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Victorian Men Rings

Yellow Gold Hardstone Banded Agate Victorian Men's Ring 14k Carved Cameo Warrior
Yellow Gold Hardstone Banded Agate Victorian Men's Ring 14k Carved Cameo Warrior

Yellow Gold Hardstone Banded Agate Victorian Men's Ring 14k Carved Cameo Warrior

Located in Greensboro, NC

Size: 10 1/2 Sizing Fee: Up 3 sizes for $80 or Down 2 1/2 sizes for $60 Era: Victorian Date: 1880s - 1890s Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold Stone Information Natural Hardstone Band...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Signet Rings

Materials

14k Gold, Yellow Gold

14K Yellow Gold Victorian Fancy Belcher .50ct Diamond Men's Ring
14K Yellow Gold Victorian Fancy Belcher .50ct Diamond Men's Ring

14K Yellow Gold Victorian Fancy Belcher .50ct Diamond Men's Ring

Located in Big Bend, WI

Victorian 10K yellow men's fancy belcher ring with a European cut diamond weighing .50cts.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian Men's Yellow Gold Carved Intaglio Hard Stone Trojan Ring
Antique Victorian Men's Yellow Gold Carved Intaglio Hard Stone Trojan Ring

Antique Victorian Men's Yellow Gold Carved Intaglio Hard Stone Trojan Ring

Located in Montclair, NJ

–Stone(s): – (1) Natural Genuine Hard Stone - Carved Intaglio - Oval Cut - Bezel Set - Brown with Black Carving Color - 18.5x13mm (approx.) Material: Solid 14k Yellow Gold with Copp...

Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Gold Ring for Men. Double Snake Head with Diamond Ring Victorian Era
Antique Gold Ring for Men. Double Snake Head with Diamond Ring Victorian Era

Antique Gold Ring for Men. Double Snake Head with Diamond Ring Victorian Era

Located in New York, NY

Age: Antique Era: Victorian Era, Circa 1890 Country of Origin: English Jewelry Primary Stone: Diamond Primary Stone Weight: Approx. 0.10-Carats Jewelry Type: Cocktail Ring Jewelry ...

Category

Antique 1890s English Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian Signet Ring Family Crest circa 1898 10k Yellow Gold Men's
Antique Victorian Signet Ring Family Crest circa 1898 10k Yellow Gold Men's

Antique Victorian Signet Ring Family Crest circa 1898 10k Yellow Gold Men's

Located in Torrance, CA

Finely detailed antique Victorian family crest signet ring (circa 1898), crafted in 10 karat yellow gold. The oval signet mount features a family crest with the year '1898' to the ...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Signet Rings

Materials

Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold

Yellow Gold Victorian Banded Agate Men's Ring - 10k Rectangular Antique
Yellow Gold Victorian Banded Agate Men's Ring - 10k Rectangular Antique

Yellow Gold Victorian Banded Agate Men's Ring - 10k Rectangular Antique

Located in Greensboro, NC

Size: 5 3/4 Sizing Fee: Up 2 sizes for $50 or Down 1 size for $40 Metal Content: 10k Yellow Gold Stone Information Natural Banded Agate Cut: Rectangular Color: Black Style: Solit...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Signet Rings

Materials

Agate, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Diamond Chased Gold Men’s Ring
Antique Diamond Chased Gold Men’s Ring

Antique Diamond Chased Gold Men’s Ring

Located in Chicago, IL

Circa 1890 This highly unusual antique 14K gold ring is chased with two profile busts of an Egyptian pharaoh and stylized floral designs. The ring is prong set with a sparkling...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond

Antique 1.22 Carat Diamond Gold Mens Ring
Antique 1.22 Carat Diamond Gold Mens Ring

Antique 1.22 Carat Diamond Gold Mens Ring

Located in Chicago, IL

Circa 1890s This heavy 14K gold ring features a chunky old mine cut diamond (J color, VS1 clarity). The diamond is white and clean. It measures 6 x 6.1 x 4.2 mm and is approximatel...

Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold

Large Blackened Silver and Carnelian Intaglio Men's Ring
Large Blackened Silver and Carnelian Intaglio Men's Ring

Large Blackened Silver and Carnelian Intaglio Men's Ring

Located in Firenze, IT

Carnelian depicting Neptune on his chariot drawn by dolphins mounted in blackened silver ring. Top size 33mm x 26mm Size: 9 3/4 Weight: 21,64gr.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Italian Victorian Signet Rings

Materials

Carnelian, Silver

Mens Big Boulder Silver Ring with Citrine Gem Stone in Sliver
Mens Big Boulder Silver Ring with Citrine Gem Stone in Sliver

Mens Big Boulder Silver Ring with Citrine Gem Stone in Sliver

By GEM PLAZA

Located in New York, NY

Mens Big Boulder Silver Ring With Citrine Gem Stone in Sliver Citrine : 1.90 CH : 1.94 Custom Services Resizing is available. Request Customization

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Citrine, Silver

Late 19th Century Silver and Two Colour Vitreous  Hercules Intaglio Men's Ring
Late 19th Century Silver and Two Colour Vitreous  Hercules Intaglio Men's Ring

Late 19th Century Silver and Two Colour Vitreous Hercules Intaglio Men's Ring

Located in Firenze, IT

LATE 19TH CENTURY SILVER AND TWO COLOUR VITREOUS HERCULES INTAGLIO MEN'S RING Period: late XIX century Ring size: 8 ½ The carving retains a peculiar depiction of Hercules intent on...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Victorian Signet Rings

Materials

Silver

14k pink gold men's ring with rose-cut diamond up to 0.30ct 7.4 grams
14k pink gold men's ring with rose-cut diamond up to 0.30ct 7.4 grams

14k pink gold men's ring with rose-cut diamond up to 0.30ct 7.4 grams

Located in The Hague, ZH

14k pink gold men's ring set with rose-cut diamond up to 0.30 - G/H - SI - ring size US 8 - EU 18.25 (57) Detailed description: The top of the ring is 9.0 mm wide. Weight: 7.4 gra...

Category

Antique 1880s Dutch Early Victorian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold

10kt. pink gold men's large-sized intaglio ring with amethyst featuring Helios
10kt. pink gold men's large-sized intaglio ring with amethyst featuring Helios

10kt. pink gold men's large-sized intaglio ring with amethyst featuring Helios

Located in Braintree, GB

Antique 19th-century 10kt. pink gold men's large-sized intaglio ring with a carved amethyst, featuring the God Helios. The shoulders of the ring's shank are nicely decorated with two...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Victorian Signet Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Gold, 10k Gold

Recent Sales

1850s Victorian Men's Ring with Rose Cut Diamond Surrounding an Old European Cut
1850s Victorian Men's Ring with Rose Cut Diamond Surrounding an Old European Cut

1850s Victorian Men's Ring with Rose Cut Diamond Surrounding an Old European Cut

Located in Miami Beach, FL

A bold, Russian-crafted Victorian era man's "For Life" diamond ring. Eye clean or better and charming rose cut diamonds surrounding an old European cut, estimated .9 cts. Ring disp...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Russian Early Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian .50 C Center Diamonds Platinum 18K Gold Men’s Ring
Antique Victorian .50 C Center Diamonds Platinum 18K Gold Men’s Ring

Antique Victorian .50 C Center Diamonds Platinum 18K Gold Men’s Ring

Located in Woodland Hills, CA

This is a stunning antique late Victorian c.1910 Men’s ring with floral Art Nouveau designs on the side.

Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Victorian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique secret signet ring in 18 karat gold, ring for men
Antique secret signet ring in 18 karat gold, ring for men

Antique secret signet ring in 18 karat gold, ring for men

Located in PARIS, FR

Antique secret signet ring in 18 karat rose gold. Antique wedding ring monogrammed "FD". The ring opens under the bezel, revealing a secret compartment that can conceal a sentimental...

Category

Antique 1850s French Victorian Signet Rings

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian Rose Cut Diamond Gold Men's Ring
Antique Victorian Rose Cut Diamond Gold Men's Ring

Antique Victorian Rose Cut Diamond Gold Men's Ring

Located in Boston, MA

An antique victorian period rose cut diamond mens ring in 14 karat rose gold.

Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Rose Gold

Victorian Rose Cut Diamonds Gold and Silver Mens Ring
Victorian Rose Cut Diamonds Gold and Silver Mens Ring

Victorian Rose Cut Diamonds Gold and Silver Mens Ring

Located in Viana do Castelo, PT

A Vintage Mens Diamond Ring from the 1890s. Bring eye-catching impact to his attire with this outstanding diamond ring. Crafted in 19.2 Karat white gold, this square-top design show...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Portuguese High Victorian Signet Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Victorian 14 Karat Gold Men's Heraldry Signet Ring
Victorian 14 Karat Gold Men's Heraldry Signet Ring

Victorian 14 Karat Gold Men's Heraldry Signet Ring

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Signet style ring with an octagonal shaped face Deeply engraved to depict a quadrisected shield surrounded by scrolling foliate Topped by a stylized goat bust and with a scrolled b...

Category

Antique Early 1900s Victorian Signet Rings

Materials

Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

1900 Victorian 14 Karat Gold Men's Jaguar Signet Ring
1900 Victorian 14 Karat Gold Men's Jaguar Signet Ring

1900 Victorian 14 Karat Gold Men's Jaguar Signet Ring

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Signet style ring centers an oval cartouche - brightly polished and measuring approximately 14.0 x 10.2 mm With highly rendered shoulders depicting scrolling foliate and climbing ja...

Category

Antique Early 1900s Victorian Signet Rings

Materials

Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian 14 Karat Yellow Gold Scrolling Men’s Unisex Signet Ring
Victorian 14 Karat Yellow Gold Scrolling Men’s Unisex Signet Ring

Victorian 14 Karat Yellow Gold Scrolling Men’s Unisex Signet Ring

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Signet style ring designed with an oval face and highly polish Featuring scrolling detailed shoulders with gold beading motif Completed by sleek shank Tested as 14 karat gold Cir...

Category

Antique Early 1900s Victorian Signet Rings

Materials

Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold

Victorian Carnelian Intaglio 14 Karat Gold Heraldry Men's Dragon Signet Ring
Victorian Carnelian Intaglio 14 Karat Gold Heraldry Men's Dragon Signet Ring

Victorian Carnelian Intaglio 14 Karat Gold Heraldry Men's Dragon Signet Ring

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Centering an oval carnelian intaglio, translucent rust red in color, set in a deeply inscribed bezel Depicts a crowned knight and shield that is emblazoned by two dueling lions with...

Category

Antique 1870s Victorian Signet Rings

Materials

Carnelian, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Roman Ancient Amethyst Intaglio 18 Karat Gold Men's Snake & Devil Ring
Victorian Roman Ancient Amethyst Intaglio 18 Karat Gold Men's Snake & Devil Ring

Victorian Roman Ancient Amethyst Intaglio 18 Karat Gold Men's Snake & Devil Ring

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Centering an oval ancient carved amethyst intaglio measuring approximately 11.7 mm x 10.0 mm Medium-light purple in color and carved to depict a figure with a donkey; Roman in origi...

Category

Antique 1870s Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 18k Gold Ring for Men. Victorian Yellow Gold Ring Victorian Era Buckle
Antique 18k Gold Ring for Men. Victorian Yellow Gold Ring Victorian Era Buckle

Antique 18k Gold Ring for Men. Victorian Yellow Gold Ring Victorian Era Buckle

Located in New York, NY

Jewelry Type: Ring / Statement Ring Jewelry Style: Victorian Buckle Ring, Antique English Ring, Symbolic Motif Ring Era: Victorian Era (Circa 1890) Country of Origin: England Ring Si...

