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0.50ct Jelly Opal Poison Ring in Sterling Silver
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: This poison ring has a round Ethiopian jelly opal set in sterling silver. Circa
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Opal, Sterling Silver

Art Deco Style Carre Cut Ruby White Diamond Yellow Gold "Poison" Ring
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
Sapphires or Emeralds. This Ring is a Poison Ring inspired by Art Deco. Size ITA: 15 Size USA: 7 1/4
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Blue Sapphire and Multi-Diamond Poison Ring in 12 Karat Gold and Silver
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
poison ring, a true testament to craftsmanship and mystery. At its heart lies a bold dome-shaped design
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Brown Diamond, Diamond, Sterling Silver, Silver...

Temple St Clair Poison Ring In 18Kt Gold With 11.10 Ctw Diamonds And Moonstone
By Temple St. Clair
Located in Miami, FL
Cocktail poison ring designed by Temple St. Claire. Gorgeous and rare ring created by the jewelry
Category

1990s Italian Modernist Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Moonstone, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1935 Nordic Poison Ring Garnet solid 18K Gold Ø7.25 US /4.8gr
Located in SE
Poison Ring in solid 18K Yellow Gold with crown being a hidden compartment 13 mm x 11 mm x 5.5 mm
Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Hematite, 18k Gold

1838 Antique Poison Ring Garnet solid 18K Gold Ø 2.75 US / 0.95gr
Located in SE
Old Poison Ring in solid 18K Yellow Gold with a hinged compartment on the crown. Hand- engraved
Category

Antique 1830s Swedish Baroque Revival Cocktail Rings

Materials

Garnet, 18k Gold

1946 Poison Ring natural 1ct Green Sapphire Garnets solid 18K Gold Ø US6.5 / 5gr
Located in SE
Poison Ring in solid 18K Yellow Gold with Flower crown decorated with natural Green Sapphire 6.5 mm
Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Garnet, Green Sapphire, 18k Gold

Wendy Brandes "Poison Ring" 18K Gold and Diamond Locket Cufflinks
By Wendy Brandes
Located in New York, NY
. Tradition has it that she was a notorious poisoner and kept her vices inside locket-style rings. Wendy
Category

2010s American Contemporary Cufflinks

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold

Victorian 18 Karat Yellow Gold Opal Poison Cocktail Ring
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is a Victorian poison ring crafted in 18K yellow gold. Circa 1890. The piece features
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

19th Century Vintage Historic Mixed Metal Bishop Ring
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
a secret compartment at the top, (often termed a Poison Ring) which is lined with red velvet.. This
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Unknown Fashion Rings

Materials

Mixed Metal

Victorian Styled Locket Design Ring with Rotating Synthetic Stones
Located in Palm Beach, FL
attractive poison ring is a size 4 1/2.
Category

Mid-20th Century Victorian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold

Georgian Snake Poison Locket Pendant Mourning Garnet Antique Gold 1800 Rare
Located in New York, NY
ever seen. The following is a description of poison rings: A poison ring or pillbox ring is a type
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Georgian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Garnet, Gold, 14k Gold

Vintage 1970s 9K Yellow Gold Teardrop Shaped Engraved Locket Ring
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
Victorian era and are often referred to as ‘poison’ rings. Photographs or small mementos could be placed
Category

Late 20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

9k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian 9K Yellow Gold Oval Engraved Locket Ring
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
compartment. Rings like this were popular in the Victorian era and are often referred to as ‘poison’ rings
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

9k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 18k gold Mourning locket ring, Black enamel, Diamond and Pearl
Located in NEWARK, GB
designed it is also a hinged locket face, opening up much like the old infamous poison ring design
Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Pearl, Diamond, Enamel, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

Sapphire and Diamond Vintage Style Poison Locket Ring in 9k Yellow Gold
Located in Bangkok, TH
This exquisite ring is crafted from 9k yellow gold. Featuring a natural blue sapphire and round
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold

