While we love a simple, contemporary engagement ring, there’s nothing quite like a vintage inspired sparkler to evoke the true romantic in all of us! If you love all things antique and are looking for something a little bit different, here’s our simple guide to some of the different eras.
While rings in many guises have been exchanged between couples as a sign of engagement and betrothal for centuries, many jewellery designers refer back to various design trends from the last 150 years. And each era has its own distinctive features that reflect the popular styles of the day. From traditional, classic engagement rings, to more ornate pieces – these enduring styles conjure up images of elegant, romantic times. There’s just something so magical about these vintage designs!
Georgian & Regency, 1714-1830, Kings George I, II, III and IV
Diamonds, pearls, rubies, garnets and sapphires were the favourite stones of the Georgians and when it comes to metals, they preferred silver to gold. We often associate symmetrical architecture with the Georgians and this is also reflected in their jewellery. They were heavily inspired by nature and often incorporated intricate shapes and interesting gemstone cuts. They are famed for inventing the ‘halo’ style – where smaller stones frame a larger gem – and this is still one of the best-selling engagement ring styles.
Victorian 1837-1901, Queen Victoria
Victorian jewellery went through three notable periods – romantic, grand and aesthetic. Modern Victorians also loved nature and this inspired them to create intricate floral and leaf designs out of metalwork. When it comes to gems, they incorporated pearls, ivory, tortoiseshell, coral, onyx, amber and quartz – alongside the more traditional diamonds and other precious stones. The styles were heavily symbolic and romantic, with rose cut, old mine cut and marquise cut stones. The era is also known for meaningful mourning jewellery, where an item of jewellery is worn in memory of a lost loved one, with some including a lock of hair or a personalised motto.
Edwardian 1901-1910, King Edward VII
Europe refers to this era as ‘La Belle Epoque’– the beautiful era – and this is reflected in the jewellery of the day. The upper classes, including the King, had a huge influence on the styles and showing off their luxury and wealth. Jewellery became more elaborate and showy as they embraced new techniques for jewellery making larger, lavish pieces influenced by the Arts & Crafts movement. They embraced floral designs with loved ornate delicate details and intricate lace-like filigree. They used a lot of silver and white, with platinum, silver, pearls and diamonds. Pearls were a real status symbol of the day and we’re used to create light, ethereal styles.
Art-Deco, 1919-1939, George V
The art-deco movement came in with a bang off the back of the austerity of WWI. The distinctive style, covering the 1920s and 30s, features geometric patterns and abstract designs, often created from white gold and platinum. Art-deco styles travelled around the world with fabulous architecture and fashion – with engagement rings often feature bold patterns made from straight lines, triangles, pyramids and arcs with contrasting coloured gems. These flamboyant designs are so stunning they remain a firm favourite for engagement rings today.
Modern Vintage
When it comes to choosing your dream engagement ring, we believe you should always go with your heart and pick a style you love above all others – don’t go for trends. Vintage styles have proved again and again that they stand-the-test-of-time, so our advice is to avoid anything that’s too fashionable. Our dedicated Heritage and Vintage engagement rings and collections are bursting with stunning antique inspired rings – where you’ll find a ring that will never go out of style!
Buying your engagement ring is one of the most exciting purchases of your life, but some of the technical descriptions can be a bit confusing – unless you’re a jeweller! While some are obvious, others are harder to work out so, Emmeline Smith from Infinity Diamond Jewellery shares her quick guide to help get you up to speed with the basics.
The main parts of a ring
Shank or band – is simply the part of the ring that wraps around your finger, in any metal and is the part that will bear any hallmark.
Side stones – also referred to as ‘accent stones’ and are usually smaller gems set either side of the centre stone. They can be the same or different type of gem, in any cut or size to complement and draw attention to the main stone and add a bit of extra dazzle!
Centre stone – is quite self explanatory! It’s the main and usually the biggest stone in the ring.
Head – situated at the top of the ring, the head holds the centre stone in place. There are various different styles and the one you pick will make a big difference to the appearance of the ring.
Engagement Rings
Prongs – also referred to as ‘claws’, these are situated on the head of the ring and are the thin metal strips that hold the gem in place. The amount of prongs varies are usually 4 or 6 and the ends are slightly bent inwards to securely hold the stone.
