Tension Set Ring
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Modern Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
Brown Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Engagement Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Italian Solitaire Rings
Citrine, White Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Topaz, Blue Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Dome Rings
Amethyst, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Fashion Rings
Chalcedony, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Italian Fashion Rings
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Italian Fashion Rings
Agate, Chalcedony, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Fashion Rings
Citrine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Band Rings
Sapphire, Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Fashion Rings
Freshwater Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Band Rings
Sapphire, Steel, Stainless Steel
1990s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, 22k Gold
Vintage 1980s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
1990s South African Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Band Rings
Tourmaline, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
2010s American Modernist Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
Early 2000s English Bridal Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Zambian Modern Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Modern Band Rings
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Modern Cluster Rings
Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century North American Modern Band Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, White Gold, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century European Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Solitaire Rings
Sapphire, Platinum
2010s Spanish Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s French Band Rings
Citrine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 18th Century Georgian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Late 20th Century Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Danish Modernist Cocktail Rings
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Modern Solitaire Rings
Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Band Rings
Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Band Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Cocktail Rings
Quartz, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s French Modern Cocktail Rings
Citrine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Modern Band Rings
Emerald, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Signet Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Unknown Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Chilean Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
20th Century American Modernist Fashion Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
Vintage 1980s French Wedding Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1930s Unknown Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1950s Unknown Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s English Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
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Tension Set Ring For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Tension Set 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 ExpertJanuary 23, 2024Yes, prong settings can be good for engagement rings. When carefully crafted, prongs can help keep a gemstone secure. Plus, they allow nearly all of the gemstone to be visible, enhancing its sparkle and color. Many people also find prong settings to be easy to clean. Follow the maintenance and care instructions included with your engagement ring to help it stand the test of time. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of engagement rings.
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