How To Know Your Vintage Engagement Rings - Different Eras Explained

By Dana Smith

The term vintage is used lamely even by jewelers. Sometimes even vintage inspired rings are termed as vintage, which is incorrect. There is also a difference between vintage, estate and antique jewelry. There is a clear though thin difference between vintage and antique rings. One of the simplest ways to differentiate between all these is to know the time period for which the ring has been around.

An antique ring is over 50 years old. On the other hand, a vintage ring on the other hand means something that has been replicated in an antique design but is fairly new. As far as the estate ring is concerned – it is simply a pre-owned ring. In this article we use the terms antique and vintage rings interchangeably to denote rings that are above 50 years old and have a history.

Different Eras to Which Vintage Rings Belong

There are a number of rings categorized as vintage. These belong to different eras. The following are the ones you must know about just in case you are planning to buy a vintage engagement ring for your wedding.

Victorian Era (1837 - 1901): Everyone knows that this era was named after Queen Victoria of England. The Queen simply loved jewelry and most of the rings made at the time were as per her preference and taste. The supply of gold surged in the early 1800s. Therefore, you might find extremely beautiful gold rings that have been intricately carved, from the Victorian Era. Around the same time, diamonds were discovered in South Africa and therefore these precious stones became the first choice of a number of people in that era.

Edwardian Era (1901-1920): The era was named after popular King Edward of Britain. The discovery of platinum was one great happening in that era. So, in case you are looking for amazing platinum rings, you must check out the amazing rings from the Edwardian era. The rings from this era are full of bows, flowers and other such chic designs.

Art Deco Era (1920-1935): Jazz, speakeasies, flappers – that’s what the Art Deco era had to offer. But that is not all. The rings from this era were truly fascinating. By this time, new alloys were discovered; hence it wasn’t difficult to purchase a ring. The ring designs were playful and not always intricate. Geometric shapes were in vogue during this era.

All these eras hold the key to the appeal of the rings and other jewelry items that they offer to the new age world. Whether you are looking for a delicate gold ring or something like cubist style of Picasso – antique engagement rings have a huge range to offer.

An advantage of purchasing a vintage ring is that it is affordable to own. The best part – the value of such rings increases overtime. All in all, these rings are a great investment. What makes an antique ring more enticing is the lore attached with. You always have a story about it and where it is coming from for those who find the ring intriguing. And who doesn’t find antiques intriguing? A number of celebrities go for engagement rings that are antique; however, there are those also who go for vintage inspired rings. Both have their own pros and cons, which you must read before making a choice.


Dana Smith writes for arthursjewelers.com