Welcome to the first installment on how to identify what kind of engagement ring style your ‘wife-to-be’ might posses and how you’re going to get about on your search for the perfect engagement ring. Today we’re going to start off with vintage.
Vintage – the definition
Firstly let’s begin with what vintage is NOT. Vintage is not just old stuff. There is a clear different between something that is vintage and of vintage style – so don’t be confused or deceived. Vintage in fashion and jewelry refers to an item with origins that date back between fifty to one hundred years old. Anything older than that and we are talking about antiques, and we’ll get to that later.
So clearly you can see that when you say vintage, you’re referring to something of the Edwardian ((1901–1910) or Mid Victorian (1837–1901) era. They style back then for jewelry were quite ornate with a good mix of stones. Aesthetic Jewelry, Mourning Jewelry and Grand Jewelry were all designs from these eras. Filigree and metal craftsmanship I would say was at its peak as all the pieces were skillfully designed by hand. The inspiration was often nature and florals.
A lady of vintage taste
Don’t be fooled that just because she hasn’t got her house all plastered with floral wallpaper, draped with sweet lace and filled with Regency Era furniture, it means she hates vintage. The signs aren’t always that obvious…in fact women who love vintage are likely fans of romance and elegance, with that touch of unyielding regal glamour. She probably admires cream tops with high collars with tasteful lace trimmings, adores pairing them with pencil skirts and having cascading curls in her hair. She appreciates filigree, impressionist art and is smitten by the glamourus romance of stories like Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire.
Where to buy
With vintage, clearly you aren’t looking for something new so popping into the next famous jewelers won’t help you. Of course today you will find due to the popularity of the designs, there are many ‘new rings’ designed to look old – modeled after the vintage era. But if your lady truly loves vintage then nothing beats the original because of the master craftsmanship that no longer exists.
Furthermore it is also due to the craftsmanship that makes each vintage piece unique. You should not be able to find a similar one, if you find yourself in the hands of a seller that tells you he has various sizes for the ring, then obviously something is wrong.
Believe it or not, the best place to start shopping for vintage rings is not really online, but instead with determined visits to vintage shops. You really can never tell what little surprise may await you there. Often, many jewelry pieces are unappreciated by the unknowing eyes and who know you could pick up a good bargain.
Alternatively you may find the most beautiful rings on auctions sites but just as you would with any jewelry piece, you must be careful with your purchase. I would advice such purchase to come with a genuine recognizable appraisal. Vintage pieces are by far the greenest rings you can ask for and certainly among the most fitting for a proposal…they are like no other and will cause no more harm to the environment, just as your love for her.
