Tacori Diamond Engagement Rings & The Nostalgia Of Antique Reproduction Jewelry
I’ve been in the jewelry business for 20 years and throughout my entire career I’ve noticed that consumer interest in vintage & antique engagement rings and wedding bands have continued to grow. Customers ask for Art Deco, Edwardian and Victorian style jewelry made in platinum and set with diamonds. The Victorian period was named after Queen Victoria and lasted from 1837 to 1901, the longest reign in British history. This period marked the rise of the industrial revolution and provided new money for many people. Jewelry and chic fashion became importance when supporting the status of aristocrats in the eyes of their peers. Characteristics of Victorian jewelry included the use of garnets, onyx, jet, and amethyst gemstones. The jewelry set with darker gemstones such as onyx became known as “mourning jewelry” in memory of the death of Queen Victoria’s husband.
The Edwardian period saw the climax of the separation of classes and the many problems that face a society with an unbalance of wealth and power. This can be best illustrated by the sinking of the Titanic and all the unfortunate lower class passengers that didn’t have access to life boats. Edwardian jewelry was less “cluttered” with ornamental patterns than Victorian jewelry; the Edwardian jewelry was simple and set with more prominent diamonds and gemstones.
The Art Deco period saw the rise of the middle class and their flamboyant lifestyle. Fashion and architecture embodied fancy and lavish design elements, and was purely decorative. Intense and complex patterns were used in jewelry and engagement rings. The use of hand engraving reached its peak use in Art Deco jewelry and can be seen in the form of wheat and paisley patterns. Other design elements included filigree and metal piercings. It’s believed that much of the Art Deco movement was influenced by a coalition of French artists called La Soci