Antique Georgian engagement rings are often set in silver over gold with rose-cut diamonds. The rose cut is circular like its namesake flower, with a flat top and a domed crown with either 12 or 24 facets, and is an uncommon cut in modern jewelry. Rose-cut diamonds are more frequently associated with antique styles such as Victorian or Georgian. The gems in Georgian engagement rings are backed with reflective foil in a closed-back setting, which gives them some sparkle.
Most dealers will suggest that you are careful with rings from this period as their age makes them particularly fragile. Consider an antique Georgian engagement ring to be a truly special occasion piece, and not for everyday wear.
Georgian jewelry is named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who in succession ruled England starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign, which lasted until 1837). A slew of beautiful pieces were produced during the period, and today antique Georgian rings, necklaces and other accessories are coveted by fine jewelry collectors.
There are certain features that distinguish jewelry from this era, including the fact that pieces from the 18th and early 19th centuries were handmade (so don’t let the absence of a maker’s mark lead you to believe otherwise). Antique Georgian jewelry also has a certain “look.” It’s a bit gray because stones were often set in silver, and because stonecutting techniques were not as advanced as they are today, the gems do not possess the level of sparkle to which we have become accustomed.
Pearls, along with colored gemstones like garnets, rubies and sapphires, were widely used in Georgian jewelry. These were often cut in the shape of a cabochon or teardrop. It was fashionable to combine garnets or rubies with seed pearls. In Georgian diamond rings, popular cuts for diamonds included rose, old mine and table. Around the 1780s, paste jewelry, or hand-cut glass on foil, was used to imitate diamonds.
Find Georgian engagement rings and other vintage and antique engagement rings on 1stDibs now. Explore our buying guides for a close look at antique engagement rings, Art Deco engagement rings and vintage engagement rings.
Antique 18th Century Georgian Rare Heart Motif Diamond 14K Gold Engagement Ring
Located in New York, NY
Enchanting and romantic, large antique 18th century Georgian period heart motif rose cut diamond 14K gold and silver topped gold engagement ring Composed of a central Rose cut diamon...
Diamond, 14k Gold
Georgian Old Mine Cut Diamond and 9 Carat Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This stunning cluster ring holds old mine cut diamonds. The central cluster totals approx 35pts. Either side of the cluster holds a trio of diamonds totalling 15pts per side. The hea...
Diamond, Gold
Antique 2.92 Carat Rose And Old Mine Cut Diamond 18k Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
An engagement ring fit for a fairytale, castle not included. This dazzling, hand cut antique 1840s rose-cut diamond sits at the heart of a golden crown, set low. This old world diamo...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Georgian Entwined Heart Ring Rose Cut Diamond Pearl Antique Engagement Ring 1820
Located in New York, NY
Indulge in a magnificent entwined Heart and Bow Antique Georgian Wedding Engagement Ring with gorgeous pearls and sparkling antique Rose Cut Diamonds set in silver atop 18 Karat Gold...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Georgian 18k Gold Octagonal Miniature Ring, Circa 1790, France
Located in Firenze, IT
Octagonal miniature depicting a putto under a tree and near a brazer with the inscription in French "à l'amitié" that underlines the sentimental value of such gift. The frame is in ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Georgian Colombian Emerald Rose Cut Diamond 18 KT ring
Located in Napoli, IT
This stunning Georgian ring is dated 1820/1835 ca. Hand crafted of solid 18 Kt except the Diamond housing made of Silver as for the period. Ring boasts an amazing round design with a...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Rose cut diamond cluster ring, Dutch, circa 1830.