Category

Antique 1890s English Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Egg Design Crest Men's Signet Ring
Victorian Egg Design Crest Men's Signet Ring

Victorian Egg Design Crest Men's Signet Ring

Located in New York, NY

Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold and Blue Enamel. The ring features a decorative egg design in the center and filigree on the sides. Size 12 1/2, resizable Victorian

Category

Antique 19th Century Signet Rings

Materials

18k Gold, Enamel

Victorian Carnelian Intaglio 14 Karat Gold Signet Unisex Men's Ring
Victorian Carnelian Intaglio 14 Karat Gold Signet Unisex Men's Ring

Victorian Carnelian Intaglio 14 Karat Gold Signet Unisex Men's Ring

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Centering a polished flat oval carnelian measuring approximately 15.9 x 12.9 x 2.6 mm, deep reddish orange The carnelian is exquisitely carved with a crown with two wings ascending ...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Signet Rings

Materials

Carnelian, 14k Gold

Antique Victorian Family Crest Signet Ring 18K Yellow Gold Vintage Men’s Jewelry
Antique Victorian Family Crest Signet Ring 18K Yellow Gold Vintage Men’s Jewelry

Antique Victorian Family Crest Signet Ring 18K Yellow Gold Vintage Men’s Jewelry

Located in Torrance, CA

Finely detailed Men's antique Victorian era signet ring (circa 1880s to 1900s), crafted in 18 karat yellow gold.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Signet Rings

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian Ostby Barton Wedding Ring 10 Karat Rose Gold Men’s Band
Antique Victorian Ostby Barton Wedding Ring 10 Karat Rose Gold Men’s Band

Antique Victorian Ostby Barton Wedding Ring 10 Karat Rose Gold Men’s Band

Located in Torrance, CA

Finely detailed Victorian ring (circa 1880s to 1900s), crafted in 10 karat rose gold. The ring is made by Ostby & Barton, one of the most well known jewelry manufacturers of the per...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Band Rings

Materials

10k Gold, Rose Gold

Antique Victorian Men’s Signet Ring Vintage 10 Karat Rose Gold Oval Chased Mount
Antique Victorian Men’s Signet Ring Vintage 10 Karat Rose Gold Oval Chased Mount

Antique Victorian Men’s Signet Ring Vintage 10 Karat Rose Gold Oval Chased Mount

Located in Torrance, CA

Finely detailed antique Victorian signet ring (circa 1880s to 1900s), crafted in 10 karat rose gold. From what we can decipher the center oval is inscribed with the initials "SHN" ...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Signet Rings

Materials

10k Gold, Rose Gold

Antique Victorian Letter C Initial Ring Mens Jewelry 14 Karat Gold Square Signet
Antique Victorian Letter C Initial Ring Mens Jewelry 14 Karat Gold Square Signet

Antique Victorian Letter C Initial Ring Mens Jewelry 14 Karat Gold Square Signet

Located in Torrance, CA

Finely detailed Victorian era signet ring (circa 1880s to 1900s) crafted in 14 karat rose gold. The initial is set upon a black onyx mounting that measures 17mm x 13mm. The handsom...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Signet Rings

Materials

Onyx, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Diamond Cluster Men's Ring
Diamond Cluster Men's Ring

Diamond Cluster Men's Ring

Located in Chicago, IL

This massive fluted gold gentlemen's cluster ring features a beautiful 0.73 ct Full Holland Rose cut diamond (color J, clarity VS1), surrounded by ten old mine cut diamonds with an ...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond

Victorian 14 Karat Gold Men's Double Heart Ring L. Tassara
Victorian 14 Karat Gold Men's Double Heart Ring L. Tassara

Victorian 14 Karat Gold Men's Double Heart Ring L. Tassara

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Centering two overlapping polished gold hearts With highly detailed floral and foliate motif engraved shoulders Tested as 14 karat gold Circa: 1860 Signed L.T. for L. Tassara R...

Category

Antique 19th Century American Retro Band Rings

Materials

14k Gold

Victorian 14 Karat Gold Men's Double Heart Ring L. Tassara
Victorian 14 Karat Gold Men's Double Heart Ring L. Tassara

Victorian 14 Karat Gold Men's Double Heart Ring L. Tassara

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Centering two overlapping polished gold hearts With highly detailed floral and foliate motif engraved shoulders Tested as 14 karat gold Circa: 1860 Signed L.T. for L. Tassara R...

Category

Antique 19th Century American Retro Band Rings

Materials

14k Gold

Antique Fancy Color Diamond Men's Ring
Antique Fancy Color Diamond Men's Ring

Antique Fancy Color Diamond Men's Ring

Located in Chicago, IL

A Russian c. 1900 chased greenish-yellow 14k gold ring centered with an old cut fancy light greenish-yellow diamond (approximately 0.92 ct, VS1 clarity) set in a silver bezel band...

