Engagement Rings Trends from the 1920s

The 1920s, also called the Jazz Age, was an era of exotic, elegance, and individualism. This translated to a desire for bright colors, foreign materials, and angular shapes. Bright colors became more popular in the 1920s with the rise of technology, affluence, and ease of travel, which brought never before seen colors and gemstones to the world of fashion and fine jewelry.

Bold jewelry, geometric shapes, and costume jewelry became popular in the 1920s and are still popular today. Trends such as choker necklaces, drop earrings, back necklaces, plastic bangles in bold colors, and long necklaces with large or single gemstone pendants are still popular today. You’ll see glimpses of 1920s jewelry trends in popular jewelry today–look the next time you browse fine jewelry or costume jewelry,

Jewelry Moments of the 1920s

One of the notable jewelry moments of the 20th century is the high temperature blow torches and shaping techniques that were emerging in the jewelry industry. This allowed jewelers to heat and fashion platinum into elaborate, lightweight designs.

With the emergence of more platinum jewelry, it quickly became a status symbol during the Edwardian Period at the beginning of the 20th century. It was common to wear your wealth during this period. Popular jewelry included filigree details and lace-like metal adorned with pearls and diamonds. Edwardian engagement rings featured intricate, elegant, and romantic design elements.

Platinum’s popularity spilled into the 1920s and 30s, especially during the Art Deco period. People appreciated that platinum didn’t alter the perceived color of diamonds and was much stronger than silver. As a result, platinum engagement rings and wedding rings were popular.

Art Deco refers to a movement in architecture and visual arts that gained popularity in the 1920s and continued into the 1930s. It was a time of modernist trends, rich materials, and detailed craftsmanship that spread to architecture, automobiles, fashion, and jewelry. The Art Deco period featured some beautiful jewelry trends. As the Art Deco movement gained popularity, designs, including jewelry, showcased luxury, glamor, and success. Art Deco engagement rings are characterized by geometric patterns, a liberal use of symmetry, and linear shapes. They featured colorful gemstones like sapphires, rubies, and emeralds in addition to diamonds.

Engagement Rings with a 1920’s Vibe

If you’re drawn to the vintage look of the 1920s, check out some favorite rings we found.

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Vintage Art Deco Geometric Diamond Engagement Ring

This engagement ring's center stone is highlighted by dazzling detail, with Art Deco motifs in pave and bezel settings, milgrain embellishment, scrollwork in the gallery, and a drop shape in the front view of the four-prong setting. It’s set in your choice of metal (14K or 18K rose, yellow, gold or platinum). You can also customize the center stone (cushion, round, emerald, or oval) in 0.5 to 5 carats.

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Vintage Leaf Sapphire Ring

A beautiful vintage leaf pattern meets below the sapphire (in 0.5 to 2 carats) at romantic points with hand milgraining combined with bezel and pave setting styles. Select 14K or 18K rose, yellow or white gold. The setting features 0.20 carats of diamonds.

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Vintage Royal Fleur Diamond Engagement Ring

This beautiful engagement ring has a vintage-inspired halo of four pave diamond petals that highlight the sparkling center stone. Select your center diamond in round, cushion, or emerald in 0.7 to 5 carats. The ring's royal cathedral shank features an engraved split detail along the band and scrollwork in the gallery that leads to a classic four-prong setting. Set in your favorite metal (14K or 18K rose, yellow, gold or platinum) with 0.17 carats of diamond in the setting.

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Vintage Side Ruby Ring

The ruby center stone gives a vintage 1920’s vibe. Metal bead accents are intertwined with pave diamonds for a vintage-inspired blend of modern and traditional. Select the size of the ruby–0.5 to 2 carats as well as the metal (14K or 18K rose, yellow, or white gold).

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Vintage Filigree Vine Engagement Ring

Exquisite floral detailing provides a beautiful vintage look to this ring. The leaf and petal motifs on the shank and gallery reach up to hold the central stone like a flower. Milgrain embellishment accentuates the diamond-pave hemisphere rows which meet to form a knife-edge along the band. It’s set in your choice of metal (14K or 18K rose, yellow, gold or platinum) and center diamond (round, cushion, or oval) in 1 to 5 carats.

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Wrapping Things Up

The 1920s was an unforgettable era that inspired fine jewelry trends that are popular today. Vintage-inspired engagement rings continue to be sought after because they’re unique, feature special details, and timeless. As you browse for engagement rings, consider a modern 1920’s engagement for the vintage lover in your life.

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