Vintage Diamond Jewelry

Much of the vintage diamond jewelry on the market today was crafted in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Studying the available materials and finishing processes of those times is a history lesson unto itself. The procurement and use of fine jewelry during those years provides another example of how diamonds influence culture and vice versa.

The early diamond jewelry metals were generally silver and yellow gold, with platinum being introduced toward the end of the Victorian era. Platinum preserved the color of silver while eliminating issues of strength and oxidation. A large majority of vintage rings on the market use a platinum setting, showing how ubiquitous the new material had become. In the early 1900s however, wartime restricted the amount of platinum that craftsmen could get, so that gold came back into style.

History Adds to the Value of Vintage Diamond Jewelry

Along with the choice of materials, the cut of the stones also reflects on a vintage ring's place in history. Antique cuts were proscribed by the existing technology. Prior to the invention of the bruting machine in 1890, which creates a round girdle, each stone was cut by hand. Earlier cushion or rose cuts will never appear completely symmetrical. Later European cuts may be horizontally machined but retain their unique qualities among their facets and culets.

While fashion may come and go, all of these historically created factors can never be diminished. Antique diamonds will always hold a unique, romantic quality. This makes them excellent investments and treasured heirlooms. A respected source for vintage jewelry is Single Stone. Showrooms are located in San Marino, Los Angeles and online.