Antique Victorian Yellow Gold Amethyst Pearl & Rose Cut Diamond Mourning Ring
Located in New York, NY
A striking Victorian mourning ring crafted in yellow gold, rich with symbolism and antique character.
Amethyst, Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian Ring Coral Rose Cut Diamond 14 Karat Yellow Gold Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish vintage coral ring (circa 1880s to 1900s) crafted in 14 karat yellow gold. Cabochon cut coral measures 9mm, accented with 13 estimated 0.05 carat old rose cut diamonds. The...
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian 18K Gold Cabochon Sapphire Rose Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 18K Gold Cabochon Sapphire Rose Cut Diamond Engagement Ring.
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique Victorian Extra Wide Snake Ring 14k Rose Gold Garnet Sz 7 Fine Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed antique Victorian extra wide snake ring crafted in 14 karat & 10 karat rose gold (circa 1880s to 1900s).
Garnet, Gold, 10k Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Late Victorian 10K Yellow Gold Persian Turquoise & Rose-Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Denver, CO
This late Victorian ring features a trio of Persian turquoise cabochons arranged in a vertical row, accented by four rose-cut diamonds.
Diamond, Turquoise, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian 14K Rose Gold Wide Engraved Wedding Band
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 14K Rose Gold Wide Engraved Wedding Band.
Rose Gold
Antique Victorian 9 Karat Rose Gold Double-Heart Hairwork Mourning Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
#R0018 Metal: 9K Rose Gold Weight: 4.7 Grams Ring Size: 7.75 *Unfortunately this ring cannot be sized.
9k Gold
7.01ctw Rose Cut Diamond Victorian Style Floral Cocktail Ring in 18k Yellow Gold
By Artisan NYC
Located in New York, NY
Bold and Royal Looking Rosecut Diamond Ring in 18K Yellow Gold. With floral design on the sides and bright yellow pave diamonds around the big rose cut diamond and texture on the sha...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Antique Victorian Garnet Rose Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1890s The ring is crafted in platinum topped gold. It features a marquise shape cabochon cut garnet set in an elaborate openwork bezel embellished with rose cut diamonds. Len...
Diamond, White Diamond, Garnet, Gold, Platinum
$6,000Sale Price|20% Off
0.85 Carat High Victorian Rose Cut Diamond old Style Ring
By GEM PLAZA
Located in New York, NY
High Victorian Style Rose Cut Diamond old Ring 1 Rose Cut Diamond - 0.85 Carats 18 K Gold Emerald - 0.18 Carat size - 6
Diamond, 18k Gold
$9,040Sale Price|20% Off
0.46 Carat High Victorian Rose Cut Diamond old Style Ring
By GEM PLAZA
Located in New York, NY
High Victorian Style Rose Cut Diamond Ring 1 Rose Cut Diamond - 0.46 Carats Full Cut Diamond - 1.23 Carats Emerald - 0.19 Carat 18 K Gold
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique 18K Yellow Gold Three Sapphire & Rose-Cut Diamond Victorian Ring
Located in MONTMORENCY, FR
Technical Sheet: Period: Circa 1880–1900 (Victorian) Style: Three-Stone Victorian Ring Metal: 18K Yellow Gold (750‰) Gemstones: Three Sapphires (total ~1.00 ct); Four Rose-Cut Di...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,272Sale Price|25% Off
Victorian 18k Gold Top Silver Natural Rose Cut Diamond And Emerald Navette Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 4.9 grams. Total weight is diamond 0.10 ct. Totally is emerald about 0.40 ct. Ring size is US 8.2 We can make any size. Box is included. Plea...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Silver
Antique Victorian 18K Yellow Gold Silver Top Rose Cut and Ruby Floral Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 18K Yellow Gold Silver Top Rose Cut and Ruby Floral Ring.
White Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique Victorian Ring Diamond Pearl Blue Enamel 10k Rose Gold Signet Pinky 5
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed antique Victorian diamond & pearl ring (circa 1880s to 1900s), crafted in 10 karat rose gold. 21 small pearls are set into the mount.
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, 10k Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel
Victorian 1870 Operculum Carved Shell Memento Ring In 14Kt Yellow And Rose Gold
Located in Miami, FL
This is a very unusual memento carved cameo ring, carefully crafted with an oval shape in solid yellow and rose gold of 14 karats with polished finish.
Natural Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, 15k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
English Victorian Mourning Ring with Seed Pearls & Rose Cut Diamond
Located in Denver, CO
This Victorian era mourning ring features a rose cut diamond center stone measuring approximately 0.02 carat surrounded by four seed pearls set in a forget-me-not design.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique 1880s Victorian Rose Cut Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Cairo, EG
Antique victorian rose cut diamond ring in navette style centered with 3 large rose cut diamonds with total estimate diamond weight of 2.5 carats white color excellent spark set on b...
