Rare Finds: a Home for Our Extra-Special Vintage Engagement Rings
When we set up The Vintage Ring Company, one of our founding principles was that the rings we offered must be affordable. We are still absolutely committed to delivering on this promise and have been working to consistently grow our collection of affordable antique, vintage and modern vintage rings. However, there have been a few times when we have got very excited about a ring that was so special that we couldn’t let it pass us by – so much so that we have just launched a new section of the website called “Unique Finds”.
Within Unique Finds you will find an exclusive collection of higher-end rings that have been selected because they feature a top-quality stone or an especially impressive design. If you have a very strict budget, we have plenty of beautiful designs that will fit the bill. But if you are interested in acquiring an extra-special engagement ring or are in the mood for treating yourself to a statement design, our Unique Finds collection is where you should head.
One of my most recent Unique Finds is a magnificent Art Deco ring dating from the 1920s. I have the fun job of naming each of our rings and this one just had to be called Daisy after my favourite character in The Great Gatsby. The colour of the centre stone, a fine quality 2.88 carat blue sapphire, is exquisite – a deep and intense blue that would have stood out at the time it was made and certainly makes an impression today.
In the words of Daisy Buchanan, I was paralysed with happiness when we brought this beautiful ring home with us. The bold geometry of the octagonal platinum setting, which mirrors the silhouette of the emerald-cut sapphire, is pure Art Deco, with the halo of diamonds adding just the right degree of 1920s-style razzle-dazzle.
Another recent Rare Find is a sensational yellow sapphire ring that is classified as estate jewellery because while it is categorically Art Deco style, it was actually crafted in the latter part of the 20th century. The term estate jewellery was originally coined to describe jewels that were part of an “estate” and later sold off, while today it is used to describe significant, valuable jewels that have been pre-owned.
I named this beautiful yellow sapphire ring after one of my 1920s style icons, the one and only Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, a rebellious rule-breaker who would have loved its vibrant Art Deco vibes. The star of the show is an elegant 1.24 carat emerald cut yellow sapphire, showcased in a pretty millegrain setting. A popular method of setting diamonds and gems during the Art Deco era, a delicate line of beading encircles the centre stone and the accompanying emerald cut and round diamonds, securing them in place while also adding the prettiest of antique details.
Our third unique find is an absolute classic, a Victorian five stone ring featuring five bright, white old cut diamonds, framed by a pretty scallop-shaped setting.
The tiny diamond accents in between the main stones, set deeper into the design, are one of the little details on this ring that I love. The other is revealed when you turn the ring on its side: ornate scrollwork carved by hand into the yellow gold, a quintessential 19th century decoration that brings a real sense of Victorian heritage to the design.
