Skip to main content

Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

to
12
389
210
292
207
149
143
116
116
60
44
37
34
30
28
26
22
19
17
12
11
11
7
5
5
4
4
3
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
4
3
1
1
1
Sort By
Antique Carnelian Intaglio Gold Ring
Located in Milano, MI
Antique carnelian intaglio gold (18ct) ring. Setting finely hand made and carnelian intaglio
Category

Early 20th Century European Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Carnelian, Gold, 18k Gold

Ancient Roman Garnet Intaglio Gold Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
A museum quality ancient Roman gold ring, circa 400 AD. This hollow ring is bezel-set with a
Category

15th Century and Earlier Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Ancient 2nd Century AD Roman Dionysus Carnelian Intaglio Gold Ring
Located in London, GB
Ancient Roman Dionysus intaglio ring. Set with an oval carnelian intaglio finely engraved with
Category

15th Century and Earlier Unknown Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Carnelian, Yellow Gold, Gold

18K Gold Ring w Venus Intaglio
Located in Atlanta, GA
A hand crafted 21 karat gold ring made with an authentic Carnelian intaglio representing Venus (or
Category

15th Century and Earlier European Classical Greek Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Chalcedony, Gold

Medieval Carnelian Intaglio Gold Lion Ring
Located in London, GB
Medieval lion intaglio ring. Set centrally with an oval cabochon carnelian intaglio engraved with a
Category

15th Century and Earlier British Medieval Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Carnelian, Yellow Gold

Octagonal Carnelian Intaglio 18 Carat Gold Ring
Located in Milano, MI
Octagonal carnelian intaglio ring set in gold; depicting a coat of arms Highlights - Octagonal
Category

Early 20th Century Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Carnelian, Gold, 18k Gold

10K Gold Rock Crystal Intaglio Signet Ring
Located in Braintree, GB
10K gold signet ring featuring an intaglio carving of a stag with the French motto "Tout Bien Ou
Category

1850s European Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

10k Gold

Antique Gold and Carnelian Intaglio Signet Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1910 14k Yellow Gold Intaglio Signet Ring, the top measures 9/16 X 9/16 inch and is set with
Category

1910s American Edwardian Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Carnelian, Gold, 14k Gold

14K Gold Bloodstone Edwardian Intaglio Signet Ring
Located in Venice, CA
This 14k gold Edwardian intaglio signet ring contains an esoteric image—a unique family crest with
Category

Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Roman Intaglio Carnelian Ring
Located in New Orleans, LA
crimson carnelian, more than a millennia-old, is set into a later 14K gold ring setting. Also known as
Category

15th Century and Earlier European Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Carnelian, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Napoleonic Era Antique Intaglio Gold Signet Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
22 x 17 mm intaglio is set in 18K gold neo-classical twisted bezel. The 14K gold shank is probably of
Category

Early 19th Century Neoclassical Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Carnelian, Gold

Antique Carnelian Intaglio 14k Gold Signet Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
DESIGNER: Unknown MATERIALS: 14k Yellow Gold GEMSTONE: Carnelian WEIGHT: 17.6 grams RING SIZE
Category

1890s Victorian Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Carnelian, 14k Gold

Victorian Classical Intaglio Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1890s, 14k. This classic seal-style ring is set with an exceptional intaglio-cut carnelian
Category

1890s Victorian Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Carnelian, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Seventeenth Century Intaglio Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
Sard intaglio of Athene holding Nike. The “large” intaglio is set in 15 ct gold ca 1820
Category

Late 18th Century British Georgian Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Gold

Antique Banded Agate and Yellow Gold Intaglio Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, impressive antique banded agate and 14 karat yellow gold intaglio signet ring; part
Category

1820s Unknown Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Agate, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Early Victorian 18 Karat Gold & Carnelian Intaglio Ring
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
This charming 18 karat gold ring has been set with an oval carnelian intaglio featuring the bust of
Category

19th Century European Victorian Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Carnelian, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