Emerald Brilliant Ring Tiger's Eye Poison Green Emerald Navettes in Dome Head
Located in Viena, Viena
, rubbed into the domed ring head and surrounded by full-cut pavee Brilliants total approx. 0.58 ct, TW-W
Category

2010s European Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

White Diamond White Gold Snake Ring Cocktail Ring J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
White Diamond 14 K White Gold Snake Ring Cocktail Ring J DAUPHIN "Poison Ivy" This is a J DAUPHIN
Category

2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

White Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold, Gold

Floral Tsavorite Moonstone Ring fantastic Combination 21x19 mm handmade in Italy
Located in Viena, Viena
combination in poison green and moonlight, ring in the shape of a large flower, in the middle a fine
Category

2010s Italian Modern Band Rings

Materials

Moonstone, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Pillbox Ring Vintage 14k Yellow Gold Onyx Jewelry Opens Secret Compartment
Located in Torrance, CA
Elaborate vintage large poison or pillbox ring (circa 1950s to 1960s), crafted in 14 karat yellow
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Onyx, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Yellow Raw Orthoclase in 14kt Rose Gold Filled Cocktail & Statement One off Ring
By Sheila Westera London
Located in Engelberg, CH
‘Poison’ … is a powerful and fabulous cocktail ring for all occasions! She is different, elegant
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

14k Gold, Gold-filled, Rose Gold

Poison Ring Grande Full Pavé Sterling Silver
Located in Park City, UT
Description Poison Pave Ring with 19mm Diamonds set in Sterling Silver. Details Sterling Silver
Category

2010s Fashion Rings

Poison Ring Grande Full Pavé Rose Gold
Located in Park City, UT
Description Poison Pave Ring with 19mm Diamonds set in 14k Rose or Yellow Gold Details 14k Rose
Category

2010s Fashion Rings

Sharon Khazzam 18 Karat Yellow Gold and White Diamond Shimmee Poison Ring
By Sharon Khazzam
Located in Great Neck, NY
Poison Shimmee® Ring A cushion-shaped ring, sculpted from eighteen-karat yellow gold to emulate a
Category

2010s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 8ct Gold Baltic Amber Poison Ring Art Deco c1920 333 Purity
Located in Camelford, GB
GOLD ART DECO AMBER BULLET STATEMENT RING DETAILS Material: 8ct 333/000 Thick Yellow Gold This ring
Category

20th Century German Art Deco Signet Rings

Materials

Amber, Gold, 9k Gold

BOUCHERON Blackened Gold and Ruby Secret Ring
By Boucheron
Located in Southampton, NY
Made of blackened 18K gold and densely set with vivid red rubies, this Boucheron “poison” ring has
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary More Rings

Materials

Ruby, 18k Gold

Brutalist Chamber Ring in 18 Karat Yellow and White Gold, Citrine and Diamonds
By William Llewellyn Griffiths
Located in Melbourne, Vic
stunning brutalist twist on the poison rings of old. It features a latched chamber fashioned from 5 vibrant
Category

2010s Australian Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Citrine, Yellow Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold

Antique Poison Locked Ring in 10 Karat
Located in Houston, TX
Antique poison locked ring in 10k, solid rose and yellow gold. It’s Swivel (Movable), both sides
Category

Antique Early 18th Century British Victorian More Rings

Materials

Agate, 10k Gold

Mexican Sterling Silver Amethyst Cabochon Poison Cocktail Ring
Located in New York, NY
Gorgeous ornate Taxco, Mexico sterling silver and amethyst cabochon poison box ring. Lovely flowers
Category

Vintage 1950s Mexican Artisan Dome Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Sterling Silver

Victorian Natural Untreated Red Spinel Rare Secret Locket Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
So Rare to Treasure! This very unusual Victorian ring attracts for beauty of the mount and
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Spinel, 14k Gold

Aristocrat Custom .86ctw Pave Diamonds & Natural Carved African Malachite Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
benefits the brain. Counteracts poisoning. This ring is a one of a kind Aristocrat Jewelry Collection
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Malachite, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

9 Karat Gold and Garnet Poison Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1980s 9K Yellow Gold Poison Ring, centrally set with a Fine color Cabochon Garnet measuring
Category

