E-ring help: Sapphire, art deco, diamond!

[JDMWDC]

Starting to search for an engagement ring for my girlfriend.

My first mistake is planning to marry a girl who has a Master's of Fine Arts! As you might guess, this means she has specific hints for me to aid my search.

1) Art Deco. The most important piece of the equation. She doesn't want a plain-jane ring but rather something "interesting." The only ring I have seen her wear is attached. It was her grandmas and is essentially a square cut sapphire that has a small diamond chip set right through the center. I also noticed she had "favorited" this ring on etsy:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/88686945/antique-edwardian-sapphire-platinum-and

2) I have received mixed signals about if the sapphire should be the primary stone or merely an accent. I think the bottom line is that it doesn't matter as both have potential to look good.

3) Platinum setting.

4) Budget is ideally under $7,000 (bonus points for anything under $6,000!)

I've done a bunch of looking around, even at places posters on this website suggest in other threads. I haven't found anything that pops out at me from langantiques.com, artdecodiamonds.com or antiqueengagementrings.com.

I also feel like art deco should be a style and not limited to authentic old jewelry. Estate rings kind of weird me out... I just imagine an old woman dying and someone pulling off her ring and then bam it's for sale at a jeweler. Maybe that's something I just have to get over!

Anyway I'm hoping some of you guys have some suggestions or other places I can look! Will normal jewelers have this kind of stuff? I went e-ring shopping with a friend once and they definitely focus on nothing-but-diamonds.

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[LD]

Fay Cullen have a selection of Art Deco rings that might appeal. http://www.faycullen.com/Engagement-Rings/ I believe there are mixed reviews of them so tread carefully!

Dover also have some and it's worth looking through all their rings and not just the Art Deco ones. http://www.doverjewelry.com/catalog/art_deco_engagement_rings

Lastly, you could try Erica Grace. They have mainly diamonds but do also have sapphires on occasion. http://www.jewelsbyericagrace.com/home


EDIT: An art deco style with a diamond centre and sapphire accents: http://www.doverjewelry.com/253ct_antique_art_deco_diamond_sapphire_platinum_engagement_ring.html

Classic, elegant and within budget:
http://www.doverjewelry.com/335ct_estate_diamond_cyclon_sapphire_18k_gold_engagement_ring.html

A ruby but sooooooo elegant and again, within budget:
http://www.doverjewelry.com/estate_200ct_diamond_fine_ruby_platinum_engagement_ring.html

Over budget but oh my!
http://www.doverjewelry.com/art_deco_360ct_diamond_platinum_engagement_ring.html

 

[movie zombie]

congrats on your pending engagement!

watch out for return policies: you may get something and you might not like it and want to exchange it for somthing else.

check out Lang at http://www.langantiques.com/products/type/art-deco-engagement-rings

they even have a specific art deco section!

eta: if you don't want to buy "estate" you will at least get design ideas in case you decide to "build" your own ring.

 

[Aoife]

I'm going to mention Single Stone here, because they make stupendous Art Deco replicas:


http://www.singlestone.com/

Like this one:




or this:



Or this, which is an actual vintage piece:



On sale from JbEG:

http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.c...ut-Diamond/17507528_HQ4kt5#1335812886_sBVRk9M

 

[minousbijoux]

Wow, Aiofe, I'll let you do my shopping from now on (though I love LD's deco ruby ring as well).

Anyway, one of our members Goldyoldies, just got this for Christmas, which I love

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-very-first-old-stone.169954/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-very-first-old-stone.169954/[/URL]

 

[Aoife]

Wow, Aiofe, I'll let you do my shopping from now on (though I love LD's deco ruby ring as well).

Anyway, one of our members Goldyoldies, just got this for Christmas, which I love

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-very-first-old-stone.169954/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-very-first-old-stone.169954/[/URL]

Very pretty!

You bring the cash, Minou, I'll do the shopping

 

[diamondseeker2006]

This is a little above your budget, but oh, what a fantastic ring it is!

http://mc2jewels.com/rings/M2145.html

 

[NKOTB]

This is a little above your budget, but oh, what a fantastic ring it is!

http://mc2jewels.com/rings/M2145.html

I love this one, too! Perhaps they could make it in 14K white gold for within budget?

Green Lake Jewelry Works has a lot of vintage-style pieces, too, and their design process is quite easy and fun if you don't find anything in stock: http://www.greenlakejewelry.com

 

[winternight]

Art deco style means different things to different people. Do you know what cut of diamond your GF prefers? Hmm, you know I studed Art History myself and you might want to make sure that she shares your views on modern reproductions. Some people have a very strong preference for authentic vintage/antique pieces. Like we have some 19th century chairs and I LOVE them. Also, I recently tried on a gorgeous domed style ring, like one of the ones posted above, and I thought it would be a difficult style to wear everyday. Since the ring's surface is so raised it seemed to me that it would bang into things perhaps.

