Shopping for an engagement ring is not something you do in haste. A lot of consideration goes into the style, size, carat, and design – as it should! Hopefully, you’ll be wearing this ring for the rest of your life!
Despite the many beautiful modern styles and designs available, vintage engagement rings remain a popular choice for many newly engaged couples. Vintage engagement rings offer a lot of things new modern rings can’t.
The Benefits of Vintage Engagement Rings
1. They are one-of-a-kind
Having an engagement ring that is different from everyone else’s makes it that much more special. Vintage and antique rings have unique artistry, are hand finished, and truly unique.
2. They’ve got history
There is a story behind your ring (whether you know that story or not), and that is pretty cool!
3. They are better for the environment
Mining diamonds, gemstones, and precious metals do a lot of damage to the earth and local communities.
When you purchase a previously loved or repurposed vintage ring, you make a sustainable and more environmental choice.
4. They are of better quality
As the saying goes, “they don’t make them like they used to.” This definitely applies to engagement rings, which were designed for beauty and function, meaning they are able to last hundreds of years. Many modern rings don’t have the same lasting qualities as vintage ones.
5. The diamond cuts are superior
With modern rings, there is a mass cutting approach to diamond cutting with the goal of eliminating variance. When vintage rings were made, the way a diamond was cut was by the hand of a talented gem cutter.
This was considered a form of art, and because of the cutting methods used, vintage diamond rings have a much brighter sparkle.
When shopping for a vintage engagement ring, you should consider the gemstone and metal. There are varying degrees of durability and hardness, making some more durable than others. A diamond is a popular choice because it is the hardest and can withstand daily wear.
You should also find the right era! Each era has a unique style, and once you have determined the style of vintage rings you like best, it will make it easier to find the perfect ring.
Popular eras for engagement rings include Art Deco, Georgian, Art Nouveau, Victorian, Retro, Edwardian and Mid-Century.
To help you on your journey to finding the perfect vintage engagement ring, we have compiled a list of the 10 best vintage engagement ring designers and stores.
1. Doyle & Doyle
At Doyle & Doyle, you will find a large selection of antique, estate, and vintage engagement rings that have been hand-curated by owner Elizabeth Doyle.
A single-cut 0.01-carat diamond centers the 10k white and rose gold vintage engagement ring
Based in New York City, the collection is stunning, and with a quick look at their collection online, you will see the appeal of a vintage ring over a modern one.
Calibre cut sapphires frame the pear-shaped 5-carat diamond in a platinum band
There are rings available in every budget, with a vintage single cut diamond ring for $185 up to their most expensive piece, an Art Décor pear-shaped diamond and sapphire ring that’s nearly $84K.
2. Erica Weiner
Erica Weiner is a well-established jewelry designer and retailer. Although she sells a selection of modern pieces, she is the go-to for vintage jewelry.
An early Deco engagement ring fashioned in 18k yellow gold band with a platinum-topped diamond-studded rectangular face
More specifically, she has a large selection of vintage engagement rings from every era. So, whether you prefer Art Deco, Victorian or Edwardian – you will find a variety of rings and stones available.
Intricately designed Victorian engagement ring featuring 1.41-carat pale sapphire set in 14k gold band with black enamel detailing
In addition to more traditional diamond rings, you will find bright colored gemstones and unique designs like the Victoria Pale Sapphire and Black Enamel Ring.
If you are attracted to the history of vintage rings, then you will really appreciate Erica Weiner. When searching the website, you can read up on the history and style of each ring!
3. Trumpet & Horn
For a great visual understanding of each era’s different styles, visit the Trumpet & Horn website.
Enchanting and beautiful, the Marquette features a four-prong set 2.11-carat oval mixed cut sapphire flanked by a total of 0.13ct four round brilliant cut diamonds
They have organized their website according to era, so you will be able to see the difference in design and which one matches your personal style.
A real Edwardian era platinum and diamond engagement ring with graded F color 3.13ct round brilliant cut diamond in the center
If you love the style of a vintage ring but prefer one that is new – check out their vintage-inspired collection. These are new designs that have been made from vintage pieces or a combination of antique and modern jewels.
Trumpet & Horn has a great selection with over 150 vintage engagement rings to choose from. Pricing ranges from $2250 to $112K.
4. Lang Antiques
A west coast retailer, Lang Antiques is based in San Francisco and has been selling antique and vintage jewelry for over 50 years.
A 1.65-carat bright white European cut diamond sparkles from within the platinum bezel and refined Edwardian solitaire mounting
The website makes it very easy to shop by era, offering a selection of vintage engagement rings from Victorian, Edwardian, Mid-Century, and Art Deco eras. Their collection is quite impressive, with over 500 rings to go through.
A 1950’s ring with a classic Art Deco geometry featuring a 1.20-carat bright white round brilliant cut diamond, two double rows of single cut diamonds, and a row of baguettes
They also offer vintage wedding sets that include a vintage engagement ring with a matching wedding band like this 1.20-carat platinum and diamond mid-century wedding set.