Located in London, GB
Georgian rose cut diamond cluster ring. Set to center with one drop-shape rose cut diamond in a closed back rubover setting with an approximate weight of 0.80 carats, encircled by fi...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver
Georgian 18k Gold Blue Enamel Diamond Cluster Ring, Circa 1790s
Located in Firenze, IT
The oval blue enamel plaque with applied old brilliant, single and rose-cut diamond floral and foliate decoration, closed back settings throughout, with engraved bright-cut decoratio...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel, Silver, Yellow Gold
New Georgian Style Old Cut Diamond, Gold And Platinum Solitaire Ring, 2.72 Carat
Located in London, GB
A new Georgian style diamond, gold and platinum solitaire ring, set with a 2.72 carats, J colour, VS2 clarity, cushion shaped old-cut diamond, in a platinum topped, cut down setting,...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum, Gold
1.50ct Old European Cut Diamond Solitaire Ring 18K Yellow Gold and Platinum
Located in London, GB
- Georgian inspired solitaire diamond engagement ring - 1.50ct antique Old European-cut diamond - Georgian inspired open button back design - 18K yellow gold and platinum - Ring s...
Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1840's Georgian Dutch Antique Rosecut Half Hoop Ring Heirloom Jewelry
Located in EINDHOVEN, NB
A delicate and timeless jewel from the Georgian era, this half-hoop ring is set with softly shimmering rose-cut diamonds, each catching the light with a gentle, candlelit glow. The h...
Diamond, 14k Gold
Georgian Yellow Gold Engagement Ring. Diamond Pearl Ruby Ring Green Enamel 1810
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Diamond Center Diamond Cut: Rose Cut Secondary Stones: Pearls, Rubies Stone Setting: Cluster Setting with Green Enamel Border Jewelry Type: Ring Styl...
Ruby, Pearl, Diamond, Gold, Enamel, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Georgian Double Heart Diamond Burmese Ruby 18 KT Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
Double hearts set side by side meant “bound together” and were traditionally set with gemstones and used for betrothal in the 1800s Some of the gems that appear in combination in the...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1800's Georgian Bague au Firmament Antique Rosecut Navette Ring Heirloom Jewelry
Located in EINDHOVEN, NB
GEORGIAN 1700's Georgian Antique Rosecut Diamond Bague au firmament monogram S J Ring in 14K Bristol Glass Heirloom ring This stunning ring features beautiful hand-cut rose-cut diam...
Diamond, 14k Gold
Antique Crowned heart ring
Located in New York, NY
A Georgian rose-cut diamond ring designed as a crowned heart, in sterling silver and 18k gold.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Late 18th Century Georgian 18k Gold Moss Agate Ring, England, Size 6
Located in Firenze, IT
Period: Late 18th century Provenance: England Ring size: 6 Weight: 2.9 gr Questo anello in agata muschiata, di provenienza inglese e databile intorno al 1780, è caratterizzato da un...
Agate, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Carved Turquoise Fede Ring of 15ct Gold, Circa 1800-1837
Located in Lewisburg, PA
Antique Georgian Era Fede Ring – Carved Turquoise Hands with Diamond & Ruby Flowers in 15ct Gold: This exquisite Georgian-era fede ring is a rare and romantic treasure, featuring...
Diamond, Ruby, Turquoise, 15k Gold
Georgian Marquise Cut Diamond Ring. 0.90ct J SI1 Rose Cut Halo Silver 14k Gold
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Diamond Center Diamond Weight: Approximately 0.90 Carats Center Diamond Cut: Marquise Rose Cut Center Diamond Color: J Color Center Diamond Clarity: SI...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Gold
Georgian Revival 0.93 Carat Rose Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
A most romantic Georgian revival rose cut diamond engagement ring. The heart motif adorned with a delightful bow and centered by a charming, 0.93 carat antique diamond glimmering wit...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
Antique Georgian Rose Diamond and Enamel Ring
Located in New York, NY
Antique Rose Diamond and Enamel Gold Ring. An exceptional quality rose diamond small loss to the enamel. 0.65 Carat
Diamond, Gold, Enamel
Antique White Paste, Enamel and 18k Yellow Gold Mourning Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique 1700s white paste and enamel, 18 karat yellow gold mourning ring; part of our diverse antique Georgian jewelry...
