Be it shoes, clothes, or jewelry, vintage never goes out of style. Vintage rings offer a certain elegance that newer designs struggle to capture. Vintage engagement rings have a rich history and are made with craftsmanship unlike any other. As the technology and machinery were not as sophisticated as they are today, truly vintage rings were made with wax molds and a lot of attention was given to detail.
Each vintage ring is one of a kind. Trends from bygone eras influenced the methods used to create stunning pieces of jewelry like necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and of course, engagement rings. Jewelry pieces from certain periods were more popular than others were. For engagement rings, the influence of the Art deco era has taken the world by storm today.
Art deco era
The art deco movement dates back to the 1920s. Some say it started around 1915 and carried on until the 1930s. The main feature of art deco jewelry was bold, geometric patterns that repeat themselves throughout the piece. The art deco era was a celebration of the end of World War I. It was an era where people were filled with the passion to explore and discover new things. They wanted to create new trends and look towards a better and brighter future. There was a certain boldness in the air that definitely translated into jewelry crafted at the time.
Milgrain
Vintage art deco engagement rings featured repetitive metalwork with sharp angles. They also had tiny metal beads embedded into the border of the rings called milgrain. Milgrain is a term derived from the French phrase” ‘mille-grain” which means “a thousand grains.” Milgrain was a technique used in jewelry making that used tiny metallic beads along the border of certain shapes or patterns that made up the ring.
While art deco was what made milgrain so popular, the milgrain technique was actually popular in South East Asia. During the art deco period, milgrain jewelry was easily available to the masses by incorporating the technique into white gold. Suddenly, Milgrain was no longer only for the elite. It was around this time that milgrain became associated with engagement rings and wedding rings.
Filigree
In addition to milgrain, art deco was also characterized by filigree work, which was perfected and made popular in the 1920s. Filigree work in jewelry refers to small, intricate cuts that are made in the metal to create different patterns and designs. Die-cast machines were used to perfect this technique. At the time it became a hot trend to wear filigree jewelry. What is interesting about these pieces is that it is nearly impossible to replicate them because they were made during the art deco era, using wax molds.
Why was art deco so popular?
In addition to being a celebration of the post-WWI era, art deco also started as a rebellion against the typical bows and curves on rings and other jewelry. These elements were viewed as “uselessly ornamental.” Women who had joined the workforce after the war were suddenly empowered to be bolder and more confident. The goal was to start afresh and make a clean break from everything that had happened in the past. This gave rise to the neat geometric designs on vintage engagement rings as well as other jewelry. These designs mostly had straight or angled edges, going as far away from curvy bows as was possible at the time.
Modern brides prefer vintage ring designs
Today, the vintage look is very much in vogue. Women all over the world appreciate the beauty of vintage jewelry. The sheer elegance of a vintage ring has the power to melt hearts. So, if you want her to say “yes”, choosing a vintage ring is the right way to go.
Vintage rings are one of a kind. They reflect the beauty of a bygone time. Each piece has some mystery and invokes feelings of intrigue in anyone who looks at it. Women today want to stand out rather than blend in with the crowd. Wearing a vintage ring can help them do just that. Authentic, diamond, art deco engagement rings have been popular with women for a long time. They are, in fact, the largest category of vintage rings that women find most appealing.
Today, the trend has shifted. Women no longer want to compare their rings to their peers to see who has the bigger stone. When she puts on the ring, she is looking for it to represent something to her, and to her fiancé. Women today are looking for meaning in their jewelry, and vintage art deco engagement rings, luxury engagement rings can do just that.
A.JAFFE is here to help
At A.JAFFE you will find a wide selection of gorgeous rings that will take your fiancée’s breath away. From classic solitaires to vintage art deco engagement rings, you can look through our selection to find a ring that she will absolutely love. Or, you can create a custom engagement ring that is just perfect for your fiancée.
