Bling Fancy: Vintage Engagement Rings

As the holiday season sets in for this year, I thought that I would post something that matches the glittery, sparkling tone of the season… I’m talking about diamonds, of course!

And, as far as diamonds go – I have a penchant for vintage jewelry.  So, here are some fantastic engagement rings from decades past:

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From the Marlene Harris Collection, a beautiful .76 carat diamond ring from 1940. ($3,600)

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Also from the Marlene Harris Collection, a .27 carat diamond ring from 1935. ($1,000)

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Marlene Harris Collection from 1930, in gold with a pretty inset design. ($300)

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Cha, cha, cha… a breathtakingly huge Colombian emerald (4.44 carats!) in between 1.3 carat diamonds, from 1940. Kentshire Antique & Vintage Jewelry, priced over $50,000 (must contact for exact price.)

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Another emerald & diamond creation from Kentshire, circa 1900. Priced between $10-20,000 (must contact for exact price.)

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She always wore pearls…

Why not pearls?  Some very famous brides decided to:

Queen Elizabeth in royal pearls...

Gloria Vanderbilt - she was only 17!

Jackie Kennedy - they became a signature...

So, again I ask… why not? I think that they are fantastic!

Well, if you are in the mood for pearl – here are some options around the bend…

Gorgeous Vintage Pearl Bracelet - $28

Vintage Pearl Ring... Oh la la! - $42

From "birdzNbeez" on Etsy: A pretty little Victorian necklace... - $24

From "serendipity2wenty2" on Etsy: Pretty vintage leaves with pearl... - $26

By "beyondtherockz" on Etsy: Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous ring... - $395

By "GaGaVida" on Etsy: Made by moi for wedding bliss! - $40

By "GaGaVida" on Etsy: Another pair by me! Wedding pearls fantastic! - $25

Rings, Rings, Rings!

So, I have toiled over what to choose for a wedding ring vs. my engagement ring… my engagement ring shape wouldn’t work with anything next to it – so, for a while, I was picturing something pretty funky and substantial that could stand on its own.

I also wanted to go either handmade (like he did) or vintage… but, with the exception of something on Etsy, it was hard to find anything online that we could afford!  (Less than $500 in my case.)

That is, until I found an incredible new site… The Marlene Harris Collection is phenomenal if vintage is what you play best!  HUGE selection of wedding & engagement rings in estate, antique, and vintage styles – both authentic and “vintage style.”  I literally had to print out a page full of like, 36 different rings that I liked, and just whittle down the list down to one!  This is the one that I went with:

It is a two-tone gold setting with a x-shape around the center diamond, then two on the shoulders of the ring also.

This was not an easy choice – these were some of the others, and some lost out just to price alone…

The last two choices were thrown out because 1) the first one was unaffordable for us – even though I couldn’t breathe when I first saw it… and, 2) the second one I was afraid would look too much like a cocktail ring, but I really liked it.

If you love vintage, this site is fantastic – you have to call to order, but my fiance reported back that they were very nice on the phone, etc.  The rings range anywhere from $100 to $5000, and there are plenty of choices for every spot in that range.  They have some bridal jewelry as well, although the rings selection is more impressive.  However, I have my eye on these vintage pearl earrings for the wedding… what do you think?

New Design… Holla! And Wedding Bands, Too!

I just wasn’t happy with the old version, so I changed the blog design up a bit. I think it’s more pleasing to the eye that previously designed… but, that’s just me. Your thoughts?

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Furthermore, going very loosely from this topic of design to the next… we are currently buying our wedding bands!  And, where else would I go to find fantastic rings to choose from? Wedding bands from my favorite Etsy stores, of course!

We are having a custom design done for Josiah – and, it is a handmade combination of these two designs below… which, are from the fantastic Artisan Look shop on Etsy…

Aren’t these fantastic? They have three types of metal – yellow gold, rose gold, and silver… and, I love how they are so elegant, yet modern at the same time!

Now, on to my choice… I think I have it narrowed down to one, from the Etsy shop Shade Jewelry – it is a simple, yet thick, brushed titanium band – with a tiny diamond or aquamarine (my choice) embedded within the band, so that it does not stick out at all over the top! Here are a few pictures below, with subtle differences in options:

Okay – here is the deal with me kind of wanting a light blue stone instead of a typical diamond…

1. My engagement ring, which was handed down from my Grandmother, already has a huge diamond that has a standard look (well, okay – it has a very cool marquis cut, however…)
2. I like the idea of a blue stone, because it would be like continued “Good Luck” wearing my “something blue” every single day!
3. That’s it – I just felt like this list needed at least 3 numbers…. sorry.

Let me know what you think of the rings – and, for sure go visit the stores that I linked above, so that you can see the whole inventory for both stores.  Who knows – you may find an Etsy wedding ring that you want as well!