Rings
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Rings
Yellow Gold, Enamel
1930s Retro Vintage Rings
Aquamarine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century North American Retro Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
1940s Swedish Retro Vintage Rings
Garnet, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
20th Century American Retro Rings
Diamond, Star Sapphire, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Australian Retro Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
1950s Dutch Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century French Retro Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary European Retro Rings
Emerald, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
1940s Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Rings
Coral, Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
1930s European Retro Vintage Rings
18k Gold
20th Century Retro Rings
Amethyst, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Italian Retro Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Retro Rings
Citrine, Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Platinum
1960s Australian Retro Vintage Rings
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1950s Dutch Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Retro Rings
Emerald, Diamond, Silver, Gold Plate, 18k Gold
1960s European Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Rings
Citrine, Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Rose Gold
1960s Swedish Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, Onyx, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
1950s Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century North American Retro Rings
Diamond, Kunzite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Unknown Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Retro Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Retro Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
1970s European Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century British Retro Rings
Jade, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Rings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
1950s Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1970s British Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Rings
Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Retro Rings
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold
1970s French Retro Vintage Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Retro Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s French Retro Vintage Rings
Tourmaline, White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum, Rose Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Retro Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
1990s European Retro Rings
Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Retro Rings
Peridot, Ruby, Topaz, 18k Gold, Silver
20th Century Retro Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Rhodocrosite, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Italian Retro Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
Late 20th Century Colombian Retro Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1960s American Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Rings
Diamond, Turquoise, Rhodium, Silver
Mid-20th Century Retro Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Chinese Retro Rings
Ruby, 18k Gold
1950s Dutch Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
1950s Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Unknown Retro Vintage Rings
Amethyst, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
1950s Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Retro Rings
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow 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.