53+ Vintage Engagement Rings and Buying Guide for 2020

If you want to make your marriage proposal extra special, getting a vintage engagement ring is a perfect starter. Women love all kinds of jewelry but a vintage ring may be more attractive and appealing to them because of the character and history they carry. Some women are extraordinary. They do not settle with contemporary rings and styles. They want to be unique.

Vintage rings can instantly make them special. Vintage rings are also called estate jewelry in the retail sense. These rings typically have high-quality diamonds. Not only that, these types of rings have a more aesthetic appeal as they feature more detailed and intricately designed prongs and settings. Their designs are too unique that they are hard to replicate. You would be lucky if your grandma has a vintage ring to pass on. When buying vintage engagement rings, one must look closely at cut, color, clarity, carat, and character.

Unique Vintage Engagement Rings

Different Vintage Engagement Rings Periods

Georgian Period

On the reign of four kings of England, George I to George IV, the Georgian period came by. This period dated from 1714 up to 1837. Overall, engagement rings at this time were cheaper and inspired was all about nature. Rings would often be designed with leaves, birds, and insects. If you are proposing to a woman who loves nature, vintage rings from the Georgian Period would be best for you. Each ring created during this period was specifically unique as they were handcrafted.

Victorian Period

On the reign of Queen Victoria of England, another design of engagement rings appeared. This period dated from 1836 to 1901. The engagement rings at this time were largely influenced by romanticism and great love to the family. Rings would often be designed with flowers, hearts, birds, and bows. The widely used gemstone on engagement rings was Opal. In the middle of Queen Victoria’s reign came the popularization of diamond due to the newly discovered diamond mines in South Africa. There were also mines of gold discovered in California. Platinum was also discovered in Russia. This period features more diverse options for karat levels in gold.

Art Nouveau Period

This period dated from 1890 to 1919. It is known to be the turning of the 20th century and the dawning of modern age. This period actually encompassed the latter part of the Edwardian period. In 1990, the suffragette movement was in its full-blown force that is why rings on this period feature the female form. It also features free-flowing asymmetrical lines. The rings were created with the use of a plethora of materials and gemstones.

Edwardian Period

This period dated from 1895 to 1914. The rings on this period featured amazing levels of craftsmanship and artistry. Fine filigree was an extremely popular design. The rings would often only contain diamonds and platinum. In short, the Edwardian Period engagement rings show a more delicate and cosmopolitan style.

Art Deco Period

This period dated from 1920 to 1935. This period is known for a large change in-ring style and design. The most remarkable features of rings in this period are bright colors and sharp straight lines. For engagement rings, the widely used gemstones are emeralds, sapphires, and rubies. Jewelry in this period is generally edgy because they were hugely influenced by jazz and pop culture. If you have always been a jazz lover, the rings from this period are perfect for you.

Retro Period

This period dated from 1935 to 1950. All the rings from this period were greatly stained by the Great Depression and World War II. In this period, synthetic sapphires and rubies were mostly used on jewelry because platinum was not an option. Rings would typically feature a chunky and square setting. Everybody was in financial hardship that is why they made use of illusion settings to make the stones look bigger.

Vintage Engagement Ring Proper Care

Any jewelry should be given proper care and attention. What more could vintage engagement rings ask for? It has survived the test of time and needs more of your help to last longer. Below are some tips to follow:

• Never wear other types of jewelry adjacent to the engagement ring.
• Do not wear the ring while doing some household chores (cooking, showering, doing the laundry, washing the dishes, or cleaning).
• Keep it away from any chemicals and harsh temperatures.
• Always check if your ring and its setting are intact.
• Never use cleaners, polishes, and dips to clean the ring as they may destroy the metal and the intricate details with it.
• For vintage silver rings, combine shreds of aluminum foil, baking soda, and warm water.
• For vintage gold platinum rings, mix a part of household ammonia and two parts of water.
• Always rinse the rings with fresh water

Since vintage engagement rings are older than our typical jewelry, maybe even older than ourselves, the vintage engagement ring needs some practical tips and a good review to consider to maintain their great aesthetics.

Where to buy Vintage Engagement Rings

At any rate, you can look for vintage engagement rings at your local jewelry store. This way you can research and inquire about the store’s reputation plus select one that is a reputable brand. Another benefit also of buying from your local jeweler is that you can readily return to the store if you have questions or you need assistance in cleaning the ring.

Nonetheless, the online market likewise now offers an enormous selection of vintage rings. When purchasing online, just ensure that you are buying from a credible website and have your ring examined by a local jeweler to make sure that what you have is authentic vintage jewelry.