The Antique Ring Shop always has a beautiful selection of vintage rings, check out our collection:
This article explores the distinction between antique and vintage jewelry, highlighting their characteristics, origins, and value. While the terms "antique" and "vintage" are sometimes used interchangeably, it's important to understand their distinct definitions. Both types of jewelry hold significant value in the market, influenced by factors such as rarity, condition, craftsmanship, historical significance, and demand. Some pieces may be highly sought after due to their rarity or association with well-known makers or previous owners, while others may hold sentimental value.
Antique jewelry refers to pieces that are at least 100 years old. These treasures carry the weight of history and embody the craftsmanship and design aesthetics of a bygone era. The charm of antique jewelry lies in its connection to the past, reflecting the styles, techniques, and materials popular during a specific period.
When identifying antique jewelry, it's essential to consider the historical context and examine the craftsmanship. Antique pieces often feature intricate detailing, handwork, and techniques that were prevalent during their time of creation. They might showcase characteristics associated with specific periods, such as Victorian, Art Nouveau, Edwardian, or Art Deco.
Antique jewelry is highly valued not only for its age but also for its rarity and historical significance. These pieces are often sought after by collectors, museums, and people who appreciate the allure of a bygone era. Due to their scarcity, antique jewelry pieces can command higher prices compared to other types of jewelry.
Vintage jewelry refers to pieces that are generally between 20 and 100 years old. Vintage pieces evoke a sense of nostalgia for more recent eras, such as the 1920s to the 1980s. The term "vintage" has gained immense popularity in recent years, becoming synonymous with retro styles and unique design aesthetics.
What sets vintage jewelry apart is its association with specific periods, such as the bold and colorful styles of the 1960s. Vintage pieces often embody the fashion trends, cultural influences, and materials of their time, allowing wearers to express their individuality and personal style through jewelry that carries a distinct narrative.
Vintage jewelry is often favored for its ability to infuse a bit of a statement into contemporary fashion, making it a popular choice for those seeking one-of-a-kind, but not quite real historical pieces.
While the terms "antique" and "vintage" are often used interchangeably, it's good to remember that their definitions are distinct. Both antique and vintage jewelry hold significant value in the market, attracting collectors, enthusiasts, and those seeking unique statement pieces. The value of antique and vintage jewelry is influenced by factors such as rarity, condition, craftsmanship, historical significance, and demand. Some pieces may be highly sought after due to their rarity or a hallmark of the maker of the piece, or well-known previous owners, while others may hold sentimental value due to their association with a time period, symbolic meaning or the piece itself, a personal connection to a certain time in history or of course: heirloom status.
Disvoer The Antique Ring Shop's latest collection of antique and vintage jewelry
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Did you know that most garnet is mined for industrial purposes?
Garnets are a group of minerals. There are many different species of garnets, all with different chemical compositions and virtually all colours!
Garnets are widely believed to be one of the earliest gemstones worn in jewelry, dating back as far as the Bronze Age.
Garnet is the birthstone for the month of January.
]]>Garnets are a group of minerals with different chemical compositions and virtually all colours! Red-brown garnets are the least expensive ones, maybe you have also seen green, bright orange, yellow and black garnets. Blue garnet is the fourth rarest gemstone in the world and can be priced up to €1.5 million per carat!
Garnets are widely believed to be one of the earliest gemstones worn in jewelry, dating back as far as the Bronze Age. Garnets were also around during the ancient Egyptian time, in which they graced the necks of the pharaohs. In Ancient Rome, signet rings with carved garnets were used to stamp the wax that secured important documents. Throughout history, it was widely believed that the red color of garnets was associated with the heart and blood. People believed in the mystical ability of garnets to prevent haemorrhage and improve circulation as well as stir the herd to great deeds.
