Vintage Engagement Rings
Capturing the elegance of a bygone age, our selection of beautiful vintage engagement rings includes a range of gorgeous designs featuring sparkling diamond halos combined with shimmering diamond shoulders.
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Vintage Style Engagement Rings
In the context of engagement rings, the term ‘vintage’ means different things to different people, but we define vintage engagement rings to be those that are typical of the Edwardian and Victorian eras. These rings are typically ornate in design, and capture the elegance, romance and quality of these bygone eras. And more than a century after they first became popular, their striking designs are fashionable once again — testimony to the enduring style and beauty of these stunning rings.
Victorian Engagement Rings
The Victorian era was marked by discoveries of gold and diamonds in South Africa, and these finds had a direct impact on the jewellery of the time, helping to make fine jewellery accessible to the middle classes that had emerged from the Industrial Revolution.
Victorian engagement ring designs were heavily influenced by discoveries of ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman treasures during this period, but the style of Victorian engagement rings evolved significantly over six decades from Queen Victoria’s coronation in 1837 until her death in 1901.
Early Victorian engagement rings tended towards the large and more ornate, but later the fashion was for smaller and finer pieces, with gemstones being displayed in increasingly intricate and varied settings. This era also saw the the height of the Art Nouveau movement, inspired by the elaborate curves and free-flowing forms found in nature – a direct reaction against the age of industrialisation.
The metal of choice for engagement rings throughout the Victorian period was 18ct gold, and until 1854 only 18ct gold was hallmarked in Britain. Thereafter, 9ct, 12ct and 15ct gold was allowed to receive a quality stamp too, paving the way for cheaper jewellery.
Of the precious gemstones, opals were one of Victoria’s personal favourites, but coral, turquoise, pearls, garnet and amethyst were also favoured for use in Victorian engagement rings. However, diamonds became increasingly popular in the latter part of Victoria’s reign, after large deposits were found in the 1860s and their affordability improved. The advent of electric lighting in the 1880s probably also helped by showing off diamonds’ sparkle to best effect!
Edwardian Engagement Rings
The death of Queen Victoria in 1901 was followed by the reign of her son, King Edward VII, who died in 1910. The Edwardian era witnessed the development of new technologies such as the car, the aeroplane and the cinema, and importantly for jewellery, the invention of the oxyacetylene torch, which made it far easier for jewellers to work with platinum.
Platinum’s high tensile strength allowed the Edwardians to pioneer elaborate and delicate designs, with lacy patterns and open filigree.
Coloured gems experienced a resurgence in popularity during the period, with sapphires often being used as the main gemstone for engagement rings, and small diamonds being used for decoration.
The jewellery of this era matched the spirit of the ‘Belle Epoque’ – elegant, feminine and delicate, to complement the silk dresses and feathered hats of the time. This really was the ‘Beautiful Era’.
Guides
Engagement ring setting styles
Conflict-free diamonds & ethical diamonds
Platinum vs gold rings
A guide to lab grown diamonds
The Bespoke Experience
If you’d like a ring that’s completely personal to you, then our bespoke design service is the perfect way to bring your vision to life. From the initial design process to the hand finishing by our master craftsmen, we’ll help you to create a uniquely ethical ring that’s right in every way.
- From £1500
- Design to delivery in 4-6 weeks
- Complimentary sketches of potential designs to bring your unique ideas to life
- Work one-to-one with an I&R designer to create a truly unique masterpiece
I honestly cannot recommend Ingle & Rhode enough
Ben and I knew that we wanted a conflict-free and ethical diamond, and we were so delighted to find Ingle & Rhode (and I was so glad to be part of the process...!) Ellie was so warm and helpful, and clearly passionate and knowledgeable about what she does – we really enjoyed meeting her on several occasions, and she responded to all our questions and requests quickly and with such consideration; we really felt that we were getting a bespoke, personal, 1:1 process. I am beyond delighted with my beautiful Aria ring with my stunning lab-grown diamond – I'm 6 weeks engaged, and still don't stop staring at it in all different lights. Thank you so much Ingle & Rhode - you made the world of difference to us in the months before getting engaged, and we have not stopped telling people about you since.
Ingle & Rhode were exceptional throughout the whole process
I was purchasing an engagement ring, so I had a lot to learn. Their website is very useful and helps you build your own ring. I also had an appointment for initial discussions and consultations. They were great at talking through options, giving suggestions and advising on ring size. I work overseas and so the logistics were complicated but they were so flexible and helpful. Everything went well and the ring was even delivered to the house. Brilliant follow up service for additional questions and support. Beautiful products and great service.
Beautiful, ethical jewellery - can't recommend enough!
I am so glad that I found Ingle & Rhode when looking to buy my partner an engagement ring - they are superb, and the products are wonderful.
Buying an ethical ring was really important to my partner and I, and so I was immediately drawn in by Ingle & Rhode - unlike a lot of ethical jewellery companies, their rings are still very contemporary.. which was exactly what my partner wanted!
I had a couple of calls with Ellie during the process, who was so helpful - despite not having a great idea of what to go for, she was decisive and led me towards my own decisions; highly recommend speaking with the team, because they are wonderful (and lovely people too).
Can't recommend using Ingle & Rhode highly enough - my partner loved the ring that I chose, and we would definitely use them again for jewellery in the future.
My experience from start to finish was superb
I have my dream ring which is my 10 year anniversary ring and its STUNNING I can’t stop looking at it. It took about 4 months from start to finish but so worth the wait. We had to find the right diamond and it then had to match my image I had in my head for the setting. From my first phone call to picking up the ring Ellie has been fantastic and very informative along the way. Hayley, the designer was so patient with me going back and forth on design and also had amazing ideas to really elevate the ring. The product and service is truly wonderful so much so I want to buy a new piece every year ( just have to convince the hubby ;) !! Well done team I&R
Simply stunning!
I have just collected my beautiful bespoke ruby and diamond ring from Ingle & Rhode. The journey started with an email enquiry and a face to face meeting with Natalie, who was so helpful and talked through with me some ideas I already had. This ring isn't an engagement ring but more of a statement piece, and I knew that I wanted to find a product that fitted my ethical & environmental values. Hayley then took over with the design process which was so enjoyable, and I have loved watching and being involved with my ring slowly evolving from 6 initial designs. I was really happy with the final CAD artwork and now that it has been turned into the finished piece, it is simply stunning. I could not be happier with my purchase and would thoroughly recommend Ingle & Rhode to anyone looking for a bespoke design and ethical values for a special piece of jewellery, whatever the occasion. Thank you to the whole team!.
The Jewellery Journey
Discover how your ring will be brought to life, from our designer’s hand-drawn sketches to the remarkable skills of our master craftsmen.
Discover how your ring will be brought to life, from our designer’s hand-drawn sketches to the remarkable skills of our master craftsmen.
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