Rings
20th Century Thai Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Unknown Art Deco Rings
Sapphire, Tanzanite, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Unknown Art Deco Rings
Aquamarine, Sapphire, Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century European Edwardian Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Art Deco Rings
Opal, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Silver, Sterling Silver, Gold, 14k Gold, ...
Early 20th Century European Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s North American Belle Époque Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century English Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s Unknown Art Deco Rings
Amethyst, Sapphire, Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver, Gold, Rose Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Art Deco Rings
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s American Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Rings
Amethyst, 18k Gold
2010s North American Art Deco Rings
Diamond, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century European Art Deco Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s North American Art Deco Rings
Diamond, Sterling Silver
2010s North American Art Deco Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Sterling Silver
2010s North American Art Deco Rings
Diamond, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century European Edwardian Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s North American Art Deco Rings
Diamond, Sterling Silver
1930s European Art Deco Vintage Rings
Aquamarine, 18k Gold
2010s American Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Rings
Carnelian, Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold
1990s American Art Deco Rings
Diamond, Silver
2010s Unknown Art Deco Rings
Sapphire, Amethyst, Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century European Edwardian Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Mid-20th Century English Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century European Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s American Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
Late 20th Century English Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Late 19th Century European Antique Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Spanish Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century European Edwardian Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Early 20th Century European Edwardian Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s American Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Thai Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s Unknown Art Deco Rings
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver, Gold, Yellow ...
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Romantic Rings
Emerald, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Ruby, Vermeil, White Gold, Gold Plate, ...
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Art Deco Rings
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century English Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Artist Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Art Deco Rings
Yellow Sapphire, Rose Gold, Gold, Sterling Silver, Silver
2010s Rings
Diamond, White Gold
2010s American Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Rings
Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Rings
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Rings
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Rings
Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Rings
Sapphire, Tanzanite, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Rings
Black Jade, Topaz, Jade, 18k Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Unknown Art Deco Rings
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Purple Sapphire, Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Ste...
Early 20th Century European Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Antique and Vintage Rings, Cocktail Rings and Art Deco Rings for Sale 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.
Read More
Our Guide to Engagement Ring Settings – And How to Choose One
There are many ways to showcase a diamond, from traditional prongs to a smooth, streamlined bezel. Here’s everything you need to consider.
Nothing Says Summer Heat Like This Ruby-Red Cartier Stunner
The vintage bombé ring is bursting with color and timeless style.
Zircon Rings: Our Guide to a Uniquely Colorful Natural Gemstone
Zircon is a magnificent and underrated natural gemstone that has been worn and adored for centuries.
[Survey] Two-Thirds of Jewelry Gift Recipients Don’t Want to Be Surprised
Givers of fine gems enjoy surprise more than receivers, and women more than men. Find out what else our survey of 3,000 Americans revealed.
Colorful Gemstones Are a Brilliant Choice for Engagement Rings
If diamonds don’t seem right, what about a magnificent sapphire, ruby or emerald?
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
Alon Ruschin, of Vivid Diamonds & Jewelry, channels his passion for gems into helping clients find just the right ring.