When it comes to choosing your wedding ring, it can feel like a big decision. Finding the perfect ring that symbolises your love for your soon-to-be spouse, that complements your engagement ring and fits within your budget and personal style.
Many more people are choosing more unique wedding bands and also turning to sourcing vintage wedding bands that are one-of-a-kind and timeless, as a symbol of their individual and everlasting love.
In this article, we will help you create your perfect wedding stack that features a vintage wedding band.
What is a vintage wedding ring?
‘Vintage’ jewellery doesn’t have an official time frame, unlike antique jewellery, which is classed as jewellery that is over 100 years old. However, we like to think of vintage jewellery as pieces that are between 50 and 100 years old.
This means vintage jewellery spans 50 years of jewellery styles, including:
- Streamlined and stylish Art Deco style from the 1920s and 1930s
- Bold colourful retro from the 1940s
- Mid-century modern from the 1950s to 1970s
Though technically classed as antique, vintage may also evoke older design periods such as:
- Ornate, often gold Georgian jewellery from pre 1830s
- Sentimental, floral inspired Victorian jewellery from 1837 to 1901
- Delicate Edwardian jewellery from 1901 to 1915
- Ethereal, natural Art Nouveau jewellery from 1890s to the 1910s
‘Vintage-style’ is also another option to consider. These pieces take inspiration from bygone eras yet are made using modern materials and techniques.
How to choose the perfect vintage wedding band
There are some key things to consider when looking for your wedding band. From how it’ll sit alongside your engagement ring to choosing the right material for your style and chosen design.
Fitting a vintage wedding right perfectly with your engagement ring
One of the most important considerations when picking your wedding ring is how it will sit alongside your engagement ring. The shape, style and size of your engagement ring will help determine what options you have for a vintage wedding band that compliments and sits comfortably with your engagement ring.
Traditionally, the wedding band is the most common and timeless style of wedding ring. These are simple yet beautiful symbols of your union with the uninterrupted circle representing your unbreakable bond.
Certain engagement ring shapes may require a wishbone shape to fit around the diamond or gemstone. If you have a pear, marquis or oval shape, a wishbone might be the most comfortable wedding band option.
More unique engagement ring shapes may require a wedding ring that has a cut out, which may be harder to find with a pre-loved ring.
Other options for your wedding band include a pave band – which features diamonds around the band, either fully or half way. Similarly, some people oft for more intricate designs for a wedding band that features engravings or textures to the band.
Choosing your metal colour and shape
Even a seemingly simple wedding ring will require some thought when it comes to the profile (that’s the shape of the metal band). Common metal profiles include:
- D section – this is one of the most common profiles for engagement and wedding bands. D section rings lay flat against your skin and are curved on the outside.
- Flat – a flat, or rectangle, profile is flat on both edges, giving it a modern, minimal look.
When it comes to metal colour, the most common choice is to match your metal to that of your engagement ring for a cohesive look.
Contemporary jewellery trends, however, favour a mixed metal look, allowing more freedom and creativity to pair a yellow gold engagement ring with a white gold wedding band, for example.
Don’t forget to pair the same carat metal together, for example if your engagement ring is 18ct yellow gold, choose a wedding band that is also 18ct gold. This is so the ‘hardness’ (or carat) of the metal is the same, avoiding any risk of corrosion that could happen when metals of different hardness (or different carats) rub against each other when worn.
If you’re not sure what tone of metal to choose for your wedding band, try matching your jewellery to your skin tone for the most flattering look for you.
Where to find a vintage wedding ring
When looking for a vintage wedding ring you may have to search a little harder to find the perfect style and fit for you.
The best place to source an antique or vintage ring for your wedding band is to work with a reputable jewellery company, as they will have a wide selection of high-quality rings.
You may also want to look at estate-sales or auctions to find pre-worn vintage wedding rings.
Finally, if you have a family heirloom that you’d like to wear as your own vintage wedding band, you may want to opt for a bespoke wedding ring that uses elements of an existing ring, like a diamond or reusing the metal and creates a brand new ring. This is a beautifully sentimental nod to your vintage family heirloom in a modern and personal way.
Final thoughts
If you’re looking for a vintage wedding ring for your big day, consider choosing a ring that flatters your engagement ring while encompassing the beauty and craftsmanship of the past.
Working with a reputable jewellery seller to source an authentic antique or vintage wedding band, or creating a vintage-inspired ring that incorporates family heirlooms into a new wedding band will give you reassurance of the quality of your vintage wedding wand. This is an important factor for a piece of jewellery that holds so much sentimental value that you will be wearing daily, so it needs to stand the test of trends and time!
