Recently we have experienced a surge in interest for all aspects of Vintage styled jewellery – from engagement rings, through to the wedding rings. Some entire weddings are sculpted around a Vintage theme. Much of the inspiration is already out there! This is one of the wonderful things about any Antique themed wedding. There is already an enormous amount of material by way of photographs, information and objects – from any one of the many specific periods of time. Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco are just a few popular periods that couples draw inspiration from.
Today we’ve put together a 6 x designs, inspired by the Vintage theme. Although modern creations, such styles can be shaped and custom made for a perfect fit to your engagement ring, and they all carry elements of a bygone age. Some elements have remained popular, such as the milgrain edge detail. With an expanded choice of metals now available, Vintage styling is now available in newer metal alloys such as 18ct White Gold and even Palladium.
Wedding Ring with Milgrain edge.
Either within a plain or diamond set ring, the milgrain edge has long been popular for Antique styles, providing a very fine, elegant border on many wedding bands. This style provides the effect of fine raised beads of metal usually along the edge of the band. Care must be taken when re-finishing a milgrain edged ring, since over zealous polishing can remove such detail. Modern advances in machined wedding ring patterning can produce many similar styles for both men’s and women’s styles.
Vintage Shaped Wedding Band
Styles with an Antique or Vintange theme, generally have a feature or design characteristic common amongst older styles in classic Antique pieces. Grain settings are a lovely effect such as this shaped wedding band, which is kept fine and in balance with the small graduated diamonds within the ring. Victorian wedding rings such as this would typically feature Old Cut diamonds, or Victorian Cut diamonds with larger culets, less symmetrical and more irregular in their faceting. We can create such a design with Old Cut diamonds where required, as part of our bespoke wedding ring service adding greater authenticity.
Classic Border and Grain Set Diamond Wedding Ring
Diamond wedding rings with a border and grain setting carry more of a retro look than the modern precision channel setting. A fine border is scored in the upper surface of the ring, with the metal itself being worked by hand to form the grains within which the diamonds are held. Styles such as this can translated into shaped wedding rings, and applied to any width of wedding ring holding any combination, weight, colour and clarity of diamonds.
Beautiful Milgrain and Diamond Set Band
There are two elements that when placed together, work together wonderfully well. Small diamonds set between fine milgrain detail. The band shown here is only just over 3mm wide, but incorporates both styles in proportion with the size of the band. The central channel incorporates
Vintage Styles of Wedding Rings – Carré cut diamonds
Look at many of the coveted Antique pieces of jewellery from the likes of Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels and you will no doubt see particular cuts of diamond beautifully set. Amongst the classic diamond cuts, the baguette (see below) cut and the Carré cut can often be seen. Here we have a beautifully channeled Carré cut diamond wedding ring, half set, but utilizing modern techniques for precision setting – the very best of Vintage styling with modern jewellery making skills.
Wedding Rings with Baguette Cut Diamonds
Baguette cut diamonds were very popular in many of the Art Deco pieces of diamond jewellery. With their simple step cut faceting and rectangular form, diamonds could be laid from end to end, or used like building blocks to create strong geometric forms. Lavish designs could be imagined with sweeping ribbons of baguettes laid edge to edge. Here maximise their shape by laying each diamond end to end along a half set diamond wedding ring, with a channels setting.
Further Inspiration
On a final note, to either accent one of the above rings, or to keep things as simple as possible, a great suggestion for adding a Vintage element to any wedding band would be the addition of a laser engraving or even hand engraving in an Antique font. Serif fonts such as Baskerville or even old Script fonts, such as Edwardian would make a perfect addition and could include a worthy sentiment.
About Mark Johnson
My name is Mark and I'm founder at Serendipity Diamonds. By day you'll find me working in our showroom—in a variety of roles. My work (which I love) ranges from photographing jewellery, to writing blog posts and helping clients with my colleagues Drina, Emily and Debbie.
