You Should Be Aware of the Following When Purchasing Vintage Rings

This site will provide you with all the information you need to purchase an antique wedding ring, vintage engagement ring, or both.

• Understand the distinction between antique and vintage-inspired rings.
• Choose a vintage-inspired ring or an antique ring for yourself.
• Choose patterns from well-known Vintage Eras.

What distinguishes antique rings from rings with a vintage flair?

Vintage heirloom jewelry that has been handed down from generation to generation through a family for a long time has a unique and timeless quality. They are not only emotionally valuable for a variety of reasons, but they also naturally get more valuable physically as time goes on.

The most crucial choice when purchasing a ring is whether to get a "Antique" ring (i.e., one that has actually been handed down or sold over the last few centuries) or a "Vintage Inspired" ring (a design created by jewelers today, that is inspired by a previous Era).

How do you decide between an antique ring and a ring with a vintage feel for yourself or your partner?

Since real antique rings have frequently—depending on their origin—been extensively worn in the past, they tend to be more expensive and may need more upkeep. Due to their rising popularity, imitation antique rings are also very likely to be marketed. For this and other reasons, you should always consult an expert before making the final purchase of an antique.

Brands like Eric Originals produce their own distinctive vintage designs that draw inspiration from the original jewelry of that era in response to the rising desire for rings from earlier eras.

In recent years, vintage-style engagement rings in particular have been making a cautious but steady resurgence. Vintage rings with magnificent designs are frequently preferred by those with acquired, eclectic taste. Younger generations are drawn to the distinctive look because it makes them feel like old-school royalty.

As a result, we concentrate on discussing vintage-inspired ring designs and purchases in this blog because we think they should be your first option of investment.

Designs from many vintage eras are available.

Let's talk about the many jewelry trends and inspirations over the past several centuries:

Georgian (1714—1830) – Handmade jewelry is particularly common during this era. Because gold was more expensive at the time, silver was mostly utilized to set stones. Due to the lack of cutting technology at the time, many rings had uneven, irregularly shaped, and differently sized stones that were backed with foil for extra glitter. Rings from the Georgian Period frequently featured floral, bow, or scrolling themes, with the most popular gems being diamonds, sapphire, amethyst, topaz, and garnet. Since jewelers from this era frequently melted down older pieces to create newer, more modern pieces, Georgian style antique jewelry is now extremely difficult to obtain (making it all the more expensive).

Victorian (1835–1900) – Named after Queen Victoria, whose taste in clothing and style was greatly admired and imitated by many, the styles of this time demonstrated a noticeable shift. The Queen and her moods had a big impact on fashion, which led to frequently shifting trends. Rings frequently included snake designs and birthstones, and black jet jewelry was popular. During this time, South African diamond mines were discovered, which greatly increased demand for diamonds. As a result, solitaire diamond engagement rings emerged throughout the Victorian era. Given the wide variety of styles and themes that emerged throughout the Victorian era, Victorian jewelry is now a highly sought-after collector.

Edwardian (1900—1915) – Because platinum is durable and simple to deal with, platinum jewelry was particularly popular during this time. Wearing rings with incredibly fine filigree work was light and airy, and the motifs resembled stones set in lace rather than metal. In addition to diamonds, sapphires and aquamarines were also widely utilized. During this time, a technique called "Milgraining" was employed to give stones a soft, graceful appearance by setting tiny platinum beads around their edges. Today, Edwardian engagement rings are usually the second most often purchased vintage rings.

1895–1915: Art Nouveau Intersecting the Victorian and Edwardian eras, Art Nouveau was a revolutionary time when handcrafted and innovative designs dominated jewelry. These rings frequently featured feminine characters, nature motifs, and Japanese themes. Enameling was mastered to produce stunning jewelry with a stained glass look. The most popular gemstones were moonstones, opal, and agate, with diamonds being used less frequently.

The design and mass production of rings, brooches, and pendants during this time period led to a great number of pieces remaining in circulation today; but, due to their delicate nature, very few are still in tact.

The Art Deco era, which spanned from 1915 to 1935, was characterized by strong, geometrical, and straight-cut designs. Additionally, gemstones have been cut in geometric or linear patterns. The most common gemstones used were diamonds, with sapphires, emeralds, and rubies added for color. Black Onyx and red Coral were frequently used as accents in Egyptian-inspired jewelry, which has made a reappearance. White gold experienced tremendous appeal when platinum's price rose. The most popular style of vintage engagement ring today is Art Deco.