Tiffany Ring Swirl
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Dome Rings
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Dome Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1990s American Choker Necklaces
Amethyst, Garnet, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Fashion Rings
Garnet, 14k Gold
Vintage 1980s Italian Choker Necklaces
Ruby, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Rose Gold
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1970s Italian Wrist Watches
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Retro Drop Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
20th Century Modern Dome Rings
Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Modern Bangles
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique Late 19th Century Contemporary Link Bracelets
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1970s Italian Wrist Watches
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary More Necklaces
Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s American Brooches
Diamond, Turquoise, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Engagement Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Recent Sales
20th Century American Contemporary Fashion Rings
18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1910s American Band Rings
Diamond, Ruby, White Diamond
Vintage 1980s Unknown Dome Rings
18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Dome Rings
18k Gold
20th Century Band Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
20th Century American Etruscan Revival Fashion Rings
Yellow Diamond, Gold
Vintage 1980s American Retro Cocktail Rings
Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1980s American Dome Rings
Lapis Lazuli, 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
Vintage 1970s American Modernist Cocktail Rings
Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s American Modernist Cocktail Rings
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Vintage 1910s Unknown Art Deco Band Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Modern Dome Rings
18k Gold
Late 20th Century Cocktail Rings
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Wedding Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
1990s Unknown Retro Band Rings
Gold, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Fashion Rings
Vintage 1970s American Cocktail Rings
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Contemporary Fashion Rings
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
20th Century Romantic Band Rings
14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Dome Rings
Lapis Lazuli, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s Unknown More Bracelets
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Band Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
1990s American More Necklaces
18k 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.
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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.
Talking Diamonds with the Jeweler Behind J. Lo’s Engagement Ring
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