5. Estate Diamond Jewelry
For a rare collection of curated jewelry that has been acquired from estates, auctions, and dealers over the past 40 years, check out Estate Diamond Jewelry.
A geometric-designed original vintage engagement ring with 0.75-carat transitional cut diamond in 18k white gold band
To help you navigate through their vast collection of vintage engagement rings, you can select multiple criteria, including era, cut, price, and more.
The Crawford ring features a 3.26-carat antique Asscher cut diamond surrounded by French cut Ceylon sapphires with two straight-lined bullet-shaped diamonds on each shoulder
They specialize in Edwardian, Art Deco, and Mid-20th Century engagement rings, although you can still find a few Victorian pieces. As the name of the business suggests, they focus on diamonds, so if this is the type of stone you are looking for, you should definitely check them out!
They also offer a lifetime upgrade warranty. This means that if you buy a ring for $10K today, in ten years, you can return the ring, add another $10K, and get a new $20k ring.
6. Brilliant Earth
Unique retro-era Felita ring holds a round opal cabochon surrounded by a total of 0.60-carat 20 brilliant and baguette diamonds
Anyone looking for an engagement ring has come across Brilliant Earth! Known for their custom rings and selection of modern styles, they also have a lesser-known (yet, impressive!) collection of vintage, antique, and one-of-a-kind engagement rings.
The Vere ring boasts a rectangular citrine with a single-cut diamond accent in the center set in an intricately engraved 14k white gold band
On the website, you can read up on each of the eras and shop by era as well. They have a stunning collection of diamonds and unique gemstones like the Art Déco Vere Ring with its bright orange citrine stone or the Retro-era Felita Ring with a round opal cabochon.
The pricing is very reasonable, with the majority of the vintage engagement rings falling between $2000 and $5000.
7. Erstwhile
The vintage-inspired Meissa engagement ring, which features a 3.25-carat moval cut diamond, can be customized with your choice of carat size and metal band
This NYC based jeweler has one of the most expansive collections of vintage engagement rings, including traditional era rings as well as vintage Tiffany & Co. and 1920s rings.
A vintage engagement ring featuring a 4.77-carat elongated Asscher-cut diamond with single, marquise-cut diamond shoulders in a platinum band
Erstwhile is a multigenerational family business, selling jewelry since 1887. If you’ve got a big budget to spend on a vintage engagement ring, then you need to see the Art Deco 4.77 carat Asscher cut diamond ring! It’s set in platinum, circa 1920, and has a lot of sparkle!
This beauty doesn’t run cheap – it’s available for $142,500 but worth every penny!
8. The One I Love NYC
Launched by Mia Moross, this jeweler has steadily grown a cult following, which is obvious on her Instagram account with 66K followers.
Set in a 15k gold metal band, the Moon & Stars ring showcases moonstone and diamond that weigh about 1ct
Her collection focuses on rings from Georgian through Mid-Century, all with unique features and characteristics. One of the vintage engagement rings she posted on her IG attracted Zoe Kravitz!
Three rose-cut diamonds set in a closed foil-backed 18k gold and silver setting typically seen on Georgian-era jewelry
Her fiancé then proposed with the same stunning Georgian ring. Moross is passionate about vintage jewelry and helps clients find the perfect piece for them.
She has also created a line of “reimagined” styles where she takes broken original pieces and brings them back to life.
9. Eragem
Eragem is a reputable, authentic antique engagement ring retailer. The name comes from the different jewelry eras “Era-Gem.”
A 1.55-carat fancy yellow old European cut diamond set in a squared fishtail setting with six single cut diamonds on the 14k white gold band
There are over 900 different vintage engagement rings to choose from!
From the 1920’s, a magnificent 8-carat old European cut diamond sits on an elegant crown platinum mounting
Prices start at $900 and can run up to $92K. This ring looks like it would cost that much – this magnificent 8-carat old European cut diamond engagement ring is from 1920 and has the size and sparkle of a ring you’d expect to see on a princess!
Eragem offers a lifetime guarantee on their rings too!
10. Ashley Zhang Jewelry
For the best value vintage engagement rings, pay a visit to Ashley Zhang. This contemporary jewelry designer has an impressive collection of vintage engagement rings from the Victorian to Art Deco era. They are all competitively priced.
An Art-Deco engagement ring, the Gabrielle features a one-carat old European cut diamond with a mix of baguette and single cut diamonds in a floral swirl pattern
As with any vintage rings, they come and go quickly, so if you hope to get a beautiful vintage engagement ring at a good price, you should check the website frequently.
A 0.93-carat bright green Colombian emerald glows between a row of six diamonds set in a platinum band
Ashley Zhang has a great collection of turquoise, pearl, emerald, ruby, and sapphire vintage engagement rings in unique cuts and styles.
