Rings
1950s Unknown Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1960s Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Tanzanite, 14k Gold, White Gold
1950s Victorian Vintage Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1960s Swedish Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, Rubelite, 18k Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, Gold
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Rings
Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 15k Gold
Early 20th Century European Victorian Rings
Citrine, Gold, 9k Gold
1870s Victorian Antique Rings
Garnet, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Topaz, Tsavorite, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
1950s Dutch Retro Vintage Rings
Garnet, Gold, 14k Gold
1940s Swedish Retro Vintage Rings
Garnet, Silver, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
19th Century British Victorian Antique Rings
Pearl, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s European Retro Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold
1890s Unknown Victorian Antique Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold
1960s Australian Retro Vintage Rings
Opal, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s Victorian Antique Rings
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
1970s Asian Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 9k Gold, Silver, Rose Gold
Early 1900s European Victorian Antique Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver
Late 20th Century Burmese Retro Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
1980s European Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1950s Victorian Vintage Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1890s Victorian Antique Rings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
19th Century Unknown High Victorian Antique Rings
Diamond, Gold
1950s Swedish Retro Vintage Rings
Rubelite, 18k Gold
1880s Unknown Victorian Antique Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
19th Century Victorian Antique Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s European Late Victorian Antique Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
1970s French Retro Vintage Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1950s French Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Star Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White G...
Early 1900s European Victorian Antique Rings
Diamond, 10k Gold
1940s Unknown Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1970s European Retro Vintage Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, 14k Gold, Enamel
1980s European Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Victorian Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1930s Swedish Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
20th Century Spanish Retro Rings
Jade, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Retro Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1970s European Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold
20th Century French Retro Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Rings
Coral, Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, Topaz, Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold
1970s Albanian Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, Onyx, 14k Gold, White Gold
1940s Unknown Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Early 1900s European Victorian Antique Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver
Early 1900s European Victorian Antique Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Victorian Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire
Late 20th Century Italian Retro Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Turquoise, Agate, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver, ...
1970s European Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, Malachite, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Early 1900s European Victorian Antique Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver
1960s Swedish Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
1960s European Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
Early 19th Century Victorian Antique Rings
Amethyst, Gold, 9k Gold, Rose 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
Our Guide to Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco Engagement Rings
Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.
How to Buy a Vintage or Antique Engagement Ring
Will your beloved be enchanted by an Edwardian ring or a trendy Art Deco piece? We clue you into period styles and tips for finding the perfect ring.