18k Contemporary Rings
2010s German Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s French Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Fashion Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s Italian Contemporary Band Rings
18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Swiss Contemporary Band Rings
Quartz, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Wedding Rings
Black Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Dome Rings
Diamond, Tanzanite, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Swiss Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Band Rings
Zircon, Blue Zircon, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s Unknown Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s German Contemporary More Rings
Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s Swiss Contemporary Band Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Unknown Contemporary More Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Unknown Contemporary Dome Rings
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s German Contemporary More Rings
Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s German Contemporary Band Rings
Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Swiss Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Swiss Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Swiss Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Swiss Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Quartz, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Swiss Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s German Contemporary Band Rings
Tourmaline, Citrine, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 1980s Swiss Contemporary More Rings
Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Fashion Rings
Citrine, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, 24k Gold
2010s German Contemporary Cocktail Rings
18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Tanzanite, 18k Gold
2010s Swiss Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Tourmaline, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Swiss Contemporary Band Rings
Kunzite, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Swiss Contemporary Three-Stone Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Wedding Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, 24k Gold, Gold
2010s Swiss Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Band Rings
Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s German Contemporary Band Rings
Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Moonstone, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s Unknown Contemporary Cluster Rings
Diamond, Tourmaline, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Citrine, White Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary More Rings
18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Contemporary Band Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Band Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary More Rings
Morganite, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Swiss Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Swiss Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Contemporary More Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, White Gold
2010s Swiss Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Moonstone, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s German Contemporary Band Rings
Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s German Contemporary Band Rings
Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 2000s Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, Emerald, White Gold
2010s German Contemporary Band Rings
Tourmaline, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary More Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
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18k Contemporary Rings For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are 18k Contemporary Rings?
A Close Look at Contemporary Jewelry
Contemporary jewelry is inextricably linked with the moment in which it is created, frequently reflecting current social, cultural and political issues such as environmental consciousness, identity and sustainability. It’s informed by fashion trends, from the chokers of the 1990s to the large chain necklaces of the early 2000s.
Jewelry is one of the oldest forms of adornment. Lockets made of silver or gold have been treasured gifts for hundreds of years, for example, and charm bracelets, which have existed since prehistoric times, didn’t become especially popular until the 19th-century reign of Queen Victoria. For many centuries, fine jewelry was used primarily to express wealth or status through lavish materials. Then, in the 1960s, a concept known as the “critique of preciousness” emerged, with jewelers creating pieces that did not get their value from gemstones or precious metals. Instead, it was the jeweler’s artistic vision that was prized and elevated.
This shift still informs Contemporary jewelry being made by artists today. Whether they are using cheap, found materials and working with provocative geometric shapes or seeking out the rarest stones, they are imbuing their work with meaning through their skills, techniques and ideas. Innovative designers such as Elsa Peretti, who popularized sculptural sterling-silver jewelry for Tiffany & Co., and David Yurman, who twisted metal into the simple yet striking Cable bracelet, have also influenced the direction of Contemporary jewelry’s forms and aesthetics.
Meanwhile, technological advancements like metal alloys and laser engraving have led to new possibilities in jewelry design. Now, edgy makers and brands as well as minimalist designers are pushing Contemporary jewelry forward into the 21st century.
Find a collection of Contemporary rings, earrings, necklaces and other 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 Bvlgari 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 ExpertNovember 21, 2023Whether a wedding band should be 14K or 18K depends on your personal preferences. Because it contains more pure gold, 18-karat gold will usually show off a richer color and be less likely to fade over time. On the other hand, 14-karat gold is less prone to scratching and damage because it has more alloy metals. Explore a large collection of gold wedding bands on 1stDibs.
- Is 18K gold good for earrings?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 14, 2023Yes, 18-karat gold can be good for earrings. Because it is an alloy, 18-karat gold is more durable and scratch-resistant than pure 24-karat gold. You can find 18-karat gold in rich warm yellow, cooler white with warm undertones and light pink rose. On 1stDibs, explore a large collection of gold earrings.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023The difference between 14K and 18K white gold stud earrings comes down to the content of the precious metal alloy. Stud earrings made of 14-karat white gold are 58.3% gold and 41.7% base metal, while 18-karat gold is 75% pure gold and 25% other metals. As a result, 14-karat white gold tends to be stronger and more resistant to scratching, and 18-karat gold will have a more noticeable warm-glowing yellow tinge. On 1stDibs, shop a range of white gold stud earrings.