1940s Cabochon Ring
Vintage 1940s German Cocktail Rings
Coral, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1940s Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century European Cocktail Rings
Citrine, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1940s Unknown Cocktail Rings
Coral, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1940s Unknown Cluster Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
Vintage 1940s Unknown Cocktail Rings
Coral, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1940s Unknown Cocktail Rings
Amber, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Coral, Diamond, Gold
Vintage 1940s Engagement Rings
Diamond, Opal, Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century American Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Star Sapphire, Platinum
Early 20th Century Unknown Fashion Rings
Diamond, Star Sapphire, Platinum
Vintage 1940s Unknown Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Cluster Rings
Star Sapphire, 18k Gold
20th Century Retro Cocktail Rings
Jade, Ruby, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s Unknown Cluster Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
Vintage 1940s Retro Engagement Rings
Star Sapphire, 14k Gold
Vintage 1940s Unknown Retro Cocktail Rings
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1940s European Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1940s Retro Cocktail Rings
Opal, Fire Opal, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Three-Stone Rings
Citrine, Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1950s American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s Retro Cluster Rings
Moonstone, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1940s Unknown Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Vintage 1940s American Retro Cocktail Rings
Citrine, Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 1940s Unknown Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage 1940s Dome Rings
Carnelian, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1940s French Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1940s French Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Unknown More Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1940s British Retro Cocktail Rings
Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1940s Unknown Retro Fashion Rings
Turquoise, 14k Gold
Vintage 1940s Retro Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1940s Unknown Cluster Rings
Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1940s French Dome Rings
Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1940s Retro Cluster Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Jade, Platinum
Vintage 1940s Retro Cluster Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Jade, Platinum
Vintage 1940s Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1940s Retro Cluster Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Turquoise, Yellow Gold, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1940s Retro Three-Stone Rings
Moonstone, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, Platinum
Vintage 1940s American Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Garnet, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Mid-20th Century Collectible Jewelry
Gold
Vintage 1940s Unknown Retro Cocktail Rings
Opal, 14k Gold
Vintage 1940s Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Jade, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 1940s Unknown Engagement Rings
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Band Rings
Tiger's Eye, Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1940s French Retro Signet Rings
Jade, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Retro Cocktail Rings
Star Sapphire, Diamond, Black Star, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s Retro Signet Rings
Onyx, Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s Retro Signet Rings
Onyx, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1940s Unknown Signet Rings
Jade, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s Cabochon Ring For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a 1940s Cabochon Ring?
Finding the Right Rings for You
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.
- What are cabochon rings?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022A cabochon ring is a piece of jewelry that shows off a gemstone in the cabochon style, meaning it has a polished and rounded top surface and a flat back. It differs from a faceted ring, in which the gem is cut with tools. Cabochon rings tend to highlight the color and reflectivity of the gem and do not have the sparkle of faceted stones. Find a range of cabochon rings on 1stDibs.
- What is a cabochon ring?1 Answer
Roman Malakov DiamondsApril 19, 2021A cabochon ring is a ring set with a cabochon gemstone. A cabochon is characterized as having a convex, rounded surface that is polished but unfaceted. - What is a 1940s style dress?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021The most popular 1940s-style dress was the shirtwaist dress. It had a front opening like a men’s shirt, but with large buttons in the front of the dress, which was practical and easy to wear. The sleeves were short and necklines varied from shirt style to sweetheart and other necklines. Antique and vintage dresses from well-known designers are available on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021In the 1940s, ladies wore clothes defined by clean and slim silhouettes. The jackets, blouses and sweaters often featured shoulderpads and had somewhat of a military feel. Most dresses were quite casual and pants and playsuits became part of a woman's everyday style.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A number of dresses were popular during the 1940s. Many women wore short-waist dresses with button necks, collars, fitted waists and full skirts. The classic A-lines with knee-length hems in red, white and blue colors were also a trend. Shop a collection of vintage dresses on 1stDibs.
