How To Choose A Vintage Engagement Ring

Your choice of engagement ring is one of the biggest fashion decisions you’ll ever make. After all, this is a piece that you’ll wear forever and will want to stand the test of time. Perhaps that’s why so many of today’s brides are gravitating toward vintage or vintage-inspired engagement rings. These rings have a classic beauty that is simply timeless.

But, if you’re interested in getting a vintage engagement ring, how do you pick one you’ll love? After all, there are many vintage styles to choose from— where do you start? We’ve put together this guide on how to choose a vintage engagement ring you’ll cherish to help you sort through the decades and find a ring you’ll adore.

Step 1: Educate Yourself

Six Prong Vintage Engraved Milgrain Engagement Ring

One of the first things you should do when shopping for a vintage engagement ring is to make sure you understand what exactly a vintage ring is. Vintage jewelry is jewelry that is between 20 and 100 years old. Anything over 100 years old enters into the antique territory and anything made within the last 20 years is still considered modern.

It’s also important to note that jewelry can either be vintage or vintage-inspired. Vintage jewelry is jewelry that was made 20 to 100 years ago and vintage-inspired jewelry is newly created jewelry that emulates a vintage style.

Step 2: Find Your Style

Tapered Split Shank Milgrain Engagement Ring

Along with the romantic sense of history a vintage engagement ring brings, many brides are also drawn to their timeless style. If you’re thinking of getting a vintage or vintage-inspired ring, it’s important to narrow down which styles appeal to you.

There are two major eras in vintage jewelry that have very different styles. The first is the Art Deco period, in which designers used geometric shapes to create their designs. For Art Deco, think The Great Gatsby or the Empire State building. The second major era is Retro, which features bold and glamorous designs. For Retro, think old Hollywood.

Once you’ve narrowed it down between the two eras, there are still many more style choices to consider. Do you prefer a certain precious metal or a certain center stone? Do you like sleek designs or ornate ones? Shop around, get inspired, and start discovering which styles speak to you.

Art Deco Asscher Halo Engagement Ring

Step 3: Vintage Vs Vintage-Inspired

As we mentioned in Step 1, there is a difference between vintage and vintage-inspired rings. It’s also important to know that there are also certain benefits to each. For many, the appeal of a vintage ring is the history behind it. But vintage rings can also have their drawbacks. Vintage engagement ring designers didn’t have the luxury of modern machinery when making their pieces, so the pieces are often less sturdy than modern vintage-inspired pieces.  This can cause them to require much more upkeep and care when wearing. Consider whether history or durability is more important to you when considering a vintage vs vintage-inspired ring.

Split Shank Diamond Curl Engagement Ring

Step 4: Check The Receipts

Whichever style of engagement ring you choose, make sure you’re buying from a respected seller. You’ll want to make sure that both the stones of the ring and the precious metal making up the band are as described by getting a ring with a certificate from a reputable laboratory. This universal grading guide will help protect you by certifying the exact quality of the piece.

For more vintage-inspiration, check out our wide selection of beautiful vintage-inspired rings.