If you are looking to find a beautiful antique engagement ring for your partner you have come to the right place. In this guide we will provide you with all of the information you need to think about before purchasing an antique engagement ring.
Why choose An Antique Engagement Ring?
In our experience and understanding there may well be more pros to antique engagement rings than modern styles. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, antique engagement rings often boast intricate designs and meticulous craftsmanship, reflecting the artistry of skilled artisans from past eras. Opting for an antique ring is also an eco friendly choice as it promotes sustainability.
Investment: Antique engagement rings, particularly pieces from renowned periods or designers, can appreciate in value over time.
Carries Historical Significance: Owning an antique engagement ring connects you to a bygone era, offering a sense of history.
Unique Design: Antique engagement rings often feature designs that are distinct and not commonly found in modern jewellery.
Eco Friendly & Sustainable: Choosing an antique engagement ring is a sustainable option since it reduces the demand for new mining and manufacturing processes. It's a way to recycle and repurpose existing resources.
Craftsmanship: Many antique engagement rings were handmade by skilled artisans, showcasing intricate craftsmanship and attention to detail that may be lacking in mass produced modern rings.
Storytelling: Every antique engagement ring has a story. Whether it's about an era, design or craftsmanship. Sharing the history of your ring can add depth and significance to your ring and engagement experience..
Once you are sure an antique engagement ring is right for you and your partner it's time to choose which era your ring will be from, what style/setting it will have and what materials it's made from.
Which Era to Choose an Antique Engagement Ring From
The four era's that held the most significance and had the most influence on jewellery trends from the past were the Victorian , Edwardian, Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods.
Victorian Era: Jewellery from this era is very romantic. Victorian engagement rings often feature intricate designs with romantic motifs such as flowers and hearts. They are typically crafted in either yellow or rose gold, sometimes with intricate engravings or filigree work. Victorian engagement rings reflect the sentimentality and romanticism of the era.
Edwardian Era: The jewellery of this era offered timeless beauty. Edwardian engagement rings often had elegant and sophisticated designs. They feature intricate lace-like filigree work, often set with diamonds or other precious gemstones. Platinum became popular during this era for its strength, durability and ability to showcase diamonds.
Art Nouveau Era: This era was stepping away from more traditional designs from the Edwardian era and began to embrace innovation and artistic styles. Art Nouveau engagement rings showcase flowing, organic designs inspired by nature. They often feature motifs such as flowers, vines, and insects, with an emphasis on asymmetry and fluid lines. Gemstones such as opals, pearls, and coloured stones were favoured.
Art Deco Era: The roaring 20's was a whirlwind of excitement and innovation. Art Deco engagement rings offered bold, eccentric and geometric designs. They feature geometric shapes, such as squares, rectangles, and triangles, often with intricate patterns and symmetrical designs. Platinum was the metal of choice during this era, and diamonds were prominently featured alongside colourful gemstones such as sapphire, rubies and emeralds.
What Antique Engagement Ring Setting Should I choose?
Next you need to choose which setting of antique engagement ring your partner would most prefer.
Solitaire Antique Engagement Rings: A solitaire ring features a single center stone, with the quality and size of the stone being the most important factors when assessing its beauty and worth. Many love this style of antique engagement ring for its simplicity, timelessness, and classic shape. It's clean lines and minimalist design ensure that it never goes out of style.
Three Stone Diamond Antique Engagement Rings: This type of ring is crafted using three stones. sometimes they can all be the same stones or a mixture, most commonly two diamonds sit either side of the centre stone. This style of ring is not only beautiful but many people also believe it holds more significance such as representing the past, present, and future, the holy trinity, or the bond between parents and child.
Cluster Antique Engagement rings: Featuring a central gemstone surrounded by a cluster of smaller stones, antique cluster engagement rings can come in a wide variety of styles and can include multiple gemstones and intricate designs, making them a popular choice.
What are The Best Stones to Have in An Engagement Ring?
Antique engagement rings offer a variety of gemstone variations. Our best advice before choosing which gemstones to choose is to try to get some hints from your partner on what stones they love. The most popular in antique engagement rings are:
Diamond: The diamond has held its reign as the most popular gemstone through the centuries with a history dating back to the 4th century. Revered for both its durability and exquisite beauty, diamonds remain a beloved choice in both antique and contemporary jewellery designs. Diamonds add a timeless elegance to countless antique engagement designs.
Rubies: Associated with passion and vitality, these beautiful stones have deep red hues. They are commonly found in antique jewellery, especially in pieces from the Victorian and Art Deco eras.
Sapphire: Renowned for their vivid and captivating colours sapphires come in a spectrum of shades, from deep royal blue to delicate pastel tones, with blue being the most traditional and popular. Antique jewellery often features sapphires as centre stones or as accents in rings, necklaces, and earrings.
Emerald: Emeralds are renowned for their vibrant green colour and have been coveted throughout history. Emeralds are frequently featured in antique jewellery, particularly in pieces from the Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods.
What metal is best for my antique engagement ring?
Platinum and gold are commonly found in antique engagement rings, these materials were popular then and are still today.
Platinum: This metal was extremely popular during the Edwardian and Art Deco eras. The material was found in large deposits in South Africa in the late 19th century, leading to an increase in its availability and affordability, making it more accessible for use in jewellery making. The reason it became so popular in jewellery was due to its durability, longevity, and purity.
Gold: Similarly to platinum, gold was very popular then and continues to be today due to its durability, malleability, and longevity. Gold offers additional factors like colors such as yellow, white, and rose gold.
We hope you are a step closer to finding the perfect antique engagement ring. At Banwells Antique Jewellery we offer a vast selection of unique antique engagement rings. Shop antique engagement rings here.
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