Victorian C. 1890s Antique GIA 1.09ct Pink Sapphire Solitaire 9K Rose Gold Ring
Located in New York, NY
Elegant simplicity well describes this exquisite and truly timeless solitaire Natural PINK SAPPHIRE ring which dates back to the C. 1890s, a late Victorian single Sapphire stone ring.
Pink Sapphire, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique 1880s Victorian Rose Cut Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Cairo, EG
Antique victorian era unuswal large ring head size with rose cut diamond estimate weight of 5 carats in floral design centered with a large rose cut diamond flanked with smaller rose...
Rose Gold Diamond Victorian Three-Stone Engagement Ring 14k Mine 1.50ctw Antique
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 5 1/2 Sizing Fee: Up 3 sizes for $60 or Down 2 sizes for $40 Era: Victorian Metal Content: 14k Rose Gold Stone Information Natural Diamonds Carat(s): 1.50ctw Cut: Old Mine ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
VICTORIAN Ring with coral and rose cut diamonds up to 0.40ct 14k gold 5.9 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k bicolor gold ring with coral and rose-cut diamonds up to approximately 0.40 ct G/H SI - ring size US 8 - EU 18.25 (57) Detailed description: The top of the ring is 2.7 cm wide ...
Coral, Diamond, 14k Gold
Victorian fancy yellow rose cut diamond 14k yellow cluster gold
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This enchanting Victorian diamond cluster ring from the 1880’s is a beautiful example of antique romance and hand-crafted charm.
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian Sapphire and Diamond Tricolor Yellow Rose White Gold Ring
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Antique 14K rose, yellow, and white gold ring with ribbed scroll sides featuring a sapphire center stone accented by three diamonds on each side. Marked: 585. Size: 7; can be sized. ...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Gold
Victorian Black Onyx Rose Cut Diamond Panel ring 18 KT
Located in Napoli, IT
This beautiful Black Onyx and Diamond ring is 1890 ca Skillful hand crafted throughout of solid 18 Kt gold with some silver portion Fantastic wide panel design expressed on a hand ca...
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Silver
Victorian ring with coral en rose cut diamonds up to 0.25ct 14k gold and silver
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k yellow gold and silver ring set with coral and rose diamonds up to 0.25ct – G/H – SI - ring size U.S. 6 – EU. 16.5(52) detailed description: The top of the ring is oval-shaped,...
Coral, Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver
Victorian Ruby Diamond Ring 18K Solid Gold
Located in EINDHOVEN, NB
Victorian Ruby Diamond Ring 18K Solid Gold Marquise cluster ring featuring a vivid natural ruby framed by glittering old cut diamonds. Crafted in solid 18K yellow gold, this antique...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
Affordable Antique Victorian Rose Cut Diamond & Pearl Engagement Ring
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
Condition: Good Era: Victorian Year: 1837-1900 Metal: 18k Yellow Gold Diamonds: (2) Carat Weight: 0.10 Total Cut: Rose Color: I-J Clarity: SI2 Gemstone: Cultured Pearl Creamy-White...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$8,952Sale Price|20% Off
Victorian Inspired 3.86 Carat Rose Cut Diamond Ring with Halo
Located in BEVERLY HILLS, CA
Vintage Victorian style rose cut diamond ring. Center oval rose cut diamond, 1.02ct but faces up like a 2.50ct diamond.
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Silver
4.5 Carat Aquamarine 24 Rose Cut Diamond Halo Ring Gold Victorian Cocktail
Located in New York, NY
The aqua is set in an engraved antique setting in 10 Karat Yellow Gold. The stunning rose cut diamonds are graduated around the ring.
Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 10k Gold
Victorian 1.0 Ct Rose Cut Diamond plus 18 KT/Silver Target ring
Located in Napoli, IT
This very pretty antique Victorian ring is 1880 circa. Italian origin. lovely Target design skilfully hand crafted during the time of solid 18 KT gold with silver portions, The ring ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
Rose Gold Turquoise Victorian Cluster Cocktail Ring 12k Cabochon Antique 5 3/4
Located in Greensboro, NC
Size: 5 3/4 Era: Victorian Metal Content: 12k Rose Gold Stone Information Natural Turquoise Treatment: Routinely Enhanced Cut: Round Cabochon Style: Cluster Cocktail Measuremen...
