Today, many pieces are passed down as vintage-style engagement rings. They can appear real to the untrained eye, and there are certainly rings out there that offer a good shine for the money. However, most of them lack the characteristics that make them vintage-style pieces.
Vintage has a special sense of romanticism and you should never get lost in style, making it an extremely unique choice for the bride-to-be. There are several vintage-inspired styles that are probably more unique than any modern engagement ring. Each handcrafted ring features classic vintage design details influenced by vintage rings from the past 40-50 years.
WHAT IS A VINTAGE-STYLE ENGAGEMENT RING?
A vintage-style engagement ring is a modern handmade ring that has been handcrafted in the style of a vintage ring. Additionally, a vintage-style ring has a vintage diamond in the center instead of a modern diamond.
A vintage engagement ring is an antique-style ring that draws inspiration from, for example, the Victorian, Edwardian, or Art Deco periods. Vintage settings often have nice subtleties, like milgrain and filigree.
In other words, the rings have appeared more recently as reproductions of ancient rings. As such, these pieces are available in a variety of styles. And it will not be difficult for you to find the one that matches the preferences of your future girlfriend.
VINTAGE STYLE EDWARDIAN ENGAGEMENT RINGS
Edwardian engagement rings, named after the English monarch Edward VII, date from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, roughly between 1890 and 1915. It was a time of craftsmanship when jewelers began to work more intensely with platinum, which was popular for both its toughness and a brilliant shine.
Sleek flowing lines are a key part of the Edwardian jewelry style, including bows, flowers, ribbons, tinsel, bows, and other curved designs. Fine-grained edges were popular accents, as were the openwork patterns that turned platinum into sparkling lace. Large center stones could be diamonds, although colored stones that go well with platinum are also popular in Edwardian engagement rings, with round, oval, and marquess diamond shapes being the most sought after.
Edwardian-era rings tend to be larger, more opulent pieces, and stacked ring designs were popular. The metal surfaces of the rings are often set with diamonds for added shine. Each of these rings is a work of art depicting a bygone era of grace, elegance, and royalty that gives the Edwardian era its name.
Characteristics of Vintage Engagement Rings
Milgrain:
Take a close look at the edges of a vintage-style ring that has caught your eye. The bezel must have tiny beads - it's milgrain.
In addition, the beads are slightly uneven, which suggests that the ornament has acquired a human touch. And Milgrain's presence really seals the deal because it's a fairy tale that shows two things.
These little beaded borders are usually wrapped around the edges for an elegant look.
Filigree:
The filigree designs often found on Edwardian rings are delicate and ornate. The filigree, which is formed into spikes by twisting the metal, usually looks like ribbons, flowers, and leaves.
Look for fine metallic threads that are bent or twisted to create intricate yet delicate detail. This design is welded to or onto the part and can take a variety of shapes.
Halo:
We've mentioned the halo before, but this feature deserves a separate section.
In the halo itself, you can find different styles that match a particular era. The number of gemstones, their size, and position may be different. And you can also find pieces with square-cut diamonds which break up the circular flow of the room and draw more attention to the center stone.
Naturesque Patterns:
It was during the Georgian era (1714-1830) that complex representations of nature through metalworking became fashionable. Common motif illustrated with flowers, leaves, and butterflies.
Geometric shapes:
Striking geometric shapes are often found in Art Deco styles. Made with symmetrical and parallel lines, popular shapes include squares, rectangles, octagons, and triangles.
UNDER-GALLERY:
This is the section just below the center stone. It is that part of the scene that is on your fiancée's finger when she wears the ring.
The sub-gallery should have some filigree detail, and some pieces have a watermark as well. The level of detail or type of decoration in the sub-gallery may vary from period to period.
Still, one wouldn't want a piece without a nice sub-gallery, as it often turns out that the ring doesn't match the aesthetic of an era.
HOW TO FIND THE UNIQUE VINTAGE STYLE ENGAGEMENT RING
The first thing to look for is the history of the jeweler. The company must have been in the market for at least a few decades. Ideally, you should specialize in antique, vintage, and vintage jewelry, with a wide range of options for both.
A truly exquisite antique engagement ring can be hard to find, but you don't have to look far to find a vintage-style ring that's right for you. When shopping at Eurekalook, you can search for beautiful, vintage-inspired rings from the comfort of your home.
Shopping online with Eurekalook not only offers convenience and ease, but also a wide selection of styles and the ability to filter your search by metal, stone shape, stone color, and price to find the engagement ring you are looking for. You will also have the educational tools you need, like our diamond carat size chart, to compare the carat size of each diamond cut.
Each of our vintage-style engagement rings is set with Eurekalook-Alternative - the world's leading alternative heritage stone. With any of our vintage-style engagement rings, you can create your own story with something of incredible quality that will become truly vintage over time.