19th Century Intaglio 18 Karat Rose Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat rose gold. Antique ring, it is decorated with an intaglio on agate representing a
Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Agate, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Byzantine Architectural Gold Bishop Ring Set With intaglio
Located in Firenze, IT
A perfect quality, elegant, unique Byzantine architectural gold ring decorated with filigree and
Category

15th Century and Earlier Italian Byzantine Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Carnelian Intaglio Signet Ring in Yellow Gold
Located in London, GB
An antique carnelian intaglio signet ring made in 9k yellow gold. A true piece of history, this
Category

1880s Late Victorian Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Carnelian, Yellow Gold

18ct Gold Intaglio Signet Ring with Diamonds, 1919
Located in Glasgow, GB
An 18ct yellow gold signet ring, featuring the intaglio arms of The Burgh of Buckhaven, Methil and
Category

1910s British Modern Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Essex Crystal Reverse Intaglio Gold Dog Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
The domed round shape rock crystal reverse intaglio painted to depict a Yorkshire Terrier. Mounted
Category

1890s English Victorian Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Rock Crystal, Crystal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold

Late 18th Century Intaglio Later Gold Mounted Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
The oval carved carnelian measuring 2.3 x 1.7cm and depicting The silence, rub-over set in gold
Category

1790s Italian Neoclassical Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Carnelian, Gold, 18k Gold

Roman 22kt. gold ring with goat carnelian intaglio
Located in Braintree, GB
Roman 22kt. gold ring with goat carnelian intaglio. Circa 100 - 300 AD. A lovely carnelian stone
Category

15th Century and Earlier European Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Carnelian, Gold

Antique Gold Engraved Carnelian Cherub Eros Intaglio Ring Signet Ring
Located in London, GB
A striking gold ring, dating from the early 20th century. The figural shoulders are adorned with
Category

Early 20th Century Classical Roman Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

9k Gold

18th Century Glass Intaglio & 9 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
This unusual ring houses what is often referred to as a 'Tassie Glass' intaglio. The aubergine
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian Yellow Gold Carnelian Intaglio Signet Ring
Located in New York, NY
: Carved Carnelian 18 x 13 Measurements: 19.8 x 14.7 x 5.6 Ring Size: 9 Metal: 11k Yellow Gold BR-1486
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Carnelian, Yellow Gold

Antique Yellow Gold and Carnelian Intaglio Crest Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1890 - 1900 14k Yellow Gold Crest Ring, the top measuring 5/8 x 1/2 inch and is set with a
Category

Early 1900s American Edwardian Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Carnelian, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Ancient Gold Amethyst Engraved Scorpion Ring Early Javanese Intaglio Ring
Located in London, GB
This scarce gold intaglio ring dates to the Indonesian Classical period, circa 8th–10th century
Category

15th Century and Earlier Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Amethyst, 22k Gold

An Antique Gold Ring with an Intaglio of Asclepios
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An 14 carat yellow gold ring with an oval agate intaglio depicting Hippocrates or Asclepios - gold
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Agate, Gold, 14k Gold

Ancient Roman Gold Mens Signet Ring Conical Intaglio Ring Gem Carving
Located in London, GB
A superb ancient Roman agate intaglio ring. The high-karat gold signet ring is set with an engraved
Category

15th Century and Earlier Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Agate, 22k Gold

18 Karat signet ring - Intaglio ring - 18 K solid gold gentleman ring - patina
Located in Antwerp, BE
weight to it and therefore feels luxurious not to say royal. We believe that this intaglio ring is a
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Deco Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 18th Century Carnelian Intaglio Ring
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique 18th Century Carnelian Intaglio Ring Featuring Roman Emperor Septimus Severus Set in 18kt
Category

18th Century British Classical Roman Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Carnelian, 18k Gold

Antique 10K Yellow Gold 2 Ct Jade Carved Intaglio Ring
Located in New York, NY
A distinctive and elegant ring featuring a 2 carat jade stone with an intaglio carving. The ring
Category

1910s Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Jade, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Georgian Zeus Bloodstone Intaglio 14K Rose Gold Signet Ring
Located in New York, NY
Fine Georgian period early 19th century bloodstone and 14K Rose gold intaglio signet ring depicting
Category

