Victorian Opal and Diamond Ring, circa 1900s
Located in London, GB
This enchanting late Victorian era ring is set in 18 carat yellow gold with a pleasing combination of antique opals and rose cut diamonds. Graduating from the ring’s centre, three l...
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian Two-Tone Coral, Pearl and Rose Cut Diamond Statement Ring
Located in New York, NY
A striking late Victorian statement ring centering on an oval cabochon coral of vivid, natural red-orange hue, prized in the 19th century for both its rarity and symbolic association...
Coral, Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
Victorian Snake Ring Garnet Eyes Three Dimensional Gold Antique Circa 1860
Located in New York, NY
Indulge in a rare and wonderful antique Victorian Snake Ring with two Bohemian Garnet Eyes in 10 Karat Gold.
Garnet, Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Aquamarine, Ruby and Diamond Victorian Dome Ring in 18k/925 Gold
Located in New York, NY
Versatile Elegance: This Victorian Dome Ring is a versatile choice, perfect for a variety of occasions.
Aquamarine, Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
Antique Victorian 18k Yellow Gold Silver Top Sapphire and Diamond Statement Ring
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite example of 19th-century craftsmanship, this antique Victorian ring is fashioned in 18k gold with a sterling silver top—a hallmark of the period’s jewelry design.
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Antique English Victorian 18K Yellow Gold Turquoise Old Mine Diamond Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique English Victorian 18K Yellow Gold Turquoise Old Mine Diamond Ring. This gorgeous Victorian turquoise and diamond ring is crafted in 18k yellow gold. This ring featu...
Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian Carnelian Ring Elongated 14k Yellow Gold Long Pink Band
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish antique Victorian carnelian ring (circa 1980s to 1900s) crafted in 14 karat yellow gold. Carnelian measures 22mm x 11mm (estimated at 8 carats). The carnelian is in good co...
Carnelian, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian 14k Gold Elongated Oval Garnet Floral Halo Scroll Sides Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
Material: 14k Yellow Gold Weight: 3.70 Grams Ring Size: 5.5 ( fitted on finger, please contact us prior to purchase with sizing inquiries) Ring Width: 17.1mm (0.67") (top of the ring...
Garnet, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Opal & Diamond Cocktail Ring, 18k Gold, Circa 1890
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This Victorian opal and diamond ring is supplied with an IDGL diamond and gemstone grading report card.
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold, Silver
Victorian Diamond Turquoise 18 Karat Yellow Gold Antique Cluster Halo Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Featuring three oval shaped turquoise cabochons bead set east to west Ranging in size from 4.0 x 6.0 mm to 5.5 x 7.0 Opaque medium greenish blue in color Accented by diamond halo sur...
Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian Opal Solitaire Ring Sz 6.75 14k Yellow Gold Vintage Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Sweet antique Victorian era ring (circa 1880s to 1900s), crafted in 14 karat yellow gold.
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian 18ct Yellow Gold Opal Five Stone Ring, UK Circa 1900
Located in Firenze, IT
The graduated oval cabochon opals claw set. Ring size : 7 1/4 Weight: 2.55gr.
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian Moonstone Ring Sz 6.5 Vintage 10k Rose Gold Fine Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish antique Victorian era moonstone ring (circa 1880s to 1900s), crafted in 10 karat rose gold.
Moonstone, Gold, 10k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique Victorian Five Stone Opal 9ct Rose Gold Ring
Located in London, GB
Introducing our Antique Victorian Five Stone Opal 9ct Rose Gold Ring. This exquisite ring showcases five luminous opals, each radiating a beautiful play of colour. Set in warm 9ct ro...
Opal, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
Tanzanite, Emerald Victorian Floral Ring with Diamond In 18K/925 White Gold
Located in New York, NY
Introducing our breathtaking Victorian Floral Ring, a true masterpiece that seamlessly combines the allure of tanzanite, emeralds, and diamonds in an intricate design that captures t...
Diamond, Emerald, Tanzanite, White Gold, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
Victorian Antique 3.57ctw Opal Diamond 14K Yellow Gold Dinner Cocktail Ring
Located in New York, NY
This AUTHENTIC Victorian OPAL and DIAMOND Ring will certainly pick your Imagination.
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Aquamarine, Blue Sapphire, Kyanite and Diamond Victorian Split Shank Dome Ring
Located in New York, NY
Versatile Elegance: This Victorian Split Shank Dome Ring is a versatile choice for a variety of occasions.
Aquamarine, Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Kyanite, 18k Gold, Rhodium, Sterling...
