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While new or en-vogue engagement rings are common amongst brides-to-be, some individuals look to the past for inspiration with vintage or vintage-inspired settings. As with fashion, many ring styles from decades past have resurfaced as popular and bespoke for the modern bride. We offer vintage-inspired engagement rings at Kristin Coffin with details from periods such as Art Deco, Victorian, other eras gone by.
Vintage-Inspired vs Vintage
It’s essential to distinguish between true vintage engagement rings and vintage-inspired rings, as this will help you decide on factors such as budget, upkeep, and where to buy.
A vintage engagement ring has a relatively loose definition since there is no absolute time that must pass before it can be defined as such. However, ‘antique’ — a word often used as a synonym for ‘vintage’ — can only be used when a ring is over 50 years old. With that in mind, it’s normal to associate vintage rings with this threshold.
On the other hand, vintage-inspired engagement rings pay homage to vintage styles with settings, stone shapes, and metal types that were common during many popular eras. The upside? Contemporary designers like Kristin Coffin can add a modern twist to the ring with unique gemstones, updated technology, and ethically sourced materials.
What Makes an Engagement Ring Vintage?
As mentioned above, this can be hard to define as there isn’t a standard for this term. For engagement rings, ‘vintage’ can be associated with words such as antique, previously owned, family heirloom, or thrifted. However, when searching online or in-store for a vintage ring, you’ll most commonly find rings from eras such as Victorian (1837-1900), Edwardian (1901-1910), Art Deco (1915-the 1930s), or Mid Century (1950s-1980s).
What Is an Antique Engagement Ring?
While often similar in mindset, antique engagement rings do have a set definition. For a ring to be considered ‘antique,’ it must have been designed more than 50 years ago. However, many vintage-inspired engagement rings also constitute antique-inspired — offering the look and style of an heirloom ring with advancements such as ethically sourced stones and metals.
Are Vintage Engagement Rings More Expensive?
The cost of an actual vintage engagement ring is incredibly multifaceted, as most vintage rings will be unique. Price would likely depend on how old the ring is, where it came from, previous owners, metal type, diamond or gemstone size/quality, and more.
On the other hand, the price of vintage-inspired engagement rings is usually in-line with different setting designs offered by the company from which you’re looking to buy. At Kristin Coffin, we provide a wide range of vintage-inspired rings ranging in style, price, center stone, and more. Our [ring name] is one of our best-sellers and pulls inspiration from [eras] while adding our unique twist with non-traditional stone offerings.
Time Periods of Vintage Rings
The primary periods that vintage rings are from, and vintage-inspired rings pull design elements from are Victorian, Edwardian, Art Deco, and Mid-Century.
Rings from this period are known for featuring complex metalwork, often with yellow gold and chunky diamonds or colored gems.
This era stepped it up a bit in terms of bold designs that showcased class and status. The most common metals used in these rings were silver and platinum — often further decorated with small accent diamonds in addition to the center stone.
As with many aspects of this time, art deco engagement rings are fun, funky, and daring. Geometric shapes were a considerable part of this era, and their jewelry and engagement rings mirrored this with center stones and settings featuring lots of square and rectangular elements.
This post-war era became a time of prosperity and wealth for many, resulting in bigger and bolder engagement rings. Exuberant designs include starbursts, florals, and many balanced, clean lines.