white gold - Leo Hamel

How Vintage Engagement Rings Reflect Your Style

2023-12-222023-12-20 by Rylee Kahan

Similar to Shakespeare’s famous quote “What’s in a name?”, you should know what a vintage engagement ring would say about your choice. But first off, let’s be precise what a vintage engagement ring is. A vintage ring is one that was originally created/purchased and worn anywhere from 1 day ago to 99 years ago. Because it was previously worn, it is no longer considered “new,” and so it is considered “vintage.” Jewelry that was created 100 years ago or more is also considered “antique.” And this is what it says.

You’ve Broken the Mold

Many vintage rings were handcrafted and created through a long and slow process which demanded an enviable amount of skill and patience. These vintage rings are unique in their craftsmanship and in their design. You won’t find another one like it. These rings are excellent matches for brides who are fond of the old and who like to show off their originality.

You Are Bold & Intense

One of the periods that vintage engagement rings come from if the Art Deco period (1915/1920-1935). Art Deco is all about gemological shapes, hosts of diamonds and bold designs. Art Deco jewelry is part of a much broader movement which took place around WWI. After the Great War ended, the belief in progress was what kept society moving forward. A new woman emerged – one who smoked, played tennis, drove, and danced all night to the sound of jazz. Corsets were abandoned and there was palpable freedom in artistic and fashionable expression. It’s truly hard to miss an Art Deco vintage engagement ring when you come across one.

You Are Feminine & Charismatic

The Retro period lasted from 1935-1950. Retro rings vibrate with a “larger than life” energy. These rings were inspired by the glamour of Hollywood and the express femininity of Hollywood actresses such as Marily Monroe. They feature fluid lines, asymmetry, sculptural dimensions, and a multitude of diamonds.

You Like Old Values

The 1950s mark the beginning of the Modern period for rings. The most prominent vintage ring detail of that period is the use of clean lines, platinum & diamonds, and textural features. The 60s, however, were an age of family values and family traditions. It was around the sixties that the diamond solitaire (especially with fancy cut center stones) became the classic engagement ring.

And let’s not forget what we have already said. The jewelry-making process in the past decades was much more about craftsmanship and devotion. Today’s market is flooded with mass-produced pieces of uniform design patterns barely distinguishable from one another. This is in stark contrast with how jewelry was made decades ago.

You Are Caring & Thoughtful

Vintage engagement rings are a beautiful choice, but some will come with advice to exercise caution and care during the everyday wear. In truth, any and every ring requires some level of caution or at least careful consideration of the design with respect to the fiancée’s lifestyle. Still, some vintage engagement rings (like some modern rings as well) could have a design which would require a more frequent care routine. This would include vintage engagement rings with pearls as center stones, for example, or those with a lot of filigree.

If you are in the market for a vintage engagement ring in San Diego, make sure you stop by our San Diego Avenue showroom. Here at Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers, you will find a vast and carefully curated selection of the finest quality vintage engagement rings. All have been meticulously restored by our master jewelers to appear like new but have a lower price tag than new. Let us help you make a choice that will make you – and your fiancée – happy!

Where Did White Gold Come From?

2023-12-192023-12-20 by Rylee Kahan

The 19^th century saw the invention of white gold. At the time, manufacturers alloyed gold with palladium. It wasn’t commercially available until 1912, when it was issued as a patent in Pforzheim, Germany, subsequently gaining popularity as a more affordable alternative to platinum in the mid-1920’s. Essentially, it was gold alloyed with copper, zinc, and nickel. Nowadays, a metal belonging to the platinum family often replaces nickel because it prevents skin allergies and other allergic reactions. Depending on the recipe, the alloy can possess various characteristics when it comes to ductility, malleability, and hardness; in turn, different alloys can be used for different purposes.

1940s & WWII

World War II interfered with jewelry making in the early 1940s. precious metals were either rare or used for warfare purposes. In some cases, there was an explicit ban on selling precious metals for nonmilitary purposes. This especially applied to platinum. At the time, low-carat gold alloys were used, and they had a higher percentage of copper. Asa result, the gold gave off a subtle, yet perceptible reddish tinge. In addition, different alloys results in different colors appearing within one gold piece.

Reintroducing Older Designs

The techniques used for producing gold were weaving, braiding, and coiling. Consequently, certain patterns, such as resilla, cannetile, and lacy filigree, made a comeback. The design was accentuated by juxtaposing different textures, for example, matte and bright finishes. Eventually, gold was in widespread use for jewelry making in the 1940s and 1950s.

Jewelry Remodeling Instead of Buying

Since the stocks of pre-war metals and gemstones were scarcely employed, customers usually had to remodel the jewelry they already owned rather than buy new. Interestingly enough, those who were really keen on having a brand-new piece of jewelry had to provide the precious metals themselves. In France, however, the State confiscated a considerable percentage of these private precious metal stocks to be used for war purposes.

Introducing New Techniques

New techniques arose, such as those for creating thinner gold sheets, while ensuring the undiminished scale with the underlying base metal. Moreover, consumers started placing their trust in precious metals and gemstones rather than currency. Strangely enough, the more austere the fashion became in those struggling war years, the greater was the need for bejeweled feminism.

Some countries were completely shut off from the gemstone supply lines coming from South Africa, India, and Burma, while other received only modest and occasional supplies. As a consequence, synthetic and faux gemstones started featuring in novel jewelry designs. Gemstones like citrine, amethyst, aquamarine, and topaz enabled a wide palette of hues and a range of sizes. Higher-carat gems such as diamonds, rubies, or sapphires were extremely rare. Jewelers used small precious gems in pavé and invisible settings with the aim of creating a massive-looking piece comprised of a number of small ones. It was common to blend gemstones in order to achieve gradual color changes within brooches or bracelets.

Post-WWII Trends

While pre-WWII designs typically paired colored stones with diamonds, the scarcity of gemstones resulted in the combinations of colored stone with no diamonds. Rubies and sapphires were now paired with moonstones, aquamarines, and other chunkier, paler gems. Vivid gems were accentuated (and sometimes even replaced) by enamels. This results in a painterly fashion style that brought inventive highlights to the underlying gold. Transparent enamel was used by Boucheron to create a series of floral necklaces.

White Gold Jewelry in San Diego

If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind white gold piece, be sure to stop by Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers. We offer an exquisite collection of white gold jewelry in San Diego, ranging from antiques and vintage designer pieces to brand new models. Our showroom is open every day through Christmas Eve. Make the best of our extended holiday hours and browse through all of the wonderful pieces that we offer. We are here to help you find something truly special!