Write A New Chapter For a Pre-Owned Piece With an Antique Wedding Band That Tells Your Love Story!

We all want our wedding band to be a timeless treasure. The rings we buy today may be in style now, but will they stand the test of time? It’s something that’s important to consider. That’s simply something that you don’t need to worry about when choosing a vintage style. They’ve already proven their staying power, and the depth and meaning of their style. They’re time tested classics, and they’re hard to beat when looking for something unique, yet recognizable. 

There’s something special about a classic vintage engagement ring style. Much of its appeal comes from the craftsmanship involved in making these antique engagement rings. Many are completely one of a kind, and handmade. A vintage wedding ring is the best way to choose something that’ll always turn heads.

Antique jewelry is especially unique. These bands often are preserved for generations. That means the band traveled for decades to reach your fingers. It’s a really special connection with the past that only comes when shopping for these types of rings.

They tell a long story of love, care, and appreciation–a story that continues with you and your partner. It’s hard to find a more beautiful metaphor for finding your perfect partner, than an antique ring that’s lasted through the ages to be worn with pride by you.

Your Southern Estate, Vintage, and Antique Experts

So, what exactly is estate jewelry? To put it in simple terms, estate jewelry is any jewelry that has been pre-owned and loved. Despite the name, they do not always come from an estate sale–commonly these rings and jewelry are exchanged by a seller looking for something a little different. There’s no exact age requirement to be considered estate jewelry, it just needs to have come from a previous owner.

Some people are anxious to buy pre-loved jewelry, but just because something has had a previous owner doesn’t mean it’s lower quality! In fact, before jewelers buy estate jewelry, they heavily scrutinize and examine the pieces for damage or need of repair.

Estate jewelry is also always thoroughly cleaned by the jeweler after purchase. Because of this high level of attention and care, any estate jewelry you see in the shop is in great shape, and can be just as good as new if they’re relatively younger pieces. 

Vintage jewelry sits somewhere between 50 and 100 years old. They’re not quite antiques, but they are on their way. It’s easy to find vintage wedding bands suitable for everyday wear, as their younger age gives them a bit more longevity.

These pieces are often mimicked in modern styles, and you can often see their influence in living trends today. However, nothing beats the real thing. Vintage rings boast exceptional craftsmanship like their antique counterparts, as many are from an era before mass production.

On the other hand, antique jewelry refers to jewelry of a certain age: it needs to be at least 100 years old to qualify as an antique in the jewelry market. Some antique pieces need to be handled with extra care, but if you’re careful in your style selection you can easily find antique wedding bands ready for everyday wear! They’re a great way to get a piece of living history–something precious and unique you can cherish everyday. 

Vintage and Antique Wedding Band Styles

Now that you’re familiar with what the terms ‘vintage wedding band,’ ‘estate wedding band,’ and ‘antique wedding band’ mean, let’s dive into some of the most beloved styles from previous eras. 
 

Victorian Wedding Bands

Another popular antique wedding band style is the Victorian band. This style originated in the mid to late 1800s and is characterized by intricate metalwork, floral motifs, and the use of colored gemstone accents such as rubies, emeralds, and sapphires.

Early Victorian wedding bands are often made from silver, as there were gold shortages in the UK at the time. Thanks to the American Gold Rush, however, gold began to flood into Europe in the late 1800s, and Victorian bands from this time period are often made from gold. They feature intricate engravings, emphasizing the romantic mood of the time period. 

Edwardian Wedding Bands

Edwardian wedding bands originated in the early 1900s and are characterized by delicate and feminine designs. In this era, European fashions shifted towards lighter, more practical clothing, and jewelry was designed to swing and flow along with these breezier outfits.

Edwardian bands often feature diamonds and other precious gemstones set in platinum or white gold, with complex metalwork. Particularly common were filigree designs. Filigree involves shaping very fine wire into ornate patterns. These handmade wedding bands were a true labor of love. 
 

Art Deco Wedding Bands

One of the most popular antique wedding band styles is the Art Deco band. This style originated in the 1920s and 1930s and is characterized by geometric shapes, bold lines, and intricate designs. Art Deco bands often feature gemstones such as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires, and they are typically made of platinum or white gold, which was a popular metal during this time period.
 

Retro Wedding Bands

Another popular vintage wedding band style is the Retro band, which originated in the 1930s and 1940s. World War II shortages and rations impacted all aspects of life, including jewelry. Retro bands are simpler and are often made from alternative metals.

To make up for the lack of materials, many retro rings utilize milgrain accents. Milgrain wedding bands use tiny metal beads to create structure and bordering along the ring. They may not boast the gemstone accents used in other rings, but retro wedding bands are beautiful in their subtlety. 

Mid-Century Wedding Bands

Moving out of the antique period and into the vintage period, Mid-Century Modern wedding bands originated in the 1950s and 1960s. Following the trends in furniture, art, and fashion at the time, these bands are characterized by bold, geometric designs and the use of mixed metals, such as yellow gold and white gold. Many Mid-Century Modern bands also feature colorful enamel accents which are really eye-catching!
 

Capture Her Heart with a Unique Wedding Ring

No matter what category your ring falls into, it will be one of a kind. You might have two pieces of similar styles, or even made by the same artist, but the subtle variations that come from handcrafted jewelry make them unique. So much about antique, vintage, and estate jewelry is simply irreplicable, and the result is jewelry with a unique identity and character. They’re absolutely perfect choices for wedding bands because of the stories they tell. 

Looking for Estate and Vintage Jewelry Near You?

Levy Jewelers has an extensive collection of vintage and antique jewelry right here in Savannah, Georgia, and Jacksonville, Florida. Our selection of estate jewelry is the perfect place to find a timeless treasure of your own. From the antique to the vintage we have something for everyone to love and cherish. 

At Levy Jeweler’s every piece in our collection of estate, vintage, and antique jewelry is truly one of a kind, and unique. If you're in the Jacksonville or Savannah areas, there's no better place to find estate jewelry near you. Each piece has survived through the decades to make it to our store, and hopefully onto your finger.