Embrace Vintage: A Guide to Rings by Era

Your desire for a simpler life is reflected in your obsession with classic literature, handwritten love poems, and Victorian-style home decor. Perhaps you even say out loud, “I was born in the wrong time period.”

If that’s the case, we recommend that you fully embrace your romantic side with vintage rings. They combine everything we love about history – art, culture, and craftsmanship – to allow us to own a little bit of the past.

Vintage Rings by Era

Fine jewelry designs mark many vintage eras. In the 19th century, designs were crafted for royalty and monarchs, who set the tone for popular styles and fashions. These days, we focus less on what the royals wear and more on celebrities.
Let’s explore four of the most popular vintage ring eras and discover which style is best for you.

Victorian Era Rings

During the period between 1837-1901, this era is named after Queen Victoria. It can be said that this was the last era when jewelry was primarily handmade and relied on a vivid attention to detail and craftsmanship.
Victorian jewelry was romantic and often featured patterns, engravings, and personalized details to express love and devotion. Aside from rare heirlooms, Victorian rings were primarily worn by royalty and monarchs.

Art Nouveau Rings

Popular from 1890-1910, Art Nouveau rings featured extremely realistic scenes and patterns. The long lines and curved angles appealed to the wearer of an Art Nouveau ring. If you study Art Nouveau jewelry, you’ll notice that it was intricate and delicate looking—warm colors were often used to create a decorative style.

Edwardian Era Rings

In 1901-1915, when the monarch was more powerful, fashion didn’t change as quickly as it does today. Less industrialization meant less factory-made jewelry and more jewelry styles that were passed down through generations.
Edwardian rings took the patterning and personalization of Victorian jewelry to a new level. They featured symbols inspired by nature, such as birds, trees, and flowers. The Edwardians also didn’t like to overdo things. Just one piece of jewelry (a ring, brooch, necklace, or earrings) could set you apart and show your status.

Art Deco Rings

1920–1945 were the Roaring Twenties, marked by rapid industrial and technological advancement, and Art Deco rings reflected this with their bold geometric shapes and futuristic designs.

The Art Deco style is by far the most popular vintage ring today, reflecting the prosperity of the 1920s, something that modern couples dream of.

Retro Era Mid-Century Rings

Older generations may remember the vintage era of jewelry from 1940-1950. It was characterized by a rainbow of gemstone colors, bold golds, huge cocktail rings, and statement pieces. Very unique designs and motifs were popular, such as horns, bells, ribbons, and even people.

During World War II, since platinum was in high demand, jewelry styles moved towards yellow gold.

What to Look For in a Vintage Ring

Whether it’s an engagement, anniversary, or another special occasion, there are some important things to look for in a vintage ring. Here are our tips:

Look for extremely durable materials. Especially with vintage rings that feature gentle curves (such as Art Nouveau), it’s important to consider durability. Fine lines don’t hold up easily and can break after just a few wears.

When shopping for vintage rings, use inspirational photos or heirloom jewelry as examples of the style you want. This is a great way to compare ring options without being overwhelmed by the trendy designs of the moment.

Don’t forget to shop online. Now that many incredible jewelers operate entirely online, younger generations are getting smarter about how they buy jewelry. With lower overheads, many online jewelers offer higher quality gemstones at a fraction of the retail price.

Don’t choose a vintage ring just for fashion. Don’t get me wrong, there are many beautiful vintage ring styles. However, we also encourage you to pick a vintage ring based on the time period you feel most connected to.

Invest in quality gemstones. You can find the best vintage ring design, but it won’t look right without the right gemstones. Whether you’re buying rubies, sapphires, emeralds, or diamonds, find a jeweler who sells high-quality gemstones.

Let the Past Inspire Your Future