A Guide to Vintage Promise Ring Styles

There is a lot of confusion surrounding promise rings, and rightfully so. Between purity rings, engagement rings, and commitment rings, it is hard to find out where a promise ring falls into your situation and if it is the right choice for you.

Traditionally, a promise ring is given as a symbol of commitment and devotion in a relationship between two people. It represents a promise to stay faithful and together, just as the name implies.

Popular Promise Ring Styles

There are many different styles of promise rings available, however, vintage promise rings are the most desirable. Vintage style promise rings are incredibly popular and for a good reason too.

Promise rings have been around since ancient times. Roman brides wore promise rings during the 2nd century. They are one of the oldest symbols of commitment and promise. The historic aspect of promise rings is what makes the vintage style so appealing.

Additionally, the promise ring does symbolize promises that are quite old-fashioned such as monogamy, chastity, pre-engagement, and more.

Vintage Styles of Promise Rings

The vintage style of promise rings has specific elements that make it distinctive. These elements include filigree which is a type of metal work that is usually done on gold or silver. Filigree looks very ornamental and classic, and has elements of royalty. This is without a doubt one of the most obvious choices when picking a vintage style ring.

If you want to add a vintage look to your ring, try looking for an option with milgrain. Milgrain are the tiny dots that surround a piece. This tiny and unique detail is only done by the most skilled craftsmen. It brings back the feeling of a very old-fashioned piece of jewelry.

In general, while these vintage style rings reflect jewelry of the past and exude an old-fashioned feel, they can often be made with modern elements such as rose gold which is a much newer tone of gold.

It is important to remember when picking out a promise ring that every person is unique and their ring should represent their uniqueness. However, some promise ring styles are more popular and can be a good place to start when trying to pick one out.

Celtic Entwined Trinity Knot Ring

If you are having trouble picking out a ring, look at a Celtic entwined trinity knot ring.

A Celtic entwined trinity knot ring is a great choice for a promise ring. For starters, the trinity knot is one of the oldest symbols of eternity. It can represent your eternal lives being spent together or love that never ends.

A Celtic entwined trinity knot ring made of 14k white gold, and a centre stone that is held in place with a four-prong setting is sure to impress anyone with a knack for the vintage.

Lab Grown vs. Natural Diamond Carved Cathedral Ring with Milgrain

A vintage carved cathedral ring is a great choice for vintage styling because of the milgrain embellishment. This is a thinner-looking ring with delicate work done by a craftsman who cares about detailed work.

The diamond motifs are carefully paved to add feelings of elegance and royalty while the cathedral setting lifts the main gem into the centre focus for everyone's eyes to be immediately drawn to it.

Metal Options for Promise Rings

Metals are a great place to start when picking a vintage style promise ring. Be sure to eliminate any of these metals that you may have skin sensitivities to before wearing it full time.

Yellow gold is without a doubt the most classic option for a vintage ring. This might be because historically, yellow gold has always been viewed as the most luxurious.

However, gold is gold, and even in ancient times white gold was viewed as quite luxurious and a lot of vintage style rings use white gold as the main material for the band.

Lab Grown vs. Natural Diamonds for Promise Rings

When looking for a promise ring you should make sure you know what your partner prefers in terms of lab or naturally grown diamonds.

Lab-grown diamonds are an incredibly economical and eco-friendly option for those who are conscious of the effects of diamonds on the planet, and their wallets. A lab diamond typically costs 20-40% less than a naturally mined diamond.

Lab-grown diamonds are often more beautiful due to more control over the quality, and purity. They almost always have fewer defects and can even have some unique aspects that a naturally mined diamond wouldn't have.

Tips When Buying a Vintage Style Promise Ring

Once you have your vintage style picked out and know what you want, make sure you only buy from a reputable source.

Rings can be an expensive purchase and you want to make sure you buy one from someone who is reliable and has a history of making good quality products. The last thing you want is a promise ring that breaks in a few weeks.

Ensure that their return policy is good and check reviews for some extra caution. If you are choosing a diamond for the gem in your vintage style promise ring, make sure they are always certified by respectable institutes such as GIA or IGI. You want to make sure your diamonds come from ethical sources whether they are lab diamonds or natural diamonds.

Last but not least, make sure you pick a ring that your partner will love. Expensive doesn’t always mean best. Your partner might prefer something less expensive so that they can wear it without worrying about it all the time. Ensure that you discuss price, ethics, colors, and gems before making a big purchase like a promise ring.