Tiffany Elsa Peretti Cabochon Ring
1990s Hong Kong Fashion Rings
Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Fashion Rings
Jade, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Dome Rings
Jade, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s American Modernist Cocktail Rings
Jade, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Quartz, Other, Mixed Metal
20th Century More Rings
Diamond
Vintage 1980s American Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Stud Earrings
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold
20th Century Fashion Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Italian Cuff Bracelets
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s American Modernist Bangles
Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1840s Italian Classical Roman More Jewelry
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modernist Band Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1970s Danish Modernist Fashion Rings
Amethyst, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
Vintage 1960s French Modernist Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Recent Sales
1990s Contemporary Band Rings
Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Dome Rings
Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Hong Kong Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Jade, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Hong Kong Contemporary Dome Rings
Jade, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Dome Rings
Jade, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s American Modernist Cocktail Rings
Black Jade, Jade, Sterling Silver, Silver
Vintage 1980s American Modernist Cocktail Rings
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Fashion Rings
Vintage 1980s American Modernist Cocktail Rings
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Engagement Rings
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Dome Rings
Jade, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong More Rings
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Dome Rings
Crystal
1990s American Modern Fashion Rings
Lapis Lazuli, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Hong Kong Cocktail Rings
Jade, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s American Modernist Cocktail Rings
Quartz, Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1950s American Link Bracelets
Lapis Lazuli, Blue Sapphire, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Hong Kong More Rings
Jade, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong More Rings
Jade, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong More Rings
Turquoise, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Fashion Rings
Jade, Sterling Silver
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.