Types of Vintage Engagement Rings

For an engagement ring that is out of the ordinary consider something from another time period. Vintage engagement rings have a lot to offer if you want a ring that is both beautiful and meaningful. Often these rings are passed down from generation to generation. However if that's not the case in your family but you still want a vintage ring for your significant other there are plenty of places to look. Estate sales are certainly one way to find all kinds of vintage and antique jewelry including engagement rings.

The word vintage is hard to define. It is used to describe wine, clothing, cars and jewelry. A vintage piece of jewelry is one that is more than 50 years old. Some people will tell you that vintage pieces must be made before 1900. It all depends on who you ask. One thing you will notice about older pieces of jewelry is the color. Colored diamonds were popular back then unlike today where white diamonds are the norm. Another characteristic you'll notice about vintage jewelry is the quality. While the craftsmanship is often impeccable, the stones themselves are often quite flawed because jewelry makers of this time didn't have access to the high tech tools we have today.

One popular type of vintage ring is the Victorian style engagement ring. The Victorian era spanned the years between 1837 and 1901. There are three different categories under this era which are Early, Mid and Late. Early Victorian rings often featured clusters of small diamonds rather than one large one because at that time diamonds were quite scarce. Late Victorian era rings featured more solitaire stones as well as colored gemstones surrounded by diamonds. Victorian jewelry is usually done in yellow or rose gold and often features intricate detailing.

Georgian era rings are even older than Victorian era rings. These vintage engagement rings are handcrafted masterpieces that are rare and expensive. The Georgian era dates from 1714 to 1837. Rings from this time period featured colored gems like emeralds, coral, garnets and topaz. If you find an engagement ring for sale from this time period you are looking at a hefty investment. This is why many buyers of vintage rings go with something from the Victorian age. One thing is certain, when you wear an engagement ring from a vintage time period you're wearing a one of a kind piece that is sure to get attention.