Tension Ring
2010s Thai Contemporary Band Rings
Sapphire, Steel, Stainless Steel
2010s American Contemporary Band Rings
Sapphire, Stainless Steel
Late 20th Century Modern Fashion Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Engagement Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Aesthetic Movement Solitaire Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Modernist Engagement Rings
Diamond, Morganite, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Hong Kong Modern Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modernist Cocktail Rings
Lapis Lazuli, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Solitaire Rings
Pearl, Black Pearl, Gold
2010s Hong Kong Modern Engagement Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Artisan Fashion Rings
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s German Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Fashion Rings
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings
1990s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, 22k Gold
2010s American Modernist Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
Vintage 1980s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Modern Engagement Rings
Amethyst, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Modern Engagement Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, White Gold
1990s South African Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Modern Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s American Modern Engagement Rings
14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Brown Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Fashion Rings
Mid-20th Century European Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Solitaire Rings
Sapphire, Platinum
1990s French Band Rings
Citrine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Danish Modernist Cocktail Rings
Jade, Sterling Silver
Antique 18th Century Georgian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Late 20th Century American Modernist Wedding Rings
Diamond, Silver, Titanium
Mid-20th Century Unknown Engagement Rings
Diamond, Tourmaline, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Danish Modernist Cocktail Rings
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Modern Solitaire Rings
Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s French Band Rings
Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Spanish Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Cluster Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Band Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
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Tension Ring For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Tension 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.
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Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.
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