Accessorize Your Wedding Attire with a Stunning Bridal Handbag

If there's one day when you want to look stunning, it's your wedding day. You also want to be practical on this busy day. You probably would like to carry a few needful things along so you'll have them on-hand as you prepare for the reception or as you drive away into the sunset with your beloved. Bridal handbags are both stunning and practical for this very purpose.

Bridal handbags, or wedding purses, come in all shapes and sizes with many dashing designs, and with just enough room to carry those small personal items such as touch-up powder, eye liner, lipstick, deodorant, a comb or brush, keys, handkerchiefs, or maybe even a little spare change! After the wedding, there are always photos, reception food and drink, and a time of fellowship with family and friends. A bridal handbag allows you to carry a few things along to touch up your hair and makeup as you make the transition from the wedding to the reception.

Types of Bridal Handbags

Bridal handbags are usually very small and easy to carry. They may be decorated with sequins, beads, crystals, lace, ribbons, miniature tassels, or precious stones. Wedding handbags are usually made of materials such as satin, silk, nylon, or polyester.

There are three basic styles of handbags for brides: clutch, fancy, and structured. Clutch bridal purses are typically made of silk or satin, have an inner lining, and do not have straps or handles. Fancy handbags are usually made with elegant designs embellished with precious stones, crystals, or beads. They also come with decorated handles made of metal or cloth with optional shoulder straps. Structured wedding handbags have a stable bottom and are usually made of satin, silk, nylon, or polyester. They also usually have handles and clasps made of metal.

Accentuate Your Wedding Dress

Bridal handbags are a great accessory for your wedding attire. Choose a bridal purse that matches or complements your dress, jewelry, tiara, and wedding shoes. The handbag should be made of the same or similar material as your dress and have similar patterns and designs. If your dress has lace and white pearls, find a wedding purse decorated with lace and white pearls (or beads that resemble pearls).

Choose a bridal handbag that fits your style and your figure. The handbag should be easy to handle and not too large. You don't want to attract too much attention to your wedding purse. It shouldn't stand out, but it should blend with your other attire. It should add a touch of elegance without dominating the reception photos.

Wedding Handbags as Bridesmaid Gifts

Wedding handbags can also be ordered to match the dresses of bridesmaids and given as gifts from the bride. Choose handbags that your bridesmaids can use for other occasions, not only at the wedding. Every woman and girl loves a new handbag, so these make excellent gifts!

If you're not sure where to shop for bridal handbags, you can find a variety of styles online along with other wedding accessories such as tiaras, ring cushions, jewelry, and more. Use these tips to find a lovely bridal handbag for your special day!

Interesting Wedding Night Rituals from Around The World

Weddings are occasions of lasting traditions and rituals. All over the world, people’s beliefs, culture and history has affected this memorable event. It is common knowledge that wedding ceremonies are different all over the world, but did you know that the diversity extends even on the wedding night? Read this to know the interesting activities that couples, families and friends do before letting the newlyweds reach a night of wedding bliss!

It is customary in an American wedding for the bride and groom to hop into a get-away car with tin cans attached to the rear of the car, off to their secret honeymoon, immediately after the wedding. Did you know that this rooted from escaping a Celtic wedding night tradition?

In Gaelic cultures, it was a tradition for friends and family of the couple to mess with the couple’s wedding night. In the olden days, when couples spend their wedding night in a barn, girl friends of the bride would dress her for bed and ask each of the male guests to kiss her good night. The friends would do other things to prevent the groom from seeing her new wife. Even if the couple finally comes together, they would disturb the union by making noise outside the barn and even peep into the couple, while drinking the night away. The couple waits for everyone to get too drunk to eventually leave them alone. This kind of prank is something that newly weds want to get away from, thus, they keep their honeymoon destination a secret and speed away after the wedding.
More Celtic wedding night ritual come from Scotland: sleeping in the barn on the first night, sprinkling water on the marriage bed for luck and staying for a week with the bride's parents before moving into the newlywed’s home.

