Whats The Best Engagement Ring
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Early 20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Early 20th Century British Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings
Black Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Padparadscha Sapphire , Platinum
2010s Dutch Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Tanzanite, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Rhodium
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Art Deco Engagement Rings
Yellow Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Rhodium
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Vintage 1950s Retro Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Vintage 1940s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Morganite, 18k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Classical Roman Engagement Rings
Blue Sapphire, Aquamarine, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, White Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 10k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1920s Engagement Rings
Aquamarine, Gold, 14k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century European Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1950s Retro Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1950s French Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Antique 18th Century Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings
Opal, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings
White Diamond, Gold, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Engagement Rings
Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s British Engagement Rings
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Antique 1890s American Late Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary English Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Vintage 1910s Edwardian Engagement Rings
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, Platinum
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Whats The Best Engagement Ring For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Whats The Best Engagement Ring?
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 23, 2024The rings that are best for an engagement are the ones that appeal to you and suit your budget. There are no rules when it comes to engagement rings, so really, any ring can be worn as one. The key is to find a ring that reflects your taste. You can choose from solitaires with single gemstones, halos that feature a large stone surrounded by a ring of smaller ones, trilogy rings with one large stone set between two smaller accent stones and many other styles. Engagement rings also don't have to feature gemstones. A domed or flat band ring in a precious metal like platinum or yellow gold can also represent your promise to marry that special someone. On 1stDibs, explore a large collection of engagement rings.
- 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 23, 2024Whether platinum is the best for engagement rings depends on your personal preferences. Many people prize the precious metal for its sleek, cool color and choose it for engagement jewelry as a result. Platinum is also highly resistant to corrosion and tarnishing and is unlikely to require replating when cared for properly. In addition, the metal is fairly durable and scratch-resistant. Find a wide variety of platinum engagement rings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021The best gemstone for an engagement ring is really a matter of preference. Diamonds have extraordinary brilliance, a hardness of 10, and are more scratch-resistant than any other gemstone. Emeralds and sapphires are also popular gemstones for an engagement ring. Shop a collection of vintage and modern engagement rings from some of the world’s top jewelers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023There is no single best shape for a sapphire engagement ring, as each type of cut has its own distinctive benefits. To draw attention to the color of the gemstone, consider stepped cuts like the emerald and the cushion. If you prefer to maximize the sparkle of your stone, opt for brilliant cuts like the round, oval, heart and pear. Find a wide variety of sapphire engagement rings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 6, 2023Whether platinum is the best metal for engagement rings is a matter of opinion. Many people love the cool color and sleek appearance of platinum or prefer the precious metal because it doesn't tarnish and requires only minimal maintenance. However, platinum is more malleable than white gold, so it can develop scratches more easily. Cartier pioneered the use of platinum in fine jewelry in the late 1800s, identifying the strong, lustrous metal as ideal for bringing out the true qualities of diamonds. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse assortment of platinum engagement rings.
- 1stDibs ExpertDecember 4, 2023There is no single type of metal that is best for engagement rings, as each metal has its advantages. Gold, whether yellow or white, is a timeless option. An 18-karat or 14-karat gold alloy will show off the beauty of the material and hold up fairly well to the effects of daily wear. Platinum is another popular option due to its strength, appealing cool color and resistance to tarnishing. People who work with their hands may prefer even harder metals like titanium or tungsten. Consider your personal preferences, job and lifestyle when choosing metals for engagement rings. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of engagement rings.
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Our Guide to Fancy-Colored Diamond Engagement Rings
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Our Guide to Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco Engagement Rings
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