Rings
1810s British Georgian Antique Rings
Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
1990s North American Contemporary Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, Opal, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold
1970s Vintage Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s Victorian Rings
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Retro Rings
Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Vintage Rings
Coral, Cultured Pearl, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Artisan Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Topaz, Imperial Topaz, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Edwardian Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s Victorian Antique Rings
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Rings
Diamond, Opal, Gold, White Gold
1880s Victorian Antique Rings
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s German Artist Rings
Opal, Gold Plate, Silver, 18k Gold
19th Century Victorian Antique Rings
Diamond, Pearl
20th Century Rings
Diamond, Black Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold
1910s Unknown Edwardian Vintage Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1920s Art Deco Vintage Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
1960s European Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s German Artisan Rings
Opal, Silver
2010s Baroque Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Italian Modern Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century European Modern Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Rings
Pink Sapphire, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1910s Unknown Vintage Rings
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Rings
White Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Rings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Indian Victorian Rings
Opal, Diamond, Emerald, Silver
20th Century Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-19th Century Victorian Antique Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Belle Époque Rings
Opal, Ruby, Fire Opal, 22k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s Qatari Romantic Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Baroque Rings
Diamond, Black Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Rings
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
1970s Vintage Rings
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Artisan Rings
Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Rings
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Rings
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold
2010s Swiss Art Nouveau Rings
South Sea Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold
20th Century Rings
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Rings
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Rings
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Platinum
Late 20th Century Australian Art Deco Rings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Rings
Opal, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
1910s American Edwardian Vintage Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
1970s American Art Deco Vintage Rings
Crystal, Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Rings
Natural Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Contemporary Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
2010s Unknown Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Rings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum
20th Century Unknown Modern Rings
Diamond, Emerald, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Late 19th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Antique Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Rings
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s German Artisan Rings
Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
1960s Vintage Rings
Diamond, Opal, White 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.
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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
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