Vintage 1980s British More Rings

Materials

Garnet, 10k Gold

Very Rare Victorian Gold, Enamel & Emerald Poison Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Highly unusual Victorian era "poison" ring. Composed of 18 karat yellow gold, enamel & green
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Emerald, 18k Gold

Sterling Silver 18K Gold Rhodocrosite Poison Ring
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Sterling Silver 18K Gold Rhodocrosite Poison Ring Measurements: Size 8 1/2. 13/16 inches wide
Category

20th Century Fashion Rings

Materials

Rhodocrosite, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver

1.0 Carat Ruby Diamond Yellow Gold Poison Ring
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
yellow Gold. This is a poison ring inspired by Renaissance Style. Size ITA: 15 Size USA: 7 1/4 We're a
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Renaissance Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold

Marcus & Co. Egyptian Revival Emerald Gold Poison Ring
By Marcus & Co.
Located in New York, NY
An antique Egyptian Revival poison ring, surmounted by a faceted lozenge-shaped emerald and flanked
Category

Antique 1890s American Egyptian Revival More Rings

Materials

Emerald, 18k Gold

Art Nouveau Foil Back Amethyst Poison Ring
Located in Narberth, PA
underneath the amethyst which is hinged at the top and flips open. Referred to as a "poison ring", the small
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, 14k Gold

Wendy Brandes 18K Yellow Gold and Diamond Locket "Poison" Ring
By Wendy Brandes
Located in New York, NY
poison inside the secret compartments in her rings. Wendy's version of Borgia's signature "poison ring
Category

2010s American Contemporary Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Style Carre Cut Ruby White Diamond Yellow Gold "Poison" Ring
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
. This Ring is a Poison Ring inspired by Art Deco. Size ITA: 15 Size USA: 7 1/4 We're a workshop so
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Style Carre Cut Ruby White Diamond Yellow Gold "Poison" Ring
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
. This Ring is a Poison Ring inspired by Art Deco. Size ITA: 15 Size USA: 7 1/4 We're a workshop so
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Style Carre Cut Ruby White Diamond Yellow Gold "Poison" Ring
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
Sapphires or Emeralds. This Ring is a Poison Ring inspired by Art Deco. Size ITA: 15 Size USA: 7 1/4
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Yellow Gold Signet Poison Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1910 14k Yellow Gold Signet Ring with hinged top Poison compartment. The top of the ring
Category

Vintage 1910s American Signet Rings

Materials

14k Gold

Antique 22k Gold & Diamond Poison Ring
Located in San Francisco, CA
to hold poison or snuff. Simply unscrew the top diamond to detach the tiers and open it up! The ring
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Asian Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, 22k Gold

A Georgian Sapphire Diamond Poison Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
The bezel shaped as a hinged cluster set with an oval cut sapphire and rose cut diamond revealing a small secret compartment, to a foliate trifurcated shoulders, mounted in silver an...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Sterling Silver, Yellow Gold

Late 18th Century Italian Gold Poison Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
Ring engraved on the front with a noble coat of arms which we have managed to trace back to the
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Italian Fashion Rings

Materials

Gold

Late 18th Century Enamel Gold Poison Ring
Located in Firenze, IT
Ring composed of a plant design decorated with white, blue and black enamel with a flap compartment
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Engagement Rings

Materials

Gold, Enamel

Codognato Enamel Diamonds Gold Skull Poison Ring
By Attilio Codognato
Located in Firenze, IT
Renaissance style Memento Mori skull ring made with champleve multi colored enamels.With a secret
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Late 18th Century Enamel Gold Poison Ring Circa 1790's
Located in Firenze, IT
Ring composed of a plant design decorated with white, blue and black enamel with a flap compartment
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Engagement Rings

