Art Deco Vintage Engagement Rings

Buying an engagement ring is a daunting and often complicated task that necessitates widespread research about gemstones, settings, and the metals used to construct the bands. Vintage engagement rings require even more extensive research, especially if they’re from the art deco era. This era that defined the 1920s offers the buyer limited but unique designs that include radiant colours and artistic geometric moulds.

While this time period spanned a couple of decades at the most, it left an extraordinary impression on ring designs, and in fact many contemporary young couples today opt for vintage engagement rings that incorporate art deco styles. For those couples considering following suite this article gives the necessary background information on the era, as well as its three styles of engagement jewellery pieces, to help you shop in the most informed manner possible.

The Art Deco Era

Most art historians conclude that the art deco era spanned from 1910 to 1940. Engagement rings from its day characteristically enjoy a blend of brilliant colours, straight lines, and geometric forms that generate an avant-garde piece of jewellery. The gaudy designs reflect the culture of the era, which was known as the Roaring Twenties. During the 1920s, the economy soared and women experienced brand new freedoms. Women’s suffrage liberties made them feel more expressive in their fashion and accessories, which was a sentiment that directly translated into jewellery design. Such expression involved Egyptian, Asian, and Native American cultural influences and included rich, divergent gemstones. That said, however, many art deco jewels also highlighted glitzy diamonds that symbolized the sumptuous way of life synonymous with the era. The modernist theme of this fashion makes vintage engagement rings of the era a popular choice among young couples today.

Art Deco Ring Styles

The prevailing art deco ring theme is a multitude of gemstones mounted collectively to exhibit a variety of different hues. Jewellers set one jewel in the middle of the piece and then accent it with others such as rubies, emeralds, corals, and turquoise. Diamonds do not necessarily have to be the focal point, although often they are. While there are numerous engagement piece styles that came out of this time period, the primary three are listed below.

Domed Band

Vintage engagement rings that incorporate a domed band style feature a slender band at the back that comes to its widest point at the front and centre setting of the piece. They are adorned with filigree designs of diverse engraved patterns; usually including natural forms and shapes such as leaves and flowers. Small to medium sized gemstones are mounted at the centre of the domed band.

Horizontal

Also referred to as "East-West", the horizontal ring style encompasses the focal jewel while it is set lengthwise on the band, making it appear like a bar. This design tends to include multiple diamonds that intersperse with other gems, such as emeralds and sapphires.

Square Setting

Square setting vintage engagement rings showcase their gemstones better than any other art deco style. They employ a single, round-cut diamond that sits in the middle of the square band.

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