So my type of classic art deco ring is more along the lines of the following, something with more square lines or ascher cuts:

http://jewelry.1stdibs.com/jewelry_item_detail.php?id=31038

This is a reproduction so I guess this might work with a colored stone.

http://www.langantiques.com/products/item/10-1-1286

Kwiat has some cool modern rings that are deco styled.

http://www.kwiat.com/fine-diamond-jewelry/square-ruby-diamond-ring-kwiat-vintage-collection-18k-white-gold/p/8515/3/0/337

Actually I would go for this ring in whatever the smaller size is - they don't have it listed on the website.

http://www.kwiat.com/fine-diamond-jewelry/large-argyle-sapphire-diamond-ring-kwiat-vintage-collection-18k-white-gold/p/8520/3/0/337

 

[JDMWDC]

This is a little above your budget, but oh, what a fantastic ring it is!

http://mc2jewels.com/rings/M2145.html

I love this one, too! Perhaps they could make it in 14K white gold for within budget?

Green Lake Jewelry Works has a lot of vintage-style pieces, too, and their design process is quite easy and fun if you don't find anything in stock: http://www.greenlakejewelry.com

This is quite the ring indeed! Sadly diamondseeker is right, it's out of my pricerange. I'm trying to set a hard cap because as you can imagine, it's easy to price creep. $500 here means $750 the next place, and before you know it this is in my price range!

I found one that looked interesting at Fay Cullen before I even made this thread:

http://www.faycullen.com/products/HJL1230R2SD/

However due to their absolutely no returns policy I cannot possibly make that kind of investment. Especially with most people around this website having less-than-stellar reviews of them (poorly constructed settings, chipped stones, etc). Not the peace of mind I want from an online jeweler who is going to take thousands of dollars off my hands!

Edited to add: Platinum is probably a must, as my GF has a metal allergy. She is OK with pure gold, but unsure if the white gold plating might trigger something. We know Platinum is safe - and as a bonus it doesn't have to get redipped every few years. Otherwise White Gold sounds good to me. I am always suspicious of girls with metal allergies :p

 

[winternight]

This is a little above your budget, but oh, what a fantastic ring it is!

http://mc2jewels.com/rings/M2145.html

I love this one, too! Perhaps they could make it in 14K white gold for within budget?

Green Lake Jewelry Works has a lot of vintage-style pieces, too, and their design process is quite easy and fun if you don't find anything in stock: http://www.greenlakejewelry.com

This is quite the ring indeed! Sadly diamondseeker is right, it's out of my pricerange. I'm trying to set a hard cap because as you can imagine, it's easy to price creep. $500 here means $750 the next place, and before you know it this is in my price range!

I found one that looked interesting at Fay Cullen before I even made this thread:

http://www.faycullen.com/products/HJL1230R2SD/

However due to their absolutely no returns policy I cannot possibly make that kind of investment. Especially with most people around this website having less-than-stellar reviews of them (poorly constructed settings, chipped stones, etc). Not the peace of mind I want from an online jeweler who is going to take thousands of dollars off my hands!

Edited to add: Platinum is probably a must, as my GF has a metal allergy. She is OK with pure gold, but unsure if the white gold plating might trigger something. We know Platinum is safe - and as a bonus it doesn't have to get redipped every few years. Otherwise White Gold sounds good to me. I am always suspicious of girls with metal allergies :p

Yeah I wouldn't go for the no return policy myself and that ring is a reproduction anyways.

The jewels by erica grace ring is very lovely and sort of floral, which she seems to like based on the etsy ring. The color is low, but it looks amazing in the photos/video. Not sure what the return policy is on that one.

 

[JDMWDC]

This is a little above your budget, but oh, what a fantastic ring it is!

http://mc2jewels.com/rings/M2145.html

I love this one, too! Perhaps they could make it in 14K white gold for within budget?

Green Lake Jewelry Works has a lot of vintage-style pieces, too, and their design process is quite easy and fun if you don't find anything in stock: http://www.greenlakejewelry.com

This is quite the ring indeed! Sadly diamondseeker is right, it's out of my pricerange. I'm trying to set a hard cap because as you can imagine, it's easy to price creep. $500 here means $750 the next place, and before you know it this is in my price range!

I found one that looked interesting at Fay Cullen before I even made this thread:

http://www.faycullen.com/products/HJL1230R2SD/

However due to their absolutely no returns policy I cannot possibly make that kind of investment. Especially with most people around this website having less-than-stellar reviews of them (poorly constructed settings, chipped stones, etc). Not the peace of mind I want from an online jeweler who is going to take thousands of dollars off my hands!

