Posts Tagged ‘antique engagement rings’

 

Antique Engagement Rings Offer Romance and Beauty

Friday, July 2nd, 2010

Vintage and antique engagement rings have become very popular in recent years and there are many reasons that men and women alike choose to buy an engagement ring that honors designs from the past. Whether it is because of the unique beauty of these rings, because of the added sparkle, or because these rings remind people of nostalgic times of the past, antique engagement rings are very popular today.

When a man plans to propose to his girlfriend, he wants the moment to be truly special. By presenting her with a vintage or antique engagement ring he is showing her that he truly has a romantic side. Many engagement rings that were created in the past have a more feminine and thus romantic feel because these rings possess intricate and delicate design details. Inspired by designs from the Edwardian or Art Deco era, these vintage rings are often crafted from platinum or white gold, and usually showcase engraved openwork or milgrain designs in the setting.

In addition to the beautiful engraved openwork and milgrain patterns, many antique engagement rings sparkle more than a modern engagement ring because rather than have just one large center diamond, these rings have many small diamonds. This allows you to wear a ring that has a heavy carat weight but at a lesser cost. Also, the many small diamonds in a vintage or antique engagement ring work together to create a ring with an amazing sparkle.

Micro pave engagement rings are very common vintage or antique engagement ring styles. Pave is taken from the French word pavement, or to cover. These rings that have may small diamonds that cover the setting. With all of these brilliant stones working together, you can imagine the kind radiant sparkle that a vintage micro pave engagement ring offers!

Brides also like to wear vintage or antique engagement rings because they are nostalgic and remind them of the romantic past. They reflect bygone eras are sometimes more magical, and becoming engaged and planning a wedding is one of the most magical times in a woman’s life. She may want one of these rings because it better suits her mood during these moments. Some prefer an actual engagement ring that was handed down through generations, or many modern brides purchase a vintage inspired engagement ring that they are the first to own, and that they can pass down to their children.

To view a fine selection of vintage and antique engagement ring, visit EngagementRings.org.

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Engagement Rings with Cushion Cut Diamonds

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

A cushion cut diamond adds a vintage appeal to an engagement ring, and many couples favor these unique cuts because of their association with antique engagement rings. However, a cushion cut works just as well with contemporary engagement ring designs, but adds a vintage, romantic appeal for a stunning ring your bride-to-be will love.

 

What are Cushion Cuts?

Cushion cuts are aptly named and are characterized by rounded corners and a square or rectangular shape with a “puffy” appearance, kind of like an overstuffed chair cushion.

 

This type of diamond cut is quite popular, especially as an alternative to more traditional cuts such as princess, emerald or oval shapes. In fact, cushion cuts take inspiration from all three of those shapes for a unique and distinctive stone perfect for any bride-to-be’s engagement ring.

 

They are especially popular cuts for vintage rings, as cushion cuts became very widespread during the late 1800′s and early 1900′s. In fact, even though contemporary cushion cuts are available, it will be difficult to find this type of cut outside of a vintage or antique ring.

 

The Quality

It is very important to judge the quality of a cushion cut diamond very carefully. Because cushion cuts have fewer facets, they will not sparkle as brilliantly as other diamond cuts. Additionally, fewer facets means that any flaws or imperfections present in the stone will be much more visible.

 

Because of this, it is critical that you examine a cushion cut diamond very carefully for any obvious flaws that will detract from the overall beauty of the stone. Even flaws that would be considered minor have a tendency to be more noticeable with a cushion cut.

 

Styles

Cushion cuts are still relatively rare in contemporary rings. Even so, they work well as solitaire engagement rings because the cut is so unique that the ring will not need any other accents or embellishments that would detract from the beauty of the diamond.

 

However, you certainly can incorporate accent stones into your engagement ring design even with a cushion cut. Many brides-to-be accent a cushion cut central diamond with smaller oval diamonds on each side for a sparkling, brilliant appearance.

 

Finding a Cushion Cut Diamond Engagement Ring

As mentioned previously, it is quite difficult to find cushion cut diamonds outside of vintage or antique rings from the 1900′s. Your best bet is to purchase a loose cushion cut stone and have it set into an appropriate mounting according to your bride-to-be’s preferences and your budget.

 

If you are happy with an antique or vintage ring, you can also search out various pawn shops, antique stores, estate sales or online retailers for a true vintage cushion cut diamond engagement ring as well.

 

Trends come and go, and cushion cut diamonds are finally starting to come back in modern engagement ring designs today. Cushion cuts are sophisticated, elegant and a lovely alternative to traditional diamond cuts and for the bride-to-be who desires vintage appeal without sacrificing beauty, a cushion cut engagement ring may be the perfect choice.

 

View our selection of modern and antique enagagement rings in EngagementRings.org.

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Finding an Antique Engagement Ring

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009

While contemporary engagement rings are beautiful, many women prefer the classic allure of an antique engagement ring. If your family or the bride-to-be’s family does not have an heirloom ring to use, there are several other sources to find the perfect antique engagement ring for your love.

 

Where to Find Antique Engagement Rings

 

When searching for an antique engagement ring, you have a number of options available to you.

 

Estate sales, which occur when a large amount of possessions need to be cleared from a home (usually after a death,) are a great place to start your search. Many estate sales have large collections of jewelry available, and you may find an engagement ring that is to your liking.

 

However, it’s important to know that while you can find good bargains here, not everything you will will be authentic or truly antique or vintage. You may not be able to verify the ring’s origins or authenticity, and family members may not know anything about the ring or the stones in it.

 

Antique or Vintage stores are also a great place to look for an antique engagement ring that fits your personal style and budget. You can run around and visit all the local antique stores in your area, but for an easier time, call a few and ask if they have any diamond or engagement rings in stock. If they don’t, most store owners are happy to keep an eye out for special requests their customers might make, so describe the type of ring you’re looking for and the owner may be able to find one for you!

 

Believe it or not, pawn shops may also be an alternative way to find an antique engagement ring. While pawn shops have a negative stigma attached to them, there’s no denying they offer a great way to find affordable jewelry. Make sure to research the 4 C’s of diamonds and other information so you are prepared to judge the quality of a ring you may find.

 

Shopping online for an antique engagement ring can also be a great way to procure the perfect ring at a great price. There are actually tons of great places online that cater to those searching for an antique or vintage engagement ring, but you should always research the company carefully before making a purchase. You would not want to shell out hard earned cash for a ring that is less than advertised.

 

For the woman who desires a unique piece, an antique engagement ring definitely fits the bill. While it may take awhile to track down the perfect ring, the effort will be well worth it when it is slipped on your finger for the very first time!

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