The sentiment that someday we will meet our one true soul mate, fall passionately in love, and commit to a lifetime together is a romantic sensibility threaded through the annals of time.

 

We constantly find ourselves fascinated with unconditional love and the tangible items that represent it.

 

Enter engagement rings.

 

Over time, the basic premise of becoming engaged has not changed. But the rings symbolizing this union have altered with each decade in response to history and fashion.

 

Isadoras’ heirloom collection has grown considerably; we have recently added many fantastic vintage and antique pieces that articulate both incredible beauty and rich history. And we are especially excited about all the extraordinary diamond rings sparkling with the possibility to represent true love.

 

We thought it would be fun, not to mention an exercise in innate beauty, to pull an inspiring engagement ring from several different eras, to illustrate how styles have evolved over time.

 

Which era calls to you?

 

The Mid-Victorian Engagement Ring

During this part of the Victorian Era, the rising middle class now had the income to lavish loved ones with jewelry. The use of both gold and diamonds increased during this time due to the California Gold Rush of 1849 and the discovery of diamonds in Africa (1867). Now every woman desired a diamond engagement ring.

Popular motifs included hearts, bees, birds, stars, flowers, and geometric shapes.

 

The Edwardian Engagement Ring

Engagement rings in the Edwardian Era were designed to look much more delicate; pierced openwork often provided an undulating, organic appearance, while the use of millegrained edges added textural appeal. Designers also employed ornamental scrollwork and patterns.

 

Jewelers began to make rings from platinum and platinum-topped gold in order to highlight the brilliance of the diamonds; this platinum and gold combo was also strong enough to allow jewelers to be more creative with their elegant designs.

 

The Art Deco Engagement Ring

Art Deco engagement rings were usually made with platinum or white gold, set with diamonds. Because platinum was so strong, less metal was required to hold a gem securely. The jewelry was now designed with a more geometric look due to the influence of both abstract art and modernist design.

 

The Retro Engagement Ring

Platinum was now being used for the war effort, so gold became the predominant metal used in Retro Era engagement rings. In 1947, De Beers created their ad slogan “A Diamond is Forever” and the diamond became the most popular gem used in engagement rings. Men returning home from the war wanted to bring a sense of “normalcy” to their lives, so marriages were taking place like crazy.

 

The Midcentury Engagement Ring

Platinum was back in use in the 1950s, and the platinum/diamond combo was irresistible. Art Deco design influences came to the fore with classic geometric elements. Lining an engagement ring’s shoulders with channel-set diamonds created a modern, twenty-first century look.

 

The Classic Engagement Ring

Post midcentury, the engagement ring was all about the diamond’s cut. The solitaire became popular because it showcased a diamond’s brilliance to its best advantage. Often, diamonds accented an engagement ring’s shoulders to enhance the central stone yet still maintained an uncluttered, sleek look.

 

Which Era Are You?

 

Each era brings a unique perspective to engagement ring design, which is always affected by history, art, and fashion.

 

Which era do you love the most?

 

The charm of the Victorian Era? Or maybe the delicacy of the Edwardian Era?

 

Do you find yourself drawn to the geometric, modernist quality of the Art Deco and Retro Eras, influences that spill over into midcentury designs as well?

 

Or do you see yourself as someone who truly adores the classic engagement ring style?

 

Isadoras carries an expansive collection of antique and vintage engagement rings that represent over 100 years of jewelry design and artisanship.

 

Visit us in-store, or view online to experience our full engagement ring collection.

 

Coming soon - era gemstone engagement rings!!

 

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