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11 of 37 Vintage Engagement Rings
FAQs about Vintage Engagement Rings
What are 1920s: Art Deco rings?
The era associated with Great Gatsby opulence is known for its intricate vintage diamond rings and women’s styles that still shine to this day. Art Deco engagement rings often feature geometric-focused designs, milgrain patterns, bold colors and a base metal of white gold or platinum.
Sidestone engagement rings, especially ones with unique shaped stones, are also on trend with Art Deco styling. Popular diamond and gemstone cuts for vintage-style Art Deco rings from this period include cushion cut, round brilliant, Asscher cut and emerald cut stones. Bezel settings were popular at this time.
What are 1940s, 1950s and 1960s: Mid-Century rings?
While the Art Deco period rang opulence for vintage diamond rings, tighter purse strings of the 1940s meant smaller stones ruled the engagement ring trends.
The mid-century 1940s style saw more engagement rings in yellow and white gold along with intricate details along the band such as milgrain or pavé accents. Into the 1950s, diamonds became the stone of choice. Vintage diamond rings from this time started to feature larger center stones in white gold and platinum settings. Solitaire engagement rings, rings with baguette accents and unique engagement rings were popular in this decade.
The 1950s also saw a rise in oval stones and many of today’s vintage oval engagement rings are from the 50s. Celebrity engagement rings of the 1960s made Asscher cut and gemstone engagement rings popular choices. These styles still turn heads today.
Many vintage diamond engagement rings are inspired by the mid-century styles, whether they are understated or more classic with large center diamonds. The midcentury styles spanned several decades and general economic mobility, meaning that many different vintage-inspired engagement rings can bring midcentury charm across a variety of designs, metals, and gemstones.
What are 1970s, 1980s and 1990s: Late 20th Century rings?
As the 20th century progressed, ring styles changed with social, economic and fashion trends.
The 1970s saw a growth in yellow gold and rose gold engagement rings. These vintage rings included channel-set diamonds, marquise diamonds and flower power motifs carried over from the previous decade. Wedding ring sets, where both engagement rings and wedding bands are designed to be sold together, became the trend of the decade.
In the 1980s, Princess Diana’s show stopping sapphire ring was the it engagement ring. The ring, now worn by the Duchess of Cambridge, features a large 12-carat sapphire with a halo of diamonds. Many replicas of the ring were made, and sapphire engagement rings are still one of the most popular vintage-inspired engagement ring styles. Non-royal rings of the 80s included buttery yellow gold bands.
The 1990s saw a departure from the yellow gold of the 80s, with white gold and platinum taking center stage. Marquise cut diamonds were very popular in this decade with rings featuring large center stones. Three-stone engagement rings rose to popularity in the 90s.
What is the difference between carat weight and carat total weight (CTTW)?
You'll often see both terms in reference to vintage-inspired engagement rings, because these designs typically showcase more than one stone. Antique-style engagement rings, such as cluster rings, are especially likely to have CTTW numbers.
Carat weight refers to the weight of a single stone (the center stone), and carat total weight refers to the combined carat weight of all stones in the ring setting. The larger the total carat weight measurement of a vintage-inspired engagement ring, the more diamonds the ring likely has.
Are fancy-cut diamonds suitable for vintage-inspired engagement rings?
Often, round diamonds weren't used in vintage-inspired rings. Emerald, marquise, pear, oval, and many other fancy shapes are found in vintage designs.
You can always add the exact diamond you’d like to our vintage engagement ring settings, even if it’s a more modern cut. New diamond shapes are an excellent way to modernize vintage-inspired engagement rings.
Are vintage-style engagement rings customizable?
The best part of purchasing a vintage-inspired design is having the freedom to fully customize the ring. You can choose a center diamond, select accent stones, pick the ring metal and more.
How do I find the right ring size?
Our printable ring size chart will help you find the ideal ring size and we also offer free ring sizers that can be shipped directly to you.
Why choose a vintage-style ring?
Vintage-style engagement rings combine the latest jewelry making techniques with romantic designs for a truly timeless ring. A vintage-inspired engagement ring is a wonderful choice if you are searching for a unique, romantic or memorable piece of jewelry.
Which vintage-inspired engagement rings are the most glamorous?
Many vintage-inspired engagement rings evoke Old Hollywood glamor and sparkle. Glamorous vintage style rings are ones with large stones, accent stones and ornate metal designs.
Are diamond or gemstone rings more vintage?
Decades past saw many ring styles including rings with either diamonds or gemstones as the center stone. Vintage diamond rings are most commonly inspired by ring styles of the 1920s, 1950s and 1990s. Gemstone center stones saw popularity during the 1920s and 1980s, though they were often featured in many other vintage rings for women.
What’s the latest year for vintage-style engagement rings?
Rings from the 1980s and before are considered vintage rings. These engagement rings can vary widely in style, price and design. We recommend exploring our full selection of vintage-style engagement rings to discover which style is the best fit.
Are antique engagement rings durable?
Genuine antique engagement rings from decades or even centuries past may not be as durable as modern rings. This is why many people with admiration for vintage and antique designs opt for vintage-style engagement rings. These rings offer the best of both worlds, combining modern craftspersonship with classic designs. Our vintage-style rings are crafted using the most modern techniques, making for durable jewelry that can be worn time and time again.
What precious metals are popular for vintage engagement rings?
Gold and platinum are the most popular precious metals for vintage style engagement rings.
What are estate rings?
Antique engagement rings are often referred to as estate rings, as they had previously come from the estates of their original owners. Though we do not offer estate rings, we do offer a wide selection of vintage and antique-style engagement rings. This includes midcentury and Art Deco engagement ring designs.