Turquoise, Rose Gold
1.06 Carat Diamond Rose Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Ring Size: 6.5 Metal Type: 14 karat Rose Gold[Tested] Weight: 2.5 grams Center Stone Details: Weight: 1.06 carat Cut: Old European Brilliant Color: Light Yellow [Q-R Color] Clarity:...
White Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Victorian Turquoise and Diamond Victorian Turquoise and Diamond Ring of 18k Gold
Located in Lewisburg, PA
A delicate and elegant Victorian ring from 1890–1900, centered with a vibrant turquoise cabochon surrounded by a finely proportioned halo of antique diamonds, all set in 18k gold. Th...
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold
Victorian 18K Yellow Gold Ruby and Rose Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1890s Item Details: Ring Size: 6.5 (Sizable) Metal Type: 18K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 3.7 grams Ruby Details: .30ct, Pinkish-Red Ruby, VS Clean, Natural ...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian 18K Gold and Silver Rose Cut Diamond and Opal Engagement Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 18K Gold and Silver Rose Cut Diamond and Opal Engagement Ring.
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Victorian 18KT Gold Ceylon Sapphire & Rose Cut Diamond Three-Stone Ring
Located in Braintree, GB
A classic Victorian three-stone ring crafted in solid 18KT yellow gold, centred with a natural unheated Ceylon sapphire of rich blue colour.
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
Victorian 18kt Gold Solitaire Ring with Diamonds
Located in Aventura, FL
This late Victorian-era ring is a stunning blend of elegance and craftsmanship, expertly crafted in 18kt yellow and white gold.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian Solid Gold Old Mine Rose Cut Diamond Oval Swirl Platter Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
Material: Solid 18K Yellow Gold Weight: 4.06 Grams Ring Size: 7.5 (Fitted on a finger.
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Opal Cabochon 14 Karat Rose Gold Antique Three Stone Floral Band Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering three oval-shaped opal cabochons flush set east to west Graduating in size from 4.0 x 6.0 mm to 5.0 x 7.0 mm White body color with spectral play-of-color With engraved ga...
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Gothic "S" Onyx Gold Initial Ring Victorian
Located in Wallkill, NY
Early Initial ring S 10K Gold. Onyx base. The Ring is a size 9 it can be size by your jeweler or us. This is out of a massive collection of Hopi, Zuni, Navajo, Southwestern, sterling...
Onyx, Gold, 10k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique diamond sapphire 18k rose gold ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A delicate and charming antique ring that beautifully captures the romance of early 20th century design. Set with a thoughtful arrangement of old European cut diamonds, rose cut diam...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique diamond sapphire 18k rose gold ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A delicate and charming antique ring that beautifully captures the romance of early 20th century design. Set with a thoughtful arrangement of old European cut diamonds, rose cut diam...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Victorian Diamond Pearl Gold Ring and Earrings Set
Located in Napoli, NA
A gorgeous Victorian perfectly preserved suite, composed of clip-on earrings and ring, set with rose-cut diamonds and mother of pearls, mounted in 12k rose Gold.
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
Early French Victorian (19th Century) Cluster Rose and Table Cut Diamond Ring
Located in OVIEDO, AS
Antique Early French Victorian (19th Century) Cluster Rose Cut and Table Cut Diamond Ring Hand made antique cluster diamond ring with parts in solid 9K Gold with and top of the o...
Diamond, 10k Gold, Silver
Antique Victorian 18k Gold Oval Cabochon Sapphire Old Rose Cut Diamond Halo Ring
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (1) Natural Genuine Sapphire - Oval Cabochon Cut - Prong Set - Slightly Greenish Dark Blue Color - 7.8x6.1mm (approx.) (12) Natural Genuine Diamonds - Old Rose Cut - Fi...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18ct Gold Sapphire And Pearl Victorian Antique Engagement Ring Rose Gold.
Located in London, GB
18ct Gold Sapphire And Pearl Victorian Antique Engagement Ring Rose Gold.
Pearl, Sapphire
Antique 18 karat solid gold flower ring - Victorian Floral engagement ring
Located in Antwerp, BE
For sale is antique yellow gold ring which stole our hearts the minute we laid eyes on her. This marvellous floral ring is made in 18K yellow gold, marked with a 0,750 mark and set w...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique 18 karat solid gold flower ring - Victorian Floral engagement ring
Located in Antwerp, BE
For sale is antique flower shaped ring which stole our hearts the minute we laid eyes on her. This marvellous floral ring is made in 18 karat solid yellow gold and set with little bu...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late Victorian Floral 9 Carat Rose Gold Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This beautifully decorative 9ct rose gold band features stunning floral style engraving. Made in Chester, England. Ring Size: O or 7 1/4 Band Width: 7mm Weight: 3.4g
Gold
Gothic "S" Onyx 10K Gold Initial Ring Victorian
Located in Wallkill, NY
Early Initial ring S 10K Gold. Onyx base. The Ring is a size 9 it can be size by your jeweler or us. This is out of a massive collection of jewelry and fine jewelry from one collecto...