Yellow Gold, Enamel
C1820 Georgian Diamond Flower Cluster Ring w Carved Repousse Band
Located in Baltimore, MD
Early Georgian rose diamond cluster ring set in silver with an 18K gold embossed band. This is a gorgeous example of the work of a Georgian goldsmith. The ring is baroque in design, ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
Georgian Antique 14 Karat Gold/ Silver Diamond Rose Cut Ring Engagement Ring
Located in San Francisco, CA
What a gorgeous antique! I just love this Gorgeous Georgian Antique 18K Yellow Gold/ Silver Diamond Ring Engagement Ring! Everything about it is amazing! Crafted in 18K Yellow Gold, ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver
Antique 2 Carat Rose Cut Pear Diamond Georgian Revival Engagement Ring
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
An engagement ring reminiscent of the bygone Georgian era, showcasing exceptional old-world craftsmanship. The prominent antique rose-cut pear-shaped diamond weighs 2 carats and shim...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Silver
Georgian rose-cut diamond plaque ring
Located in New York, NY
An antique navette-shaped rose-diamond plaque ring in silver and 18k gold. France. * Free shipping * Includes letter of authenticity for insurance purposes * Please do not hesitate ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
Antique 18th Century Mourning Ring Karat Gold Hair Dated 1795 K. + R. Burnaby
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This fine and simple morning ring was made in 1795 out of 9 karat gold, glas and hair. The ring is inscribed on the reverse with the date September 12 17...
Gold, 9k Gold
Georgian Era Silver Navette Ring. Diamond Filigree Engagement 14k Yellow Gold
Located in New York, NY
Other Details: Primary Stone: Diamond Center Diamond Weight: Included in 0.80 carats total Secondary Stones: Diamonds Secondary Stone Weight: Approximately 0.80 carats total Diamond Cut: Not specified Stone Setting: Filigree setting Jewelry Type: Ring Style: Georgian, navette, elongated Design: A Georgian navette ring...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Silver, Yellow Gold
Antique rose-diamond plaque ring
Located in New York, NY
A Georgian rose-cut diamond ring of open, plaque designed as an open-work, cluster plaque, in sterling silver and 14k gold. Later reshanking. * Free shipping * Includes letter of au...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver
Georgian Diamond Agate 18K Yellow Gold Silver Antique Urn Cameo Mourning Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering an oval shaped agate tablet measuring 12.0 x 10.5 mm Semi-translucent cream to brown in color - carved with urn cameo Grooved with detail throughout - representing mourning...
Agate, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique Georgian 10k Yellow Gold Sepia Memorial Miniature Mourning Ring
Located in New York, NY
Dating to the late 18th century, this evocative Georgian mourning ring reflects the refined sentimentality of the era. The ring is centered by an oval rock crystal panel protecting a...
Rock Crystal, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Georgian Rose Cut Diamond Navette Ring
Located in London, GB
This is an antique diamond navette ring dating back to the Georgian era. It features an array of closely individually tension set rose cut...
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Georgian 13.01 CTW No Heat Burma Sapphire Diamond Antique 14 Karat Gold Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering an oval cut sapphire weighing 11.63 carats total - transparent light to medium blue Natural Burmese in origin with no indications of heat treatment - set in foil backed be...
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique Georgian 18k Yellow Gold Rose Cut Garnet and Jade Navette Ring
Located in New York, NY
A rare and striking Georgian-era navette ring, crafted in 18k yellow gold with ornate openwork shoulders. At its center rests a marquise-shaped jade, its vivid green hue radiating a ...
Garnet, Jade, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Italian Gimmel Fede Gold Ring with Two Hearts, Circa 1800, Size 8.25
Located in Firenze, IT
Gimmel Fede RIng with two heart Probably Italy, c. 1800 Gold Weight 1.03 gr., US size 8.25
Gold
Georgian 1770s Enamel and Hair Miniature Mourning Ring
Located in London, GB
This is a wonderful 18ct yellow gold Georgian mourning ring. The face of the ring features a wonderful hair work urn which sits underneath a willow tree and is set on an ivory plaque...
Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Late Georgian Emerald and Diamond Ring
Located in London, GB
A late Georgian emerald and diamond ring, in the form of a flower, to the centre an octagonal-cut emerald, estimated to weigh 0.2 carats, ...
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Silver
Georgian Half Hoop Ring Set With Five Rose Cut Diamonds
Located in Firenze, IT
Antique ring (14K) gold and silver, set with rose-cut diamonds. Weight: 4.74gr. Size : 8 1/4 Georgian half hoop ring, set with five rose cut diamonds weighing roughly 0.9 ctw, in cu...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Shopping for the right antique, new or vintage engagement ring can prove daunting. Whether you’re looking for that perfect Art Deco engagement ring, an antique Edwardian period engagement ring or a fashionable contemporary alternative, it’s important to choose a style that speaks to you.
Rings have long been signifiers of marriage and committed relationships. The modern diamond engagement ring can be traced back to 1477, when Archduke Maximilian of Austria commissioned an expensive diamond ring for his betrothed. Diamond rings subsequently became extremely popular among the European aristocracy. Later, during the Victorian era, the popularity of diamond engagement rings had filtered down to the middle class, owing to the increasing accessibility — and affordability — of gold and diamonds.
Authentic antique Victorian-era engagement rings were frequently set in rose or yellow gold and they are highly collectible. Designs for Victorian engagement rings often featured repoussé work and chasing, in which patterns are hammered into the metal. Diamonds were likely to be small rose- or old-mine-cut (the ancestor of today’s cushion-cut) stones. The former are often associated with antique styles like Victorian or Georgian, as rose-cut diamonds are uncommon in modern jewelry. The diamonds were typically set in a group of five in a band or as a solitaire.
Victorian-era engagement rings also saw other gemstones accompanying diamonds. Small seed pearls and moonstones were popular. Other sentimental and romantic motifs such as hearts and stars took hold as well. When Prince Albert became engaged to Queen Victoria, he gave her a serpent ring with emerald eyes, her birthstone. This initiated a widespread craze for snake jewelry.
In 1886, esteemed American luxury firm Tiffany & Co. introduced its solitaire diamond design, which is still among the most popular styles of engagement rings. The Tiffany Setting raises the stone above the band on six prongs, allowing its facets to catch the light and reflect through the stone.
French jewelry house Cartier, which pioneered the use of platinum in fine jewelry and helped define Art Deco, sought to render the diamonds in their engagement rings and other rings as brilliantly as possible. The brand’s timeless Solitaire 1895 engagement ring gave the impression of delicate lace.
Edwardian and, afterward, Art Deco engagement rings that followed in the wake of Queen Victoria’s death in 1901 would be characterized by complex geometric designs and platinum settings. Owing to the Art Nouveau movement, nature was a major theme for Edwardian jewelry, while the diamond ring designs of the Art Deco period were inspired by Cubism as well as ancient Egypt. Art Deco engagement rings are bold and colorful and feature gems cut in nontraditional ways.
Engagement rings designed during World War II were made from two-toned metals and smaller stones. Large stones were scarce, and platinum was reserved for the military. Postwar engagement rings were intended to be simpler and focused on the beauty of the diamond.
In 1947, De Beers Consolidated Mines, with the support of Philadelphia ad agency N.W. Ayer & Son, introduced the slogan “A diamond is forever” in a marketing campaign that emphasized a connection between diamonds and romance. Diamond sales skyrocketed, and diamond engagement rings became intertwined with the post–World War II marriage boom, which coincided with the ascension of specific diamond cuts.
The round brilliant cut, which consists of an astounding 58 facets, continues to be the most popular cut to this day. Jewelers such as Harry Winston had already gained a reputation for his talents by the time the De Beers campaign debuted, and he is said to have favored emerald-cut diamonds.
For everything from understanding the 4Cs to choosing between antique, vintage, contemporary and custom styles, get expert tips to help you find just the right ring. Additionally, explore our buying guides for a close look at antique engagement rings, Art Deco engagement rings and vintage engagement rings.
When you’re ready to mark your momentous occasion, find a vast collection of engagement rings on 1stDibs.