19th Century English Georgian Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

14k Gold, Rose Gold

18th Century Garnet Intaglio Signet Ring
Located in London, GB
Rare Antique Late 18th Century Garnet Intaglio Signet Ring with Rose Cut Diamonds This fantastic
Category

Late 18th Century Neoclassical Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, 14k Gold, Silver

Ancient Roman Gold Mens Signet Ring Conical Intaglio Ring Gem Carving Jupiter
Located in Firenze, IT
A superb ancient Roman agate intaglio ring. The high-karat gold signet ring is set with an engraved
Category

15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Agate, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian 14k Gold Banded Agate Intaglio Signet Ring with Shield
Located in Venice, CA
Set in 14k gold, the banded agate intaglio ring is hand-carved with a unique image: a shield topped
Category

1880s European Victorian Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Agate, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Carnelian Intaglio Ring, Louis VIII
Located in New York, NY
Antique Carnelian Intaglio Ring from the mid to late 19th Century. Intricately and finely carved
Category

1870s French Victorian Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Carnelian, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver

Victorian Essex Crystal Reverse Intaglio Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
Past Sights Beautiful example of Victorian period Essex Crystal reverse intaglio ring depicting
Category

1860s European Victorian Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Crystal, 18k Gold

Victorian English Intaglio Crest Signet and 15KT Gold Snake Ring
Located in Wheaton, IL
Signet and 15Kt Yellow Gold Snake Ring! The ring boasts an oval family crest shield and foliate design
Category

Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Gold, 15k Gold

18kt Yellow Gold And Silver Intaglio Cupid Men's Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
Depicting Cupid riding a seahorse Top Lenght size 23mm Size 9 Weight : 34,19gr. Follow on instagram @bernardoantichita
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Yellow Gold, Silver

Ancient Roman Gold Ring with Diana Intaglio 2rd Century AD
Located in Firenze, IT
hunt. The intaglio is second century A.D. the 22ct gold mount later. Size of bezel is 18 mm x 11mm
Category

15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Carnelian, Gold, 22k Gold

Antique Intaglio Signet Ring solid 18K Gold Carnelian ØUS9.75/ 4gr
Located in SE
Signet Intaglio Ring with heraldic depiction of a Coat of Arms on Carnelian stone. Mural Wall on
Category

19th Century Finnish Empire Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Carnelian, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Ancient Greek Gold Intaglio Ring Circa 4th Century BC
Located in Chicago, IL
A unique, museum quality ancient Greek gold ring, circa 4th century BC, likely a wedding ring. The
Category

15th Century and Earlier Greek Classical Greek Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Victorian Moonstone Intaglio 14 Karat Yellow Gold Antique Belcher Unisex Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Austro-Hungarian assay marks for 14 karat gold Circa: 1880s; via hallmarks Ring Size: 9 and sizable
Category

1880s Victorian Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Moonstone, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian 14K Yellow Gold Antique Heraldic Crest Intaglio Unisex Signet Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
feathers Completed by a high polish finish Tested with partial stamps for 14 karat gold Circa: 1890s Ring
Category

1890s Victorian Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

French 19th Century Carnelian Intaglio 18 Karat Yellow Gold Signet Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
intaglio on carnelian bearing the initials "TH". The ring consists of 5 gold threads around its entire
Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Carnelian, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian 1860 Green Chalcedony 18K Gold Antique Heraldry Intaglio Signet Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
white with intaglio carving Depicting a heraldic crest with winged an flaming heart Above a scrolling
Category

1860s Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Chalcedony, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Edwardian Moonstone Diamond Platinum 18K Yellow Gold Antique Intaglio Halo Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
basket profile Completed by rounded gold shank Tested as platinum and 18 karat gold Circa: 1910 Ring Size
Category

1910s Edwardian Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Diamond, Moonstone, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring With Brown Glass Intaglio by 'Hecker'
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
lady. Ring size - 62/U Marked - unmarked but tests as 18 karat gold Total weight of piece - 6.55
Category

18th Century Italian Classical Roman Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