Onyx, Gold, 10k Gold, Rose Gold
3 Stone Moonstone Victorian Ring c1899 Fine Antique Jewelry 9k Rose Gold Sz 5.75
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish antique Victorian 3 stone moonstone ring (circa 1899) crafted in 9 karat yellow gold.
Moonstone, Gold, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
Gold Abalone Floral Ring, Rose, Green and Yellow Gold
Located in Wallkill, NY
Lovely Elongated Abalone set in a 10K Tricolored Gold setting. Floral motif on each side of the shank. Ring is a size 5.5 and can be sized by us or your jeweler. Be sure to check our...
10k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
GIA Certified 1.46 Carat Diamond Rose Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Ring Size: 6.75 Metal Type: 14 Karat Rose Gold Weight: 3.7 grams Center Diamond Details GIA CERTIFIED Center Diamond - Certificate # 2191045166 Shape: Rose Cut Carat...
White Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Victorian Turquoise and Rose Cut Diamond 9 Carat Gold Cluster Locket Back Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This beauty has an incredibly decorative 9ct gold shank and a locket back on the underside of the cluster. Sat on top of the swirling detail is a cluster of five bright turquoise and...
Turquoise, Diamond, Gold
Antique 14ct Gold Victorian Oval Faceted Amethyst Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Amethyst Ring 14ct Yellow & Rose Gold Tested Circa 1880 A fabulous, Victorian dress ring.
Amethyst, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
2.09 Carat Ruby and Rose Cut Diamond 14 Karat Rose Gold Cocktail Ring
By Roshe Jewels
Located in Los Angeles, CA
2.09 Carat Ruby and Rose Cut Diamond 14 Karat Rose Gold Cocktail Ring A real statement piece - Ruby and Rose Cut Diamond Cocktail Ring in 14 Karat Rose Gold!
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
The reign of Queen Victoria encapsulates a quickly evolving period of history — and jewelry styles were no exception. No single period has seen such a diverse group of jewelry attributed to it than the Victorian era. Today, there is a vast collection of authentic antique Victorian jewelry and watches on 1stDibs.
Victorian jewelry is named after Queen Victoria, whose reign lasted from 1837 to 1901, making her the second longest-ruling monarch. (She was surpassed by Queen Elizabeth II in 2015.) During this time, different styles of fashion and jewelry came and went. Thanks to our fascination with royalty and swoon-worthy melodramas like Netflix’s The Crown — which is rife with evocative fashion, jewelry and interiors — and the 2017 feature film Victoria & Abdul, we are all familiar with her story. After the death of Victoria’s father and three childless uncles, she ascended to the throne at age 18. In 1840, Queen Victoria married the love of her life, her first cousin Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.
Queen Victoria loved serpentine jewels, and she had even more power to shape trends than Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle do today. The British monarch’s best-known piece in this mold is the gold coiled-snake engagement ring she received from Prince Albert — the sinuous reptile was considered a symbol of everlasting love.
The Queen's 63-year reign has been divided by historians into the Romantic period, the early happy years, circa 1837–60; the Grand period, marked by the deaths of the Queen’s mother and husband, circa 1860–80; and the late Victorian or Aesthetic period, which lasted from about 1880 until 1901 and ushered in the Belle Époque. Queen Victoria wore her heart on her sleeve, and her fashion and jewelry reflected her emotions.
Romantic period jewelry, which featured common decorative motifs and was embellished with seed pearls, coral and turquoise, was a celebration of the young monarch’s love. Everything changed with the death of Prince Albert, and the Grand period is most often associated with mourning jewelry. Jewelry was smaller, lighter and more dainty during the late Victorian period. During this era, diamonds came into fashion, and semiprecious gems such as amethysts and opals became prevalent, too. Using gemstones for their natural beauty and not their worth was something that jewelers of the era felt passionate about, and this ideology would really become relevant in Art Nouveau jewelry.
Find a collection of authentic antique Victorian jewelry — from rings, necklaces and brooches to a range of other accessories — on 1stDibs.
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.
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.
Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.
Will your beloved be enchanted by an Edwardian ring or a trendy Art Deco piece? We clue you into period styles and tips for finding the perfect ring.