Classic Engagement Rings
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What is the difference between vintage engagement rings and antique engagement rings ?
Well, technically, an antique is something that is over 100 years old, and vintage is a term applied to items dating roughly from 1920 onwards. So vintage can mean anything made within the last 90 years that has been pre-worn or pre-owned. As rings which are vintage are not as old as antique items they are often in better condition, and therefore more wearable and robust than a ring say, 100 years older.
So, what are looking for if you’d like a vintage engagement ring? Well, the 1920′s heralded the beginning of the craze for all things modern, and you may well find pretty diamond and platinum rings covering what is called a transitional period between the florid excess of art nouveau and the sharp lines of art deco. These rings were made for the growing mass market in a modern style and so there are plenty of them out there. Often they feature small diamonds or rubies which were popular stones at this time.
in 1925 the Exposition Des Arts Decoratifs in Paris gave birth to the style which would be known as Art Deco. The Art Deco Style quickly made its way into jewellery. You can find many beautiful vintage engagment rings which utilise this style, ranging from diamonds set within sqaure panels of platinum to large rectangular aquamarines set within stepped geometric mounts – these styles of vintage engagement ring are easy to wear and Art Deco has become rather a timeless style which means that the jewellery looks good with modern styles and fashions.
After Art Deco, came the 1930s which led to a softening of the hard geometric elements which had defined Art Deco. The use of white sapphires and synthetic or treated rubies became widespread in the 1930s, so if this style appeals to you, then its worth ascertaining that the stones used in a ring are actually what they purport to be. Many 1930s vintage engagement rings also use gold wash over silver (a fine coating of gold plating) so make sure that if you want gold, you are actually buying that.
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Source: (1960′s engagement rings) http://www.wedding-and-engagement-rings.com/vintage-engagement-rings.php