If you are looking for a unique and timeless engagement ring to present to the love of your life (we’re not talking about customised rings here), antique or vintage engagement ring is the best way to go. However, shopping for an antique or vintage engagement ring may be a challenging experience due to the different terminologies used, especially if you aren’t well-versed.
In this article, we have rounded up a few important and common terms to make shopping experience a little less stressful and more pleasurable.
- Antique jewellery – any piece of jewellery that was crafted more than 100 years ago.
- Vintage jewellery – a fine jewellery can only be considered vintage when it is aged at least 20 to 30.
- Georgian Period (1714 to 1837) – jewellery in this period featured intricate details based on natural elements (flowers, butterflies) on the ring’s band. Georgian engagement rings used a combination of diamonds and gemstones (rubies, sapphires, emeralds).
- Victorian Period (1837 to 1901) – named after Queen Victoria, Victorian engagement rings showcased floral vines, birthstones, and multi-coloured gold.
- Art Nouveau (1895 to 1905) – jewellery belonging in this period are known for its fluid lines, nature and floral themes, and natural colours.
- Art Deco (1915 to 1935) – Art Deco jewellery features bold geometric shapes and colours. It also uses coloured stones, such as onyx, jade, and corals.
- Hallmarks – refers to the manufacturer’s information stamped on the metal. Hallmarks are used to determine the date the piece had been created as well as its worth.
- Patina – the change of colour on the metal caused by oxidation over a long period of time.
- Carat – a part of the four Cs of a diamond, it refers to the weight of the actual diamond, not the size. A carat is equivalent to 0.2 gram.
- Faux – this French term means counterfeit or imitation. Faux jewellery is often made with imitation materials.
- Intaglio – a method where the jeweller carved the motif into the surface.
If you are looking for a reputable dealer of antique and vintage engagement ring, you can check out Kalmar Antiques. They employ skilled and expert jewellery designers, gemmologists, art historians and appraisers to ensure that you are getting a great deal of their products and services.
Do you know other terms used in antique and vintage jewellery? Share them with us by writing them down in the comment section below.