If you love garnets, see more of The Antique Ring Shop's beautiful collection
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Signet rings date back to as far as 3500 BC, when people wore cylindrical seals around their neck with a unique, personal engraved symbol in wax or clay. The Egyptians transformed this concept into a ring with a seal. In the beginning, signet rings were carved from soft stone or bone, by 1500 BC they were made from harder stones like onyx.
Some of our signet rings with family crests. We have oval and rectangular stones, often light or medium blue with black or dark red underneath.
During the Middle Ages and through the early 19th century, signet rings were often worn by royalty or influential members of society. By then, the engraving could be used to authenticate documents by pressing it into melted wax. Ornate designs, family crests, symbols, and initials were carved into precious metals, adorned with precious stones like diamonds and rubies to signify the social status of the wearer.
Some of our signet rings have gemstones without engravings, like bloodstone, carnelian, agate or onyx. Great to wear like this or to have engraved with your own symbol:
It was not until the later part of the 19th century that signet rings became popular among women. By this time signet rings didn’t hold as much legal status as they once did, but still were a sign of wealth and importance, worn by nobility. A signet ring remains a classical, aesthetic piece symbolizing class and wealth. Today they are worn as a fashion statement, by all genders on all fingers of the hand, while also still being passed down as heirlooms from generation to generation.
Last but not least we have a beautiful antique (1915) all gold signet ring with initials (N/L). And a very special signet ring with a torch passing hands over the world:
See The Antique Ring Shop's current collection of signet rings
From Jackie Kennedy to Hailey Baldwin, we present to you the most beautiful engagement rings that stand the test of time, plus a few others that are already on their way to being unforgettable.
From Jackie Kennedy to Hailey Baldwin, we present to you the most beautiful engagement rings that stand the test of time, plus a few others that are already on their way to being unforgettable.
On June 24, 1953, John F. Kennedy proposed to Jacqueline Bouvier at a Boston restaurant. The Van Cleef & Arpels ring was set with an emerald beside a diamond in a classical romantic "you-and-me" design with a stunning diamond halo. Megan Fox got a similar ring from Machine Gun Kelly in 2022! You can get the look with these antique and vintage "toi-et-moi" rings:
Princess Diana chose this ring herself and it's a very special one! Charles, Prince of Wales, proposed to Lady Diana Spencer in February of 1981, presenting her with an oval-shaped blue sapphire surrounded by a halo of diamonds. Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, then gave his mother's ring to Kate Middleton when he proposed in 2010. A few lovely sapphire halo rings of our own:
King Edward of England gave up his kingdom to marry his lover Wallis Simpson (who already had 2 ex husbands, oh the horror). In 1936 he gave her this 19-carat emerald engagement ring inscribed “We are ours now 27 X 36”. The rectangular emerald is a dazzling 19.77-carat, flanked by diamond baguettes. The ring that represents the greatest royal love story of the 20th century was sold at auction at Sotheby’s in 1987 for $1.98 million. Similar engagement rings:
Priyanka Chopra's ring is a high quality cushion cut weighing around 4 carats, on a band that is also studded with diamonds. Nick Jonas shut down a Tiffany & Co. store in London to shop for the perfect ring in privacy. We'd love to help you recreate the look:
Scarlett Johansson’s engagement ring is an stunning one. The vintage ring is a lovely example of Art Deco style, with three round diamonds surrounded by a magnificent rectangular setting. Get your own Art Deco period engagement ring:
Lauren Conrad’s engagement ring was revealed in October 2013, about a year after she started dating guitarist William Tell, after meeting on a blind date on Valentine’s Day the year before. The couple were married in September, 2014. The engagement ring is a classic round solitaire set on a yellow gold band. She paired it with a diamond eternity band as a wedding band. This design we have in many sizes, take a look at a few:
Check out beautiful antique and vintage engagement rings from The Antique Ring Shop collection.
]]>Since the early 20th century, women—and all jewelry lovers—tend to celebrate milestones like new jobs, diplomas, a new house or more emotional achievements with a beautiful ring. An item to be worn daily on the right hand, to remind yourself of what you’ve accomplished by yourself.