Victorian Blue Topaz, Citrine, Amethyst 3 Stone Ring
By GEM PLAZA
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Blue Topaz, Citrine, Amethyst 3 Stone Ring set in 18k Gold Blue Topaz 2.15 Citrine 2.20 Amethyst 2.95 Silver : 9.77gm
Amethyst, Citrine, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Silver
$1,104Sale Price|20% Off
Natural Coral, Crystal, Ruby & Diamonds Victorian/ Art Deco Style Cocktail Ring
By JEWEL HUB
Located in Hong Kong, HK
A very gorgeous and beautiful Coral, Crystal & Ruby Victorian style Art Deco Cocktail Ring set in 14k Gold & 925 Silver. The weight of the Coral is 0.80 carats. The weight of the Cry...
Coral, Crystal, Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Silver
Victorian Natural Pearl and Old Cut Diamond Cluster Ring 18k Yellow Gold
Located in London, GB
Antique Victorian to Art Deco Pearl and Diamond Ring in 18ct Yellow Gold A stunning antique ring dating from the Victorian to Art Deco period (circa 1870–1920), featuring a beautif...
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian Yellow Gold Round Opal w/ 0.20ctw Diamond Halo Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
Material: Solid 10k Yellow Gold Top w/ 14k Yellow Gold Shank Weight: 2.9 Grams Ring Size: 7.5 (We can custom size this ring - please let us know prior to purchase for inquiries) Ring...
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 10k Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian Ring Moonstone Emerald Vintage 9k Rose Gold Sz 6.25 Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed antique Victorian moonstone & emerald ring (circa 1880s to 1900s), crafted in 9 karat rose gold.
Emerald, Moonstone, Gold, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
Victorian 15Cttw. Emerald, Opal and Diamond Floral Cocktail Ring in 18k/925
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite ring is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, featuring a captivating oval-cut emerald at its heart. The emerald, renowned for its deep green color and symbolic association ...
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Rhodium, Sterling Silver, 18k Gold
Victorian 18k Yellow Gold Opal and Diamond Five Stone Ring, Circa 1900
Located in Malmö, Skåne län
Victorian opal and diamond five stone ring. Set with five round cabochon natural white opal in open back claw settings, embellished with an additional eight round rose cut diamonds i...
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian 18K Gold and Silver Rose Cut Diamond and Opal Engagement Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 18K Gold and Silver Rose Cut Diamond and Opal Engagement Ring. This incredible Victorian rose cut diamond and opal ring is crafted in 18k yellow gold and ...
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Cocktail Ring -Victorian 18K Gold & Silver 3.60 Ct Old Mine Diamond & Burma Ruby
Located in Miami, FL
This is a spectacular, museum-quality antique Victorian dome ring masterfully crafted in 18K yellow gold with an authentic oxidized silver-topped setting.
Diamond, Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Cabochon Turquoise & Old Cut Diamond 18K Gold and Platinum Coronet Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
A truly charming and authentic late Victorian cluster ring, full of the romantic character that defines the finest pieces of the 1890s.
Diamond, White Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Antique Victorian Opal Diamond Ring 18k Yellow Gold Gemstone Engagement Sz 7
Located in Torrance, CA
Framed with sparkling old mine cut diamonds in an oval mount the Victorian ring would make a lovely alternative gemstone engagement ring or cocktail ring.
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,437Sale Price|25% Off
Antique Circa 1900s 18k Gold Natural Diamond And Cabochon Emerald Decorated Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 10.9 grams. Totally is diamond 0.24 ct. The diamond is has H color and vs-s1 clarity. Totally is emerald 1.79 ct. Ring size is US 10 (We can m...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Antique Victorian Opal Diamond Ring Enamel 18k Yellow Gold 5.5 Cocktail Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish antique Victorian opal & diamond ring (circa 1880s to 1900s) crafted in 18 karat yellow gold.
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique Victorian Coral Diamond Ring Sz 5 Small Oval Cocktail Fine Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish antique Victorian angel skin coral & diamond ring (circa 1880s to 1900s) crafted in 18 karat yellow gold.
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian 0.87 Carat Emerald 0.70 Carat Diamond 22k Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique 0.87 carat emerald and 0.70 carat diamond, 22 karat yellow gold ring; part of our antique emerald jewellery collection. This stunning, fine ...
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian Solid Rosy Yellow Gold Opal Beaded Work 3 Stone Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (3) Natural Genuine Opals - Oval Cabochon Cut - Multi Prong Set - White Base w/ Nice Play Of Colors - Range From 5.9x4.3mm to 6.1x4.2mm (approx.) Material: Solid 10k R...
Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 8K Yellow Gold Sapphire Round Cabochon Opal Cluster Swirl Cocktail Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
This outstanding antique cocktail ring is crafted in solid 8k yellow gold (tested) featuring a beautiful tiered design that is set with fine sapphires and opals throughout. The old r...
