Vintage Ring Styles

by Kristin Wood

Overview

What makes this ring vintage?

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Vintage rings can seem more diverse from one another than similar. Your jeweler might call a simple six-prong solitaire vintage, meanwhile your friend brags about her new vintage find: an intricate chunky ring. If you learn the three main trends of the era, identifying vintage styles should be a breeze.
The Time Period

A vintage style ring is anything that was popular from the 1930s to the 1950s. This doesn't necessarily mean the style has to be created in that time, just that it was a popular choice worn by many women.

Ring Settings and Stone Settings

Vintage style can mean two different things. It might be referring to the style of the ring itself, or it might be referring to the style of the stone. A ring can have a modern stone in a vintage band, or vice versa.
Victorian

Victorian was a popular vintage style. The bands are usually yellow or rose gold. Smaller diamonds were more popular, as were other colored gemstones amongst the diamonds. The Victorian style is home to the classic solitaire diamond set within six prongs.
Edwardian

Exquisitely detailed settings and platinum bands are the signature of Edwardian style. Diamonds are frequently rose cut, with smaller diamonds or gemstones trailing down the length of the band.
Filigree

Filigree rings are specific design within the Edwardian style. Their bands are very complex with many small intricate designs.
Art Deco

Art Deco rings were commonly created with emeralds or marquis cut diamonds placed in a simple setting. These pieces of jewelry were elegant but not flashy.

Overview