Adorn Her Finger with a Vintage Style Engagement Ring

An engagement ring is probably one of the most important pieces of jewelry you will ever buy. Not only is it a symbol of your love and commitment, but you’ll also be looking at it every day for a long time to come. This is why most people will recommend you get something “vintage” or “classic”. But what exactly does that mean? And in this fast moving world of ours, isn’t modern best?

To help you decide we’ve put together a little background on engagement rings, and a few examples of how we combine the old and new to produce vintage style classics with a modern twist.

First, the history lesson.

The first ever diamond engagement ring on record was commissioned in 1477 by Archduke Maximillian of Austria for his betrothed, Mary of Burgandy, sparking a trend among European aristocracy.

The Victorians, who were a sentimental bunch, popularized custom engagement rings that combined diamonds with other stones, metals and even enamel. As these were most often crafted into the shape of a flower, they were known as posey rings. This trend continued into the Edwardian era, with mixed stones in delicate filigree settings being the standard.

As diamonds became more available thanks to the opening of mines in South Africa, they increasingly became the stone of choice in engagement rings. In 1947 the launch of the classic “Diamonds are Forever” campaign cemented the link between diamonds and marriage in the minds of the public, and they became de rigueur as a symbol of love and commitment.

Moving on to the here and now, advances in cutting technology mean that modern diamonds come in all shapes, and trends for different cuts come and go. While this is good news for diamond lovers, it can also make the task of choosing the right engagement ring even more complicated. Should you get something a bit different, like a heart-shaped diamond, or are vintage style engagement rings a safer option in the long-term?

That is, of course, up to you but remember this; the ring you choose will last much longer than the current trend.

At Angel Designs Jewelry, we understand this dilemma and combine stones and settings to produce unique engagement rings with a modern feel that still have a classic, vintage appeal.

The Round cut diamond has long been the favorite, either as a solitaire on a simple gold band or in a french pave setting. Whatever the design, any ring with this stone as a centerpiece will have an air of classic timelessness.

The Princess cut is a newer diamond shape, dating back to the sixties. Although relatively modern in origin and design, when combined with a classic setting the effect is unique, stunning and ageless.

This beautiful ring, from our range of both vintage and modern engagement rings, features a 1 carat princess cut diamond in a vintage style setting and surrounded by a total of .76 carats of smaller diamonds. Elegant and graceful, it is just as stunning in profile as head-on.

Another favorite engagement ring cut is the Asher, or Cushion cut, so called because the square cut with rounded corners resembles a pillow.

This magnificent 3.07 carat Asher cut diamond is displayed perfectly in a setting which is a modern take on the vintage Art Deco style of the 1930’s, giving it a timeless appeal.

These are just two examples of the work we do, but we feel they are proof that vintage does not have to mean old-fashioned, and can be combined with the modern to produce a classic. If you want to see more, you can browse our collection online here