Shoulders – these are the top two sides of the band, just below the stones. Some shoulders change width as they near the stone setting. They can be super simple or intricate, adorned in stones.
Engagement Rings
Other useful terms
Mount or setting – The setting or mounting refers to how the gems are set onto the metal band.
Oval cut, art nouveau style lab-diamond engagement ring – prong setting
Split shank – is when the shank of the ring divides at the shoulders as it approaches the centre stone. The split leaves a visible gap and can give the illusion that the centre stone is bigger than it is.
Asscher cut, moissanite engagement ring, with split shank
Bezel – in a full bezel setting, the centre stone is set within a thin metal rim, which completely surrounds the stone, holding it in place. A partial-bezel setting covers just two sides of the stone.
Oval cut, three stone moissanite bezel engagement ring
Pavé (or micro-pavé) – this is French word for paved and means the surface of jewellery is literally paved with a series of small gems set close together, totally covering the metal below. This ensures the optimum opportunity for sparkle, ensuring every surface glimmers.
Round cut, moissanite engagement ring with Pavé band
Halo – is a ring, or border of smaller stones around the outside of the main stone, forming a ‘halo’. Not only are they super sparkly, but if it’s the same colour as the main stone, it gives the illusion of it being bigger, while if it’s a different colour, it draws the eye to the centre stone – a stunning and timeless feature.
Round cut, moissanite engagement ring with halo // Lab-grown ruby engagement ring with halo
Hidden halo – similar to above, a hidden halo’s a frame of smaller stones, but they aren’t instantly noticeable when looking at the ring from the top. The circle of gems are set around the base of the main stone, visible when viewing the ring from the side.
Pear cut moissanite engagement ring with hidden halo
Solitaire – as the name suggests, this ring contains a single gemstone of any cut. A solitaire ring is the most classic and timeless engagement ring style.
Round cut solitaire, lab-diamond engagement ring
Channel – stones are set inside a channel of metal, so they’re flush and not protruding, giving a smooth and clean finish. Channels are particularly popular for wedding bands.
Moissanite engagement ring, with channel set shoulders
Tiffany-style setting – characteristics include simple prongs that hold the main stone in place. The prongs use less metal, covering less of the gem, exposing more of the diamond and allowing more light to enter and exit the stone, which results in maximum sparkle.
Round cut moissanite engagement ring, Tiffany-style setting
Milgrain – is a metalwork technique of small bumps, creating a patterned border. Milgrain is a popular design feature on both engagement and wedding rings and adds a lovely finish.
Oval cut lab-diamond engagement ring with milgrain edge
A guest blog by English Wedding member Infinity Diamond Jewellery
Gone are the days where people thought lab-grown gems were inferior to mined stones. Increasing numbers of jewellery lovers now seek them out, especially when it comes to important purchases such as bridal jewellery. We share the top 5 reasons we believe lab-grown stones can be even better than traditional mined gems!
Pear cut, lab-grown emerald engagement ring
What exactly is lab-grown?
Yes, the name is quite self-explanatory, but to be super clear, no matter what the stone – be it a moissanite, diamond, emerald or aquamarine – a lab-grown version is not a fake – it’s 100% real. It has the same chemical and physical make-up as a mined version. The only difference is, the gems are grown in a laboratory, where scientists are able to mimic the exact conditions that cause stones to form naturally – just over a much shorter timescale, in a controlled environment.
According to Vogue magazine, it’s a super exciting time for jewellery lovers “…the diamond jewellery industry has vastly changed over the years. Lab-created diamonds are now as coveted as natural diamonds mined from the earth, resulting in choices aplenty.” And that also applies to the full rainbow lab-grown gems!
1. Highest quality
Identical to mined stones – aside from their production – you can expect all the same quality and beauty. However, because there’s more control over the process, in general, lab-grown gems tend to have a higher quality, brightness and clarity than naturally formed stones. Specialists are able to control the heat and pressure which ensures the best results, meaning there’s less chance the stones will have inclusions and many are flawless – something rare in naturally formed stones and is highly sought after.