The Germans and the French do a similar tradition of “disturbing” the wedding night, called Chiverie, known in the US as Shivaree. They make noise outside the place where the couple spends their first night together. Some even play around with the room where they will stay, like put plenty of balloons, spread food all over the bed, and hide alarm clock everywhere, just for fun.
The Romans believed that it was bad fortune when the bride stumbles when entering the newlywed’s house for the first time. Thus, after the wedding, male friends of the couple would carry her over the doorstep. At present, the groom is expected to do the job himself.

In Benin, western Africa, they value virginity. The bride’s mother rewards her with cash if she’s a virgin at their wedding night! In the morning, the sheets that the couples used are inspected for bloodstains. Some mothers even fly the flag out the window, showing off their daughter's bloodstained nightgown. Seriously!

For the Chinese, at the night of the wedding, candles designed with a phoenix and a dragon is lit to drive the evil spirit away. The newlyweds will drink wine from goblets tied together with a red ribbon, while arms intertwined. Then the bride will be given half-raw dumplings, which symbolize prosperity.

Marquesasian (from Polynesia) brides have a notable wedding night ritual: they are expected to have sex with all the male guests and then saving the groom for last. Now that can make your wedding night … extremely unforgettable!

Elegant Celtic Wedding Rings

Now that you have popped the marriage question and got a "Yes" answer, what's next? For many, this is the start of many wedding day preparations. The planning of this special day can be a stressful experience considering the myriad of activities needing to be planned for and coordinated such as the catering, wedding ceremony, location booking, photographer, and wedding gown shopping. Being that it is an important milestone in people's lives, the preparations must be perfect with everything in it's proper place on wedding day.

While this event will come and go, the memories of the wedding day will live on. One of the symbols of the love between two people on this special day is the wedding ring. While buying wedding rings will depend on the couple's budget, it's also important to realize that a wedding ring will be the enduring symbol of a couple's love long after the champagne toasts and wedding ceremony are over. After all, a couple will have it for the rest of their lives. Thus, the decision to buy a ring should not be taken lightly and a couple should get the best wedding rings they can afford from a trusted jeweler.

As a symbol of everlasting love, what better way to represent it than with a Celtic engagement ring? Compared to traditional wedding rings, the Irish have a rich romantic and enduring Celtic jewelry tradition. Because of this, Celtic wedding bands have become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional wedding rings. Celtic wedding rings are perfect way to seal your wedding vows on this special occasion. It's easy to see why. Celtic rings are steeped in history and tradition dating back centuries. Their intricate designs or interwoven patterns throughout the metalwork denote a couple's promise to create a new life together with the one never-ending, continuous circle signifying eternal and endless love. Celtic wedding band designs are derived from Irish manuscripts such as the Book of Kells. In the past, the wearing of Celtic jewelry was an outward sign of a person's wealth and status. This resulted in many Celtic wedding rings being passed on from one generation to another becoming treasured family heirlooms.

Today, the popularity of such elegant wedding rings enable couples to purchase these Celtic rings from specialty retail jewelry stores online so there is no need to travel to Ireland to get an authentic Celtic wedding ring. Celtic rings are handmade by Irish craftspeople and are shipped all around the world. If you opt to have your wedding ring custom designed, it's best to do so early. For those couples who prefer to go for classic and timeless Celtic wedding ring designs, there are also many existing design varieties to choose from. A good online retailer like Shanore will have a wide choice of the following ring characteristics: precious metal (white gold or yellow gold), Celtic pattern, ring size, number of gemstones, size of gemstones, etc. The number of possibilities are truly endless and is completely within your control, making them timeless pieces of art that remind you and your loved one of your uncompromising love for each other.

Comparing Titanium and Tungsten wedding rings

Both titanium and tungsten are considered “model metals” in the jewelry industry because they were not available to the consumer market as commodities until ten years ago. They have gained tremendous popularity since the introduction and become an integral part of the jewelry material spectrum. Due to the rather little exposure, many questions arise concerning titanium and tungsten when it comes to choosing jewelry. The followings are some points of consideration if you are seriously thinking about buying a titanium or tungsten wedding ring.