- What is a 925s ring?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A 925s ring is a piece of jewelry worn on a finger made of a specific type of precious metal. Specifically, 925s indicated 925 sterling silver. This metal is 92.5 percent pure silver, and the remaining 7.5 percent is another metal like copper. Shop a wide range of sterling silver rings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024Claire McCardell was the designer often called the Mother of American Fashion in the 1940s. An American designer, she helped introduce women's sportswear to the United States and was particularly well-known for her bias-cut, loose-fitting Monastic dress. When World War II broke out in the 1940s, she designed pieces out of readily available materials like denim, calico and wool jersey, introducing new fabrics for women's clothing that would remain popular well after the close of the war. Many people point to McCardell as one of the first successful American fashion designers. Shop a collection of Claire McCardell apparel on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertDecember 4, 2023Yes, they did have wedding rings during the 1600s. However, exchanging rings during weddings was not common in all cultures. In Europe, many couples presented each other with rings to symbolize their marriage vows. The wedding ring tradition actually dates back thousands of years to ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. Explore a wide variety of wedding rings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 21, 2023In the 1920s, engagement rings still looked like rings but were representative of a diverse range of styles and influences. Art Deco diamond ring designs took inspiration from the contemporary Cubist movement as well as from ancient Egypt – a revival sparked by the opening of King Tut’s tomb in 1922. Native American, African and Asian motifs also inspired jewelry pieces. Diamonds in square and rectangular shapes incorporating angular steps – like emerald cuts, Asscher cuts and baguettes – were set against black onyx, rubies, sapphires and emeralds to create color-blocking effects. Platinum, 18-karat gold, 14-karat white gold and sterling silver were some of the favored metals of the decade. Find a wide range of Art Deco engagement rings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertDecember 4, 2023What wedding rings looked like in the 1800s was similar to other Victorian jewelry. The Victorian era spanned from 1837 to 1901, coinciding with the reign of Queen Victoria in the United Kingdom. At the beginning of this period, rings were made of gold and affordable only to the wealthy. Designs for Victorian-era rings often featured repoussé work and chasing, in which patterns are hammered into the metal. Some featured stones secured by collets, settings similar to bezels, with prongs and a closed back. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Victorian wedding rings.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 21, 2023In the early 1900s, engagement rings often looked like other jewelry from the Edwardian era, which coincided with the reign of King Edward VII in the United Kingdom from 1901 to 1910. Cutters used new diamond saws and jewelry lathes to refine the old European cut. The resulting stones, designed to sparkle in the light from candles and gas lamps, are beloved by connoisseurs for their inner fire and romantic glow. The invention of the oxyacetylene torch enabled jewelers to use platinum, which had previously been too challenging to work with. This technological advancement made it possible for Edwardian rings to show off lacy filigree and milgrain work. Nature also influenced jewelry in the early 1900s. Flowing and floral garland motifs were so popular that the Edwardian age is sometimes called the "garland era." Find a selection of Edwardian engagement rings on 1stDibs.
Read More
Our Guide to Engagement Ring Settings – And How to Choose One
There are many ways to showcase a diamond, from traditional prongs to a smooth, streamlined bezel. Here’s everything you need to consider.
Nothing Says Summer Heat Like This Ruby-Red Cartier Stunner
The vintage bombé ring is bursting with color and timeless style.
Zircon Rings: Our Guide to a Uniquely Colorful Natural Gemstone
Zircon is a magnificent and underrated natural gemstone that has been worn and adored for centuries.
[Survey] Two-Thirds of Jewelry Gift Recipients Don’t Want to Be Surprised
Givers of fine gems enjoy surprise more than receivers, and women more than men. Find out what else our survey of 3,000 Americans revealed.
Colorful Gemstones Are a Brilliant Choice for Engagement Rings
If diamonds don’t seem right, what about a magnificent sapphire, ruby or emerald?
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.