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by Jack Weir on Feb 05, 2022
No society can exist without love. Love is a moving force for unions, growth, allies, wars, nations, and other ideologies we consider ‘vital’. Since the very beginning of time, two strangers have been falling in love and sworn to spend an eternity loyal to each other. Starting from the 19th century, a diamond ring truly became the symbol of this consensual alliance called “marriage”.
Here at Jack Weir & Sons, we specialize in rare, historical period estate jewelry. Our collection offers some beautiful examples of engagement rings anywhere from the 1800s to the 2020s.
Today we would love to take you on a journey of engagement rings through the decades; starting from the 1800s.
1800 - 1899 - Georgian & Victorian Era.
Jewelry from these periods is extremely rare and coveted amongst connoisseurs, as it is at least over 123 years old. The oldest engagement ring in our collection is dated 1810 - a true Georgian Rose Cut Diamond Gold Cluster Ring.
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. If you ever get your hands on one of these antique treasures, be careful not to get it wet, as water will tarnish the thin foil underneath the diamond.
Victorian period jewelry (1837-1899) often features colorful enamel and “gypsy” settings, which is where the main gem is embedded in the metal to protect it from being stolen.
1901 -1915 - Edwardian Era.
The biggest change during the Edwardian era was the invention of platinum. Having a higher melting point, platinum allowed jewelry to create incredible and detailed jewelry inspired by women, their felinity, and natural motifs.
Art Nouveau, Art & Crafts, and Belle Epoque are some of the design movements that were prominent during this period. They represented the beauty of everything elegant, airy, and feminine. Many of the designs featured botanical or fabric-like motifs. The intricacy and exquisite craftsmanship of Edwardian jewelry are cherished to this day. Here are the examples of Edwardian engagement rings from our collection.
The 1920s - Art Deco Geometric Shapes.
The Art Deco period lasted from 1920 to 1935. This is perhaps one of the most cherished periods in jewelry-making. With the invention of platinum, jewelers were able to achieve incredible intricacy, precision, and detail in their creations. The Art Deco period is also loved for its geometric shapes and symmetry. Emerald cut and Asscher cut diamonds were also invented at that
Our collection offers a large variety of Art Deco engagement rings to fit any budget or stylistic preferences. Here are some of the examples of renowned Art Deco diamond rings:
1940 - 1950s - Retro Period, the Era of RBC.
New technology was developed and the charming beloved Old European became today’s most-known Round Brilliant Cut. Marcel Tolkowsky - a Belgian mathematician calculated the precise proportions and angles to create the most brilliant, light-catching diamond-cut possible. Perfect 58 eye-catching facets make up the perfect RBC.
The new brilliant-cut inspired simple and timeless solitaire rings, where nothing is distracting you from the beauty of the diamond.
1960 - 1970 - A Tribute to Step Cuts.
In the 60s, the Art Deco style gained popularity again. This time around, engagement rings were all about geometric diamonds. The Asscher cut, and the Emerald cut. Brides were craving clean geometric lines and the beauty of the “infinite hall of mirrors”. Two brides, in particular, left a trace in history with their renowned engagement rings. Elizabeth Taylor and Jacqueline Kennedy.
In the 70s, modern brides got into stacking their engagement rings with wedding bands, creating matching sets. Yellow gold and rose gold gained popularity amongst engagement rings, reflecting the fashions of this roaring decade.
The 1980s - To Each Their Own
This decade introduced us to a few iconic engagement ring styles. Rolling over from the 70s, yellow gold and bold looks were widely popular amongst 1980s brides. A wedding of the decade took place - Princess Diana got married to Prince Charles. Her iconic sapphire cluster engagement ring inspired a wave of reproductions and an overall trend towards color gem rings. Another common style in this decade is a round diamond with tapered or straight baguettes.
1990 - 2000s - Princess & Marquise Cuts.
These diamond cuts took over in the 1990s grunge and Y2K. They were something new, something spicy and sexy. Every bride wanted a large carat solitaire or a 3-stone ring with a main center stone. More glam, more chic.
The 2010s - Radiant cut, Cushion Cut, and Diamond Halos.
The goal was to have as much sparkle as possible. Brides and their jewelers achieved that via radiant and cushion brilliant-cut diamonds, which are notorious for their radiating brilliance. Adding a diamond halo around the main diamond added more sparkle and coverage for a reasonable price.
The 2020s - Individuality in every detail.
Nowadays brides find it very important for their engagement ring to reflect their personality. More and more often we meet ladies who choose their ring before they speak with the groom-to-be, or make choosing a ring a joint effort. While some couples prefer to make a custom ring that matches all of their requirements, others choose to honor the history and opt-in for a rare, sustainable, and ethically-sourced estate jewel.
