ENDURING LOVE

If you’re drawn to the timeless beauty of antique and vintage rings, prepare to fall in love with these exquisite designs inspired by the beauty of bygone days

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1. 1. words Rebecca Matthews

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Pairing a brilliant cut diamond and diamond halo, this romantic design from Drakes is rich in vintage appeal.

Combining something old with something new, we love the idea of creating a modern design with a vintage diamond from Justin Duance.

Dating back to the reign of King Louis XV of France in the 18th century, the marquise cut is back in the spotlight. This striking style is from Drakes.

Symbolising loyalty and new beginnings, this dazzling emerald ring by Erin Cox is rich in vintageinspired romance.

From the round brilliant cut diamonds to the millgrain edging, this ring from Drakes twinkles with timeless beauty.

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From ornate Victorian style to bold art deco design, our love affair with timeless and romantic style is an enduring one – and jewellers are experiencing a surge in demand for pieces with a nostalgic twist.

You might be lucky enough to find a one-of-a-kind vintage or antique ring – or even an heirloom piece charged with sentimentality, which can be reworked to create a ring tailored to you. “Some customers choose to wear a treasured family ring passed down from loved ones,” explains Nicola Luscombe at Drakes. “You can choose whether to have the ring resized, serviced and cleaned or work with our team to remodel it using the existing metal and stones, creating a ring you will treasure for years to come.”

You may choose to combine something old with something new by having a modern ring made with a vintage diamond. Justin Duances houses a stunning collection of these age-old stones. “Each vintage diamond is completely individual,” explains Jamila Hirtenstein at Justin Duance. “Customers can choose one of these unique stones and have it crafted into a design of their choice.” You may also have your ring cast in sand from your favourite beach, creating a texture which pairs perfectly with the organic nature of the vintage diamonds.

And then, of course, there’s a dazzling choice of vintage-inspired designs. “We’d recommend looking for something unusual such as a cluster set, stones set into the band or even a piece with coloured gemstones rather than diamonds,” advises Nicola at Drakes. “As well as engraving which can be added to your chosen design, yellow and rose gold brings a vintage feel to a ring, even those with a modern setting.”

Alongside a renewed interest in yellow and rose gold, the team at Drakes has noticed an increasing number of couples opting for two-stone rings. “These are unusual but growing in popularity,” says Nicola. “We have a small collection of two-stone diamond and gemstone rings.” Also look out for halo designs, pavé set diamonds and millgrain detailing for a ring which honours the romantic designs of the past.

1. Drakes drakesjewellers.co.uk 2. Erin Cox erincox.co.uk 3. Justin Duance justind.co.uk