Opal, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
Victorian 4.20ct Opal & 0.80ct Diamond Ring in 18ct Gold, Circa 1880
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of this stunning Victorian opal ring. Opal Quality Colour White Cut Cabochon Content 4.20 carats Diamond Quality...
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
$1,755Sale Price|25% Off
Antique 18k Gold Top Sİlver Natural Cabochon Cut Sapphire And Diamond Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 5 grams. Totally is diamond 0.40 ct. The diamond is light brown color and s1-s2 clarity. Totally is sapphire 1.95 ct. Ring size is US 7 We can...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage Rubellite Ring 18K and Diamonds Victorian Style Rubellite Cocktail
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage but never used. Brilliant Style and colors Natural Rubellite and natural Diamonds 18k Yellow Gold approx 10.0 grams Red Rubellite oval cabochon approx 2.58 carat - very nice...
Diamond, Rubelite, 18k Gold
$5,588Sale Price|20% Off
VICTORIAN 1880 Antique Ring In Yellow Gold With 8.95 Ctw In Opal And Diamonds
Located in Miami, FL
Victorian classic cocktail ring with opal. Gorgeous antique ring, created during the Victorian period in England, back in the 1880.
Diamond, Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique Victorian 12k Yellow Gold Three Stone Opal Engraved Cocktail Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 12K Yellow Gold Three Stone Opal Engraved Cocktail Ring. This beautiful three stone band is crafted in 12k yellow gold. The center holds three oval cut op...
Opal, Yellow Gold
Victorian Black Opal Diamond Cocktail Ring 22K Antique Original 1874 London
Located in Dearborn, MI
Genuine Original Antique from 1874 Victorian Black Opal Diamond 22K Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring Features a Genuine Natural Oval Cabochon 15 x 6.5mm Black Opal Gemstone 6 Genuine Ant...
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,018Sale Price|25% Off
Antique Circa 1900s 18k Gold Top Silver Natural Diamond And Cabochon Ruby Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 6.3 grams. Totally is diamond 0.78 carat. Totally is ruby 0.30 carat. Clearity is diamond H color and vs-s1. Ring size is US 4.5. We can make ...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver
$2,228Sale Price|20% Off
Victorian 1870 Operculum Carved Shell Memento Ring In 14Kt Yellow And Rose Gold
Located in Miami, FL
Victorian ring with carved operculum shell An extremely rare piece, created in England during the high Victorian era (1837-1901), back in the 1870.
Natural Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, 15k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian 18K Gold 6.00 Ct Pink Tourmaline Diamond Ring, Circa 1890
Located in Napoli, IT
Victorian Heritage This appealing Victorian ring is 1890/1900 ca hand crafted as unique of solid 18 Kt gold and silver potions Elegant, timeless, trilogy design to suit modern lifest...
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Silver
Victorian Opal Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Antique Scroll Band Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Featuring three oval-shaped opal cabochons prong set east to west Graduated and ranging in size from 4.5 x 5.5 mm to 7.0 x 10.0 mm Translucent white in body color with spectral play...
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian 3.20 Ct Colombian Emerald 1.45 Ct Diamond Trinity 18 KT Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
This outstanding Victorian ring is 1890 ca Skillfully hand crafted of solid 18 Kt gold with little silver portions for the Diamonds claws The ring is of simply trilogy facing up with...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Silver
Victorian 1910 Navette Ring in 18kt yellow Gold with Turquoise and Diamonds
Located in Aventura, FL
This exquisite Navette ring, dating from the Victorian era circa 1900-1910, showcases the artistry of its time.
Diamond, White Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,436Sale Price|20% Off
VICTORIAN 1880 Industrialism Cocktail Ring In 14Kt Gold With Agate & Diamonds
Located in Miami, FL
Victorian industrialism cocktail ring with a agate This is an industrial-shaped cocktail ring created in England during the late Victorian period, between the 1870 and 1880.
Agate, Diamond, Gold, Enamel, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Turquoise and 18 Carat Gold Seven-Stone Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This glossy 18ct gold band holds seven beautifully bright turquoise cabochon stones. The stones are all the same size and held in simple settings. The shoulders of the ring are decor...
Turquoise, Gold
Victorian Turquoise and 18 Carat Gold Five-Stone Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This glossy 18ct gold band holds five beautifully bright turquoise cabochon stones. The stones are slightly graduated in size as they get to the centre stone, starting smaller on the...