  1. Hardness Titanium and tungsten are both known for the superior hardness over traditional metals such as gold, silver and platinum. One thing worth noting is that it is not the metals themselves in a pure form that possess the hardness, it is their alloys that do. Roughly speaking, the hardest form of tungsten carbide is harder than titanium alloys, and only under extreme circumstances, such as abrasion from diamonds, can it be damaged.

  2. Ductility Titanium is more ductile than tungsten in the common alloys used in jewelry. In other words, when a wedding ring is under high pressure, such as hit by a car door, a titanium ring would be bend out-of-round whereas a tungsten carbide ring would fracture into several pieces. Hence, in terms of safety, a tungsten carbide ring is “safer” to wear.

  3. Hypoallergenic This is the very same concern as buying silver jewelry to some people: Will I be allergic to the jewelry? In general, titanium jewelry is virtually safe to wear for everybody. Yet, some tungsten carbide jewelry contains the element cobalt that some people are allergic to. Interesting, another form of tungsten alloy using nickel as a binder metal is hypoallergenic, even to people who are allergic to nickel.

  4. Weight Titanium is lighter than tungsten, or more precisely, has a lower density. Titanium alloys are about 43% lighter than stainless steel and tungsten carbide is about 90% heavier than stainless steel.

  5. Coloring Titanium reacts with different chemicals and produces alloys of different colors. Jewelry makers use anodization to coat colored patterns on titanium rings. Black titanium is another form of titanium alloy that has a different color than the commonly used grey color. On the other hand, tungsten carbide is usually offered on in black color only.

  6. Pricing Titanium jewelry is in general cheaper than tungsten jewelry primarily due to the difference in equipment and environment control need to produce them. The temperature for forming a tungsten carbide is about 6000 Fahrenheit, which has to be in either a vacuum or hydrogen environment.

  7. Engraving and resizing Titanium wedding rings can be engraved and resized. However, a tungsten carbide ring is too hard to be engraved or resized. Although engraving can be done, the letters will be very faint and difficult to read. So if you are buying to ring to engrave, get titanium rings.

Choosing A Vintage Style Engagement Ring

Vintage style engagement rings are a popular choice for brides who love the romantic Victoria era or the ornate settings of antique design. Vintage style engagement rings can be true antiques or they can be modern creations fashioned after the old style rings of another era.

Finding a Vintage Style Engagement Ring

There are jewellery designers who will create a vintage style engagement ring for you from a new design. They may already have several on display or in their portfolio from which you can choose. However, if you want to find a genuine antique diamond ring, you can often find them at estate sales and auctions.

The Internet has made accessing estate sales and auctions from all around the world easily accessible to couples anywhere. You need to be careful of some online auctions and choose to deal only with the most well-known and reputable auction sites. You are dealing with an expensive item that could easily be represented as something it is not online. Good auction sites with authenticate it’s buyers and sellers and provide a means for users to rate and comment on the goods and services they have received.

If you find a vintage style setting at an auction or estate sale and don’t think the diamond is up the size or quality, it is easy enough to replace it with a new diamond of your choice. Since diamonds can be purchased as loose stones, separate from any setting, you don’t need to limit your purchase of a vintage style engagement ring simply because you don’t like the stone.

You don’t even need to limit yourself to rings that were previously engagement rings. You can choose any ring setting you like and turn it into your own custom engagement ring. Other jewellery works well for this idea too. Large vintage earrings can be fashioned into a ring, have a diamond set it them and then they instantly become one of the most beautiful vintage style engagement rings.

Choosing a Perfect Wedding Ring - Lifetime Of Gold or Silver

Do not forget the ring a saying famously drummed into the best man before the wedding, well that goes for the future bride/Groom as well. With all wedding preparations it is quite easy to slip your mind to buy the most important item that makes the  wedding ceremony a memorable one. The wedding ring is so important because it bonds two people together and it is the exchange of wedding rings that finalize the vow (I do).

Do a check list of all your wedding plans and be sure that choosing a perfect wedding ring is one of your top priorities besides turning up on the day?

