Rings
1990s Italian Contemporary Rings
Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Rings
Diamond, Citrine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Rings
Sapphire, Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Rings
Citrine, Quartz, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Rings
White Diamond, Black Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Rings
Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold Plate
1990s American Artisan Rings
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Rings
Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s Rings
Topaz, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
1950s Swedish Retro Vintage Rings
Onyx, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century European Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Late 20th Century English Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century European Rings
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Rings
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
Early 20th Century European Art Deco Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
1990s Dutch Modern Rings
Chrysophrase, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Modernist Rings
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Zircon, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Rings
Amethyst, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Baroque Revival Rings
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Rings
Diamond, Garnet, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century European Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Late 20th Century Contemporary Rings
Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century European Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Lebanese Modern Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Danish Modernist Rings
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century European Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Rings
Emerald, Ruby, Spinel, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Rings
White Diamond, Amethyst, Emerald, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Rings
Diamond, Jade, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Rings
Sapphire, Jade, Yellow Gold, Rose Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Rings
Yellow Sapphire, Emerald, White Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
2010s Italian Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Rings
Diamond, White Gold
20th Century Thai Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Rings
Sterling Silver
1990s Italian Contemporary Rings
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Rings
Diamond, Peridot, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
1980s European Vintage Rings
Spinel, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Rings
Sapphire, Garnet, Yellow Gold, Rose Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
2010s Rings
Tourmaline, Paraiba, Diamond, Platinum
1960s Swedish Retro Vintage Rings
Hematite, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold
1940s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Rings
Other, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary English Rings
Diamond, Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Rings
18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Modern Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-19th Century Victorian Antique Rings
Pearl, 18k Gold, Enamel
2010s Thai Contemporary Rings
Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Rings
Crystal, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
1920s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Rings
Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold
1940s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Rings
Ruby, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
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.
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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
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