Tiffany Class Ring
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco More Rings
Jade, 14k Gold
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Signet Rings
Amethyst, Yellow Gold
20th Century Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1930s North American Engagement Rings
Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s British Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique Early 1900s British Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Opal, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
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Mid-20th Century Signet Rings
Hematite, 18k Gold
Vintage 1920s Unknown Engagement Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Antique Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Signet Rings
Silver, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel, Gold
Antique 1880s Link Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
20th Century British Victorian Engagement Rings
White Gold
Antique Late 19th Century European Late Victorian Signet Rings
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Artisan Engagement Rings
Blue Sapphire, Silver
Antique 19th Century Italian Romantic Signet Rings
Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Signet Rings
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Pink Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique 1890s Signet Rings
Gold, 14k Gold
Vintage 1970s French Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s British Signet Rings
Yellow Gold
Antique Mid-17th Century Pendant Necklaces
Gilt Metal
2010s American Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
1990s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
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2010s British Modern Cocktail Rings
Kunzite, 18k Gold
Vintage 1950s Australian Modern Chain Necklaces
Opal
2010s Pakistani Modern Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline
Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Bridal Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Signet Rings
Amethyst, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Fashion Rings
Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s American Signet Rings
Onyx, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown More Rings
White Diamond, Platinum
20th Century American Dome Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Engagement Rings
White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Modernist Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Vintage 1940s Art Deco Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Palladium
Vintage 1940s Art Deco Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Band Rings
2010s American Contemporary Wedding Rings
Platinum
Antique 19th Century Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Wedding Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1960s Unknown Modern Fashion Rings
Tourmaline, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Band Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Ruby, Diamond, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Band Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Wedding Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Band Rings
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Antique 19th Century Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
20th Century Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Antique 19th Century Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 1920s American Post-War More Rings
14k Gold
20th Century Retro Band Rings
Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s More Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
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.
Read More
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Our Guide to Fancy-Colored Diamond Engagement Rings
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Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.
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