It is possible to say that since there are men, there are rings. Thus there are all types of ancient rings: simple ring or complicated work, ring of mourning or promises of love, gold, simple metal, hair or elephant hair, secret or claim, the ring is a jewel that is worn easily and is shown in all environments, at all times. It is worn alone or combined with others, on one, two or three fingers. Sometimes even on each finger. Men are not left out: old rings of small finger as the signet ring, which was used to affix his seal; rings of bishop, because yes: the ring can be religious. Memento Mori rings to remember the loved one, to contemplate the emptiness of his existence.
As you can see, there are antique rings for everyone. It is up to you to find the one(s) that suits you best.
Belle Epoque silver diamond ring (925). Antique marquise ring with a purple paste glass. The marquise is decorated with foliage surrounding the central stone and set with nine rose-cut diamonds. Late Victorian ring, circa 1890.
Victorian solitaire rose-cut diamond ring in 18 karat yellow gold (750). French Victorian solitaire ring, centered on a Dutch rose-cut diamond (faceted above, flat below). The diamond is set with eight prongs and the inside of the setting is enameled black. The central diamond weighs approximately 0.40 carat. The shoulders of the ring are delicately decorated. Antique ring, circa 1860.
Old-cut diamond marquise ring in 18 karat (750) rose gold. Oval-shaped ring set with 27 old-cut diamonds (approx. 0.95 carat total). The ring is decorated with a line of small dots in relief. Antique ring, late 19th century, Circa 1880, probably France (hallmark missing).
Owl hallmark (french state hallmark for 18 karat gold, affixed a posteriori).
Victorian French garnet ring in 18 karats rose gold (750). Antique ring, circular in shape, set with a rose-purple rhodolite garnet. The setting is decorated with delicate chasing. Antique ring, circa 1870, France.
Partially erased eagle head hallmark.
Finger circumference: 55 UE or 7.25 US (possible sizing)
Bezel diameter: 9.7 mm
Condition: scratch on the stone and usual wears on the gold.
Reliquary secret locket ring in 18 karat yellow gold (750). Antique ring with a rock crystal compartment that can be opened from below to hold a flower, a lock of hair or a small photograph. Ideal for a keepsake. The ring is decorated with three chevrons at shoulder level. Antique locket ring, circa 1860, France.
Blue topaz diamond ring in 18 karat yellow gold (750). Antique ring with a large rectangular-cut ice blue topaz in a setting of 16 old-cut diamonds. The stone has a lovely crystalline blue color very similar to an aquamarine stone. Antique cluster ring circa 1880.
Owl hallmark (french state hallmark for 18 karat gold)
Georgian Italian ruby cluster ring in 14 karat gold (585). Late 18th century cluster ring with 9 table-cut rubies. Each shoulder of the ring is also set with 3 rubies. The ring is richly decorated with rinceaux and stylized leaves. Like most rings from this period, the ring head is secured with a rivet. Ring from the Mediterranean basin, probably Italy, circa 1780.
Unreadable guarantee hallmark, 14k tested gold.
Finger circumference: 56 EU or 7.5 US (possible sizing at the risk of missing ring decoration).
Bezel dimensions: 14.8 mm x 15 mm
Condition: scratches from use
Weight : 5.4 gr
More information : there are several examples of rings identified as Italian in the British Musuem, and although it is known that these designs were also made in Spain, there are no Spanish models referenced in museums. However, this style can be found throughout Southern Europe: Italy, Spain and Portugal, and can be explained by the presence of the Habsburgs during the 16th and 17th centuries in regions such as Sicily, Sardinia, Naples and Milan.
Basque wedding band in 18 karat gold (750). Large wedding band bearing the partially faded inscription “Orhoitzapena”, meaning “souvenir” in Basque. Regional jewel from the South-West, France, Basque Country area.
Finger size: 48 EU or 4.5 US (resizing possible)
Ring width: 4 mm
Condition: patina and scratches from use, inscription partially legible
Victorian double snake ring in yellow gold 18 karats (750) and silver. This ring is made by two snakes wrapping around the finger. The heads of the two reptiles are surmounted by a Dutch rose-cut diamond. The heads are delicately chiselled and come to rest on the two rows formed by the body of the animal. Antique ring, France, Victorian period, late 19th Century.
Eagle head hallmark
Finger size : 63 EU or 10.25 US (can be resized)
Dimensions of the design : 11.7 x 18 mm Width of the head : 10 mm
Romantic Giardinetti ring in 18k yellow gold and silver. Antique ring with a motif of a flower basket, set with colored rhinestones (green, red, and blue) and marcasites. The gold ring of the ring is later than the basket. Late 19th-century jewel, in the romantic spirit of 18th-century rings.
Owl and swan hallmark (French state hallmark for 18-karat gold and silver)
Finger size: 56 EU or 7.75 US (resizable)
Dimensions of the chaton: 19 x 18 mm
Condition: Modified ring, crack at the ring starting from the hallmark, scratches from use.
Weight: 3.54 gr
Learn more: Giardinetti rings, or “Little Gardens” in English, appeared in the late 17th century. In the 18th century, the naturalistic trend charmed goldsmiths, leading to the creation of many pieces adorned with floral and animal motifs, especially insects. Giardinetti rings often appear as bouquets of flowers and foliage tied with a ribbon or in the form of a bouquet in a small basket. Highly prized in the mid-18th century, they were mostly made of gold and silver, and sometimes in metal adorned with rhinestones.
Antique ram cameo ring in 14-karat rose gold (585) centered around an agate cameo depicting two rams side by side. One has its head turned towards the inside of the ring. Roman cameo from the 1st or 2nd century AD, 19th-century setting.
Shell hallmark (French State hallmark for 14-karat gold)
Adjustable ring size: 6.75 US
Cameo dimensions: 12.5 mm x 13.4 mm
Condition: loss on the edge of the cameo, setting with depressions.
Marquise Catalan garnets ring in 18-karat rose gold. This marquise-shaped ring features a navette-cut garnet at its center, surrounded by eight round garnets cut in the Perpignan style. The central garnet is mounted on a structure fixed by attachments/rings to the ring head. The “Perpignan cut” garnets are mounted on paillons and set in a closed setting. They typically have a raspberry, pink-red color, which is typical of Catalan jewelry, with a range of nuances that are revealed in sunlight. The ring has understated decoration on the shoulders. The gold structure is finely decorated with V-shaped triangular figures on the edges, and the bottoms of the gem settings are domed. This regional marquise ring is from the mid-19th century in France.
Horse head hallmark (1838-1919) and Mercury head hallmark. Illegible regional hallmark.