Welcome to Brilliant Earth, my name is Beth Moore, Senior Gemologist. I’m excited to help start your education today regarding estate rings and antique pieces.
Every estate piece is truly unique and one-of-a-kind; they represent a rich history and time-honored values.
Estate pieces are also an environmentally sensitive choice, as no additional mining is required to complete the piece. They are low-priced options that are wonderful for engagement rings as well as heart-felt gifts.
As you’re looking at the estate pieces, you will notice there is an era listed for each. This is the time-frame when the ring was either created or the time period that inspired the design.
The most popular pieces hail from the Edwardian period, the Art Deco period or from the Retro period.
The Edwardian design era from 1900s through 1920 was typically characterized by excessive use of filigree, garlands of flowers, laurel wreathes, and scroll detailing.
The Art Deco period from 1920 to 1930 is more easily recognized by the use of straight lines, geometric shapes and a more architectural feel.
In the Retro period, 1930s to 1950s, we see the advent of the modern classic diamond engagement ring, as well as return to feminine motifs, such as flowers and bows. These traditionally are in larger sizes and more A-symmetric shapes.
In the Art Nuevo period from 1890 to 1910, we see pieces that have been inspired by our natural world, stylized floral motifs, and much softer curving flowing feminine lines.
Other design eras you might encounter are the Georgian and the Victorian, both of which predate the 1900s.
When selecting an estate piece, you will also find that the diamonds used are reflective of the era when the ring was created.
In the older eras, you will find diamonds that are labeled as old mine cuts. These are diamonds that were faceted for surface light reflection exclusively. They often have high crowns, large culets and more gently rounded corners.
In the early 1900s we start to see a cut that’s called the old European cut, these are more traditionally round like our modern diamonds and often have a smaller culet than the old mine cuts. We start to see the first internal reflections in this type of cut.
In the 1950s at the end of the Retro period, we have a greater understanding of how diamonds use light. This is when the round modern brilliant is born, this is the same quality of cut we still see today.
Single cuts are small diamonds that have seven to eight facets each, these were the types of accent gems that were used up through the 1960s.
You may also encounter rose cuts, which were primarily used up through the Georgian period. These are gems that are flat on the bottom and only faceted across the top.
Many estate pieces are set with their original gemstones, while others have been updated with modern cut gems. This change enhances the setting while still retaining the original character of the ring.
Each of our estate pieces come with a complimentary resizing as well as a 30-day return policy.
Additionally, many estate purchases include their independent third-party appraisals, which include specific details about the piece.
As you’ve learned, estate pieces are wonderful pieces of history and are timeless in style.
