Antique Style Wedding Rings

The classic styling of antique or vintage jewelry is highly prized. Rings in particular have a rich heritage reflected in the variety of antique styles that can be found. Every ring throughout the centuries has a little story to tell and is a snapshot of that time. This can provide wonderful inspiration for wedding rings where something a little different, yet with classic designs, is desired.

Why Buy Antique Style Wedding Rings?

Many couples opt to buy an antique style ring, rather than an actual antique or vintage wedding ring. There are many reasons for this, however one of the most common is that it is actually quite difficult to find an old wedding ring that is in good condition. Wedding rings by their very nature are worn day in day out – perhaps for many decades. The constant wear and tear results in the ring becoming worn and thin. Often the wedding and engagement rings that are worn by people that have been married for a long time have become worn on one side and uneven. This is more typical in very old rings, as the metals used then were often purer than can be found now, meaning they were more prone to wear. At the turn of the last century, for instance, many wedding rings were 22 karat gold, which wears much quicker than 14 or 18 karat gold that is so popular today. Wedding rings are often passed through the family and if the ring is very worn, the family may opt to get it remade into a new ring. As such, the supply of antique wedding rings is not as great as one would think.

Buying an antique style wedding ring gives all of the features of a genuine antique but with modern manufacturing processes. This means that a ring that might once have been hand carved and therefore be extremely expensive to replicate, might now be made through machine carving or have been cast, which are much less expensive production methods. It is also easier to find matching wedding bands in antique styles. Antique or vintage inspired wedding rings can also bend the rules when it comes to materials. A wedding ring that might once only be found in yellow gold, can now be replicated in white gold, platinum, palladium, silver or perhaps in a metal such as stainless steel or titanium.

Buying Antique or Vintage Style Wedding Rings

True antique rings may show nicks, scratches, and scuffs.

Before buying an antique style wedding ring it is useful to determine what features are important to you. Some antique styles will be highly ornate, perhaps set with a sequence of stones while others may be more plain and simple. The classic 'snake' design that was so popular during Victorian days makes a lovely wedding ring and is a very traditional style, however some people may find that it is not suitable for daily wear. Wedding rings from the 1920s along with 1930s wedding rings are very popular.

Inspiration can come from many places. Museums and art galleries often have displays of vintage jewelry and websites also offer an excellent source for research. Style magazines are also a useful place to look for ideas as they often cover vintage inspired rings.

In addition to narrowing down the style options, it is also important to determine the metal that the ring will be made from. This is also important as this will reflect in the end price of the ring. Platinum is the most expensive precious metal, where as some lower karat golds are much less costly.

Where to Buy an Antique Inspired Wedding Ring

Wedding rings can be bought from high street jewelry stores or online. Many couples enjoy shopping for wedding rings at jewelry stores as this is an opportunity to feel and hold the ring prior to buying. This is also useful if the wedding ring is to be worn with an existing engagement ring.

There are many websites that sell antique or vintage inspired wedding rings, including:

• For Ever Jewelry
• Antique Jewelry Mall
• Topazery

An antique inspired wedding ring is the perfect way to combine old and new! This is a lovely way to own a special ring with a rich heritage that will continue to provide pleasure for many years to come.