Tiffany Green Tourmaline Ring
20th Century North American Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s American Modernist Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Congolese Modern Solitaire Rings
Tourmaline, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s North American Artisan Three-Stone Rings
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s American Modernist Band Rings
Quartz, Tourmaline, Peridot, Opal, Aquamarine, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s Congolese Modern Solitaire Rings
Chrome Tourmaline, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Congolese Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Chrome Tourmaline, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s American Modernist Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Congolese Modern Stud Earrings
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, White Gold
People Also Browsed
2010s Unknown Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Drop Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1960s Unknown Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Vintage 1970s American Artisan Band Rings
18k Gold
1990s French Contemporary Wedding Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s French Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 2000s French Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Antique 1880s British Greek Revival Drop Necklaces
Agate, Chalcedony, Yellow Gold
1990s French Top Handle Bags
20th Century Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel
Vintage 1980s American Modernist Clip-on Earrings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s American Artist Solitaire Rings
Pink Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s French More Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Recent Sales
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
Tourmaline, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Band Rings
Tourmaline, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Fashion Rings
Tourmaline, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Cluster Rings
Diamond, Tourmaline, Platinum
20th Century American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Tourmaline, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Tourmaline, Platinum
1990s Unknown Modern Fashion Rings
Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s American Fashion Rings
Tourmaline, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary More Rings
Diamond, Tourmaline, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Tourmaline, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Tourmaline, Platinum
Late 20th Century Unknown More Rings
White Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold, Platinum
Late 20th Century Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
1990s American Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century American More Rings
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s American Modern Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s Italian Dome Rings
Rubelite, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s American Modernist Chain Bracelets
Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Modernist Link Bracelets
Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary More Rings
Diamond, Tourmaline, Platinum
1990s American Modern Engagement Rings
Tourmaline, Platinum
Early 2000s American Contemporary Fashion Rings
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
1990s American Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s American Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Dome Rings
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
American Brooches
Vintage 1910s American Edwardian Fashion Rings
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Platinum
American More Rings
Diamond
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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Our Guide to Fancy-Colored Diamond Engagement Rings
Accounting for just 1 percent of all diamonds, these marvels of nature are exceedingly rare and gorgeously complex.
Our Guide to Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco Engagement Rings
Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.
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