Choosing a wedding ring is not as simple as you think, much thought is needed behind your chosen design. What you have to remember the wedding band binds the happy couple together forever. This ornate piece of Jewelry with so much meaning will be worn every day so we need to choose something pretty special.

Back to your budget which will play an important role when making your choice, because of the penny shortage does not mean that you can not have that piece of warm gold or cool silver, if precious stones were to be embedded or mounted in your actual design then dont expect to many diamonds with just a fist full of dollars.

Jewelry materials like what is used in wedding rings have evolved over the years.
Popular is the 14K/18 yellow gold which you will find more of a favourable option worldwide. Close on its heels is the white gold gaining more popularity by the day.

Why not consider platinum, known to be one of the hardest metals and once again a fine choice in a wedding ring.  Platinum is a durable material and therefore able to hold up to any wear and tear. Platinum wedding rings look very similar to rings made of white gold which many can be excused for the mix up but at the end of the day both look stylish and elegant.  However, platinum wedding rings are more expensive.

For the man it has to be Titanium which is becoming a favourite among the male species. It is light and long lasting and far less expensive as platinum.  Once again Titanium wedding rings can be mistaken for the white gold in appearance.

Styles and what to choose is where you come in, only you know what you are looking for therefore it is wise to shop around before making the final decision, you would never forgive yourself if you see a cheaper ring around the corner and more beautiful. There are so many designs and styles to choose from. You have traditional plain bands to more up market  exquisite ones.

Modern society designs are worth checking out. Why not opt for a two-tone wedding band.  Celtic wedding rings are famous these days with couples where they bond their marriage with highly carved and engraved work of a craftsman.

In some cases the bride matches her wedding ring with the design of her engagement ring.  This also has to be taken into consideration when mixing and matching especially when both rings are worn on the same finger.
It is best to know the ring size if shopping out of a catalogue or online.

By going into a jewellers for the wedding bands will cause you less stress where if the rings are ordered they may not be the right size or wrong design when delivered therefore all the heartache of having to send them back. Now we dont want more heartache than necessary as you have that to come with married life (Only joking)

Online shopping is an easy option just be sure to have the right measurements etc and all should be hunky dory just like the hunk you are about to marry.

Buying a Tungsten Carbide Wedding Band Ring

When you decide to marry, one of the most important decisions will be about your ring. Traditionally, gold, white gold, silver and platinum have been used in wedding bands. But today, the selection of metals is broader, reflecting the change in our tastes and lifestyle. Tungsten carbide is one of the new metals from which jewelry designers have begun to craft wedding band rings, offering a wide variety of styles and designs that fit every taste and budget.

What is Tungsten Carbide?

On its own, tungsten is a very hard and dense metal, with the highest melting point of all metals - 6,100 degrees Fahrenheit. Alone, tungsten is vulnerable to scratches and damage just like any other metal, it gains its extreme hardness by being combined with a carbon alloy, transforming it into tungsten carbide, with a hardness between 8.5 and 9.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. The strength of tungsten carbide has made it widely used for decades in industrial applications - it is four times harder than titanium, twice as hard as steel and almost impossible to scratch. The resulting metal can be designed into wedding band rings that are both visually stunning to please the eye and durable enough to withstand everyday use. These rings can only be damaged through extreme measures, such as abrasion from diamonds or being struck with a hammer.

Choosing Your Tungsten Carbide Wedding Band Ring


Make sure you ask your jeweler which metal was used in the finishing or binding process. Many manufacturers of tungsten carbide wedding band rings use cobalt as a binder, mostly because it is cheaper to produce. The problem with cobalt is that it bonds with oils in the skin and leeches out of the ring resulting in oxidation. The oxidation appears similar to tarnished sliver, but cannot be removed by polishing or grinding. The better choice is nickel-binder tungsten carbide which is chemically inert, will not oxidize and because it is hypoallergenic, there is no danger of irritation to the skin. Be careful about dealing with a jeweler that doesn't specify that their tungsten wedding bands are made with the nickel binder alloy. Many jewelry stores do not know which alloy they are selling, and if they don't know, it is most likely cobalt alloy or pure tungsten, which lacks the hardness of tungsten carbide and are easily scratched.

