Seventeenth Century Ring
Antique Late 18th Century British Georgian Signet Rings
Gold
Antique Late 18th Century Italian Georgian Signet Rings
Diamond, Amethyst, Silver, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Antique Late 17th Century British Engagement Rings
Gold
Antique 17th Century English Band Rings
Gold
Antique 16th Century Italian Renaissance Fashion Rings
Agate, Rose Gold
Antique Late 17th Century European Stuart Signet Rings
Silver
Antique Late 17th Century Italian Renaissance More Rings
Agate, Gold
Antique 17th Century Italian Baroque Cluster Rings
Rock Crystal, Gold
Antique Late 17th Century English Band Rings
Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 18th Century English Band Rings
Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Mid-18th Century English Band Rings
Gold
Antique Early 18th Century English Band Rings
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Fashion Rings
Gold, 18k Gold
Antique Early 1900s Solitaire Rings
Yellow Gold
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Antique Early 19th Century British George III Drop Earrings
Aquamarine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 18th Century British George III Fashion Rings
Agate, Rose Gold
2010s Central American Evening Dresses
Antique 1820s Unknown Georgian More Rings
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Engagement Rings
Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Evening Dresses and G...
2010s American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Antique Late 18th Century Italian Signet Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Fashion Rings
Garnet, 14k Gold
Antique 16th Century British Renaissance More Rings
Rock Crystal, 22k Gold
Late 20th Century Engagement Rings
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1950s American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Greek Pendant Necklaces
Topaz, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique Late 18th Century French Georgian Solitaire Rings
Garnet, Gold
Antique 1870s Unknown Victorian Band Rings
Agate, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Recent Sales
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Signet Rings
9k Gold
2010s Dutch Bridal Rings
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique 17th Century English Band Rings
Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Georgian Signet Rings
Chalcedony, 18k Gold
Antique 17th Century English Band Rings
Gold
Antique 18th Century English Band Rings
Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 17th Century English Band Rings
Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 17th Century English Band Rings
Gold
Antique Late 17th Century English Band Rings
Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 17th Century English Band Rings
Gold
Antique 1650s English Stuart Cluster Rings
Silver, 18k Gold
Antique Late 17th Century English Band Rings
Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 18th Century English Band Rings
Gold
Antique Mid-17th Century Cocktail Rings
Pearl, Enamel, Gold
Antique Mid-18th Century Unknown Baroque Cluster Rings
Diamond, Spinel, Gold, Silver, 18k Gold
Antique Early 18th Century English Stuart Signet Rings
Rock Crystal, Gold
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Charm Bracelets
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s Italian Contemporary Signet Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 17th Century English Stuart More Rings
Crystal, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold
Antique 1660s British Renaissance Signet Rings
Silver
Antique Early 19th Century European Georgian Engagement Rings
Diamond
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Solitaire Rings
9k Gold
Seventeenth Century Ring For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Seventeenth Century 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, wedding rings have a long history, stretching back to ancient Egypt. The first diamond engagement ring was created in 1477 by Archduke Maximillian of Austria. Browse a wide array of vintage and contemporary wedding rings on 1stDibs.
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