Rings
20th Century French Rings
Emerald, Diamond, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Rings
Emerald, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Victorian Rings
Diamond, Citrine, Emerald, Onyx, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Rings
Diamond, Onyx, White Gold
2010s American Modern Rings
Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s Russian Modern Rings
Emerald
2010s Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Rings
Emerald, Pink Sapphire
1920s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Rings
Diamond, Onyx, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s Russian Modern Rings
Emerald
2010s Indian Modern Rings
Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold
20th Century Rings
Emerald, Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Platinum, Gold
20th Century Rings
Onyx, Sterling Silver
20th Century Revival Rings
Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Contemporary Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Rings
Emerald, Diamond, Gold, White Gold
1920s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
2010s Rings
Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Retro Rings
Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 14k Gold
20th Century Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold
2010s Russian Modern Rings
Emerald
Early 20th Century Unknown Victorian Rings
Onyx, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Rings
Emerald, White Gold
2010s Australian Art Deco Rings
Diamond, Onyx, Platinum
2010s Swiss Rings
Emerald, 18k Gold
2010s American Modern Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
20th Century Rings
Emerald, 18k Gold
15th Century and Earlier Greek Classical Greek Antique Rings
Ruby, Emerald, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
2010s Thai Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Rings
Diamond, Emerald
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Rings
Diamond, Tanzanite, Emerald, 18k Gold
2010s American Modern Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
20th Century Unknown Modern Rings
Diamond, Emerald, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
1980s Unknown Vintage Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
2010s American Modern Rings
Emerald, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Romantic Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
20th Century Rings
Diamond, Emerald, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Rings
Diamond, Onyx
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary North American Aesthetic Movement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
2010s American Rings
Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s Vintage Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
1990s Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
2010s British Modern Rings
Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Tanzanite...
21st Century and Contemporary Rings
Emerald, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1930s Vintage Rings
Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Rings
Emerald, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Rhodium, Silver
1950s Vintage Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, Platinum
2010s Modern Rings
Diamond, Onyx, 10k Gold
1930s Unknown Vintage Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Rings
Diamond, Emerald, White Gold
1840s Unknown Antique Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k 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.
Read More
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Zircon Rings: Our Guide to a Uniquely Colorful Natural Gemstone
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[Survey] Two-Thirds of Jewelry Gift Recipients Don’t Want to Be Surprised
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Colorful Gemstones Are a Brilliant Choice for Engagement Rings
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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.