Posts Tagged ‘antique jewelry’

The early Roman era is credited with the initial custom of giving rings for wedding purposes. After families reached a marriage agreement for their children, an engagement would be celebrated with an established rite. Engagement rings would be exchanged during this ceremony. The engagement ring would be placed on the left ring-finger in accordance to an Egyptian belief that that a very fine vein ran directly to the heart from the left finger. The Romans used an ancient clasped hand design for betrothal rings. This “fede” or “trust” ring remained popular for centuries and is still used in jewelry.

Typically antique wedding rings from the 19 th century and the 20 th century were plain gold bands. Many of these gold bands were engraved with expressions of affection or important dates. Gemstones in antique jewelry were expensive luxuries as trade with the Middle East and Asia had not yet allowed for the flow of imported stones. Not all wedding rings were plain gold during the 19 th century. Some antique wedding rings were made with a delicate designs using turquoise, which symbolized the forget-me-not flower. It was not uncommon to find 19 th century wedding rings using pearls or small diamonds.

During the early 1900s, wedding jewelry was designed to be delicate and feminine. Edwardian wedding rings were set in platinum or a mix of yellow gold topped with platinum or silver to allow diamonds to shine. Diamonds were the most common gemstone in 1910 wedding rings. Edwardian engagement rings would often have old-mine cut diamonds or old-European-cut diamonds. Old-mine cut and European-cut diamonds have high crowns that enhance luster under candlelight. 1910 antique filigree rings were crafted with delicate gold or platinum. Antique platinum diamond rings have maintained much of their beauty because of the durability of platinum.

The 1920s wedding rings used more geometric designs and colored stones. Art Deco engagement rings were constructed with old-mine cut, European-cut and brilliant-cut diamonds and set primarily in platinum or white gold. New diamond cutting techniques allowed for new diamond cuts which would add an enhanced geometric flair. Synthetic sapphires or rubies were used to accent art deco engagement rings. 1920s engagement ring shapes featured a center diamond in square, octagonal or hexagonal pronged settings. Art Deco wedding ring settings may have been domed or even stair stepped. 1920′s and 1930s engagement rings would be embellished with engraved designs on the shoulders and shanks of rings. The 1930s wedding rings would be made of 18kt and 14kt white gold filigree designs. Ring shanks would continue to be thin by today’s standards.

During the 1940s, platinum was required for war efforts and was prohibited for other purposes in the U.S. Silver would often be used instead of platinum and jewelry hoarding occurred.

1960s and 1970s wedding rings would bring a change by using yellow gold mixed with diamonds instead of platinum, silver or white gold.

When shopping for antique and estate wedding rings it is important to confirm that the ring is symmetrical. It is also important to verify that all gemstones in estate engagement rings are tight and in good condition. Antique diamonds should be closely examined for chips or internal fractures. Antique platinum rings should be checked closely to see if the engraved design is still visible and that all parts of the filigree are intact. Antique Pearl or Turquoise wedding rings need to be checked for discoloration and scratches. If an estate wedding ring needs to be resized, make certain that all hallmarks and inscriptions are retained.

Ten Two Three’s Antique Filigree Engagement Wedding Rings
K. Greene

Author: Kelly Greene
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Guest blogger

Whatever the occasion, whatever the reason – one thing that a women cannot part away with is a piece of jewelry.

Why do women wear jewelry? Though these days it is not hard to find men sporting some either, the answer is that it is not just an accessory in a women’s wardrobe, it is an asset, a form of self expression. Jewelry gives you confidence and reflects your personality. It is very much a part of our lives.

Over the years, jewelry has gained in popularity. Gone are the days when you have to go to the goldsmith near your house for making jewelry. These are the days of jewelry designers, just like fashion designer, who will design jewelry as per the occasion. These people guide you on what to wear & how to wear. They will also help you chose the right clothes that go with your sparkling accessories.

Selecting a piece of jewelry is an important task – similar to picking your wardrobe. You should select something that matches your personal style and that you are comfortable wearing in. When buying it you should keep in mind the color of your attire because by going in with the right combination you can make your own fashion statement.

