You’re ready to pop the question, but first you have to find the perfect ring. Antique style engagement rings are one of the most trendy styles nowadays because their timeless beauty and intricate details make for more unique rings that give your fiancée that one-of-a-kind feeling she deserves.
Even within the category of antique style engagement rings, there’s a lot of decisions to be made. If she’s truly a lover of vintage and antique jewelry, you might consider an actual antique ring, which is a beautiful gesture. Just be aware that antique diamonds may not be conflict-free, and it’s often difficult to track the exact provenance of antique stones–particularly if you’re buying it from an independent seller, estate sale, or smaller jeweler rather than an auction house, like Sotheby’s. Furthermore, antique stones may run the risk of being more fragile or showing more imperfections than a stone cut with modern standards and tools that is set into an antique style. Not too mention the wear and tear the metal of the ring might have gone through in its however many years of life. True antique rings also often feature pearls, emeralds, opals, and other gemstones. So if you want an antique engagement ring with a contemporary diamond sparkle, you’re probably better off buying a new ring.
How do you find the perfect antique engagement ring to match your beloved’s personality? We’ve got just the guide for you.
Timeless Elegance
Classic Solitaire Engagement Ring in White Gold
Maybe your special someone is a timeless beauty, a woman who evokes effortless class, grace, and style in everything she does. Her personality and style probably imbue a sense of enduring elegance and effortless charm in everything she does. If she’s one for the ages, consider a matching timeless setting like a prong-set solitaire. Made famous by Tiffany & Co, the style’s simplicity will showcase the beauty of its center stone, and its elegant design will never go out of style.
Classic Movie Star
Baguette Diamond Engagement Ring in White Gold
If your gal loves to be the center of attention and is always the belle of the ball, she’s got the glamour, big personality, and effervescence of a classic movie star. Her personality and her taste in jewelry are larger-than-life, just like Elizabeth Taylor and her famous stunner, the Krupp Diamond. How will you find antique engagement rings to match her aesthetic? If you want her to stand out, go for an emerald or Asscher cut diamond as opposed to a more traditional princess or round. A three-stone setting with tapered baguettes is the perfect complement for that Old Hollywood glamour. Other three-stone designs, including those with round or emerald side stones, are also classics.
Girly-Girl
Antique Floral Solitaire Engagement Ring in Platinum
Is your lady specially tuned to all things feminine – a lover of flowers, hot pink, romantic comedies, and Audrey Hepburn? Jewelry inspired by the Victorian era (also known as the Romantic period!) is where to find antique engagement rings for her. Victorian style engagement rings are known for their intricacy and symbolism, such as engraved hearts and floral designs. An example would be this antique floral engagement ring solitaire, a refined ring with flowery embellishments for that extra dash of femininity. Or consider the delicate twists of an Ivy Diamond setting. If she loves pink, choose a rose gold band for that extra dash of color, with added antique history of rose gold’s invention during the Romantic Period.
Edwardian style bands (the era following Victorian) are uniquely delicate and represent an era associated with high romance–they’re the perfect choice for a hopeless romantic.
Tomboy
Bezel Solitaire Engagement Ring in Yellow Gold
You’ve found the girl of your dreams, and she’s a bit of a tomboy. Maybe she’s super athletic or loves to hike. Maybe she just doesn’t go in for overt displays of femininity. She’s a mix of the sultry, boyish charms of Lauren Bacall, and the no-nonsense chutzpah of Katharine Hepburn. Find her a ring that matches her on-the-go, outdoorsy, modest sensibilities. A bezel setting is ideal–its simplicity will fit her practical personality, and if she is particularly active, this setting features a secure metal wall completely surrounding the stone, so it won’t snag or chip. Yellow gold adds the antique edge, and the architectural look of a bezel blends perfectly with an Art Deco feel.
Glamour Girl
Halo Diamond Engagement Ring in Platinum
Is your future wife the picture of glamour? Everything she does oozes expensive and flawless taste. Maybe she just likes to add that extra special oomph to daily events? If your lady is a total glamour girl, choose a ring that is equally flashy. Even if you don’t have the budget for a huge rock, a halo setting will make any stone look like a million bucks. If you want an extra dose of vintage flair, try a milgrain or Art Deco halo setting. The geometric flair of these designs will complement your glamour girl’s unique sense of style perfectly, harking back to the Gatsby-esque age of 1920’s New York City.
Whether the girl of your dreams is the tomboyish, outdoorsy type or a glamorous Hollywood hostess, you can always find antique engagement rings that suit her personality perfectly.
