Antique Engagement Rings- Remain in Style, Elegance and Charm

The history of giving and receiving engagement rings goes as far back as 2,500 BC in ancient Egypt and is a tradition that has continued to hold so much romance and love over all these years.

Typically worn on the “ring finger” i.e. the 4th finger of the left hand, like most other designs in fashion, engagement rings have evolved over the time.

Usually considered to be a simple yet elegant claw set single diamond, the “traditional” diamond solitaire has always remained popular.

However brides-to-be don’t have to be concerned if they do not want a single diamond, as there is nothing to dictate how the engagement ring should look, and this opens us the choices to choose.

A very popular and sophisticated look is the wonderful cluster design of having a central stone surrounded in diamonds. The centre stone can also be a diamond, however looks superb when it is either a ruby or sapphire giving some wonderful colour to the ring.

The cluster design was quite popular with the late Victorian (circa 1890), Edwardian (circa 1900) and Art Deco (Circa 1920) jewellers and over this time frame the differences are quite pronounced.

In the late 19th Century, the Victorian cluster rings are commonly claw set and always in yellow gold, however some examples may be found topped in silver as it was learnt that surrounding or setting the diamonds in a white metal helps to keep the diamond “white: as opposed to yellow gold that will reflect the “yellow” into the diamond.

Also around this time the “new” European cut diamond was commonly used replacing the “older” old mine cut diamonds.

The start of the 1900’s shows some cluster designs going from the claw setting to the bezel or rub-over setting where the stones are surrounded in gold instead of held by the claws. Small diamonds are now often set onto each shoulder of the ring to give a bit extra sparkle to the ring, and slowly the “new” colour of gold – white gold – was being introduced to replace the silver.

The start if the decadent Art Deco era of the 1920’s saw quite a few changes to the cluster designed engagement ring.

First, a wonderful new metal was being used in jewellery manufacture. Platinum. Although actually discovered in 1785, it was not used in jewellery until the early 1920’s. This wonderful pure white metal was embraced by so many jewellers of the Art Deco era and now not only was used on the top where the diamonds were set, but also the band.

Another big change was the cut of round diamonds. Considered to be perfected by Belgian Marcel Tolkowsky, the modern round brilliant cut diamond was introduced to the world in 1919. This cut is still used today and has remained one of the most popular and sought after diamond cuts.

Art Deco diamond engagement rings have seen a massive surge in popularity and desire over recent years, thanks mostly to the wonderful geometric designs and styles used.

When one looks at and tries on an antique diamond engagement ring, it is so easy to see why people the world over still love these rings. Whether it be a family heirloom, or a ring purchased from an antique store, antique engagement rings have stood the test of time in style, elegance and charm.

Kalmarantiques - About Author:
Kalmar Antiques is one of the best dealers of Antique Engagement Rings in Sydney, Australia. They have wide range of Engagement Rings in Art Deco, Modern and Retro Style as well.

Visit official site: kalmarantiques.com.au or call on 02 9264 3663 for more information on Engagement Rings collection.

Article Source:
http://www.articleside.com/jewelry-articles/antique-engagement-rings-remain-in-style-elegance-and-charm.htm

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