Vintage rings – the ages and styles
Victorian epoch (1837 to 1901)
This era offers a fine range of styles because of different periods within the era. It lasted for more than 55 years and the period was named after a Queen named Victoria who belonged to Great Britain. The period was divided into Early Victorian (romantic period), mild Victorian (grand) and late Victorian (or aesthetic). The styles ofwedding rings and other jewelry in the romantic period were a product of Queen uttering the proper decorum for which the use of jewels becoming scarce. Practices like piercing and filigree were employed to present the appeal of much mass with minimum gold. The mild Victorian period began when Queen Victoria's husband passed away. During this era, Vintage jewelry leaned to have darker colored stones and a more solemn design. The late Victorian period succumbed designs with cool style and included stars, moons and dragons.
Edwardian period (1901 to 1910)
This period was one of the very shorter periods for vintage wedding rings; however many significant changes took place in this era. Booming wealth in middle and upper classes along with the changing status of women in the society were the key causes for these changes. The style of jewels in this era followed clothing fashions and was becoming lacy, light and flexible. Platinum was used to a great extent and its potency permitted unique settings with little prongs producing an invisible setting. Popular pearls included amethyst and diamonds.
Art Deco / Nouveau Era (1895 to 1935)
These two periods are otherwise distinct, but ringsfrom these eras are usually grouped together. These periods were the consequences of major events - Art Nouveau was the result of Industrial Revolution and Art Deco was the result of World War I. The Art Nouveau jewels were designed with ordinary styles in mind, such as insects & flowers; while the Art Deco designs were based on geometry and equilibrium offering a more aerodynamic look.
Retro Period (1930s to 1980s)
This period offers the major selection of vintage jewels as it is the most recent age. So far diamonds were trailing their appeal; many precious metals like silver and gold were having scarcity. The gems that were employed normally were less valuable hitherto large and brilliant trinkets.