So! I have wedding on the brain lately. No, not my own, that's old news! But, I have friends getting married, talking marriage, or, that would just make beautiful brides!
This has me thinking about engagement rings. More specifically, VINTAGE engagement rings.
I absolutely LOVE the idea of a vintage engagement ring, and if I could go back in time, I would have added that to my list of ring requirements (though I do love mine).
So, WHY vintage? Glad you asked!
1. They're way more unique and interesting than a new one, and comes with a story. And usually the girl wearing it is unique and interesting, and comes with a story :)
2. They can be absolutely GORGEOUS.
3. They are usually cheaper than a new one that is equal in other ways.
4. MOST IMPORTANT: They are a million times easier on the environment (hello sparkly recycling!), and you're also not supporting an industry that often uses slave/child labor to produce them.
Where can you find vintage diamonds? Antique stores are one place, but there's also a wealth of them online. I like looking on Etsy so that's where I looked.
I looked at all styles, all price points, and I included colored stones because that's my favorite. I told my hubby way back when that I wanted a sapphire, not a diamond, and that's what I got. Then, next thing I knew, Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton with a sapphire engagement ring. They are total copycats! But, look how happy they are now. And they have me to thank! ;)
So, without further ado (or nonsense), here's my roundup of my favorite Etsy b-b-b-b-b-b-b-b-beautiful baubles from the past (I love that word....baubles!):
For the Classic/Traditional Gal:
From LadyRoseVintageJewel on Etsy - $775.00 - Vintage
This shop has some really gorgeous engagement rings. Like, sick! Achoo!
From Ferguson's Fine Jewelry on Etsy - $2,250.00 - Vintage
From VictoriaSterling - $3,808 - from the 1920s, Blue Zircon and Diamonds
From EraGem on Etsy - $7,199.00 - from the 1920s
From TheCopperCanary on Etsy - $7,800.00 - from the 1930s
And, now for the Richy Rich Proposers out there (btw, give me some money! ever heard of trickle down economics?):
From EraGem on Etsy - $17,999.00 - from the 1920s.
From Estate Diamond Jewelry on Etsy, $24,500.00 - circa 1910
Seriously, click the link to this ring and look at it from all the side views. It is STUNNING!
For the Vintage-y, Art Deco-y Gal:
From GoldAdore on Etsy - $745 - Vintage, Sapphire and Diamonds
This is actually similar to my own engagement ring. Except mine is all twisty on the side.
From WatchandWares on Etsy - $1,050 - Vintage
From MacTavishJewelers - $1,495 - from the 1930s
I can't believe the price on this. It is sooo gorgeous, and at a good price!
From collectors1946 on Etsy - $2,995 - from the 1920s
The detail on this is so amazing!
From LadyRoseVintageJewel on Etsy - $3,145 - from the 1910s
From Antiquejewelryshoppe on Etsy - $4,495 - from the 1930s
From GesnerEstateJewelry - $4,547 - from the 1920s
I want this! Gimme that ring!
From TreasurlybyDima on Etsy - $4,650 - Vintage
From GesnerEstateJewelry - $6,075 - from the 1930s
From GesnerEstateJewelry - $7,797 - from the 1930s
OMG. Those sapphires.
From FiligreeJewelers on Etsy - $7,980 - from the 1930s
From AntiqueJewelryNyc on Etsy - $8,500 - from the 1930s
From ArtDecoDiamonds on Etsy - $8,750 - from the 1920s
Those emeralds just MAKE the ring! Yum!
From YourJewelryFinder on Etsy- $8,800 - from the 1920s
I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS ONE.
From TheCopperCanary on Etsy - $14,500 - from the 1920s
Look at the cool detailing you can see in the reflection of the side profile of the ring. So pretty!
From Trademark Antiques - $18,887 - from the 1920s
From EstateDiamondJewelry on Etsy - $25,000 - from the 1920s
See the side view below....brace yourself.
Same ring as above, but from the side.....you just HAD to see the bow detail on the side. I'm sooo in love with this one ;) Now....if I only had $25K sitting around....
For the Bohemian Non-traditional Gal (aka Me):
Before I go any further, I have to preface this with saying that these are for those girls that are cool enough to pull this off, meaning, they are cool enough to see and appreciate how cool and wonderfully unique these rings are! So excited for this grouping of rings! Again, I tried to cover every price point. Feel free to buy any of these for me!
From CAGirlJewelry on Etsy - $3,500 - from the 1910s, Amethyst
Starting with this first because this is my ULTIMATE favorite! I'm seriously working on talking my husband into getting this for me...not sure how well that's going.....but I'll let you know when he stops laughing....
From DanPickedMinerals on Etsy - $251 - from the 1970s, Carved Natural Salmon Coral and diamonds
From TheEdenCollective on Etsy -$345 - from the 1800s, Amethyst
And another beautiful purple and gold one!
From TheEdenCollective on Etsy - $350 - from the 1930s, Purple sapphire and diamonds
Purple sapphire? I didn't even know that was a thing!
From ScotchStreetVintage on Etsy - $400 - from the 1940s, Amethyst
From AcquiredAntiqueCo on Etsy - $450 - from the 1940s, Multi Gemstones
I'd feel pretty fancy in this one! Like I would need to be in some kind of dramatic perfume ad.
From TheEdenCollective on Etsy - $645 - from the 1800s, Emeralds and Diamonds
Drool. And...pretty sure this could be a weapon.
From PenelliBelle on Etsy - $700 - from the 1960s, Garnets and Sapphires
From ArtDecoDiamonds on Etsy - $750 - from the 1970s, Purple Spinel
Can you tell I love the purple stones with gold bands yet?
From TheEdenCollective on Etsy - $845 - from the 1900s, Pearls and Amethyst
Sigh. Me want......
From LadyRoseVintageJewel on Etsy - $875 - from the 1920s, Blue Spinel and Enamel
From JandHjewelry on Etsy - $1,250 - from the 1800s, Ruby and Diamonds
So pretty. Reminds me of Indian jewelry! So gorgeous!
From EngagedWithDiamonds on Etsy - $1,250 - from the 1800s
From ElegantArtifacts on Etsy - $1250 - from the 1900-1909, Jade
Okay, so whatever, it doesn't look like an engagment ring, but I would totally say "yes" to this one!
From StratfordVault on Etsy - $1639 - from the 1980s, Tourmaline and Diamonds
UM. 1980s is considered vintage now. What!? I'm so vintage!
From ArtDecoDiamonds on Etsy - $3,500 - from the 1920s
I can't even!
From DiamondAddiction on Etsy - $3,850 - from the 1800s
This one is stunning. And look at those rocks!
From TrademarkAntiques on Etsy - $5,200 - from the 1800s, Diamonds and Pearls
Seriously. If this is your engagement ring, you are just another level of awesome.
And Finally, For the Teenage Flower Child Who is Running Away to Elope with Her First Love, and Neither of Them Has a Penny to Their Names:
From SoBejeweled on Etsy - $20 - from the 1970s, Porcelain and Enamel
From Angieswonderfulgems on Etsy - $150 - Vintage, Rhinestones and Black Onyx
Hope you enjoyed all that eye candy as much as I did! Again...in case you were wondering, I have a birthday coming up!
Baubles! Baubles! Baubles! Baubles! Baubles! Baubles! Baubles! Baubles! Baubles! Baubles! Baubles! Baubles! Baubles! Baubles! Baubles!