Vintage Engagement Rings

The era associated with Great Gatsby opulence is known for its intricate vintage diamond rings and women’s styles that still shine to this day. Art Deco rings often feature geometric-focused design, milgrain patterns, bold colors and a base metal of white gold or platinum. Sidestone engagement rings, especially ones with unique shaped stones, are also on trend with Art Deco styling. Popular diamond and gemstone cuts for vintage-style rings from this period include cushion cut, round brilliant, Asscher cut and emerald cut stones. Bezel settings were popular at this time.

While the Art Deco period rang opulence for vintage diamond rings, tighter purse strings of the 1940s meant smaller stones ruled the engagement ring trends. The mid-century 1940s style saw more rings in yellow and white gold along with intricate details along the band such as milgrain or pavé accents. Into the 1950s, diamonds became the stone of choice. Vintage diamond rings from this time started to feature larger center stones in white gold and platinum settings. Solitaire engagement rings, rings with baguette accents and unique engagement rings were popular in this decade. The 1950s also saw a rise in oval stones and many of today’s vintage oval engagement rings are from the 50s. Celebrity engagement rings of the 1960s made Asscher cut and gemstone engagement rings popular choices. These styles still turn heads today. Many vintage diamond engagement rings are inspired by the mid-century styles, whether they are understated or more classic with large center diamonds.

As the 20th century progressed, ring styles changed with social, economic and fashion trends. The 1970s saw a growth in yellow gold and rose gold engagement rings. These rings included channel-set diamonds, marquise diamonds and flower power motifs carried over from the previous decade. Wedding ring sets, where both engagement rings and wedding bands are designed to be sold together, became the trend of the decade. In the 1980s, Princess Diana’s show stopping sapphire ring was the it engagement ring. The ring, now worn by the Duchess of Cambridge, features a large 12-carat sapphire with a halo of diamonds. Many replicas of the ring were made, and sapphire engagement rings are still one of the most popular vintage-inspired engagement rings. Non-royal rings of the 80s included buttery yellow gold bands. The 1990s saw a departure from the yellow gold of the 80s, with white gold and platinum taking center stage. Marquise cut diamonds were very popular in this decade with rings featuring large center stones. Three stone engagement rings rose to popularity in the 90s.

You'll often see both terms in reference to vintage-inspired engagement rings, because these designs typically showcase more than one stone. Carat weight refers to the weight of a single stone (the center stone), and carat total weight refers to the combined carat weight of all stones in the setting.

Often, round diamonds weren't used in vintage-inspired rings. Emerald, marquise, pear, oval, and many other fancy shapes are found in vintage designs.

The best part of purchasing a vintage-inspired design is having the freedom to fully customize the ring. Choose a center diamond, select accent stones, pick the ring metal and more.

Our printable ring size chart will help you find the ideal ring size and we also offer free ring sizers that can be shipped directly to you.

Vintage-style engagement rings combine the latest jewelry making techniques with romantic designs for a truly timeless ring. A vintage-inspired ring is a wonderful choice if you are searching for a unique, romantic or memorable ring.

Many vintage-inspired engagement rings evoke Old Hollywood glamor and sparkle. Glamorous vintage style rings are ones with large stones, accent stones and ornate metal designs.

Decades past saw many ring styles including rings with either diamonds or gemstones as the center stone. Vintage diamond rings are most commonly inspired by ring styles of the 1920s, 1950s and 1990s. Gemstone center stones saw popularity during the 1920s and 1980s, though they were often featured in many other vintage rings for women.