Antique Art Deco Engagement Rings

The style of Art Deco originated from Paris and was developed between the 1920s to 1930s. Art Deco engagement rings were usually colourful, geometric, decorative, and architectural. Platinum was the popular choice of metal, and the rings usually held a centre gem surrounded symmetrically with more gems. Diamond was the most  dominant gem used in Art Deco jewellery. However, many colourful gems such as sapphires, rubies, and emeralds were also commonly used. The unique designs and dazzling gems of art deco engagement rings are so breathtaking to look at. Here are a number of beautiful antique art deco engagement rings that I found on Etsy.

  

Left: 1.45 Old Cushion Cut Diamond Engagement Ring from Erstwhile Jewelry

Right: Gold Diamond and Sapphire Art Deco Ring from Arreign

  

Left: Platinum European Cut diamond Art Deco Ring  from Green hill jewelers

Right: Art Deco Diamond Engagement Ring from Riordan Studio

  

Left: 1920s Colombian Emerald Diamond Ring from Kittys Jewelry Box

Right:  Antique Asscher Cut Diamond Ring from Patina Jewelry

  

Left: Art Deco old mined diamond and ruby ring from Addy

Right: Gold Diamond and Sapphire Art Deco Ring from Erstwhile Jewelry

Celebrity Antique-Inspired Engagement Rings

I just can’t get enough of looking at antique and antique-inspired rings!  They are truly works of art and full of beauty.

 

Emily Blunt

John Krasinski proposed to Emily with a custom designed Edwardian inspired diamond and platinum Neil Lane ring. The ring holds a stunning three carat diamond.

 

Sandra Bullock

Although the marriage didn’t end well, Sandra Bullock’s engagement ring was truly unique. It was designed byNeil Lane with a setting of two diamonds intertwining, symbolizing “two people in union”.

 

Anna Paquin

True-blood co-star, Stephen Moyer, proposed to Anna with an antique style Victorian inspired engagement ring, by Cathy Waterman. The unique centre stone is a rustic dark diamond that is set in aged silver.

 

Katie Holmes

Tom Cruise proposed to Katie at the top of the Eiffel Tower with an antique-style ring, which holds an oval shaped diamond approximately five carats in size. The diamond is bedded in a pave rose gold and platinum setting, which suggests it was inspired by art deco rings.

Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera’s platinum engagement ring, given to her by Music exec Jordan Bratman and designed by London jeweler Stephen Webster, held a 5 carat Round Brilliant Cut center stone. It had channel set side stones and antique engraving running the length of the whole ring.

 

Nicole Richie

Nicole Richie’s vintage-inspired engagement ring, given to her by Joel Madden and designed by Neil Lane, holds a 4-carat diamond  engagement ring.

 

Jenna Dewan

Channing Tatum proposed to Jenna Dewan with a beautiful diamond vintage style Neil Lane engagement ring while they were holidaying at the Four Seasons Maui at Wailea.

Non-Traditional Engagement Rings

As you may already know, couples are increasingly getting engaged with ‘non-traditional’ engagement rings that suit their personality and relationship. There is a broad range of ring styles to choose from, such as coloured gemstones, coloured diamonds, antique style, vintage, nature-inspired and so on. Below are a number of unique engagement rings (or right hand rings) I found on Etsy that are both beautiful and inexpensive.

      

Left: Edwardian Antique Gold Diamond Clover Ring from Luxe Deluxe $315

Right: Emerald Cut White Sapphire Gold Twig Ring from Kristin Coffin $675

      

Left: ‘Black Knight’ Black Rose Cut Diamond Gold Ring from Sunday Owl $645

Right: Art Deco Diamond Gold Engagement Ring from Antique Sparkle $765

      

Left: ‘Hydrangea Blossom’ Diamond Ring from Patrick Irla Jewelry $189

Right: Art Nouveau Floral Ruby Rose Gold Ring from Neta Jewelry $294

Celebrity Antique Engagement Rings

Antique engagement rings are truly romantic and beautiful works of art. The fact that they were all hand made means that no two rings were exactly the same, which gives each ring its uniqueness and character. In addition to the beauty, having an antique engagement ring is very eco-friendly. Below are a number of celebrity antique engagement rings.

 

Catherine Zeta Jones

Michael Douglas gave Catherine a 1920s antique 10 carat marquise cut diamond engagement ring. The marquise cut diamond is set in an east-west orientation and is surrounded by 28 smaller stones.

 

Milla Jovovich

Milla’s engagement ring, given to her by producer Paul Anderson, is a stunning three stone 19th century ring from celebrity jeweller, Neil Lane. The three stones consists of a yellow, pink and white diamond, which is set in rich yellow gold.

 

Kate Moss

Jamie Hince proposed to Kate with a beautiful 1920s antique diamond ring. Apparently, Jamie spent months searching for the special engagement ring, inspired by the ring of Kate’s idol, Zelda Fitzgerald.

 

Penelope Cruz

Javier Bardem proposed to Penelope with a vintage three carat sapphire ring. The sapphire is surrounded by a halo of diamonds, which brings out the beauty of the stone.

 

Christina Applegate

Martyn Lenoble proposed to Christina on valentines day with an unique antique Edwardian ring. The delicate ring approximately features four carats of diamonds.

 

Jennifer Love Hewitt

Jennifer Love Hewitt’s Engagement Ring was a heirloom given to her by Ross McCall. The centre diamond is approximately 1.5 carats, surrounded with floral diamond accents set in platinum. The antique engagement ring has been in Ross’ family for over 100 years.

Famous Historical Engagement Rings

I have been looking at engagement rings with my boyfriend of more than four years, and found that antique settings and antique cut diamonds/stones show so much more character and warmth than the modern day solitaire engagement ring. As many of you know, ‘non-traditional’ engagement rings are becoming increasingly popular. Many couples have the desire to express their individuality and relationship through the rings they wear.

Here are a number of famous engagement rings in history that are truly beautiful and unique.

Queen Victoria’s engagement ring

Prince Albert presented a snake engagement ring with an emerald set head to Queen Victoria. The ring became the first Victorian engagement ring ever made. The snake represented eternal love and emerald was her birth stone.

Princess Diana’s engagement ring

Prince Charles initially proposed to Diana without an engagement ring, as he wanted to make sure she knew what the implications of being his wife were. She was then presented with a tray of rings to choose from and she chose an 18 carat oval blue sapphire engagement ring, elegantly surrounded by 14 small diamonds.

Jacqueline Bouvier’s engagement ring

Senator John F. Kennedy presented Jacqueline Bouvier with a diamond and emerald engagement ring. It consisted of one 2.88 carat diamond mounted next to a 2.84 carat cut emerald with tapered baguettes. In 1962, a total carat weight of 0.66 round diamonds and a total carat weight of 1.46 marquise diamonds were added to the ring.

Queen Elizabeth II’s engagement ring

The diamonds on Queen Elizabeth II’s special engagement ring, given by Prince Philip, came from a tiara that belonged to Philip’s mother.

Sarah Ferguson’s engagement ring

Prince Andrew gave Sarah Ferguson (Duchess of York) a Burmese ruby engagement ring to complement her red hair. The ruby was set in a yellow gold basket with a white gold band and surrounded by ten drop diamonds.