Jewelry Information
An antique opal engagement ring is like a fine lady or work of art; it speaks of the cultivation and refined taste of its owner. It is a showpiece of superb old-world craftsmanship, in contrast to the plain bands and prong settings of most modern rings. Because it is too costly to reproduce such intricate detail nowadays, antique rings will continue to appreciate in value over time.
The most desirable estate engagement rings on the market today date from the late Victorian era turn of the century. Such rings reflect the popular tastes of their time; therefore, rings from different eras have very different characteristics. Rings from the turn of the century through the 1920s were often made in white gold or platinum, with fine filigree (lace-like) detail on the mounting. Both yellow gold and white gold engagement rings were popular in the 1930s and 1940s, as were white and yellow gold combinations. A typical ring from this period may have smaller side diamonds, and/or intricate carving on the ring shank, such as flowers, leaves, hearts or geometric shapes. The center diamond is often set in a white gold square-shaped box, enhancing the color and size of the stone; therefore, a diamond in a 1940s mounting will always look much larger than one in a solitaire prong setting.
An antique opal engagement ring is like a fine lady or work of art; it speaks of the cultivation and refined taste of its owner. It is a showpiece of superb old-world craftsmanship, in contrast to the plain bands and prong settings of most modern rings. Because it is too costly to reproduce such intricate detail nowadays, antique rings will continue to appreciate in value over time.
The most desirable estate engagement rings on the market today date from the late Victorian era turn of the century. Such rings reflect the popular tastes of their time; therefore, rings from different eras have very different characteristics. Rings from the turn of the century through the 1920s were often made in white gold or platinum, with fine filigree (lace-like) detail on the mounting. Both yellow gold and white gold engagement rings were popular in the 1930s and 1940s, as were white and yellow gold combinations. A typical ring from this period may have smaller side diamonds, and/or intricate carving on the ring shank, such as flowers, leaves, hearts or geometric shapes. The center diamond is often set in a white gold square-shaped box, enhancing the color and size of the stone; therefore, a diamond in a 1940s mounting will always look much larger than one in a solitaire prong setting.