24kt. yellow gold carved amethyst intaglio ring with a woman's portrait
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique 19th century 24kt. yellow gold carved amethyst intaglio ring with a woman's portrait. Made
Category

19th Century European Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Yellow Gold

Antique 19th Century Carnelian Bearded Man Intaglio Ring Yellow Gold Portuguese
Located in Lisbon, PT
Antique 19th Century Carnelian Intaglio Ring in 19.2K yellow gold, Portugal, Hallmark and Maker’s
Category

19th Century Portuguese Late Victorian Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Carnelian, Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Georgian Style Bloodstone Intaglio Rose Gold Signet Ring, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Classic Georgian style antique bloodstone intaglio and 9K rose gold signet ring. Late 19th Century
Category

Late 19th Century British Georgian Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Rose Gold

Antique Georgian Sun in Splendour Carnelian Intaglio 14K Gold Signet Ring
Located in New York, NY
Fine large antique 14K yellow gold and carnelian Sun in Splendour intaglio Georgian signet ring
Category

19th Century English Georgian Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Carnelian, Gold, 14k Gold

Antique Gold Seljuk 12th Century Ring Carnelian Intaglio Kufic Islamic Signet
Located in London, GB
This incredible, rare gold ring dates from the 12th century Seljuk dynasty. The carnelian intaglio
Category

15th Century and Earlier Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Carnelian, Gold

Ancient Roman Gold Ring with Minerva Intaglio, 3rd-4th Century AD
Located in London, GB
Ancient Roman gold ring with Minerva intaglio. Set to centre with an oval hardstone intaglio in a
Category

15th Century and Earlier Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Gold

Antique Tiffany & Co. George Washington Crest Intaglio 14k Gold Signet Ring
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Exilus Acta Probat, George Washington Family Coat of Arms intaglio Tiffany & Co. 14K gold signet
Category

Late 19th Century Georgian Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 18K TB Starr Medusa Intaglio Ring
Located in Hummelstown, PA
influential jewelry firms in New York City at the time this ring was crafted, circa 1890. A carnelian intaglio
Category

1890s American Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Carnelian, 18k Gold

Antique 15K Gold Chalcedony Intaglio Ring "They Will Flourish" Hurst Family
Located in Hummelstown, PA
Originally a Victorian era fob converted in antiquity to a ring modeled in 15k gold, a luminous
Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

Chalcedony, 15k Gold

Antique Georgian Style 18K Yellow Gold Ochre Glass Baronet Intaglio Signet Ring
Located in New York, NY
Antique 19th century Georgian style 18K yellow gold ochre glass intaglio Baronet signet ring
Category

19th Century European Georgian Antique Intaglio Gold Ring

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

  • 1
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Antique Intaglio Gold Ring", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Antique Intaglio Gold Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact antique intaglio gold ring you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Every item for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using Gold, 18k Gold and 14k Gold. In our selection of items, you can find a vintage example as well as a contemporary version. Finding the perfect antique intaglio gold ring may mean sifting through those created during different time periods — you can find an early version that dates to the 18th Century and a newer variation that were made as recently as the 21st Century. There have been many well-made iterations of the classic antique intaglio gold ring over the years, but those made by Barry Brinker, Bailey, Banks & Biddle and De Maria fine&antique jewelry are often thought to be among the most beautiful. While most can agree that any antique intaglio gold ring from our collection can easily elevate most outfits, but the choice of a Carnelian version from the 21 available is guaranteed to add a special touch to your ensemble. See these pages for an oval cut iteration of this accessory, while there are also cabochon cut and round cut cut versions available here, too. Most of our antique intaglio gold ring for sale are for women, but there are 66 pieces available to browse for men.

How Much is a Antique Intaglio Gold Ring?

On average, an antique intaglio gold ring at 1stDibs sells for $1,650, while they’re typically $485 on the low end and $27,968 for the highest priced versions of this item.

Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship

Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself. 

Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.

Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany & Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.

For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany & Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.

Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.

In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so. 

Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.

Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle. 

BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.

A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in

Since Van Cleef & Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.

Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.

Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.

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 ringsvintage 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.