Turquoise, Gold
$600Sale Price|20% Off
Natural Turquoise, Onyx & Diamonds Art Deco Style Victorian Cocktail/ Dome Ring
By JEWEL HUB
Located in Hong Kong, HK
A very beautiful Turquoise, Onyx & Diamonds Art Deco style, Victorian Cocktail/ Dome Ring set in 14K Gold & Silver 925. The weight of the Turquoise is 1.14 carats. The weight of Blac...
Diamond, Onyx, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Silver
Antique Victorian Australian Opal 9ct Gold Three Stone Bridge Ring Size P / 7.5
Located in SYDNEY, AU
A beautiful 1890s antique Victorian oval trilogy ring featuring three striking Australian opal doublets showcasing vivid red, orange, yellow, green, and blue colour plays. English ha...
Opal, Yellow Gold, Rose Gold, 9k Gold, Gold
Victorian Turquoise and Pearl 15 Carat Gold Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
The turquoise and pearl pop next to the glossy 15ct gold and compliment each other beautifully. The chunky gold band holds three turquoise stones and three pearls. Fully hallmarked B...
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold
Victorian Turquoise and 18 Carat Gold Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This glossy 18ct gold band holds a beautifully bright natural turquoise cabochon stones. The stones are bright and beautiful and complimented by the yellow gold perfectly. The should...
Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold
Victorian Turquoise Diamond 14 Karat Yellow Gold Antique Toi-Et-Moi Bypass Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a toi-et-moi style bypass ring terminating with turquoise cabochons Measuring 4.5 mm round - opaque light greenish blue in color Flush set with halo surrounds of old Euro...
Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
3 Stone Moonstone Victorian Ring c1899 Fine Antique Jewelry 9k Rose Gold Sz 5.75
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish antique Victorian 3 stone moonstone ring (circa 1899) crafted in 9 karat yellow gold.
Moonstone, Gold, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
Victorian 15.50 Cttw Ethiopian Opal, Ruby/Diamond Cocktail Ring Size 7 18K/SS
Located in New York, NY
In this colorful and alluring Victorian solitaire ring, a massive cabochon of 12.3 carats Ethiopian opal sits at the top accentuated with vivid faceted red rubies and diamonds flowin...
Opal, Ruby, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Victorian Opal and Diamond Trilogy Engagement Ring in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This stunning, fine and impressive antique Victorian ring has been crafted in 18k yellow gold.
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold
The reign of Queen Victoria encapsulates a quickly evolving period of history — and jewelry styles were no exception. No single period has seen such a diverse group of jewelry attributed to it than the Victorian era. Today, there is a vast collection of authentic antique Victorian jewelry and watches on 1stDibs.
Victorian jewelry is named after Queen Victoria, whose reign lasted from 1837 to 1901, making her the second longest-ruling monarch. (She was surpassed by Queen Elizabeth II in 2015.) During this time, different styles of fashion and jewelry came and went. Thanks to our fascination with royalty and swoon-worthy melodramas like Netflix’s The Crown — which is rife with evocative fashion, jewelry and interiors — and the 2017 feature film Victoria & Abdul, we are all familiar with her story. After the death of Victoria’s father and three childless uncles, she ascended to the throne at age 18. In 1840, Queen Victoria married the love of her life, her first cousin Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.
Queen Victoria loved serpentine jewels, and she had even more power to shape trends than Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle do today. The British monarch’s best-known piece in this mold is the gold coiled-snake engagement ring she received from Prince Albert — the sinuous reptile was considered a symbol of everlasting love.
The Queen's 63-year reign has been divided by historians into the Romantic period, the early happy years, circa 1837–60; the Grand period, marked by the deaths of the Queen’s mother and husband, circa 1860–80; and the late Victorian or Aesthetic period, which lasted from about 1880 until 1901 and ushered in the Belle Époque. Queen Victoria wore her heart on her sleeve, and her fashion and jewelry reflected her emotions.
Romantic period jewelry, which featured common decorative motifs and was embellished with seed pearls, coral and turquoise, was a celebration of the young monarch’s love. Everything changed with the death of Prince Albert, and the Grand period is most often associated with mourning jewelry. Jewelry was smaller, lighter and more dainty during the late Victorian period. During this era, diamonds came into fashion, and semiprecious gems such as amethysts and opals became prevalent, too. Using gemstones for their natural beauty and not their worth was something that jewelers of the era felt passionate about, and this ideology would really become relevant in Art Nouveau jewelry.
Find a collection of authentic antique Victorian jewelry — from rings, necklaces and brooches to a range of other accessories — on 1stDibs.
Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself.
Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.
Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany & Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.
For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany & Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.
Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.
In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so.
Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.
Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle.
BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.
A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in.
Since Van Cleef & Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.
Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.
Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.
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.
Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.
Will your beloved be enchanted by an Edwardian ring or a trendy Art Deco piece? We clue you into period styles and tips for finding the perfect ring.