The phrase ‘one person’s just is another’s treasure’ is rife with vintage clothing, fashion and especially jewellery. The definition of a piece of vintage fashion is any garment which dates from between approximately 1920 to 1960, with anything before this classed as ‘antique’ and anything produced afterwards classed as ‘retro’. Vintage clothing follows no specific design or style, but is generally characterised as second hand rare treasures.
Vintage engagement rings can be elaborate and over the top or alternatively delicate and understated. Yet most of the time, when pulled off well, they are the most beautiful engagement rings that can be found. After all, they make popular heirlooms, with many Women wearing their mother’s, grandmother’s and great grandmother’s wedding rings as their own. Traditional vintage engagement rings usually have multiple stones and are set into gold. They can range from remarkably expensive yet classic, such as a five stone cut diamond ring on a band of authentic gold, whereas others (like any type of ring) can simply be imitations and cost a lot less.
The beauty with vintage engagement rings is that there are so many different styles to choose from. It’s important to remember that the vintage era stretches from 1920 right up to 1960 and in those forty years the fashionably accepted style of engagement ring changed several times. In general, those stones which sit on a gold band are more elaborate and ‘showy’, whereas those on a silver band are somewhat toned down (perhaps more ideal for a wedding ring).
When it comes to the stones on vintage engagement rings diamond, ruby and sapphire were popular stones of the era. Diamond almost goes without saying as it is timeless for engagement and wedding rings, yet ruby really makes a statement when worn today and sapphire is a classic indication of vintage jewellery. Emerald is another vintage stone but is found less commonly and is difficult as the deep green color doesn’t always match clothing and other jewellery.
If you are considering having a vintage ring for your engagement ring then remember to look into insurance and have it valued by an independent antique expert just in case the seller has valued it wrong. It’s also worth asking if it needs any touching up or reinforcing, as losing a stone from a ‘new’ vintage ring can be awful. Perhaps the best part about having a vintage engagement ring is the intrigue and history which is encapsulates within its stone.