Don’t get too hung up on what an engagement ring ‘should’ be. If you’re drawn to a diamond solitaire, that’s great, but if it’s not for you, there are plenty of unique options out there. In fact, a vintage or antique ring is a cost-effective way to get a spectacular stone, often hand-cut. And if you know where to look, a trusted seller can have what you may have been looking for all along.
Don’t worry about ring size
If you know the ring size of the finger your partner will wear their engagement ring on, that’s great. We can also measure a ring they currently wear (without spoiling the surprise!). In any case, it’s also easy to resize the ring afterwards.
Spend what you are comfortable with
Set a budget that you are comfortable with and let us know. We don’t want to sell you our most expensive ring (well, we do :), we want you to find the one that your partner will love the most. It can be a classic old-cut diamond solitaire ring, a fabulous gemstone ring or an exquisite Art Deco ring.
Consider the 4Cs but also character and style
Everything you research about buying diamond rings talks about the 4Cs, the cut, color, clarity, and carat. Each of these individual Cs play a role in determining the value of the diamond and not just the carat weight. and there will of course be trade-offs. It's about the beauty of the whole diamond.
If you’re buying an antique diamond ring, the 4 Cs are less important. Also, not everyone wants a big sparkly ring! Some go for smaller diamonds or rose or old-cut diamonds. Rose diamonds have great personality but don’t sparkle as much as a brilliant cut diamond.
We always try to find beautiful old cut diamond solitaire rings. These are older hand-cut stones which have less facets but have plenty of character and style. Our customers really like them and they make terrific engagement rings (not to mention a very good price point).
4. Reduce your stress levels with the right guarantees
Gearing up for a proposal is a big deal and of course you want the ring to be just right. The last thing you need to worry about is the fine print. If you buy your ring from The Antique Ring Shop your partner will be able to exchange the ring for another if you or your partner are entirely satisfied. Luckily this rarely happens, most partners are happy with the ring you choose. We help you define your wishes and make the best choice.
5. Take your time and trust your instincts
Many customers end up choosing the ring they first loved. Take your time to look around, see different styles and don’t feel pressured to make a choice. Sometimes, people are looking for a very specific ring and end up falling for something entirely different.
In our opinion, antique and vintage rings are unique, have an enduring charm, quality of craftsmanship and distinction that modern manufactured jewelry simply cannot match. Antique jewelry is an investment for the future, an heirloom you can pass on. Also, we think it's nicer for the planet to invest in beautiful pieces that have already existed for decades, centuries even.
Choosing a vintage or antique engagement ring is a very personal affair. Anything can be an engagement ring, really, and these days the traditional left hand-right hand customs are hardly remembered.
Still, there are a few styles that most of our customer choose as engagement rings - later on paired with a plain gold wedding band or a gold band that is half or all around set with small diamonds.
The most classic option for an engagement ring is of course a single diamond gold ring called a solitaire. We always have many vintage and antique solitaire rings to choose from in all price categories.
We are happy to advise and help you pick the right ring for your future spouse. With 25+ years of experience in vintage and antique jewellery we can say that picking the right engagement ring for your person and your budget is our specialty.
Rose-cut diamonds have a flat bottom and a domed top. Like with every other cutting style, rose-cut diamonds or simply rose diamonds, were cut according to the shape of the rough diamond. The dome is faceted with varying numbers of triangular facets, which are responsible for the rose-cut’s amped-up level of scintillation and sparkle. In the 18th century diamonds were discovered in Brasil, candles improved and became widely available and diamond jewellery was increasingly popular with the rich and famous, Nothing sparkles better by candlelight than a rose-cut diamond.
