What is an Antique Engagement Ring?

Unique brides should consider an antique engagement ring. It has tremendous charm and character. Vintage and antique engagement rings are less expensive than market engagement rings of today and are an instant heirloom. Many antique rings also have better craftsmanship. 

What is the Difference between Antique and Vintage?

There are different answers all over the Internet. However, for industry professionals, an antique is a piece that is 100 years old or more. Vintage refers to 20 - 99 years old. 

Craftsmanship - The metal and stone work of vintage to antique pieces is unrivaled today. Our mall jewelry store engagement rings are machine-set in a factory, or completed on an assembly line with jewelers who have a main goal of producing quickly. Antique rings were each a work of art. Most have a "Maker's Mark;" the stamp that indicates the jeweler or company who created the piece. The metals are solid and stones set securely by hand. 

Unique Gemstones - This is probably my favorite aspect to the antique engagement ring. There is some very political history surrounding the diamond industry that is beyond the scope of this conversation today. (Remind me to write about that!) Diamonds were not often used in antique engagement rings. Before 1900, one will see turquoise, coral, and many pearls. At the turn of the century, sapphires and emeralds started to become the most popular, adding diamonds as accent. The roaring 20's erupted with bling and sparkle. Two extremely popular gemstones were used in engagement rings that we don't see today: Spinel and Zircon. Do not confuse "zircon" with "cubic zirconia."Zircon is a highly valuable, mined gem from the earth with a sparkle that rivals the diamond. Spinel is an amazing stone and highly sought-after by collectors. It comes in almost every color. We sell zircon and spinel the most in our store to unique brides who understand the value and rarity of these amazing gems. 

Check out an amazing Blue Zircon engagement ring from the 1920's here: Blue Zircon

Here is an vintage Spinel Ring: Antique Spinel









Affordable diamonds - Diamonds did not used to be graded the way they are today. Diamonds were hand-cut and were sought after for different qualities than will be measured now. Gray, yellow, green, and rose diamonds were used above white. Often in the store, a bride will ask, "What is the clarity and color of this antique diamond." Although we will estimate it for you, the search for an antique diamond is about the beauty YOU see in the stone, not what the current diamond grading says is beautiful.


Rose Cut Diamonds - Date back to the 1500's. These have only a few facets and will be found in various colors, especially gray. Rose Cut Diamond

Old Mine Diamonds - An old mine diamond is the most popular in our antique store. These diamonds are hand cut and have a cushion shape. They sparkle like dew, especially in low light! Imagine how they sparkled in a world that only used candle light or oil lamps at 
night. Old Mine Diamond

Old European Cut - The OEC, is the diamond cut that most closely resembles today's modern brilliant. The OEC has a more precise cut than the old mine to control light movement inside the stone, improving the brilliance of the stone. Old European Cut Diamond