Rings
20th Century Thai Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Antique Rings
Emerald, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century European Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century European Art Deco Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
20th Century Thai Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century European Edwardian Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
1930s European Art Deco Vintage Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century English Art Nouveau Rings
Pearl, Sapphire, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century English Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
20th Century Retro Rings
Diamond, White Gold
20th Century Unknown Rings
Yellow Gold
20th Century Rings
Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century European Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century European Art Deco Rings
Diamond, Platinum
20th Century Thai Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
1910s Dutch Art Nouveau Vintage Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Late 20th Century French Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Thai Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century European Victorian Rings
22k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century European Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1970s Spanish Vintage Rings
Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Scandinavian Modernist Vintage Rings
Diamond, Jade, 14k Gold
20th Century Thai Rings
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1920s American Art Deco Vintage Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century European Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Late 20th Century European Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Mid-20th Century American Modern Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
1990s Italian Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Italian Rings
Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Dutch Retro Vintage Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century French Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century European Rings
Amethyst, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Asian Rings
Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century European Art Deco Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Modernist Rings
Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Italian Contemporary Vintage Rings
Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold
1960s Swedish Retro Vintage Rings
Topaz, 18k Gold
1960s British Modern Vintage Rings
Malachite, Gold
20th Century Art Deco Rings
Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century European Rings
Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
20th Century Contemporary Rings
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
20th Century Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century English Art Deco Rings
Sapphire, Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold, Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Swedish Retro Vintage Rings
Hematite, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Spanish Rings
Amethyst, Spinel, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century British Art Deco Rings
Diamond, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
1970s Modern Vintage Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Rings
Garnet, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Victorian Antique Rings
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
1920s European Art Deco Vintage Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
Mid-20th Century European Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Mid-20th Century English Rings
Diamond, Garnet, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Swedish Retro Vintage Rings
Onyx, 18k Gold
1920s European Art Deco Vintage Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century European Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
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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