Round cut, lab-grown diamond engagement ring
2. Sustainable sparkles
Man-made gems are a much more eco-friendly choice compared to mined alternatives. Mining is a dirty business and aside from its huge carbon emissions, it also damages ecosystems, wildlife and watercourses, due to acid mine drainage, making it one of the most environmentally damaging industries. It causes huge issues for people living in the vicinity of mines, as well as destruction of natural habitats. It’s having a direct impact on local wildlife populations, including fish in Canada and tigers in India. By purchasing lab-grown, you know you can be sure you aren’t contributing to this.
Oval cut, lab-grown morganite engagement ring
3. Tough stuff
For an engagement ring to be tough enough to wear every day, the durability of the stone is super important. Lab-grown and naturally formed diamonds are the hardest mineral, while moissanites come a very close second at 9.25/10 on Mohs Hardness Scale. This means they’re super hard, are unlikely to be chipped or scratched and won’t go cloudy over time. Rubies and sapphires are the next hardest – both mined and lab-created – just behind diamonds at 9 on the scale. So lab-grown are just as resilient as mined stones, making them perfect last a lifetime of wear.
Ruby, lab-grown halo engagement ring
4. Ethical
While some mines adhere to the strict ethical standards, in those located in areas of conflict, conditions can be unpleasant for the miners with serious human rights issues. In these mines, workers receive low wages and work in dangerous conditions. Depending on the source, there’s also the real risk of purchasing blood diamonds. It’s almost impossible to trace the exact origin of each stone, so the only way to guarantee your stone is 100% conflict free, is to opt for lab-grown.
Marquise cut, lab-grown moissanite engagement rings
5. Bigger rock, smaller budget
If we haven’t already offered enough reasons to love lab-grown gems, we have one more important factor, which is good news for everyone. Now more than ever, we need to be budget savvy, but we don’t want to compromise on one of the most important purchases of our lives. But fear not! If you opt for lab-grown, you won’t have to, as they offer unrivalled value. Traditional mining for stones and metals is an expensive business so, opting for lab created eliminates a lot of that cost and these reductions are passed on to the consumer. And for even better value, consider a stunning moissanite, which can be up to 80% cheaper than a traditional diamond. So you can get the perfect rock for a fraction of the price, with all the same quality and even more brilliance!
Heart cut, lab-grown moissanite engagement ring
Infinity Diamond Jewellery is one of the most respected names in the lab-grown gems business and produces a fantastic collection of high-quality, lab-created engagement rings and bridal jewellery. Their range includes lab-grown diamonds, moissanites, emeralds, rubies, sapphires and more! They also use recycled metal, so no mining is involved in the production of their jewellery, if you’re looking for a green alternative.
If you’re planning on popping the question this Christmas and are looking for the perfect way to make it a magical day to remember, let Emmeline Smith inspire you with a few of her favourite festive proposals.
Anyone who knows me, knows I love Christmas. And I mean, I really love Christmas! It’s a wonderful time of year – a much needed break from the drudgery of a cold and rainy winter – evoking happy memories of Christmases past. A time to fill our lives with all things glittery, warm and cosy – and mince pies! And if you are as fond of the season of goodwill as I am, it might just be the perfect time to get engaged.
Keep it personal
A wedding proposal is all about the couple, so tailor the day specifically to your partner – and yourself – rather than going for a generic, grand gesture. You know your partner better than anyone, would they prefer a quiet proposal with just you two, or with an audience to share the moment with? And making something magical and memorable doesn’t have to cost a fortune either. Here’s a few of my favourite Christmas proposal ideas.
1. A very special advent calendar
This is such a brilliant idea! You can buy empty advent calendars and simply hide the ring on the date you want to propose, be it Christmas Eve or the big day itself.
There are lots of empty advent calendars to choose from, some are ready to pop your gifts into, while others need decorating – if that’s your thing, you can make it really personal. However, if crafting isn’t your forte, pick a ready decorated one – don’t give yourself extra stress!
Silver and white fillable advent book, £12 Hobbycraft, Painted mini house advent calendar
Now filling the whole 24 days takes a bit of planning, and I should warn you – finding 24 unique, tiny gifts can be a mission and takes some creative thinking. And keep an eye on the cost, it soon adds up! If you want to keep things simple, fill each day with your partner’s favourite sweets and chocolates.
