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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 ExpertJanuary 23, 2024The biggest reason why you should wear a sapphire ring is because you like the appearance of the gemstone. Sapphires come in a wide range of colors, from blue to clear to pink to yellow, so there are hues to suit a variety of tastes. In terms of durability, sapphires are one of the hardest gemstones, so they can be an excellent choice of stone if you want a ring that you can wear on a regular basis. Plus, some people assign symbolic meanings to sapphires, associating them with loyalty, wisdom, strength and kindness. Explore a diverse assortment of sapphire rings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2023What sapphire symbolizes in a wedding ring is up to interpretation. Traditionally, sapphire has been associated with sincerity, honesty and fidelity. As a result, many people believe that sapphire wedding rings represent taking one's wedding vows seriously. Others think that sapphires mean good fortune or associate them with September birthdays, as the gemstone is the birthstone for that month. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of sapphire wedding rings.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2023Yes, it's okay to have a sapphire engagement ring. Many people associate sapphires with commitment and romance, making them a meaningful gemstone for bridal jewelry. Famously, Prince William presented Kate Middleton with a 12-carat oval blue sapphire ring for their engagement. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of sapphire rings.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 14, 2023What a sapphire wedding ring symbolizes varies depending on the person. Some people associate sapphires with loyalty and commitment. Others believe they represent wealth and power. In addition, sapphire is the birthstone for September, so it can represent being born during the ninth month of the year. It's also common not to assign any special symbolic meaning to a sapphire ring and to choose it as a wedding ring simply because of how it looks. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of sapphire wedding rings.
- Is white sapphire a good ring?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 14, 2023Yes, white sapphire can be a good ring. Many people love the appearance and sparkle of white sapphires and consider them an affordable alternative to diamonds. Sapphires also rate a 9 out of 10 on the Mohs scale, making them one of the most scratch- and breakage-resistant gemstones. On 1stDibs, shop a large collection of white sapphire rings.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 27, 2023What a men's sapphire ring means is open to personal interpretation. Traditionally, sapphires symbolize royalty and wealth. Some people also associate the gemstone with loyalty and fidelity, making sapphire rings popular choices for wedding bands. A sapphire ring may also indicate that a man was born in September, as the gemstone is the birthstone for the month. Shop a selection of men's sapphire rings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021A sapphire engagement ring symbolizes faithfulness and sincerity. The stone itself can also symbolize wisdom, good fortune, virtue, and holiness. Find a collection of sapphire engagement rings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A sapphire wedding ring symbolizes honesty, sincerity and faithfulness. It is also believed to bring about good fortune to help keep the marriage strong and healthy. You can shop a collection of expertly vetted jewelry from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Vera Wang adds sapphires to her rings because the blue sapphire is a symbol of everlasting love. Adding this signature stone to her jewelry in the Love collection and other lines gives them an iconic look that’s instantly recognizable as Vera Wang. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic Vera Wang jewelry from some of the world’s top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 14, 2023
Whether or not a sapphire ring is a good investment will depend upon a range of factors such as condition, rarity and more. Although blue Kashmirs are considered the most valuable, sapphires come in every color except red. (Kashmir is the birthplace of the most famous sapphires.) According to the Geological Institute of America, the stones from this mountainous region on the India-Pakistan border display a potent combination of a rich, intense blue color and a soft and velvety appearance.
Sapphires can be colorless, or white, although examples are very rare, since the corundum from which they are formed has to have been untouched by any other element. Non-blue colored sapphires are referred to as “fancy sapphires” and can be pink, purple, orange, yellow or green. The rarest, and the most valuable, fancy sapphire is the pinkish-orange padparadscha (from the Sinhalese word for “lotus blossom”).
Determining the value of any collectible depends upon a variety of aspects. In the case of assessing the value of an antique or vintage sapphire ring, as with other gems, the 4Cs are crucial. The 4Cs is the grading system established by the GIA to determine how precious stones are evaluated. The 4Cs are color, clarity, cut and carat weight. The most desirable cut is the one that shows to best advantage the particular stone’s individual combination of color, clarity, and brilliance.
At 1stDibs, we believe in buying what you love. Our shopping experience enables discovery and learning, whether you are a seasoned connoisseur or just beginning your collection. Buyers should keep in mind that the value of any investment is subject to fluctuation, and any investment decisions should be made according to the guidance of a financial advisor. Find a range of antique and vintage sapphire rings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022No, not all rings or jewelry by Vera Wang include a blue sapphire, but all of the engagement rings in the Love collection do have a blue sapphire, and many other items in different collections feature this gem. The blue sapphire is a symbol of everlasting love and creates an iconic look. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic Vera Wang jewelry from some of the world’s top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertDecember 4, 2023No, it is not weird to have a sapphire engagement ring. Although many people think of diamonds as the go-to stones for engagement rings, others prefer alternatives. Sapphires are hard gems that resist scratching and cleavage, making them a durable choice for engagement jewelry. They also come in a variety of colors, like blue, clear, red and yellow, so there are options to suit many tastes. Many celebrities have worn sapphire engagement rings, including Kate Middleton, Elizabeth Taylor, Victoria Beckham and Gwyneth Paltrow. On 1stDibs, shop a wide range of sapphire engagement rings.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 6, 2023How long a sapphire ring will last depends largely on how well you care for it. If you remove your ring before performing activities that could cause it to become scratched, such as applying skin care products or working with household chemicals� a sapphire ring can last for many years. Regularly inspecting your ring to ensure that the setting is still tight is also important for ensuring that your ring stands the test of time. Find a collection of sapphire gemstone rings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 6, 2023Yes, sapphires are good for wedding rings. Sapphires come in a variety of colors, from clear to blue to yellow to pink, giving you a wide range of options from which to choose. Although they aren't as hard as diamonds, sapphires are durable and can resist scratching when cared for properly. Furthermore, many people associate sapphires with love and fidelity, making them symbolic choices for wedding rings. Explore a range of sapphire wedding rings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023There is no single best shape for a sapphire engagement ring, as each type of cut has its own distinctive benefits. To draw attention to the color of the gemstone, consider stepped cuts like the emerald and the cushion. If you prefer to maximize the sparkle of your stone, opt for brilliant cuts like the round, oval, heart and pear. Find a wide variety of sapphire engagement rings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023Yes, white sapphires are good for engagement rings. While white sapphires are largely cloudy and muted in appearance, they still display brilliance (even as the brilliance isn't as intense as the level of brilliance associated with diamonds). They're also one of the hardest gemstones. Importantly, white sapphires are better for couples on a budget, as the choice of this stone is more affordable when compared to a diamond of a similar size. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of sapphire engagement rings.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A blue sapphire engagement ring is traditionally symbolic of faithfulness, wisdom and honesty. One of the most renowned blue sapphire engagement rings belonged to Princess Diana. Shop a range of authentic vintage and contemporary blue sapphire engagement rings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021How much a gold sapphire ring is worth depends on the tone and saturation of the stone, VVS clarity, design and more. The cost of a sapphire depends on carat, or its weight..On average, gold sapphire is priced at $1,000 to $1,150 per carat. On 1stDibs, find a wide collection of gold sapphire rings and jewelry today.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021A blue sapphire ring is worth about $8,000 depending on the carat weight and quality of the stone. Blue sapphires are the most valuable color of this particular gem, making a blue sapphire ring quite valuable. A broad range of blue sapphire rings can be found on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The kind of sapphire in Princess Diana's engagement ring is a blue Ceylon sapphire. It has an oval cut and weighs 12 carats. A 14-karat white diamond halo surrounds the center stone. You'll find a range of sapphire gemstone jewelry on 1stDibs.
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