Opting for your wedding rings is a decision that is meant to last a lifetime. If you would like to acquire a ring that has timeless style and will last a lifetime, just as your love, you will need to pick carefully. Start with a good idea of what you desire in a vintage engagement rings, including the era you would like to see represented in it. Would you like something Art Deco in style? Or, perhaps you envision something a lot more Edwardian to symbolize your commitment. What you select will ascertain the price range and where you are likely to find your ideal ring. Also, you should think about whether you prefer a replica of a certain era's jewelry or if you are searching for a genuine antique. Something to remember is the variance between "antique" and "estate" rings. Antique rings are those that are older than fifty years of age. An estate ring, on the other hand, is less than fifty years old. You will also encounter vintage rings that may not be genuine antiques but that reproduce the designs of an antique era.
Now, let's examine the most popular antique styles on the market today. You can find, with careful research as well as shopping, an antique wedding ring that goes back to the 19th century. A Georgian ring (from the early 1800's) will be crafted of yellow gold, often 18 karat, and based on surviving rings, most likely have seed pearls or perhaps another softer stone as a centerpiece. If a diamond is a must have, you can find a rose-cut or mine-cut diamond in certain Georgian rings. However, the focal point of the rings of this era was the engraving and also ornamentation of the band itself. Jewelery design of the time was characterized by a confined vintage engagement ring settings. Never forget, if you are thinking about a Georgian wedding ring, the softer stone that was prominent at the time are likely to have sustained cracks. Have the ring cautiously appraised by a reputable jeweler before making your final selection.
The Victorian era, close on the heels of the Georgian period, favored rings with highly sentimental design. Flowers, birds, and also hearts were typical motifs. This is also the time frame that began featuring diamonds almost exclusively as the center stone. The classic Tiffany design first showed in this design era. The body of Victorian wedding rings was most popularly cast in yellow or rose gold. Victorian designs are very popular with numerous engaged couples today and, with their relatively modern gemstones and designs, it's easy to see why. As with all antique rings, you must have the stone meticulously checked by a jeweler. Jewelers in the 19th century did not have the instruments available to them that modern jewelers do. Thus, it was difficult for them to discover occlusions or flaws that are readily detected by today's jewelers. Ensure that you know what you're purchasing and what condition it's in.
Edwardian jewelry is also a popular design for antique wedding rings. The Edwardian era spans from approximately 1901-1919. Rings from this time period are growing difficult to get but, they are out there. And, replicas are also quite popular, reproducing the filigree details and featuring the stars and also crescents which were trademarks of the Edwardian wedding rings. It was during this period that rings began to be made from platinum and/or white gold. This permitted for lighter rings, more discreet settings and more attention to the gemstones these tiffany engagement rings featured. Popular gemstones for Edwardian wedding rings include mine-cut diamonds and also amethysts and peridots.
vintage engagement ring settings