Vintage Engagement Rings Trends
One of the hottest trends in engagement rings over the past few years has been centred around vintage engagement rings.
For the couple who is looking for an engagement ring that is not only beautiful but also makes a very distinct statement, a vintage engagement ring is the perfect choice. It is also more and more common for women to use family heirloom rings, passed down for generations, in place of a standard engagement ring to show the respect for their family and their past.
One of the main benefits of going for something vintage is the fact that there are so many styles and time periods to choose from. (click here for the ring on the left)
Victorian
Some of the most popular vintage engagement rings are from the Victorian Era. These rings were notable for their use of pearls along with diamonds.
Coloured gemstones were also quite common in the Victorian Era, including:
- Garnets
- Emeralds
- Amethysts
They were almost always set in whiter yellow gold or the lighter, more delicate, rose gold.
This is one of the few periods where rose gold was a prominent metal to be used in a standalone fashion. Engagement rings from this time period are extremely delicate and feature very intricate scrollwork and elaborate curved designs.
Art Nouveau
The Art Nouveau period was famous for its use of flowing curves and nature-inspired elements such as birds and flowers.
Engagement rings from this periods were also some of the first to use platinum settings and are ideal for a bride to be who prefers delicate, flowing styles.
Our brilliant cut diamond ring – click here
Edwardian
The Edwardian period brought about the increased popularity of gemstones such as sapphires and rubies which were set in very intricate scroll work settings.
An Edwardian period engagement ring would most likely be made of white gold or platinum.
Diamonds were also the stone of choice for engagement rings during this period, making them one of the more popular time periods of choice for vintage ring shoppers.
Art Deco
Art Deco engagement rings have always been in high demand for individuals seeking vintage pieces because of their unique designs.
Reminiscent of various architectural designs popular at the time, their unusual curves and angles made them stand out from other eras before, and even those that followed.
Art Deco rings were one of the first to break away from flowing designs and incorporate more geometric inspired designs and harder angles. Rings from this period often utilized emerald and marquise cut diamonds.
This was also one of the few periods to utilize the once rare Asscher cut stone, only recently made popular again thanks to an appearance a few years ago in a hit TV series. Platinum was the metal of choice during this period, making them a high demand style today with the increased popularity of platinum as the metal of choice for engagement rings.
Modern Engagement Ring Options
Since the vintage engagement ring market has become so popular over the years, demand for these rings has increased, often making them difficult to find as well as driving up their prices. Because of this continued trend, many jewellers have begun specializing in vintage-inspired engagement rings.
Using modern technology, they can often replicate any style from the time period of your choosing.
Another benefit is that they tend to be more durable than antique rings and will, therefore, be able to withstand constant use.
One of the major issues with purchasing a true vintage engagement ring is, because of the delicate nature of the pieces, they are not recommended for daily wear and must be handled very carefully.
Since most women prefer to keep them on at all times, a modern replica may be the perfect compromise between a vintage feel with a modern durability.