My top tip is to make sure the ring is securely disguised, just in case your other-half takes an early sneaky peek – you don’t want the surprise to be spoiled! Alternatively, wait until the night before before you pop the ring in. If you want to propose on New Year’s Eve, hang onto an empty advent calendar, and convince your partner they forgot to open one of the doors and surprise them!
This fabulous, round cut-diamond engagement ring would be the ultimate Christmas day surprise!
2. Walking in a winter wonderland
If you like to get out in nature, this is a magical way to propose. There are gorgeous events held all over the country, some at stately homes run by the National Trust or English Heritage, while others are in open gardens and parks. A quick online search will show events near you.
There’s just something about twinkly, colourful lights in a crisp, cold winter night that makes me so warm inside! Make it as private or public as you want, find a beautiful, secluded spot or wait until there are a few people around to join in the excitement with you.
I’d suggest doing a recce, to select the best place to pop the question. Look for a good spot, it may be under a giant bauble or in front of a fabulous, illuminated backdrop. You can let staff know your plans in advance and arrange for someone to film it or take photos for you.
My top tip is be prepared! This is the UK and there’s a very good chance it will rain. This doesn’t have to spoil anything if you plan for it, make sure you’re both wrapped-up, wearing boots you don’t mind getting muddy and don’t forget your brollies! Grab a hot chocolate or mulled wine and get ready!
If you’re planning to go down on one knee, it may be wet or muddy, so think about what you’re wearing or bring something to kneel on (a plastic bag should be enough). If you’re prepared for all eventualities, it will help reduce your stress levels. And imagine how good the photos will look against a backdrop of magical Christmas lights!
Waddeston, RHS Hyde Hall, Anglesey Abbey and Gibside all have fabulous events on, so look for something in your area. You could be wandering through a magical winter wonderland and have a proposal to remember!
Imagine how twinkly this huge, emerald cut moissanite ring would look under the Christmas illuminations as you pop the question!
3. The ultimate Christmas present
If you both love this time of year, it’s the perfect time to pop the question. Choose from an intimate moment with just the two of you, or in front of your nearest and dearest.
A fun idea is to pop the ring into its box and wrap it in a cardboard box. Then put that inside a larger box and wrap again and just keep going! Add as many boxes within boxes as you want. When you have your largest box, put a brick or two in the bottom to give it some weight to really trick your other half, then watch the fun as they open box after box, looking baffled!
If you don’t have the time, place the ring box inside a huge box filled with tissue and shredded paper, glitter, sweets, tinsel, baubles – anything – and watch them rummage around trying to find the tiny, special gift!
My top tip is to pick the perfect time to give the ultimate Christmas present. If you’re adding the bricks, let them feel the weight to throw them off the scent and make the proposal even more of a surprise. Get the champers chilled and glasses ready for when they (hopefully!) say ‘Yes!’
Once your partner’s negotiated the wrapping paper and boxes, this oval cut moissanite engagement ring would be the icing on the Christmas cake.
4. A real Christmas cracker!
A bit like the advent calendar, you can get as creative as you want to with this one – or not! Buy a kit from places such as Etsy and stores like The Range, which sell ‘make your own’ or ‘refillable’ versions. If you’re super creative and want to make your own from scratch, check out YouTube for inspiration.
You really need to make sure that you give the right cracker to the right person! So if you’re planning to propose at the Christmas table, in front of loved ones, make sure you have the cracker clearly marked, or keep it aside to ensure you get to pull the cracker with them.
Get creative and make it unique, for example think about adding tissue paper, glitter, foliage, chocolates, bells. Write your own joke to suit your intended or write your proposal where the joke would be.
My top tip is don’t just drop the ring into the cracker loose – make sure it’s in substantial wrapping. You don’t want to pull the cracker and for the ring to fire across the room, never to be seen again!
Forget the novelty plastic cracker toys and give your partner this vintage style engagement ring!
5. A romantic getaway
If travel’s your thing, whisk your other half away for a weekend somewhere snowy and cosy! The charming cottage in the film ‘The Holiday’ springs to mind, (I love that film!), but that’s a private home, but you could find your very own romantic cottage. A quick Google search of ‘romantic cottage to hire’ and you’ll be blown away by the choice! Areas such as Scotland, the Peak District and Cornwall are perfect havens for the big event. Or a relaxing spa break in a hotel, or a log cabin in the woods somewhere like Shadwell, Norfolk.
