A Comprehensive Buying Guide to Art Deco Vintage Engagement Rings

As a symbol of timelessness and beauty, the Art Deco engagement rings are perfect to bless your eternal bond with your partner. The vintage ring dates back to the 1920s, witnessing decades of change in the world, yet preserved in its shine and glory. What could be better to represent your relationship?

They are characterized by white gold or diamond in the center, surrounded by colorful gemstones, clean, symmetrical lines, and bold geometry. These timeless, elegant engagement rings can truly signify your love for your partner.

Before you make the purchase, here's a guide to help you learn more about Art Deco style, its features, and tips to recognize an authentic one.

Art Deco in Context: Tracing the Historical Roots of Vintage Engagement Rings

Art Deco is a notable visual arts and architecture movement that began in France in the mid-1910s. Then, it became mainstream in the U.S. and Europe by the 1920s.

Art Deco jewelry gained popularity during World War I. As women became more liberal, they expressed the same through their hair, clothes, jewelry, and overall fashion sense.

This was the era when Art Deco vintage engagement rings became significant. It was known for its bold geometry, with a large stone in its center, surrounded by various smaller diamonds or gemstones.

Geometry and Glamour: Iconic Elements in Art Deco Vintage Engagement Rings

Here are the iconic elements in Art Deco Vintage Engagement Rings:

• Antique Cut Diamonds

  You'll always find antique cut diamonds in any unaltered original Art Deco jewelry. However, today, you see round brilliant diamonds instead.

  Those antique cut diamonds are known to be a signature of Art Deco vintage rings. There were many commonly used diamond cuts like the antique cushion cut, Asscher cut, transitional cut, and the most precious one, the old European cut.

• White Gold And Platinum Over Yellow Gold

  Yellow gold, as we know it today, was never as popular as it is now. It was always platinum's brilliant white that was used in Art Deco engagement rings.

  Since platinum is both rare and expensive, white gold was introduced to replace it as a much available and affordable alternative.

• Symmetry & Clean Lines

  Symmetry is one of the most recognizable elements of Art Deco engagement rings. These rings feature clean vertical lines.

• Color & Vibrancy

  Art Deco jewelry is not conservative in colors and vibrancy. You will get to see a beautiful arrangement of diamonds, sapphires, and emeralds in unique geometric patterns.

• Bold geometric lines

  The discovery of King Tut's tomb in 1922 drastically influenced Art Deco engagement rings. Apparently, Tut's burial chamber inspired the design of these rings. You can find the same geometric lines and inlay lapis in Art Deco rings.

Beyond Diamonds: Art Deco Gemstone Choices in Vintage Engagement Rings

One of the primary characteristics of Art Deco vintage rings is the use of vibrant-color gemstones. Bright, attention-grabbing, contrasting combinations of colored gemstones make these rings sparkle.

You have so many Art Deco gemstone choices, such as:

• Green Emeralds
• Ruby
• Jade
• Sapphires
• Coral
• Black Onyx
• Turquoise

Diamond will be the standout gemstone placed in the middle of the ring. Then, you can complement it with your preferred combination of smaller gemstones that create bursts of sparkles.

Remember to evaluate the diamond quality in your engagement ring using 4Cs.

Learn more on the 4C's of Diamonds:

• Understand Diamond Cuts- Decoding the 4Cs
• How to Understand Diamond Colour - Decoding the 4Cs Part 2
• Understand Diamond Clarity- Decoding the 4Cs- Part 3

Mastering the Art: Tips for Recognizing Authentic Art Deco Vintage Engagement Rings

Since we need to identify a vintage piece of jewelry, the age of the item becomes a critical criterion in its authentication.

Here are some tips for recognizing authentic Art Deco vintage engagement rings:

• Knowing What Vintage Means

  First and foremost, vintage doesn't mean that something is just a few years old. The item must be at least 50 years old to be considered "vintage," but not more than 100 years old.

  So, make sure the ring is actually vintage and not just a modern ring designed to look like an antique or just marked as reproductions.

• Choosing A Reputed Antique Dealer

  The authenticity of such vintage jewelry also relies on the antique dealer you pick. So, make sure you buy from a reputed dealer.

• Follow Paperwork

  You can easily trace the authenticity of a vintage Art Deco ring by checking the paperwork. Look for the original certification of the ring. Investigate through other documents such as ownership records, repair records, receipts, and insurance claims.

• Examine Craftsmanship

  Artisans and Craftsmen used to make the jewelry with individual attention, giving them a personalized, unique look.

  Any truly vintage Art Deco jewelry has hand-cut diamonds and gemstones using different techniques. Every piece has its unique cut, unlike modern gems crafted using laser cutting.

  If you notice cuts such as rose cut, mine cut, or the old European cut, it clearly indicates the jewelry to be vintage, hence authentic.

• Consult A Gemologist or Appraiser

  To ensure age accuracy, you can also consult qualified gemologists and appraisers as well.

Timeless Fusion: Incorporating Art Deco Elements into Modern Engagement Rings

You can either buy an actual vintage Art Deco engagement ring that belongs to the era or a modern engagement ring with Art Deco inspiration.

Indeed, you get a timeless design with a vintage piece, but then it requires consistent repair, maintenance, and careful hand-cleaning.

In fact, vintage rings might not sparkle as much as modern design rings due to differences in how both diamonds are cut.

You have the flexibility to customize Modern engagement rings in terms of center stone, metals, design, and gemstones.

Depending upon your preference, you can pick an Art Deco emerald cut engagement ring or a sapphire one.

Conclusion

Since now you know about Art Deco vintage engagement rings, their features, and how to identify them, you need to decide whether to go for actual vintage Art Deco or modern rings with Art Deco elements. At A.JAFFE, you can incorporate Art Deco elements into modern engagement Rings through easy customization.

Get Your Art Deco Vintage Engagement Rings At A.JAFFE Today!