It is always better to experiment by mixing and matching your jewelry items. Earrings, nose-ring, bangles, finger rings and a simple gold chain can be worn in our day to day life, in office or at home. However, if you are going in for a wedding, then you can go in for some heavy gold or diamond necklace, bracelets and glass bangles, long ear rings, and a tikka on your forehead.

But again all boils down to the occasion and on your attire. Apart from gold, diamond and silver jewelry – artificial jewelry, costume jewelry, fashion and imitation jewelry, pearl jewelry, gemstone jewelry, imitation and antique jewelry is catering to the demands of fashion concious people from around the world.

If price is a factor for you, then you can opt for costume jewelry, artificial jewelry and beaded jewelry which, again, all adds up to your fashion statement. Gold jewelry, which has always been in demand and has recently witnessed a hike in prices, is available in 22 kt gold, 21 kt gold, 18 kt gold with purity of 91.6%,. 87.5% and 75% respectively.

In India, the BIS i.e. Bureau of Indian Standards undertakes certification of purity of gold jewelry in accordance with Indian Standards IS:1417 Grades of Gold & Gold Alloys.

If you are visiting India and are looking to buy jewelry, you can get it from a hallmarked approval jewelry store (as hallmarking certifies that the jewelry conforms to national & international standards of purity) You can google for jewelry designers, exporters or manufacturers in India for your type of jewelry.

In the end, I would advice you to wear only those items which you can carry, and suits your personality. However, there is no harm in trying to experimenting with your accessories. Jewelry is the shining armour in your wardrobe. Wear it, live it.

If you are looking for jewelry manufacturers and suppliers. you can visit tradeindia, which has extensive information on Jewelry and other products.

Author: Arshad Iqbal
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Digital Camera News

If you think that all couples wishing to get married are choosing only modern designs for their wedding rings … think again. This is because among them, there are many couples who are planning to have a more traditional wedding and more so because some such couples are into old-fashioned romance. It is precisely these couples who are choosing antique wedding rings to match the overall style of the traditional wedding they have in mind. The choice of antique style wedding bands also reflect the individual personality and taste of the couple. It’s true that searching for the perfect antique wedding rings, or for that matter, antique filigree wedding rings, can be a daunting task given the enormity of the range of antique style wedding rings available online, in jewelry stores or advertised. However, it is quite possible to get antique wedding rings to match your old-fashioned romance as well as the old-world style of the wedding you’ve planned.

Believe it or not, the best place to search for antique wedding bands could be your own home and that of your partner’s. If both of you are lucky enough to possess family heirlooms in the form of antique style wedding rings, you could end up with authentic antique wedding rings and what’s more, for free. The advantage here is that if you wish to make alterations in the size and design of such rings to suit you, these can be carried out by any professional jeweler. In case, you wish to change the gem stone settings or add other embellishments, this can also be done easily. The beauty of heirloom, antique style wedding bands and even antique filigree wedding bands is that they have the ability to exude an antique look yet appear as good as new when thoroughly cleaned and polished.

To cater to the special segment of couples looking for antique wedding rings, several jewelry stores and retailers have separate sections where you and your partner can find matching antique style wedding rings. Apart from such jewelry stores, there are many specialized, mail order jewelry catalogues and online jewelry stores which feature a wide range of antique wedding rings as well as antique filigree wedding rings. However, it is important to be fully convinced of the legitimate status of such stores, the specification of the antique wedding rings you may order and the authenticity of the gem stones, should they form part of your rings. Photographs of antique style wedding rings in jewelry catalogues or online directories can be deceptive, therefore, you must be careful and exercise some caution.

If you and your partner have mutually agreed on an idea or design that you’ve created yourselves for your antique wedding bands but not sure what they will look like when finished, you can get a professional designer at any reputed jewelry store to come up with a more realistic illustration or an actual prototype. If you succeed, this will be one more precious memory, among the many others, of your contribution to the creation of your own antique wedding rings and all the other events that made your old-fashioned wedding a big success.

Wedding Rings
Why People Love Antique Wedding Rings

Author: Jen Carter
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Pressure cooker