If the British countryside isn’t your thing and you want to go abroad, will you pick somewhere warm and sunny, or traditionally wintery and cold? When it comes to travel, the world is (literally) your oyster and although Paris and New York are all amazing destinations, there are many lesser-popular places which are just as lovely, such as Bavaria, Prague or chasing the Northern Lights in Lapland. Poland’s also an amazing winter destination – you can explore the history of Krakow or enjoy the snow in Wisla in the Beskidy Mountains.
For something really unique take the sightseeing Bernina Express from Chur to Poschiavo in Switzerland and Tirano in Italy, crossing the Swiss Engadin Alps.
My Top tip is – don’t forget the ring! Pop the ring in its box and don’t pack it in your main luggage or carry it in your pocket – keep it in your hand luggage. Don’t wrap the ring box, keep it easy for security to see inside with minimal fuss. You can even add a note for security, so they know not to spoil the surprise. Place the ring box inside a smaller bag inside your hand luggage, so it’s well hidden from your partner. If possible, enter a different security queue to your partner and try not to get too stressed!
Whether you opt for the UK or further afield, a break away will surely be a proposal to remember!
As if being whisked away on a fabulous trip away isn’t romantic enough, seal the deal with this dazzling heart cut, lab-grown diamond engagement ring.
Featured photo (rose and lights) by Ryan Wallace on Unsplash
If you’ve said ‘YES!’ and you’re currently choosing your engagement ring, you’ll know the choice is vast! If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed and not sure where to start, fashion stylist Emmeline Smith shares her favourite ring styles to help inspire you.
Triple Stones
Triple stone rings, also known as a trilogy or trinity setting, are still experiencing a resurgence thanks to the fabulous ring Prince Harry gave Meghan Markle on their engagement in 2017. The beauty of this style is that you can have any stone shape or size to suit your personal taste.
Did you know that the three stones also have a wonderfully romantic meaning? They are said to represent the past, present and future of your relationship together, which is such a lovely touch.
Whether you go for a huge emerald cut main stone, flanked by two smaller round stones, or opt for 3 round cut stones of the same size, this classic design will never go out of style.
Oval Stones
Kourtney Kardashian got engaged in 2021 and her giant oval ring was simply stunning. Oval gems have always been popular but we’re seeing a real boom at the moment and it doesn’t show any sign of slowing down. On its own, or surrounded with a halo of smaller stones this is a pretty timeless style that will definitely catch the eye! And if you prefer a bit more sparkle, you can have smaller stones on the shoulders of the ring
Coloured Stones
Almost 20 years after they broke up, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are back on and have tied-the-knot in Las Vegas!
This time round, Ben proposed to JLo with a trinity style, giant 8.5 ct green diamond ring, flanked by two diamonds, set in a platinum band – rumoured to be worth between $5 and $10 million! J-Lo specifically loves the colour green as she believes it gives her good luck.
And it’s not just Bennifer that are loving coloured gems. Long-gone is the old fashioned assumption that an engagement ring has to include a traditional diamond and you’re not in the market for a ring costing millions of pounds, a sparkly lab-grown gem can be just as striking and a realistic price that us mere mortals can afford. I just think coloured rings are so much fun – here’s just a few of my favs.
Emmeline said, “Celebrities often have insane budgets for their engagement rings, which aren’t realistic for the rest of us! We offer high quality, stunning rings at a much more affordable price.”
Practical considerations
Durability
Are you going to wear your ring every day? If so, you need something that’s robust such as a lab-grown diamond or moissanite, the two hardest minerals known, which will withstand most lifestyles.
Pick a reputable jeweller
An engagement ring is a big investment so make sure you buy from a brand you can trust. Check your seller offers IGI (International Gemological Institute) Certified gems and a lifetime warranty.
Your style
It’s not very scientific, but always go with your gut when it comes to style. What metal colour do you wear most? Have you seen engagement rings on anyone famous that you love? Creating a short-list of things you love is a great place to start your search and narrow down the choices.
Forget fashion
Trends come and trends go, but ultimately, an engagement ring has to be chosen from the heart. Pick a ring you totally love and you can’t go wrong – remember, you’ll be wearing it for the rest of your life!
Written for English Wedding by Emmeline for https://www.infinitydiamondjewellery.com