Because of tungsten carbide's extreme hardness, wedding bands made from this metal cannot be sized like gold, silver or platinum rings. When you are ready to purchase, make sure that you take extra care in determining the proper size. In regards to engraving a tungsten carbide ring, it is possible, but the results will be very faint and difficult to read.

Finally, since your tungsten carbide wedding band ring is not indestructible, it makes sense to get a warranty, especially against breakage. Under normal usage there should be little or no wear on both the polish and the textures of your tungsten carbide wedding band ring and you will never need to use your warranty.

Bridal Jewelry - Don't just wear it for the wedding

Selecting the most beautiful bridal jewelry to match your dream wedding gown is so important to finishing off your bridal look.  Most brides wear their bridal jewelry for the wedding day only and then store it in a jewelry box or chest, never to be worn again.

Wearing your bridal jewelry after the wedding can bring back all of the warm memories you shared with your groom on that special day.  The best part of owning your bridal jewelry is that it can be worn again, cherishing that day each and every time it is worn.

A great time to “dig out” the bridal jewelry you wore for your wedding is on your anniversaries.  Most couples dress up and do something special together each year to mark their wedding anniversary.  Why not accessorize your formal attire with the bridal jewelry you wore on your wedding day.  Most brides choose white, ivory, clear pearls or crystals.  These are great for the wedding, because traditionally a bride wears a white or ivory color and these colors of pearls and crystals match the wedding gown perfectly.  It happens that your crystals can be worn with any dressed up outfit, as clear crystals match everything you can wear.  White or ivory pearls and crystals are just as easily matched, they look great with every color.

Surprise your groom on your next or first anniversary by wearing the bridal jewelry that you wore for your wedding day.  Men don’t notice much, but the bridal jewelry that was worn for your wedding day will bring back special and treasured memories for him as well.

When you spent your allotted budget on your bridal jewelry, it didn’t mean that you had to put it away after the wedding.  Wearing your bridal jewelry over and over is a great idea to make your moments together a little bit more special.  Make the most of your bridal jewelry, go out and celebrate your love, wear your beautiful bridal jewelry.

Are Titanium and Tungsten wedding rings for life?

When faced with the once-a-life-time decision of choosing a wedding band ring, everyone should do their own research in order to make sure they get the piece that can symbolize the eternality of marriage.  For those who are seriously considering of buying the modern metals (titanium or tungsten) as wedding rings, here are some thoughts that are worth considering.

Will they be scratched?
Although titanium wedding bands are very strong and durable, the surface of the rings can actually be scratched.  It takes another extremely hard object such as diamond to cut into the metal; however, it does not get damaged during normal daily use.  For titanium rings with gold, silver or platinum inlay, the inlay part of the ring is as vulnerable as a ring that is made of the precious metal itself.  In the case of minor a blemish, a titanium ring can be re-polished or refinished to restore the original appearance.  On the other hand, tungsten rings are totally resistant to abrasions.  Since tungsten carbide, the most common grade of tungsten alloy offered in the market, is extremely hard, it will NEVER get scratched.

Will they be bent out of shape?
Both titanium and tungsten have extremely high ductile strength.  However, under extremely circumstances, titanium rings could bend out of round but a tungsten ring could not.  If a high pressure is applied on a titanium ring, which could happen when being hit by a car door, the ring would bend when the force is strong enough.  On the other hand, a tungsten ring stands a better chance of remaining intact, because tungsten in general is harder than titanium.  However, once the force goes beyond the threshold, the tungsten ring will be fractured into several pieces instead of bend out of round.  This characteristic, which we refer to as being brittle, is similar to that of diamonds whereas it is extremely hard but not ductile at all.

Will the color turn?
Neither of the metals will turn color.  Titanium and tungsten alloy are biological inert and do not turn color with normal usage such as being exposed to the sun, in contact with sea water or cosmetic products.