Category

Early 20th Century Russian Victorian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Yellow Diamond

Antique 1 Carat Diamond Gold Men's Ring
Antique 1 Carat Diamond Gold Men's Ring

Antique 1 Carat Diamond Gold Men's Ring

Located in Chicago, IL

Circa 1890 The ring features a sparkling bright white old cushion cut diamond (6.3 x 6 x 3.65 ct, approximately 1.10 ct, E color, SI clarity) Size 8.25

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond

Antique 1800s Men's Diamond Cluster Gold Ring
Antique 1800s Men's Diamond Cluster Gold Ring

Antique 1800s Men's Diamond Cluster Gold Ring

Located in Chicago, IL

St. Petersburg, circa 1890 A 14K gold ring set with ten old European cut diamonds Estimated total diamond weight - 1.50 ct The center diamond at least 0.50 ct Diamet...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Russian Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond

Antique Mid 1800s Diamond Gold Men’s Horseshoe Ring
Antique Mid 1800s Diamond Gold Men’s Horseshoe Ring

Antique Mid 1800s Diamond Gold Men’s Horseshoe Ring

Located in Chicago, IL

Russian, circa 1860 This unusual antique Victorian era ring is centered with a sparkling bright white old cushion cut diamond (5.3 x 5.05 x 3.55 mm, approximately 0.80 ct) set in ...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Russian Victorian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond

Antique Russian Diamond Cluster Gold Men's Ring 1840s
Antique Russian Diamond Cluster Gold Men's Ring 1840s

Antique Russian Diamond Cluster Gold Men's Ring 1840s

Located in Chicago, IL

Moscow, 1840s a 14K yellow gold ring chased with Rococo style decorations, centered with an old cushion cut diamond surrounded by ten old rose cut diamonds set in silver marked...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Russian Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond

Yellow Gold Hardstone Banded Agate Victorian Men's Ring 14k Carved Cameo Warrior
Yellow Gold Hardstone Banded Agate Victorian Men's Ring 14k Carved Cameo Warrior

Yellow Gold Hardstone Banded Agate Victorian Men's Ring 14k Carved Cameo Warrior

Located in Greensboro, NC

Size: 10 1/2 Sizing Fee: Up 3 sizes for $80 or Down 2 1/2 sizes for $60 Era: Victorian Date: 1880s - 1890s Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold Stone Information Natural Hardstone Band...

Category

Antique 1880s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Agate, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian 14 Karat Gold Men's Heraldry Signet Ring
Victorian 14 Karat Gold Men's Heraldry Signet Ring

Victorian 14 Karat Gold Men's Heraldry Signet Ring

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Signet style ring with an octagonal shaped face Deeply engraved to depict a quadrisected shield surrounded by scrolling foliate Topped by a stylized goat bust and with a scrolled b...

Category

Antique Early 1900s Victorian Signet Rings

Materials

Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Men's Diamond Rose Gold Ring
Victorian Men's Diamond Rose Gold Ring

Victorian Men's Diamond Rose Gold Ring

Located in Stamford, CT

Men’s Victorian 1890-1900 handmade 14k pink gold ring.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

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Victorian Men Rings For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a broad range of victorian men rings for sale on 1stDibs. Frequently made of Gold, 14k Gold and Yellow Gold, these items were constructed with great care. Our inventory has long been popular, and it includes earlier versions that date to the 18th Century and newer variations that were made as recently as the 20th Century. The designs in our inventory of victorian men rings bearing Victorian or Retro hallmarks are very popular. While most can agree that any pick from our collection easily elevates most outfits, but the choice of Diamond versions from the 14 available is guaranteed to add a special touch to your ensemble. A selection of oval cut, old european cut and cushion cut can be found today on these pages. There aren’t many items for women in our collection of victorian men rings, as most of the options available are for men.

How Much are Victorian Men Rings?

Prices for victorian men rings start at $495 and top out at $24,765 with these rings, on average, selling for $3,275.

A Close Look at Victorian Jewelry

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. 

Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship

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.

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 ringsvintage 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.