Why choose a vintage engagement ring?

Vintage engagement rings are more than just beautiful - they’re sustainable, distinctive, and often better value for money than their newly-made counterparts. Choosing a pre-loved engagement ring means you’re investing in a story, a set of precious materials and a work of craftsmanship that already exists, without contributing to the environmental impacts of further mining or manufacturing.  

What’s more, pre-loved engagement rings tell captivating stories; they’re an opportunity to exchange mass production and generic designs for a truly unique symbol of your love. 

If you’re still weighing up the pros and cons of choosing a vintage or antique engagement ring over a modern piece, this helpful guide to understanding your options might just help you to navigate the decision-making process. 

Understanding antique jewellery eras: What’s the difference between Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco engagement rings? 

One of the most exciting parts of buying a vintage engagement ring is immersing yourself in the design eras of yesteryear and choosing a moment that suits your partner’s personality and visual tastes. Here's a quick breakdown of the most popular eras you’ll come across – and the loveable characteristics that define them. 
 

Victorian Engagement Rings (1837–1901) 

Victorian jewellery is known for its ornate details and deeply personal, romantic symbolism. Emblematic depictions of flowers, nature-inspired forms, acrostic gemstone messaging and hand inscriptions are commonplace. 

The Victorian era largely predated the advent of electrical manufacturing equipment, so Victorian jewellery is hand-crafted; gemstone cuts such as the Old Mine Cut and Old European Cuts are mesmerising showcases of hand-faceting techniques. 

The Victorians also favoured the use of vivid colour, so combinations of white and yellow gold are usual – as are vibrant coloured gemstones like emerald, garnet, and sapphire. 

The Victorian jewels in our Reclaimed Vintage collection and wider ring collection are champions of detailed craftsmanship and symbolic significance; the ideal pick for those drawn to timeless romance and hidden meaning. 

Edwardian Engagement Rings (1901–1915) 

Following the Victorian era of heavy, ornate forms, Edwardian rings are airy and refined, with a strong emphasis on lightness and elegance. You’ll often find lace-like filigree work, fine milgrain beading, delicate platinum gemstone settings and the Old European diamond cut favoured at the time. 

Edwardian engagement rings epitomise a distinctly antique charm, their high levels of craftsmanship a timelessly impressive story to wear. 

Art Deco Engagement Rings (1920s–1930s) 

Art Deco engagement rings stand out for their bold forms and strong geometry. They reflect the playful opulence and social, economic and industrial innovation of the Jazz Age, featuring novel gemstone cuts like the baguette, emerald cut and step cut. Reflecting a movement away from fine detail and twinkling gemstones, Art Deco engagement rings exhibit novel gemstone cuts like the step cut, the emerald cut and the baguette – whose appeal lies not in their sparkle but their cleanliness and symmetry. Boldly contrasting colours and architectural forms are also commonplace. For an engagement ring with presence and polish, an Art Deco masterpiece is a striking choice. 

Why now is the time to buy a vintage engagement ring

It’s no secret; in this era of climate crisis, it’s crucial that we slow the rate at which we’re consuming our planet’s finite natural resources. Here at The Vintage Ring Co., we subscribe to the ‘slow jewellery’ philosophy. In an age of instant gratification, mass production and rapid trend cycles, we see vintage jewellery as an opportunity to step off the hamster wheel and smell the roses. 

Just as the slow food and slow fashion movements have arisen in response to industrialised practices and environmental concerns, slow jewellery represents a conscious return to care, craft, and connection. If you too would like to invest only in purposeful items that tell stories, align with your personal values, stand the tests of time and leave minimal impact on our planet – a vintage engagement ring the perfect symbol of your unique story. 

What to look for when shopping for a vintage engagement ring 

Whilst the character and charm of vintage rings are unmatched, it’s important to remember that shopping for pre-loved jewellery requires a slightly more detail-orientated approach than purchasing a brand new ring from a collection. To ensure your investment is sound, here are three things to look out for: 
 

1. Authenticity 

Seek confirmation that the ring is truly vintage or antique - not a modern reproduction. Original hallmarks, wear consistent with age, and traditional diamond cuts like old mine or old European are all helpful visual indicators of a ring’s age. This being said, it’s best if your ring’s authenticity is assured by an expert, preferably in the form of a written valuation report. Here at The Vintage Ring Co., all of our pre-loved engagement rings come with a unique certificate of authenticity, written and signed by a third party assessor at the London Assay Office. Not all of our rings are strictly vintage or antique – in fact, some of them are pre-loved ‘modern vintage’ pieces from the late-20th century. Though equally as beautiful and environmentally sustainable as their older counterparts, we’re transparent with you when this is the case. You can learn a little more about authenticating a genuine antique here. 

2. Condition and restoration 

Vintage rings often require some restoration in order to be worn again, but too much intervention may compromise their integrity. Ask your jeweller whether the ring has been resized, re-tipped, or altered in any way. Here at The Vintage Ring Co., every pre-loved ring we source is assessed, cleaned and expertly repaired where necessary before it’s advertised on our website. This process is considered and documented so we can share the details of its journey with you, assuring you that your ring is ready to be worn with confidence and loved for the long-term.  
 

3. Resize-ability 

As with any ‘forever’ ring, it’s important that your vintage ring fits perfectly. It’s probable you’ll need to explore a resize – so it’s worth checking from the outset whether this a service your jeweller can help you with. At The Vintage Ring Co., we offer one free resize within the first year of purchase, and an abundance of advice on how to ensure your resize is accurate and successful. It's important to note that the age, craftsmanship and previous restoration history of one vintage ring might leave it more delicate than others, which can affect the extent to which it can be resized without compromising its detail and structural integrity. If you’re planning to propose with a vintage ring, we don’t recommend having it resized until you’ve popped the question and can include your partner in the sizing process – but we do advise discussing ring sizing with your jeweller before you choose your ring. You can learn more about resizing antique and vintage rings here. 
 

Explore our collection of vintage rings 

If you've decided a pre-loved engagement ring is the right choice for you, we’re here to help. Our curated collection features antique, vintage and modern vintage rings from across the past two centuries, each one carefully chosen for its quality, craftsmanship and emotional resonance. 

Explore the collection online or reach out to our friendly team to book an in-person consultation in the heart of London’s historic Hatton Garden to become united with a unique heirloom with both a history and a future.