20 Unique Vintage Engagement Rings for a Statement-Making Look (2024)

FAQs

What is considered a vintage engagement ring? ›

"Vintage" refers to anything at least 20 years old, while "antique" refers to anything at least 100 years old. When it comes to engagement rings, "vintage" usually signifies the ring's style rather than its age.

With substantial presence and eye-catching details, statement rings command attention, serving as dramatic focal points for your ensemble.

Instead of an engagement ring, Audrey got to wear three bands. One yellow, one rose, and one white. The yellow and rose gold bands were beveled with a geometric pattern on the surface. The white gold band featured 1.5 carats of baguette diamonds in an eternity setting.

Emerald cuts, baguette cuts, triangle shapes and square cuts were heavily favored for their sharp, clean, and straight lines. The end goal was always to create a visually interesting piece of jewelry that was perfectly balanced in its symmetry.

The Unmatched Round Brilliant: A true icon, the round brilliant cut reigns supreme, and is considered the most timeless of them all. Its meticulously proportioned facets maximize a diamond's brilliance, creating a dazzling play of light and fire.

Vintage engagement rings are often unique because they have intricate engravings, millegrains, enamel, and calibre set stones. These details aren't as common in modern jewellery. Because each ring is handmade, there are no exact copies. Vintage rings are a great choice for someone looking for something unique.

It's normally worn on the right hand, middle finger or ring finger. It isn't meant to distract from any wedding ring or engagement ring. Do keep that in mind. During its rise, statement rings were worn sometimes by the multiple across several fingers.

Whether for everyday wear or special occasions, a statement ring is meant to make a statement just as its name implies. Also known as co*cktail rings, statement rings have a long and storied history in the jewelry world, dating back to the 1920s.

Choose a metal that you love and that complements the gemstone. Statement rings are typically larger than fashion rings, but there is a wide range of sizes available. Choose a size that is comfortable and flattering on your hand. Consider the occasions on which you will wear the ring.

The ring features a three-stone design, symbolising the past, present, and future. The centre stone is a dazzling cushion-cut diamond sourced from Botswana, a country that holds special significance for Prince Harry and was the location of a pivotal point in Megan and Harry's courting period.

What did Lady Diana's engagement ring look like? ›

The piece featured a large sapphire surrounded by 12 round diamonds and was set in gold. Queen Victoria reportedly loved the piece so much that she wore it on her wedding day, fastening it to the front of her wedding gown as her "something blue."

Princess Anne

Dashing Captain Mark Phillips proposed to Princess Anne with a classic sapphire three stone ring. The Princess received another sapphire ring from her second husband, Timothy Laurence. The ring – a cabochon cut sapphire with three diamonds on each side – is a little less traditional but still splendid!

Diamond rings from the early and mid-1800s often have a closed foiled back, which allowed for maximum brilliance achievable at that time. Engagement rings from this period often feature “rose cut” or “table cut” diamonds, which are flat at the bottom, and rise like a dome.

One of the most popular styles representative of the 50s were engagement rings featuring a large center diamond nestled among symmetrical smaller diamonds or baguettes, on either side of it. Popular cuts included round cuts, Asscher cuts, emerald Cuts and marquise Cuts.

Anthropologists believe this tradition originated from a Roman custom in which wives wore rings attached to small keys, indicating their husbands' ownership. In 1477, Archduke Maximillian of Austria commissioned the very first diamond engagement ring on record for his betrothed, Mary of Burgundy.

Patina and Wear: Look for signs of aging, patina, or wear on the jewelry. Vintage pieces may show slight signs of tarnish, scratches, or fading, which can add to their charm and authenticity. Style and Design Elements: Pay attention to the overall style and design elements of the jewelry.

Most people refer to 'vintage' jewellery as pieces that are between 50 and 100 years old. Certain eras with distinct styles may be referred to as vintage even if the jewellery from that time isn't yet fifty years old. For example, jewellery from the 1980s has mass appeal due to the recent style renaissance of that era.

A vintage ring is a much bigger investment, and buyers like to know that what they are buying is authentic. Most antiques dealers would classify a ring as vintage if it is more than 40 years old, which means it would have to have been made in 1982 or earlier to qualify.

Hallmarks and Maker's Marks: One of the primary indicators of a jewelry piece's age is the presence of hallmarks and maker's marks. These marks are often stamped on the jewelry itself and provide valuable information about its origin and date of creation.