Why choose a vintage engagement ring?

If you’re in love with the romanticism of a bygone era or just looking for a ring that’s distinctive and a great value, vintage engagement rings offer that and more. Today, vintage-inspired rings are the trend among celebrities including actresses Alexis Bledel and Scarlett Johansson, but if you take the time to search for an authentic vintage ring you love, you can usually find a better deal because previously-owned rings often sell for less, making them a smart choice that still features the quality and gemstones for which you’re looking.

Searching for the right vintage engagement ring style takes time, but it is time well spent. Consider it a treasure hunt. Then when you discover the right one it will be all the more precious and the process of looking for it will become part of your story.

Know what you’re looking for

It helps to narrow your search. For instance if you know you want a rose gold ring, then you may not want to visit an estate sale selling a vintage cushion cut platinum ring. If you know you want a pearl ring, then a sapphire or diamond ring won’t meet your needs. However, I suggest you keep a somewhat open mind, since authentic vintage rings are one-of-a-kind, and the beauty of these rare finds may just change your mind.

 

Where to look for vintage engagement rings

If you’re in the market for an authentic one-of-a-kind antique engagement ring there are a number of places to look. First of all, ask family members if there is an heirloom ring in the family. But if you're not that fortunate, visit estate sales, pawn shops, antique stores, and there are plenty of online options with sites where you can shop like Etsy, Lang Antiques, and Brilliant Earth. However, before you make a final purchase, you want to have the ring appraised by a reputable jeweler. This appraisal should include the ring's characteristics and value and must be filled out using the proper forms. When looking for someone to appraise a vintage ring, I recommend someone with both gemological and appraisal education.

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Rose gold engagement ring making comeback

Back at the turn of the 19^th century, rose gold engagement rings were a popular choice among couples ready to tie the knot. Today that popularity is experiencing a resurgence for a number of reasons.

What is rose bold?

Rose gold is a blend of yellow gold and copper. The more copper in the blend, the rosier the hue. In the same regard, the higher karat the lighter the shade will be because it contains more pure gold. In the end, how deep the blush comes down to ratios and personal preference.

In some cases, 18k rose gold rings will contain silver or palladium along with the gold and copper, while lesser karat rings might contain some silver or zinc. For those who have allergies to consider it is important to talk to your jeweler regarding the actual makeup of the ring you are considering.

 

Advantages of rose gold engagement rings

One reason people fancy rose gold is its romantic vintage look, but beyond that, this precious gold offers practical advantages. For instance, it makes an attractive choice for people with nickel allergies which can be experienced with white gold and is more durable than yellow gold.

Aside from these physical advantages rose gold is also an affordable choice that compliments all skin tones.

Rose gold engagement rings provide a classy-looking ring that’s versatile and yet distinct. Today, you can find them available in vintage or contemporary designs. 

 

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How the wedding shower originated

Like many wedding customs and traditions, the history of the wedding shower is steeped in etiquette, but the actual origin is unclear. The practice is said to be tied to dowry practices and origins in the Netherlands. The story surrounds a high-society Dutch woman who didn’t want to marry the rich farmer her father had chosen for her, but rather wanted to marry a poor miller instead. Her father rejected the idea and in an effort to force his daughter to marry the man he chose said he wouldn’t provide a dowry unless she married the farmer. The story goes on to tell how the villagers joined together to “shower” the woman with household items and other small gifts so she could marry the man of her choice. This particular account has a happy ending saying these actions touched the heart of the father and changed his mind. He decided to allow her to marry the man she loved.

Second possible origin of the wedding shower

According to a second account, the history of wedding showers in the United States isn’t quite so romantic. In this case, the practice of holding a wedding shower grew popular in the States in the late 1800s when women of high society celebrated bridal showers for the gossip, food, the opportunity to give gifts and to talk about the bride-to-be’s new upcoming role. During these shower parties, small gifts were placed inside a paper parasol in order to “shower” them over the bride-to-be.

 

Third possible origin of the wedding shower

A third story tells a more practical story about a young woman who couldn’t afford to buy her friend a wedding gift. She invited others to a party and told all to bring a small gift. In this way, she did what she could to give her bride-to-be friend a gift. And lastly, it is suggested the bridal shower originated in the United Sates as a more recent invention created to sell more gifts rather than the result of any tradition.

No matter the origin, today, the wedding shower has evolved into anything from a more modest affair to an extravagant themed party. In any case, the bride is “showered” with gifts. And while the practice of the bridal shower has evolved over time to include both the bride and the groom, much of the original wedding shower etiquette still surrounds this special occasion. Like many wedding traditions, learning the history behind the bridal shower can be used to create your own unique, modern way to celebrate this special occasion. 

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Armenian style engagement party: the Khosk-Kap

Armenia is a small country with the distinction of being the first to adopt Christianity as a state religion back in the early 4^th century. This connection still plays an important role in Armenian weddings which are celebrated as a huge holiday traditionally celebrated for seven days and seven nights. For instance, traditionally the “God family” serves as witnesses at the wedding. What or who is a God family? It’s a couple who must be praiseworthy and looked up to. Usually, this is the married couple closest to the bride and groom, and the kavor “Godfather” is responsible for many of the wedding details and is expected to bring the most expensive wedding gift at a separate ceremony specifically for gift giving. This man is also responsible for guiding the couple in their life following the wedding.

If the answer is yes, the groom presents the engagement ring.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Khosk-Arnel

These days, that week-long celebration has become outdated, but many of the rich Armenian traditions are still intact. One of these traditions is the Khosk-Arnel” (asking for permission) which is the occasion that officially starts the engagement. 

Here in the west we might call this an engagement party, but not what we would consider traditional. For in the Armenian tradition, this is the event where the groom’s parents officially meet the bride’s parents. But it more than that. It’s also the time the groom’s parents asked the bride’s parents for their daughter’s hand in marriage. 

Let’s face it, this is a little risky if people don’t know each other, but if all goes according to plan and they said “yes”, the groom-to-be presents the engagement ring to his new fiancee. When she accepts the celebration begins with eating, drinking, and Armenian-style partying which includes a priest blessing the ring and the couple’s future plans.

Khosk-Kap

Today this tradition is being replaced with the “Khosk-Kap” where the groom is the one to ask for the bride’s hand in marriage. In most cases, the groom makes his intentions clear to the bride’s immediate family before the Khosk-Kap, however, even this tradition has lost some of its popularity.

Groom's family arrives with a flower arrangement and a box of chocolates.

 

Modern less-formal Khosk-Arnel

A more modern take on this ritual is the less-formal Khosk-Arnel. This modern take on the engagement ceremony only includes the couple’s immediate family. The groom’s family is invited to the bride’s house for coffee (or tea) or dinner. They arrive with a flower arrangement and a box of chocolates. For this take on an Armenian engagement party, the groom asks the bride’s father for her hand in marriage.

All of these variations are ripe with elements that can be used to design a unique one-of-a-kind engagement party of your own.

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