Antique Diamond Engagement Rings

While celebrities are making antique diamond engagement rings fashionable these days, the beauty of this vintage jewelry is undeniably timeless. Couples who want a meaningful way to express the eternity of their marriage vows might join this blossoming trend. Elegance, romance and drama ruled aesthetics during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Many of the antique engagement rings and bridal earrings currently found on the market were crafted then, from the mid-19th century through the first part of the 20th century. The concept of marriage as lifelong was prevalent. Wearing antique engagement and wedding jewelry carries that sentiment forward.

Modern Versus Antique Diamond Engagement Rings

The old ways of finishing gemstones set vintage jewelry apart from contemporary styles. Before machine grinding, diamonds were cut by hand, to the craftsman's eye. Thus, no two were alike. When the mounting metal, design and decoration were factored in, the finished piece was inherently unique. This is another apt metaphor for modern engagements and marriages, and another reason that antique jewelry is popular now.

The early cushion cut appears frequently in solitaire diamond rings and those accented with smaller stones. The squarish oval shape enabled the maximum light refraction possible in those times. When a round girdle became viable, the European cut introduced the symmetrical round diamond to jewelry. After 1900, the dramatic Asscher cut gave ensembles an angular, square option.

Finding this fine jewelry now is difficult, but some dealers specialize in collecting it. Some also offer reproductions inspired by the old styles. One such source for cushion-cut, Asscher-cut and other vintage rings is Single Stone, which is easily accessible from San Diego or San Francisco, or online.