A lot of engagement ring designs are inspired by vintage and historical jewellery.  Many Art Deco, Art Nouveau and Edwardian jewellery designs are classical and timeless.  Milgrain (the little dots along the edge), the use of old mine cut or European cut diamonds, and hand engraving are three ways that we can recreate the romance of a bygone era in metal.

We’ve been asked many times over the years to incorporate a vintage look into an engagement ring design, and even to replicate antique pieces.  We really enjoy making jewellery with an authentically vintage feel, and have learned from our experiences that there are a number of advantages to having a vintage-style engagement ring custom made as opposed to buying an actual estate piece.

Even if you are looking to replicate an antique piece, making a “new” ring that looks old will allow you to strengthen the original design without changing the look.  Many vintage engagement rings are made with very thin bands that don’t hold up well in the face of today’s more active lifestyles.  Others have simply been worn down by everyday life and are damaged or have claws that have started to wear away, putting stones at risk.  Some of these issues can be repaired, but many are either not reparable or are latent problems that aren’t necessarily visible yet.