The cutting centres of Amsterdam and Antwerp produced the best rose-cuts - like the “Dutch rose” which had a more complex arrangement of facets in groups of six. The rose-cut’s superior brilliance, scintillation and their large surface was very popular throughout the 18th century. While new setting techniques were discovered and other shapes became popular, by the mid-nineteenth century there was a resurgence of popularity for the more exquisite rose-cut diamonds perfected in Belgium and The Netherlands. In addition, an American rose-cut was patented around 1900 which fuelled an enthusiasm for the cut on yet another Continent.
Being an antique jewellery shop in Amsterdam, The Antique Ring Shop always has a beautiful selection of rose-cut diamond jewellery for you to choose from. We have gold and silver cluster and solitaire rings and also rose diamond earrings, bracelets and pendants. We love rose diamonds because they have character, they breathe history and we believe that every antique jewellery lover should own (at least) one!
]]>Cluster rings have been made and worn since the middle of the 18th century and are still popular today. Cluster rings are available from all our favourite eras: Georgian rings (with heavy prongs and blackened silver), Victorian rings (more delicate, smaller prongs, diamonds arranged in a ‘daisy’ shape), Edwardian rings (more streamlined, still delicate) and Art Deco rings (embracing geometrical shapes and super clean lines).
Of course, we also have many vintage rings with a large oval coloured gem in the center and surrounded by smaller diamonds. And, different shapes of diamonds in the “halo”!
Cluster rings make great engagement rings, you can pick the colour and shape to fit the character of the bride-to-be and they are so timeless that wearing them for a lifetime is no problem.
Come in and try some of our cluster rings, either with all diamonds or coloured gemstones or seedpearls. We have cluster rings with diamonds and with coloured gemstones like ruby, sapphire, emerald, amethyst, citrine, tourmaline, and even prasiolite and... yellow diamond!
Discover The Antique Ring Shop's beautiful collection of cluster rings
Slightly more exotic and unique than a diamond engagement ring is a ring with colored gemstones, perhaps combined with diamonds. If you are looking for an engagement ring with a gemstone, emerald is one of your best options.
Emerald is the birthstone of May. The color green is associated with spring, and emerald is surrounded by myths and legends, from the Romans to the Maharajas, to royal houses and Hollywood stars of our times.
The Antique Ring Shop in Amsterdam offers many choices in antique and vintage jewellery including engagement rings with diamonds and coloured gemstones in our collection. This time we would like to show you some gold rings with emerald.
Emerald with yellow gold is a classic combination. Paired with diamonds, this is a royal combination. This vintage rings with platinum or white gold and diamonds are in a class of their own.
Of course you can always go bigger. On the lower right, this impressive emerald and half cut diamond ring in platinum has an emerald of 3.8 carat. Surrounded by 20 diamonds of about .36 carat in total:
Whether you love subtle or impressive, vintage or antique, The Antique Ring Shop in the center of Amsterdam has something for you. Browse our website or visit us here in the store, we hope to see you soon!
Check out The Antique Ring Shop's current collection of emerald jewelry!
Photographed right in the city center, across the street from our shop and on the beautiful bridge, it's an ode to Amsterdam. An ode to love and to vintage design.
In need of more vintage and antique wedding ring or engagement ring inspiration? Check our collection online and please pass by Staalstraat 18 to browse.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Planning & Styling: @weddingster
Such design is also recognizable in antique furniture, fittings, and interior decoration. It was sometimes called ‘Oriental Style’ or ‘Chinoiserie’. In the Netherlands and Germany this nineteenth century style period is called ‘Biedermeier’ or ‘Historism’, in the UK also the term ‘Revival style’ was used a lot concerning jewelry. In France it is referred to as ‘Louis-Phillippe’ or ‘Second Empire’, while in the USA it was often named ‘Romanticism’.
The fashion in that expansive period followed mostly the style and life of Queen Victoria. In 1840 Queen Victoria received an exquisite snake & emerald ring from Prince Albert for their engagement. Women followed Queen Victoria's fashion closely and began wearing similar pieces.
Jewelry from this period can be recognized by working in yellow or pink gold, the use of seed pearls, colored precious stones or paste, the use of braided hair work, but above all: the sentimental and symbolic meaning of the jewelry piece.
