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Victorian Poison Ring

Recent Sales

Antique Poison Locked Ring in 10 Karat
Located in Houston, TX
Antique poison locked ring in 10k, solid rose and yellow gold. It’s Swivel (Movable), both sides
Category

Antique Early 18th Century British Victorian More Rings

Materials

Agate, 10k Gold

Very Rare Victorian Gold, Enamel & Emerald Poison Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Highly unusual Victorian era "poison" ring. Composed of 18 karat yellow gold, enamel & green
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Emerald, 18k Gold

Victorian Gold and Onyx Snuff or Poison Ring
Located in US
Victorian Gold and Onyx Snuff or Poison Ring Purity of gold is unknown
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Fashion Rings

14 Karat Gold Victorian Blue Sapphire Poison Ring
Located in Wallkill, NY
Stunning Victorian Blue Cabochon Sapphire poison ring set in 14K Gold. Hallmarked on the underside
Category

Antique 1860s Unknown Victorian Dome Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Gold Poison Bishop Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
Antique 18 Karat Gold and Enamel Snuff, Poison, locket Ring. Open the locket you find the miniature
Category

Antique 1890s Italian Victorian Signet Rings

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold

HM London 1863 18K Poison Ring
Located in Baltimore, MD
history dating back to the middle ages, but our poison ring is definitively Victorian, and likely used for
Category

Antique 1860s British Victorian More Rings

Materials

18k Gold

Antique Etruscan Revival Diamond Poison Ring
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
A brilliant and unique Etruscan Revival poison ring from the Victorian era. Made of 18 karat yellow
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian 18 Karat Gold, Emerald and Enamel Snuff, Poison, Locket Ring
Located in Berlin, DE
Antique Victorian 18 Karat Gold, Emerald and Enamel Snuff, Poison, locket Ring. Extremely rare
Category

Antique 19th Century Signet Rings

Materials

Emerald, 18k Gold

Antique Poison Ring Locket Ring Lapis Lazuli 14 Karat Gold
Located in New York, NY
The magnificent locket or poison ring is an antique gem. It features an absolutely gorgeous
Category

20th Century Unknown Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

19th century 18 karat yellow gold and enamel memorial "Poison" ring
Located in Malmö, Skåne län
(poison ring) 18k gold, engraved and enamel decoration, hidden compartment with hinges still containing a
Category

Antique 1840s Swedish Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Yellow Gold, Enamel, 18k Gold

Antique Black Enamel and Pearl Gold Poison Ring, Antique Secret Compartment Ring
Located in Rottedam, NL
A beautiful and rare antique Victorian poison ring with a secret compartment. The central locket
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Italian Victorian Signet Rings

Materials

Pearl, Rose Gold, Enamel, Gold, 14k Gold

Antique Victorian Sardonyx Rosary Poison Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
An awesome antique signet / poison ring.... but so much more. The head is hinged, opening up to
Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Signet Rings

Materials

15k Gold

Victorian Secret Poison Gold Ring in 14k and 18k Gold, Secret Compartment Ring
Located in PARIS, FR
Secret poison gold ring in 14 and 18 karat yellow and rose gold. Rare ring with a rectangular bezel
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Signet Rings

Materials

14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 14k Yellow Gold Amethyst and Pearl Secret Box Poison Ring
Located in Versailles, FR
For sale a magnificent 14K gold secret box ring (also called poison ring). The ring features a rare
Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

18ct Gold, Citrine and Diamond, Baroque Engraved Victorian Poison Ring with Key
By William Llewellyn Griffiths
Located in Melbourne, Vic
The Mystic Chamber ring is a locking poison-ring carefully carved in 18ct gold, topped with a
Category

2010s Australian Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Citrine, White Diamond, 18k Gold

Diamond Heart Locket and Key Victorian Poison Ring in 18 Karat Gold and Diamonds
By William Llewellyn Griffiths
Located in Melbourne, Vic
This 18kt white gold and diamond Victorian style poison ring signifies true encompassing love
Category

2010s Australian Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold

Victorian Chased Gold Poison Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
This fabulous antique signet ring features a hidden locket compartment on the face. The hinged
Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Signet Rings

Materials

15k Gold

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Victorian Poison Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

You are likely to find exactly the victorian poison ring you’re looking for on 1stDibs, as there is a broad range for sale. Frequently made of Gold, 18k Gold and 14k Gold, this item was constructed with great care. Find an antique version now, or shop for 11 vintage or 2 modern creation for a more contemporary example of these cherished accessories. Making the right choice when shopping for a victorian poison ring may mean carefully reviewing examples of this item dating from different eras — you can find an early iteration of this piece from the 18th Century and a newer version made as recently as the 21st Century, both of which have proven very popular over the years. Finding an appealing victorian poison ring — no matter the origin — is easy, but William Llewellyn Griffiths each produced a popular version that is worth a look. While most can agree that any victorian poison ring from our collection can easily elevate most outfits, but the choice of a Diamond version from the 2 available is guaranteed to add a special touch to your ensemble. Today, if you’re looking for a cabochon version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes oval cut and princess cut alternatives. Finding a victorian poison ring for sale for women should be easy, but there are 9 pieces available to browse for unisex as well as men, too.

How Much is a Victorian Poison Ring?

Prices for a victorian poison ring can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $645 and can go as high as $14,537, while this accessory, on average, fetches $3,225.

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.

Questions About Victorian Poison Ring
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A poison ring features a small container built into the ring and concealed behind a hinged lid. It was rumored to be used to hold toxic substances to kill enemies, but could also be used to hold relics or a small amount of perfume, a lock of hair or other small treasures. On 1stDibs, find a selection of poison rings.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Poison rings, also known as pillbox rings, grew in popularity in Europe during the 16th century. There is no known date for the introduction of the poison ring. However, it originated in the Far East and India. Today, the poison ring carries small amounts of liquids. Shop a range of antique poison rings on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021
    Victorian rings are usually made with fine metals and feature impressive gemstones in ornate settings. The style of Victorian jewelry was defined during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837 to 1901). Early Victorian rings were large, brightly colored, and boldly designed, with gemstones such as bloodstones, chalcedonies, garnets, moss agate, rubies, smoky quartz and topazes. During the mid-Victorian period, the designs were more sophisticated, using gemstones such as opals, crystals, emeralds, diamonds, pearls, black glass, jet, and rubies. In the late-Victorian period, platinum became widely used in the jewelry of the era and replaced gold and silver settings for the first time. Find a collection of antique and vintage Victorian rings on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023
    Yes, many Victorians gave engagement rings to their fiancées. In fact, the tradition of giving engagement rings became more popular during the Victorian era due to the effects of the Industrial Revolution. The economic growth of the time led to the creation of a middle class that had the ability to save up for special purchases. At the same time, gemstones mined in South Africa began arriving in England, increasing the supply of precious stones and making prices more affordable. Explore an assortment of antique Victorian engagement rings on 1stDibs.