Edited to add: Platinum is probably a must, as my GF has a metal allergy. She is OK with pure gold, but unsure if the white gold plating might trigger something. We know Platinum is safe - and as a bonus it doesn't have to get redipped every few years. Otherwise White Gold sounds good to me. I am always suspicious of girls with metal allergies :p

Yeah I wouldn't go for the no return policy myself and that ring is a reproduction anyways.

The jewels by erica grace ring is very lovely and sort of floral, which she seems to like based on the etsy ring. The color is low, but it looks amazing in the photos/video. Not sure what the return policy is on that one.

It is nice for sure. Honestly I kind of love the M2145! I emailed the jeweler to inquire if they have anything similar at a lower pricerange and/or if they foresee this one being discounted anytime. Granted I doubt they would do 35% off to get into my range, but I guess it doesn't hurt to ask! I am also asking another jeweler what it might cost to replicate as a custom order. After all, the stones in the ring really arent that big or especially grand quality. Clearly you are paying for the intricate setting design, and another jeweler might be able to come down on that.

Darn you for pointing that out to me diamondseeker

 

[distracts]

All of the options suggested are very pretty! I would just like to ditto about Fay Cullen making me uneasy - I window-shop there to get ideas though, since there are lots of lovely-looking things, but no-refunds is kind of a deal-killer.

For that MC2 Jewels one, if it's the overall shape you like rather than the floofy engravings, you could probably get something similar made without the engravings. That's what I did for my e-ring - there were a few I liked that were all COVERED in fancy stuff I didn't care so much about (I mean, it's on the side/bottom of my fingers, I'm not LOOKING at it all the time, so I don't want to pay $$$$ for it, especially since with a ring worn so much as my e-ring I was worried it would wear down over time) but had an overall shape I liked, so I got it made by someone else and the price was greatly reduced. Though your girlfriend may like all the engraving all over it.

I am entertained by your story of estate rings being pulled off the fingers of old dead ladies... I am pretty sure that's not how it happens though! I dunno, I never think about previous owners when I buy estate jewelry, and I find it kind of weird when the seller mentions them. But I know a lot of people on here get worked up about "bad juju" and won't buy estate rings in case there is any... I don't believe in "juju" though.

Here are two in different styles than the ones linked:

http://www.rubylane.com/item/599172-x2310108DecoDiamondSapphireRing/Art-Deco-Diamond-Sapphire-Platinum
http://www.rubylane.com/item/518197-RGA16993V/Vintage-Art-Deco-5-Stone

The second has been on my wishlist for aaaaaages and is just to die for (if only I had a reason to get it!). Neither, though is particularly engagement-ringy, though either would fit well with a wedding band. Just some things to look at!

 

[JDMWDC]

I am entertained by your story of estate rings being pulled off the fingers of old dead ladies... I am pretty sure that's not how it happens though! I dunno, I never think about previous owners when I buy estate jewelry, and I find it kind of weird when the seller mentions them. But I know a lot of people on here get worked up about "bad juju" and won't buy estate rings in case there is any... I don't believe in "juju" though.

Hahaha. I know right? I need to just get over this idea... as my GF is an artist she would probably prefer authentic over replica anyway if we're being honest!

I think if I found the "right" ring, even if it was pre-owned (are we talking about cars now??) I'd jump on it.

Thanks for the suggestions too they look nice! But you're right not really "engagementy" - but nonetheless more design ideas.

 

[kgizo]

Perception is everything. I love estate jewelry. I always envision a lively ol grand dame who drinks G&Ts all day selling a piece because she just got a fabulous upgrade. And, I hope some of that karma rubs off on me

 

[JDMWDC]

Wow this one looks beautiful. I wonder if there would be a way to work sapphire into it at all? I would not want it as the center or halo though... wonder how it would look with sapphire in place of the diamonds on the band?

http://www.greenlakejewelry.com/gallery/gallery.aspx?ImgID=58022

 

[vintagelover229]

I'm listing a bunch and remember you can probably make offers on all of these pieces. The first one is pretty close to what you are looking for but I found a bunch of unique ones and linked you to them.

