Rings
20th Century French Rings
Chalcedony, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s French Rings
1970s French Vintage Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Rings
Diamond, White Gold
Late 20th Century French Modern Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Rings
Diamond, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, White Gold
1970s French Vintage Rings
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
2010s Rings
Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, White Gold
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Rings
Diamond, Mixed Metal
1980s American Vintage Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s French Modern Rings
Platinum
2010s American Rings
White Gold
20th Century French Rings
Diamond, Gold
1990s American Contemporary Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1960s French Vintage Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Rings
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
1970s French Vintage Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Late 20th Century French Rings
Diamond, Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Early 2000s Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Rings
Diamond, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s Vintage Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Rings
Diamond, Rose Gold, White Gold, 14k Gold
1960s American Contemporary Vintage Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1960s American Vintage Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
20th Century Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Rings
Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Rings
Diamond, Mixed Metal
21st Century and Contemporary French Rings
Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century French Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1960s French Vintage Rings
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Rings
Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s French Rings
Diamond, Platinum
20th Century Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Vintage Rings
18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Vintage Rings
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Rings
White Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Pink Sapphire, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Rings
Diamond
20th Century French Contemporary Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Rings
Diamond, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Rings
Diamond, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Rings
Diamond, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Mixed Metal
2010s American Contemporary Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 2000s French 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.