Here at JWS, we specialize in one-of-a-kind antique and vintage jewelry, and special large carat Old Cut diamonds. We are delighted to help you find a ring that speaks to you or your bride-to-be!
FAQs
The earliest written record of the use of a diamond in an engagement ring was in 1477 by a Dr. Moroltinger, who was advising the future Holy Roman Emperor Maximillian to have a ring set with a diamond for his betrothal to Mary of Burgundy.
What engagement rings were popular in the 80s? ›
Since Princess Diana's ring had a halo setting, halo settings in all sizes became popular too. Cluster diamonds also became a trend during this era, and of course, the sapphire gemstone itself boomed in popularity. Engagement rings in the 1980s also had a strong metal appearance, especially with yellow gold.
What were engagement rings like in the 1950s? ›
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.
What did engagement rings look like in the 1920s? ›
Bold Contrasting Colors
That meant that it was quite common to see diamonds paired with colored gemstones. Often a stunning colored gemstone would be the center, focal point of the ring while being surrounded by smaller diamonds. But, it was also common to have a center diamond stone accentuated by colored gemstones.
Is $7,000 too much for an engagement ring? ›
The average cost of an engagement ring was $6,500 to $7,000 in 2021 and 2022. Old rules like spending three months' salary on a ring are outdated; focus on what fits your budget and relationship.
What is considered a vintage engagement ring? ›
What Makes an Engagement Ring "Vintage"? "Vintage" refers to anything at least 20 years old, while "antique" refers to anything at least 100 years old.
Why are vintage engagement rings so cheap? ›
Vintage and antique engagement rings are a cost-effective (and sustainable!) way to purchase a sparkling stone. You'll often find lower price points on rings when they're sold secondhand, even if the quality of the diamond and the stones is on par with some of the most high-end new rings at jewelry stores.
What were the most popular engagement rings in the 1990s? ›
In the 1990s, engagement rings took a slight turn to classic and simple while still sporting beautiful, uniquely shaped diamonds. Solitaire engagement rings became popular again, and the marquise-cut diamond was the go-to diamond choice. 1990s engagement ring features include: White gold or platinum metals.
How much did an engagement ring cost in 1980? ›
From 1979 to 1980, a one-carat D-flawless stone rose in price from $10,000 to $65,000. (That's the time gold reached a high of $850 a troy ounce; gold has also plummeted nearly 50 percent since then.) But the price of diamond jewelry has gone up much less.
What was Queen Elizabeth's engagement ring like? ›
The future queen quickly accepted her beloved husband-to-be's proposal piece, which consisted of a three-carat center stone flanked by 10 additional diamonds (embedded into raised shoulders) all set in platinum.
Common engagement rings of the 1970s were chunky, set in gold, and meant to make a bold statement. The diamond rings of this time mirrored its fashion – floral and colorful, with lots of personality.
What was Princess Anne's engagement ring? ›
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!
What was used before diamond engagement rings? ›
According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Roman women wore rings of ivory, flint, bone, copper, and iron "to signify a business contract or to affirm mutual love and obedience."2 These newer, more durable materials are what replaced the original reed and hemp bands used by the Ancient Egyptians years ...
What did Queen Victoria's engagement ring look like? ›
It is reminiscent of not only their great romance but also the deep influence it imposed upon fashion and jewellery design at the time because of Queen Victoria's reputation for setting trends. The ring's motif, a coiled snake is set with an emerald, ruby and diamond accents detailing the snakes head, eyes and crown.
What were Victorian engagement rings like? ›
Victorian antique engagement rings often feature ornate detailing such as filigree work, engraving, and the use of precious gemstones like diamonds, pearls, and coloured gemstones such as rubies, sapphires, and emeralds.
What was the first engagement ring? ›
Historians believe that the first engagement rings originated from Ancient Roman around 200 B.C., where they symbolized obedience or a legal contract. Women in Ancient Rome wore engagement rings made of flint, bone, ivory, bronze or iron.
What is the oldest wedding ring ever found? ›
Did you know the first wedding ring dates back to 3000 years ago? The first recorded evidence of a formal exchange of rings between two people was found in ancient Egyptian. Writings, better known as papyrus scrolls featured couples exchanging rings made of hemp or reeds.
What does the Bible say about wearing a wedding ring? ›
Rings represent commitment, as in the Prodigal Son parable when the father gave his son a ring representing his full acceptance back into the family. However, nowhere in Scripture are believers commanded to wear wedding rings. The Bible emphasizes inner qualities like love and faithfulness far above outward symbols.
What is the old rule for buying an engagement ring? ›
One of the most infamous wedding etiquette rules revolves around how many months' salary one should spend on the engagement ring. It's known as the "three months' salary" rule, and it implies that a buyer should put three months of their salary toward a sparkler for their future spouse.
