Edwardian engagement rings are a fantastic choice for couples who long for the luxury and elegance that was symbolized the height of the British empire during the Edwardian period.
What was the Edwardian period?
Generally when a historian talks about the Edwardian period he/she will be referring to the time when King Edward was on the British throne, this was from 1901 to 1910. However the styles and designs which originated during this period were influential right up to the 1920’s and therefore if we talk about this from a Edwardian rings point of view, the Edwardian period was from 1900 to 1920. The Edwardian period is also seen as the last great period of traditionalism, it was followed by the art deco period which ushered in an era of modern designs and styles.
Styles of Edwardian era
Although many consider Edwardian engagement rings to be heavily traditional, it is also true to say that they were very modern for their time. Unlike Victorian engagement rings, the Edwardian style was much more flamboyant and romantic. If you look at a ring from this era you will notice it’s strong romantic symbolism. This was not just a trend at the time, but something which has lasted all the way into the present e era. Before the Edwardian period engagement rings were less about love and more about alliances between families. However this period was a turning point and this clearly evident in the changing designs of the rings.
One thing which one must truly appreciate about Edwardian rings is their beautiful uniqueness which is so clearly evident when you see one of these rings. However Edwardian engagement rings do have some shared characteristics:
They are filigree engagement rings- During this time elaborate filigree patterns were very popular and you can see this clearly. Filigree was used to give a touch of romance to a ring, such as with the pattern of a rose or a beautiful animal.
Engagement ring settings- Unlike complex modern settings, during this period prong settings were the most likely choice.
Diamond cut- During this era cushion cut, emerald cut and round cut were the most numerous.
Most were diamond rings- Most Edwardian engagement rings had diamond center stones, it is very rare to find a sapphire or ruby as a center stone in an Edwardian style ring.
Silver, Platinum and white gold were the most popular choices for wedding bands.
Pave setting engagement rings were very popular, as well as other choices which used accented stones.
Extremely unique- An Edwardian style engagement ring was made to be one of a kind and could not be created in pairs.
Antique, estate and replica?
When choosing one of these engagement rings you are bound to get confused when you hear: antique engagement rings, estate engagement rings and replica antique engagement rings. Well let me clear things up. A ring made during the Edwardian period is over 50 years old and is therefore an antique engagement ring. A ring made in the last 50 years, but is 20 to 30 years old is considered estate. A ring which is brand new but made in a traditional style is considered to be a replica. When choosing Edwardian engagement rings you must take this into account.
Where to buy?
Antique and estate Edwardian engagement rings can be very hard to come by and they are quite rare, a fact which also makes them quite expensive. If you don’t care about the actual age of the ring then you can buy one on many top jewelry sites. You can also purchase them from specialty stores on and offline. Whatever you do, make sure you research properly before purchasing.