The Victorians took symbolism in jewelry making to a whole other level. Their hidden language is so beautifully conveyed in their timeless pieces, that we gratefully admire and humbly respect.
One of the more heartbreaking and sentimental jewelry fashion statements in the Victorian age was mourning jewelry. Mourning jewelry was entirely about remembering individuals who were lost, and was incorporated into the strict mourning dress code imposed upon women in Victorian times.
Photography was scarce, but people wanted to remember their loved ones. Thus it was popular to use a deceased loved ones hair to eternalize their soul in a piece of personal jewelry. The human hair was, often braided, added into a piece of jewelry worn in remembrance. Jet, onyx, white pearls for tears, and different shades of hair embodied the departed in Victorian mourning jewelry. You'll see a lot of clouds, weeping willows, tombs, urns and angels.
The Arts and Crafts movement and Art Nouveau style started in the late Victorian era. And so there are endless floral motif symbols in Victorian jewelry. Flowers made out of rose diamonds and dainty little buttercups, one of the sweetest Victorian symbols. It truly embodies all things jovial and pleasant. Buttercups represent happiness and pure bliss.
See beautiful examples of Victorian jewelry in The Antique Ring Shop's Victorian collection.
]]>Victorian 1837-1901
This style was mainly seen in decorative arts during the Victorian era, the period Queen Victoria reigned. The Victorian era is known for its eclectic revival and interpretation of historic styles but also for the cross-cultural influences from the Middle East and Asia. Jewelry from this period can be recognized by working in yellow of pink gold, the use of seed pearls, colored precious stones or paste and the use of memorial jewelry.
Art Nouveau 1895-1910 and Belle Epoque 1895-1914
This is also referred to as Jugendstil or Arts & Crafts, an international movement and style of art and architecture. Jewelry from this period is often very romantic, has floral motifs in the design, symmetrical designs, fluent and elegant, made with pastel colored enamel and the use of seed pearls, natural materials, such as horn. The Belle Epoque saw more and more opulent diamond, pearls, white gold and platinum jewelry. All made for the new aristocracy. This new style had its origins in the 18th century French Decorative Arts; Garlands, leafs, festoons of flowers, fluttering bows and ribbons. All with an intricately done lace like quality, which demanded a light weight, but robust precious metal such as platinum.
Edwardian 1901-1910
The Edwardian era is overlapping with the ‘Belle Epoque'. It was a period of great wealth for the upper classes, led by the luxury-loving King Edward. Platinum as a precious metal became quite popular. Also, former motifs of the 1890’s such as crescent or star brooches and traditional motifs as bows, ribbons and lace. The diamonds were big and the design a bit more sleek.
Art Deco 1915-1935
Art Deco is an eclectic and symmetrical design style which had its origins in Paris. In jewelry we see a lot of gemstones such as diamonds combined with aquamarine, emerald, rubies, sapphires, but also next to that onyx, mother of pearl, chrysoprase, jadeite and coral were used. The jewelry (the majority was made in white metal, at least at the front) from this period is known for its symmetrical and geometric designs.
Retro period (Late Art Deco) 1940-1950
This jewelry style which was developed in the 1940s and 1950s in response to a popularity for bold, eye-catching graphic designed jewelry pieces that were easy to reproduce. Cocktail rings and bracelets were made with impressive volume and exuberant shapes. Often colorful designed pieces, with rubies, sapphires and spinel.
Vintage
Vintage jewelry used to refer to pieces from the 1950s to the 1980s, but now the 1990s and unique pieces from more recent decades are popular with 'vintage' fans. You typically see yellow or brushed gold for the sixties, colorful stones in larger cocktail rings in the fifties and large ear clips (for example the ‘door knocker’ model) in the seventies. Also, cabochon cut colored stones and geometric brooches were seen a lot.
Check out The Antique Ring Shop's collection of antique and vintage rings
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