Materials

Gold, Enamel

Art Deco Platinum Rose Cut Blue Sapphire Emerald Diamond Pill Box Poison Ring
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Platinum pill box ring with large antique rose cut blue sapphire, emeralds and diamonds, possibly
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Antique French Guilloche Enamel Locket Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
of rings is also known as poison rings. The shoulders are finely chased with stylized flowers and
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Wendy Brandes 18K Gold, Diamond, Sapphire Locket Ring With Skull Hidden Inside
By Wendy Brandes
Located in New York, NY
rightful ruler of the kingdom of Castile in the 16th century. The locket ring -- also known as a poison
Category

2010s American Contemporary Signet Rings

Materials

Sapphire, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Rhodium, Gold

Vintage 1970s 9K Yellow Gold Teardrop Shaped Engraved Locket Ring
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
Victorian era and are often referred to as ‘poison’ rings. Photographs or small mementos could be placed
Category

Late 20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

9k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Egyptian Revival Poison Swivel Scarab Motif Ring
Located in New York, NY
An Art Deco Egyptian Revival poison swivel ring in the form of a scarab, in 18k gold. France
Category

Vintage 1920s French Egyptian Revival More Rings

Materials

18k Gold

Sapphire & Pearl Poison Pill Box Ring in 14K Yellow Gold
Located in Towson, MD
One 14 karat yellow gold poison/pill box ring adorned with four (4) 3mm blue sapphires and three (3
Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 18 Karat Yellow Gold Monogram Signet Poison Hidden Compartment Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a signet style ring with an oval face engraved with script initials 'M S Y' Face is
Category

Vintage 1910s Engagement Rings

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Stephen Webster Poison Ivy Threesome Quartz Diamond Gold Ring
By Stephen Webster
Located in Southampton, PA
This decadent ring from Stephen Webster is bold and beautiful- perfect for a fashion-forward lady
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Quartz, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Stephen Webster Poison Ivy 18 Karat Gold Full Diamond Pave Openwork Cocktail
By Stephen Webster
Located in Southampton, PA
With an eye-catching design inspired by the intriguing beauty of poison ivy, this fabulous ring
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

HM London 1863 18K Poison Ring
Located in Baltimore, MD
This is a classic original poison ring, yes you read that right! Poison rings have a long and murky
Category

Antique 1860s British Victorian More Rings

Materials

18k Gold

Antique Etruscan Revival Diamond Poison Ring
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
A brilliant and unique Etruscan Revival poison ring from the Victorian era. Made of 18 karat yellow
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Gold and Onyx Snuff or Poison Ring
Located in US
Victorian Gold and Onyx Snuff or Poison Ring Purity of gold is unknown
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Fashion Rings

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Poison Ring For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact poison ring you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Frequently made of Gold, 18k Gold and Yellow Gold, this item was constructed with great care. You can easily find a 23 antique edition and 10 modern creations to choose from as well. You’re likely to find the perfect poison ring among the distinctive items we have available, which includes versions made as long ago as the 19th Century as well as those produced as recently as the 21st Century. As it relates to this specific piece, our collection includes designs that are universally popular, but carat weights, specifically, are sought with frequency. A poison ring from Stephen Webster, William Llewellyn Griffiths and Luigi Ferrara — each of whom created a beautiful version of this treasured accessory — is worth considering. Take a look at a poison ring featuring Diamond from our inventory today to add the perfect touch to your look. An emerald cut version of this piece has appeal, but there are also round cut and square cut versions for sale. Most of our poison ring for sale are for women, but there are 17 pieces available to browse for men.

How Much is a Poison Ring?

On average, a poison ring at 1stDibs sells for $4,356, while they’re typically $495 on the low end and $42,000 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.

Questions About Poison Ring
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A poison ring features a small container built into the ring and concealed behind a hinged lid. It was rumored to be used to hold toxic substances to kill enemies, but could also be used to hold relics or a small amount of perfume, a lock of hair or other small treasures. On 1stDibs, find a selection of poison rings.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Poison rings, also known as pillbox rings, grew in popularity in Europe during the 16th century. There is no known date for the introduction of the poison ring. However, it originated in the Far East and India. Today, the poison ring carries small amounts of liquids. Shop a range of antique poison rings on 1stDibs.