Contemporary Rings

In 1477, Archduke Maximillian of Austria commissioned a diamond engagement ring for his betrothed, Mary of Burgundy. This is thought to be the first “modern” engagement ring. Looking further back, it was an ancient Roman custom for wives to wear rings to indicate their husbands ownership.   

Vintage gold rings make great engagement rings due to their classic style.

Vintage rings certainly hold their value if they are cleaned frequently, and are maintained correctly both when being worn and stored.

A ring is vintage if it is between 20 and 100 years old. Jewellery older than 100 years is antique.

When dating vintage engagement rings, we note the cut of the gems, the composition of the alloy, and the style of the piece. Engraved or bright-cut shoulders were prevalent during the  Victorian period, for example. During the Edwardian period and early Art Deco period, we examine the quality of the milgraining (the tiny beads of metal typically on an edge or border) to ascertain the ring’s age.