Can they be resized?
The possibility of getting resized might be important since we gain or lose weight in the future.  Due to the extraordinary high melting points of titanium and tungsten alloys, they cannot be cut and welded like traditional precious metals.  Hence, resizing is more difficult, if not possible.  Titanium wedding rings can be compressed or stretched up to one size, if there are no stones or inlay on the rings, with the help of special equipment.  However, tungsten carbide wedding rings can not be resized at all.  Therefore, one must measure the ring size carefully, possibility averaging the finger sizes at different times of the day, in order to avoid any sizing problem after the titanium or tungsten wedding band rings

Alexandrite jewelry for your wedding

Weddings are really important events for everyone and what better way to celebrate the perfect moments if not by wearing the most amazing alexandrite jewelry? The changing mysterious colors, the noble history and the rareness of the expensive alexandrite make it perfect for a wedding event. The bride would look spectacular and so would any guest at her wedding if they wore alexandrite jewelry.

Special occasions need special attention and the best way to do this is to have perfect catering and the guests to shine. While men have to wear impeccable suits, women have to be dressed with wonderful dresses and impress with special jewelry. The bride, who is the center of attention, will most likely want to wear something fascinating, to remember all her life. The most beautiful jewelry that will definitely make a person feel rare and precious is alexandrite jewelry.

The most likely to be able to give an answer to the question “Why?” is Randy G. Lander. She and her husband have been working with alexandrite for the last 10 years. Randy G. Lander is a Russian descendant and she carries on the medieval Khazars tradition of jewelry trading with an emphasis on alexandrite. She can tell you alexandrite is the rarest gemstone on earth. This is why it is more expensive than diamonds are and very appropriate for a wedding. Randy G. Lander also recommends alexandrite jewelry because of the color changing alexandrite they are made of. Weddings are events dominated by various emotions from fear of the future to share joy and happiness. Alexandrite can express every one of these emotions. The phenomenal gem can change its color depending on the intensity of light: from green, to ruby red or violet/purple. No other color changing stone has this mysterious power of change. The alexandrite truly dazzles the eye.

The alexandrite gemstone comes from the Czar Alexander II. The exquisite alexandrite jewelry was worn by Russian and German royalty. Empress Ekaterina was the first to own the alexandrite, but, due to a greedy and irresponsible caretaker of the royal vaults, some of the stones were sold to a German Prince. The German Prince gave the alexandrite jewelry as a gift to his wife. When The German Princess and Empress Ekaterina met, the mistakes of the royal caretaker were discovered and he was punished. The rest of the alexandrite jewelry was to be worn by the Empress herself.

Alexandrite jewelry still impresses scientists, gemologist, royal buyers and common buyers. The elements combined in an unmet before manner offer the alexandrite unique optical qualities and hardness. This is why alexandrite jewelry captures everyone’s attention and is the most sought jewel ornament.

Having such a story and such appreciation, the alexandrite jewelry should be the one you are wearing at your wedding or at someone else’s. A pair of earrings, a necklace or a ring made with alexandrite will make anyone stand out of a crowd. It is, after all, jewelry made for royalty and you are the Princess at your wedding.

Accessorize Your Wedding Attire with a Stunning Bridal Handbag

If there's one day when you want to look stunning, it's your wedding day. You also want to be practical on this busy day. You probably would like to carry a few needful things along so you'll have them on-hand as you prepare for the reception or as you drive away into the sunset with your beloved. Bridal handbags are both stunning and practical for this very purpose.

Bridal handbags, or wedding purses, come in all shapes and sizes with many dashing designs, and with just enough room to carry those small personal items such as touch-up powder, eye liner, lipstick, deodorant, a comb or brush, keys, handkerchiefs, or maybe even a little spare change! After the wedding, there are always photos, reception food and drink, and a time of fellowship with family and friends. A bridal handbag allows you to carry a few things along to touch up your hair and makeup as you make the transition from the wedding to the reception.

Types of Bridal Handbags

Bridal handbags are usually very small and easy to carry. They may be decorated with sequins, beads, crystals, lace, ribbons, miniature tassels, or precious stones. Wedding handbags are usually made of materials such as satin, silk, nylon, or polyester.

