is a ring that features two layers, or halos, of diamonds instead of one. The second half of diamonds encircles the first halo. This design creates a “layered” look and feel, and it is said to maximize the center stone’s brilliance. Shop a collection of vintage and modern double halo engagement rings from some of the world’s top jewelers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2023No, halo engagement rings are not going out of style. The design has been favored by several celebrity fianc�es, including Amy Adams and Natalie Portman. It gets its name from the style's halo-like band of small pav� diamonds surrounding the ring's center stone. The halo style emerged on the engagement scene in the minimalist 1990s, initially with a round stone at its center but soon encompassing all diamond shapes, including emerald cuts and ovals. While current styles may seem to cycle in and out more quickly than those of days gone by, couples don't get engaged the moment a trend emerges (it's likely that something identified as a "trend" may refer to a style that has been around for years). In any event, experts suggest that you shouldn't get bogged down in exploring a trend when it comes to this meaningful life moment! Focus instead on the accessory that best expresses your special love story. Find halo engagement rings on 1stDibs.
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