Estate Sapphire Engagement Rings
Vintage 1980s Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Early 20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Vintage 1970s American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Vintage 1970s Contemporary Engagement Rings
Yellow Sapphire, Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, Platinum
Early 2000s Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Late 20th Century English Modern Engagement Rings
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Vintage 1950s Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Engagement Rings
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Early 20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 10k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
2010s Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Topaz, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s Neoclassical Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Purple Sapphire, Platinum
1990s Neoclassical Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Vintage 1940s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
2010s Unknown Contemporary Engagement Rings
Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Unknown Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum
20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Vintage 1960s Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold
Vintage 1980s Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Retro Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Late 20th Century Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Late 20th Century Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Vintage 1960s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
20th Century Engagement Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Gold
20th Century Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
2010s Engagement Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Vintage 1950s Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold
1990s Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Antique 1890s Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold
Early 2000s American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Vintage 1970s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Multi-gemstone, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Early 20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
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Estate Sapphire Engagement Rings For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Estate Sapphire Engagement Rings?
The Legacy of Sapphire in Jewelry Design
On 1stDibs, shop the bright blue gems that star in sapphire rings, sapphire necklaces and other vintage and antique sapphire jewelry.
Sapphires — the stone of choice for Napoleon, Princess Diana and Elizabeth Taylor — have been a favorite of aristocrats and the well-to-do since the time of the Ancient Greeks.
Picture a sapphire. If the stone you conjure is a deep cornflower blue, you’re seeing only part of the picture. Although blue Kashmirs are considered the most valuable, sapphires come in every color except red. No matter the hue, this very special gem is rich in history and beloved by royals (FYI, Princess Diana and Kate Middleton share an 11-carat sapphire engagement ring), so September babies are in very noble company.
America’s version of royalty — old money and celebrities — have also shown a predilection for the blue stones. In 1940, John D. Rockefeller Jr. had Cartier mount a 62-carat sapphire he had bought from an Indian maharajah in a brooch for his first wife, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller; in 2001, the piece sold for a then-record of $3,031,000 at Christie’s New York.
The grand dame of jewelry, Elizabeth Taylor had a passion for the gems that her lovers were happy to indulge. Second husband Michael Wilding gave her an engagement ring set with a cabochon sapphire, while Richard Burton famously presented her with a BVLGARI sautoir set with diamonds and sapphires, including at its center a cabochon Burmese weighing 52.72 carats. One of the star lots in the sale of Taylor’s jewels at the Christie’s New York in 2011, it sold for $5,906,500.
You don’t have to have blue blood or a bulging bank account, however, to get an eyeful of this much-coveted gem. A number of outstanding examples reside in public collections.
The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History owns the 423-carat Logan sapphire, a gift from the Guggenheim family, and the Hall sapphire and diamond necklace, designed by Harry Winston and featuring 36 fine, well-matched cushion-cut Sri Lankan sapphires weighing a combined 195 carats. Also in the collection is the Bismarck sapphire necklace, designed by Cartier and sporting a central sapphire weighing 98.6 carats, which Mona Von Bismarck donated to the museum.
Sapphires are composed of corundum. Their color derives from trace elements, such as iron, titanium, chromium, copper or magnesium. When the trace element produces a ruby hue, the stone is called, what else, a ruby. (which is, as mentioned above, why sapphires cannot be red by definition).
The allure of large gemstones endures throughout the periods characterized as vintage, and sapphire features frequently in vintage engagement rings. (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.)
Find an exquisite collection of vintage and antique sapphire jewelry on 1stDibs.
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 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 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 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 ExpertJanuary 23, 2024The difference between vintage, antique and estate engagement rings comes down to age and history. Rings that are over 100 years old are antiques, while those produced 20 to 99 years ago are vintage. Estate engagement rings are any rings that have had a previous owner. They can include antique, vintage and even contemporary rings produced during the last 20 years. Shop a large selection of engagement rings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 14, 2023What a pink sapphire engagement ring symbolizes is a matter of individual interpretation. To some, engagement rings set with pink sapphires represent love and romance. Others link the gemstone with fortitude and power and may believe that it speaks to the strength of a relationship when placed in an engagement ring. Other traditional meanings for pink sapphires include wisdom, compassion and good judgment. Find a wide variety of pink 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 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 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.
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