5 Reasons to Buy an Antique Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring
Love, unbridled joy, the promise of commitment—few pieces of jewelry reflect these cherished virtues as an engagement ring does. And because your relationship has a history and a sparkle like no other, so should the ring that represents it. Nothing does that better than an antique diamond.
History records that Archduke Maximilian of Austria was the first to present a bride-to-be, Mary of Burgundy, with a diamond engagement ring. Although Mary had received many proposals—the first at the age of five!—she accepted the Duke’s, and this emblem of betrothal has endured, with the solitaire holding an iconic status throughout the ages. Whether you prefer an intricate setting or one that is less so, discover five beautiful reasons to buy an antique diamond solitaire engagement ring.
1. Antique Diamonds Are a Cut Above the Ordinary
Each antique diamond is one of a kind! Unlike contemporary (and nearly identical) machine-cut diamonds, antique diamonds were cut by hand using techniques and proportions that revealed the individual beauty of each diamond crystal. The development of full-cut shapes, like the antique cushion (mine) and European (the closest to the modern round brilliant), resulted in more light reflecting from the diamond, bringing sparkle to candlelit evening events of the late nineteenth and early 20th century.
Although antique diamonds can be found in a range of colors, many of them display a captivating warmth that differs from icy white modern round brilliants. Combined with their distinctive cuts and increased rarity, they beautifully symbolize an engaged couple’s unique story and style.
2. The Craftsmanship of the Settings Are Incomparable
If you fall in love with an antique diamond set in an antique or vintage setting, you have found a truly special treasure. Today, it is rare to find jewelers possessing the extraordinary skill and mastery of the techniques employed to create ruffled buttercup settings commonly seen in Victorian rings or the intricate filigree work and hand engraving that embellish Art Deco rings. These styles are difficult, if not impossible, to replicate as they were originally created. The exquisite settings, whether ornate or beautifully restrained, allow the diamond to shine upon a pedestal as singular as the stone itself. An antique diamond in an antique setting is a testament to the masterful skill and artistry of the past captured on your finger.
3. There’s a Style That’s Just Right for You
In addition to the breathtaking beauty of antique diamonds and the exquisite craftsmanship of their mountings, antique solitaire engagement rings (at Lang, they include those with a sprinkling of accent stones) also represent the seemingly inexhaustible imagination and creativity of the jewelers from times past. Whether your style is reserved and demure, inclined towards fancy details and flourishes, or if you have a penchant for all things bold, there is a “Yes, that’s it!” ring that is perfect for you.
4. A Fascinating History!
What did the diamond cutter see when he first laid eyes on the stone? How many times did he turn it over between his fingers before he saw its end in his mind? While you might not know the specific history of your ring, these are some of the likely musings that add to the mystique and intrigue of an antique engagement ring.
Beyond the diamond cutters who cut them, every natural diamond has a singular creation history. The antique diamond that you choose was not quickly formed by modern inventions but was created deep within the earth and is at least hundreds of millions of years old. The stone has made its journey from the depths to the surface, bearing the ‘birthmarks’ that make it different from every other diamond, whether it’s a trace presence of nitrogen that gives it a subtle warmth or a fascinating inclusion. Your ring is a one-of-a-kind sparkling story from both beneath and above the earth.
5. Eco Friendly
While lab-grown diamonds have been promoted as ecologically better for the environment, recreating the conditions of the Earth necessary to create diamonds requires considerable energy resources. An enormous amount of electricity is needed to generate the temperature of 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit, and the 1.5 million pounds of pressure per inch for creating a diamond. In addition, cooling down the reactors for lab-grown diamond production uses very large amounts of water. Although some facilities use hydropower, the majority of lab-grown diamonds are manufactured in countries (China and India) that rely heavily on coal.
Natural diamonds are kinder to the earth. Because they have already been mined, the stones have no further negative environmental impact, nor are they currently connected with unethical production practices or dubious political problems. They come to you beautifully preserved or lovingly restored, passed down from generation to generation. And, with the Lang Collection, we newly present original vintage diamonds in our own line of vintage-inspired engagement rings using 100% recycled precious metals.
So, there you have it—five fabulous reasons for choosing your dream solitaire engagement ring, sparkling with an antique diamond, and an extraordinary collection from Lang to help make your dream come true!
Shop at Lang
Lang Collection Art Nouveau-Style 1.81 Carat Diamond Ring - GIA J SI2
Yellow gold Art Nouveau diamond engagement rings are quite rare--so we made our own.* A lively, ultra-sparkling 1.81 carat European cut diamond shines as a sing…
SHOP AT LANG
Edwardian 3.67 Carat Diamond Engagement Ring - GIA
Crown: something that imparts splendor, honor, or finish. This definition, courtesy of the curator of our lexicon, Merriam-Webster, perfectly describes the ravi…
SHOP AT LANG
Lang Collection Victorian-Style 1.73 Carat Diamond Solitaire Ring - GIA L VS2
Wow, this diamond puts on its very own fireworks show! Held by eight elegant prongs in a crown-like setting, the glorious 1.73 carat European-cut diamond (circa…
SHOP AT LANG