There are three basic styles of handbags for brides: clutch, fancy, and structured. Clutch bridal purses are typically made of silk or satin, have an inner lining, and do not have straps or handles. Fancy handbags are usually made with elegant designs embellished with precious stones, crystals, or beads. They also come with decorated handles made of metal or cloth with optional shoulder straps. Structured wedding handbags have a stable bottom and are usually made of satin, silk, nylon, or polyester. They also usually have handles and clasps made of metal.

Accentuate Your Wedding Dress

Bridal handbags are a great accessory for your wedding attire. Choose a bridal purse that matches or complements your dress, jewelry, tiara, and wedding shoes. The handbag should be made of the same or similar material as your dress and have similar patterns and designs. If your dress has lace and white pearls, find a wedding purse decorated with lace and white pearls (or beads that resemble pearls).

Choose a bridal handbag that fits your style and your figure. The handbag should be easy to handle and not too large. You don't want to attract too much attention to your wedding purse. It shouldn't stand out, but it should blend with your other attire. It should add a touch of elegance without dominating the reception photos.

Wedding Handbags as Bridesmaid Gifts

Wedding handbags can also be ordered to match the dresses of bridesmaids and given as gifts from the bride. Choose handbags that your bridesmaids can use for other occasions, not only at the wedding. Every woman and girl loves a new handbag, so these make excellent gifts!

A Guide To Antique Engagement Rings

Antique engagement rings are a unique and beautiful alternative to a new ring. The tradition of giving separate rings for the engagement and the marriage started in Victorian England. The first DeBeers diamond minds in the late 1800s helped increase the popularity of engagement rings.

The earliest diamonds were not nearly as brilliant as today’s rings. The first mine cut diamonds were not very clear. This improved in the early 20th century with the European cut diamonds. These are often found in rings from the Art Deco period. Diamond cutting continued to improve and evolve into the brilliant cut that is still used today.

Larger stones are found in Victorian rings. While these diamonds don’t have the clarity of newer rings, the stone is generally larger. Rings became smaller throughout the early 1900s and into the Great Depression. Overall, the quality of the diamond affects the price. Clarity isn’t as important in antique rings as it is in new ones. The value depends more on the demand for specific rings.

The most popular vintage rings are from the Victorian Era through the 1940s. Distinct styles, settings and stones can be seen in rings from each period. Victorian rings are generally yellow or rose colored gold. The stone can be a diamond, but pearls were just as common in this time period. Edwardian rings have a filigree design in the rings. Some may have Jewish or Christian designs in the filigree.

Art Deco rings of the 1920s are generally platinum, white gold or silver. Bezel settings are common in these rings. The setting makes the smaller diamond appear larger. Rings became smaller and less ornate in the 1930s and 1940s. Platinum became less common during the war years and yellow or white gold was commonly used in rings. Carvings on the shank and settings helped make the center stone appear larger.

Where to Find Antique Engagement Rings

There are several good places to find antique rings. Antique stores often carry jewelry. Some dealers are more knowledgeable than others about the details and value of rings from each period. In some cases, you ca get a really good deal. Some stores under sell jewelry because they don’t know its true value. The ring may not come with a certificate. If not, have it independently appraised for insurance.

Jewelers sometimes carry vintage pieces. A good jeweler will be knowledgeable about the value of the ring. You may not get as good a deal, but will have the peace of mind of knowing that you have a quality ring. You will be given a certificate for the diamond when you buy from a jeweler.

Estate sales are a good place to find antique wedding jewelry. You can usually arrange to view the items the day before the estate sale. Read about the value and characteristics of antique rings to help determine the value of the ring. Inspect the ring carefully before the sale to decide how high you will bid. You can find information in books at the library or on the internet.

Caring for Antique Engagement Rings

Antique diamond jewelry will retain its beauty for years, if you care for it properly. Before you purchase the ring, have the jeweler inspect the prongs carefully to be sure the stone won’t come loose. You don’t want to lose your diamond. Take the ring to the jeweler for professional cleaning and inspection once or twice a year.