Vintage and Retro-Inspired Engagement Rings

In the hundreds of years engagement rings have been in existence, there have been a number of ring trends that have come and gone. From certain shapes or cuts to specific design elements, engagement rings trends have truly been all over the map. In 2023, an appreciation for vintage and antique rings made a comeback.

Vintage vs. Antique Rings

While most people use the words “vintage” and “antique” interchangeably, there is a difference between the two when referring to jewelry. Vintage rings are usually between 20-40 years old either in age or trend, depending on the retailer you ask. Antique rings are generally over 100 years old in age or trend. For the purpose of this blog, we are referring to vintage- or retro-inspired rings.

With each era came different trends and styles. While some people know exactly which era their favorite styles or shapes came from, there are those who only recognize the style—and that is okay!

Antique Cut Rings

Since introducing antique cushions into our inventory, we’ve seen a steady rise in popularity for the vintage cut. The difference between antique cushions and modified brilliant cushions is the way they are cut: antique cushions have chunkier facets than modified brilliant cushions, feature an open, visible culet at the bottom, and have a steeper crown.

This cut, also known as the Old Mine Cut, dates back to the 1700s but was made popular during the Victorian and Edwardian Eras, respectively (approx. 1830-1914).

Another antique cut we’ve recently introduced is the Old European cut. The predecessor of the round brilliant, the Old European cut has a smaller table, higher crown, plus a larger culet and facets.

Most of the antique cut diamonds we have in our inventory are lab-grown, however, we have a few tips to add a more vintage, antique look to your stone.

Tip #1: Opt for a stone that is lower on the color scale to add a bit of a yellow hue to it.

Tip #2: Go the extra mile and set your stone in a vintage setting style like a milgrain bezel band or ornate cluster halo.

4.25 carat Lab Antique Cushion Compass Claw Prong Ring

3.90 carat Old European Lab Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring 

Milgrain and Bezel Settings

During the Art Deco period, milgrain detailing became incredibly popular. Meaning “a thousand grains” in French, this style is a beading effect that also increases the surface area appearance of diamonds on a ring because it blends in with the faceting of the diamonds. Milgrain adds a level of incredible detail to any design, thus making it a popular choice for those who want something ornate.

Commonly paired together with milgrain are bezel settings. Bezel settings consist of a small circle of metal that encases each diamond, usually in a circular shape. A bezel is like a halo but without any diamonds. The bezels are usually edged with milgrain to give them a more vintage appearance.

Oval Moissanite Bezel Band Engagement Ring 

Round Moissanite Bezel Set Engagement Ring 

Ornate/Cluster Halos

Halo engagement rings were popular during the Art Deco period, but vintage halo styles date all the way back to the Georgian Era—1714 to 1830. The Georgian Era style of jewelry was characterized by intricate shapes and cluster styles.

Today, halos are generally thin borders of pave diamonds around the center stone. Vintage halo designs are a lot bigger, bolder, and busier.

.42 carat Round Diamond Vintage Halo Engagement Ring

1.13 carat Round Diamond Rose Gold Bezel Halo Engagement Ring

1.01 carat Pear Shape Diamond Vintage Halo Engagement Ring 

Vintage: What Goes Around Comes Around

If you’re looking to design your own regal, vintage-inspired engagement ring, look no further than Lauren B. We can custom-make the retro engagement ring of your dreams! Check out our virtual inventory to browse our loose stones or start by leafing through our engagement ring designs.