Vintage Style Engagement Rings: The Eras and the Details

A vintage style engagement ring is a new ring designed to look like it comes from an earlier era: a halo shaped like a flower, an octagonal frame, a step cut stone or an open gallery under the center. Here is what each era looked like, the details that give a ring an antique feel, and how to choose the right one.

Antique, vintage and vintage style

These words are often mixed up. An antique ring is generally one made at least 100 years ago. Vintage is used more loosely, for older pieces from the last century. A vintage style ring is newly made, using the shapes and details of an earlier era. Brilliant Earth describes it the same way: a new ring that borrows historical elements such as milgrain, filigree and period cuts.

All of our vintage style rings are new, made in 925 sterling silver with 18K gold plating in white, yellow or rose gold, with a moissanite center.

The eras behind the look

Era	Years	The look
Victorian	1837 to 1901	Romantic symbols, halos and clusters, yellow and rose gold
Edwardian	About 1900 to 1915	Platinum and diamonds, airy openwork, garlands and bows
Art Deco	1920s and 1930s	Bold geometry, symmetry, step cuts and baguettes
Retro	1940s	Yellow and rose gold, bold sculpted curves

Victorian. Named for the reign of Queen Victoria, the period favored romantic motifs such as hearts and serpents. Brilliant Earth notes halo and cluster rings set in yellow or rose gold.

Edwardian. According to GIA, diamonds, pearls, platinum and symmetry defined Edwardian jewelry. Platinum let jewelers cut delicate, lace-like openwork and finish edges with milgrain, so rings of the period look light and airy.

Art Deco. After the First World War, design turned to strong geometric patterns. GIA describes most Art Deco jewelry as very geometric and symmetrical, in platinum and diamonds with bold touches of color. The period popularized new diamond shapes, including baguettes and emerald cuts, and the square, step cut Asscher.

Retro. With platinum reserved for military use during the Second World War, GIA notes that 1940s jewelry was mostly made in yellow and rose gold, with bold, sculpted curves.

Details that make a ring look vintage

Shown: India Round Moissanite Octagon Halo Engagement Ring

• A geometric halo: an octagonal or square frame around the center gives a crisp, Art Deco outline.
• A floral or scalloped halo: small stones shaped into petals or soft scallops turn the center into a flower.
• Openwork: cut-out patterns in the gallery under the stone or along the sides show from every angle.
• Milgrain: GIA describes it as a decorative beaded detail along the edges of the metal.
• Filigree: fine, lace-like metalwork, common on Edwardian rings.
• Step cuts: the long, mirror-like facets of an emerald or Asscher cut belong to the Art Deco look.

Our vintage style rings draw mainly on halos, openwork and step cuts. On our Colette ring, a band of small marquise-shaped links gives a lace-like edge, and an openwork gallery sits under the head.

Art Deco style rings

Shown: Fern Emerald Cut Moissanite Three Stone Engagement Ring

For the clean lines of the 1920s, look for step cuts, straight-sided halos and baguette side stones. An emerald cut between two tapered baguettes, as on our Fern ring, pairs two shapes the Art Deco period made popular. Our Florence solitaire sets a square Asscher cut in four claw prongs, and our Arden ring wraps an emerald cut in two octagonal halos. Our guide to emerald and radiant cuts explains how step cuts sparkle.

Floral and scalloped halos

Shown: Viola Oval Moissanite Floral Halo Engagement Ring

For a softer, romantic look, choose a halo shaped into petals or scallops. On our Viola ring, the halo forms a four-petal flower around an oval center. Our Posy ring sets each small stone in its own petal-shaped frame, and our Lydia ring rests its halo on an open, scalloped gallery. Our guide to halo and solitaire rings compares halos with a single stone.

Choosing the metal color

Match the plating to the era you love. Edwardian and Art Deco rings were mostly white, in platinum, so white gold plating gives the crispest Deco look. Victorian and Retro rings were yellow and rose gold, and GIA notes that warm metals suit an antique look. All of our vintage style rings come in all three colors. Our guide to gold plated sterling silver explains how the plating is made and how to keep it bright.

Care and wedding bands

Openwork and small halo stones collect lotion and dust. Soak the ring in warm water with mild dish soap for 10 to 15 minutes, brush gently into the openwork with a soft brush, rinse and pat dry. Skip ultrasonic cleaners, which can damage gold plating. Our guide to cleaning a moissanite ring covers the details.

If a halo reaches down to the band, a straight wedding band may leave a small gap, and a contour band that curves around the center closes it. A slim pavé band echoes a halo without competing with it. Our wedding band guide explains how to match the two.

Common questions

What is the difference between vintage and antique rings?

An antique ring is generally at least 100 years old. Vintage is used more loosely for older pieces from the last century. A vintage style ring is new, designed with the details of an earlier era.

What makes an engagement ring look vintage?

Period details: a floral, scalloped or geometric halo, openwork under the stone, milgrain or filigree edges, and step cuts such as the emerald and Asscher.

Are your vintage style rings antique?

No. They are new rings in 925 sterling silver with 18K gold plating and a moissanite center, designed in vintage styles such as floral halos and Art Deco.

Which metal color looks most vintage?

Yellow and rose gold give a warm, antique look in the spirit of Victorian and Retro rings. White gold plating recalls the platinum of Edwardian and Art Deco rings.

Browse all of our vintage engagement rings and halo engagement rings.