This is beautiful!
http://www.rubylane.com/item/514555-rl-754/2-16-Carat-Diamond-Sapphire


This one is very similar but half the price
http://www.rubylane.com/item/514555-rl-519/1-26-Carat-European-Cut

This is a very large center stone

http://www.rubylane.com/item/594808-474/Vintage-Platinum-Art-Deco-Diamond

This has double rows of sapphires (not sure how I feel about that but it's your gf and you know her tastes)

http://www.rubylane.com/item/514555-rl-763/1-53-Carat-Diamond-Sapphire

Marquise shaped
http://www.rubylane.com/item/726095-JWL138/Stunning-Art-Deco-1-74


Floral setting with sapphire center stone
http://www.rubylane.com/item/518197-RGC11971G/Vintage-18k-Platinum-Art-Deco


This is still on my favorite list-cushion with french cut sapphires!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/150678977306?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/130623053446?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

I know linking one that sold doesn't help-but I had this on my watch list forever and thought it would have been pretty prefect!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/130620694125?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

This is a halo of sapphires around the diamond
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ART-DECO-1ct-CUSHION-DIAMOND-SAPPHIRE-ENGAGEMENT-RING-/160408570345?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item25591889e9

Rose cut with sapphires
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250962850659

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ESTATE-ART-DECO-1-ct-DIAMOND-SAPPHIRE-ENGAGEMENT-RING-/260783613402?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cb7ea25da


A beautiful 5 stone with sapphires
http://www.rubylane.com/item/518197-RGA16993V/Vintage-Art-Deco-5-Stone

 

[aviastar]

Platinum is always the safe option for nickle allergies, but there are also palladium white gold alloys that should be ok, too, if platinum is truly a budget breaker. And you can always leave it unplated, if you are going custom- no dipping required!

Just food for thought! Good luck with the search and congratulations on your pending engagement!

 

[rubybeth]

Wow this one looks beautiful. I wonder if there would be a way to work sapphire into it at all? I would not want it as the center or halo though... wonder how it would look with sapphire in place of the diamonds on the band?

http://www.greenlakejewelry.com/gallery/gallery.aspx?ImgID=58022

Wow, that's beautiful, but the setting alone in platinum is $ 5747.00 - 6354.00 which eats most of your budget so you really would have to go with a cheap-ish sapphire for the center stone.

No idea about this seller and I'd clarify the 7 day return policy before buying, but WHAT A RING! And below budget at $4,495:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ESTATE-ART-DECO-1-35ct-DIAMOND-SAPPHIRE-ENGAGEMENT-RING-/260828098345?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cba90ef29

 

[Enerchi]

No idea about this seller and I'd clarify the 7 day return policy before buying, but WHAT A RING! And below budget at $4,495:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ESTATE-ART-DECO-1-35ct-DIAMOND-SAPPHIRE-ENGAGEMENT-RING-/260828098345?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cba90ef29

Love Rubybeth's ring she found!! That is so romantic! It has that art deco feel, totally unique, lots of sparkle... very appealing!

 

[JDMWDC]

I'm listing a bunch and remember you can probably make offers on all of these pieces. The first one is pretty close to what you are looking for but I found a bunch of unique ones and linked you to them.

This is beautiful!
http://www.rubylane.com/item/514555-rl-754/2-16-Carat-Diamond-Sapphire


This one is very similar but half the price
http://www.rubylane.com/item/514555-rl-519/1-26-Carat-European-Cut

This is a very large center stone

http://www.rubylane.com/item/594808-474/Vintage-Platinum-Art-Deco-Diamond

This has double rows of sapphires (not sure how I feel about that but it's your gf and you know her tastes)

http://www.rubylane.com/item/514555-rl-763/1-53-Carat-Diamond-Sapphire

Marquise shaped
http://www.rubylane.com/item/726095-JWL138/Stunning-Art-Deco-1-74


Floral setting with sapphire center stone
http://www.rubylane.com/item/518197-RGC11971G/Vintage-18k-Platinum-Art-Deco


This is still on my favorite list-cushion with french cut sapphires!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/150678977306?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/130623053446?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

I know linking one that sold doesn't help-but I had this on my watch list forever and thought it would have been pretty prefect!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/130620694125?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

This is a halo of sapphires around the diamond
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ART-DECO-1ct-CUSHION-DIAMOND-SAPPHIRE-ENGAGEMENT-RING-/160408570345?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item25591889e9

Rose cut with sapphires
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250962850659

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ESTATE-ART-DECO-1-ct-DIAMOND-SAPPHIRE-ENGAGEMENT-RING-/260783613402?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cb7ea25da


A beautiful 5 stone with sapphires
http://www.rubylane.com/item/518197-RGA16993V/Vintage-Art-Deco-5-Stone

wow! these are some great pieces.

I was talking to my best friend and he sort of thumped me over the head with something. I need to make sure I'm getting something SHE wants, not just that I want.

That said, the best I have to go on is the link here from my original post (http://www.etsy.com/listing/88686945/antique-edwardian-sapphire-platinum-and) as well as the amateur sketch. Maybe the 3-stone M2145 above that I've been drooling over might not be what she wants (though I think she would really love the band and the mount beneath the stones).

However I have noticed it is very difficult to find actual antique/estate rings in platinum. So that might mean she'll have to live with a replica or just using the antique style after all

 

[Aoife]

[
wow! these are some great pieces.

I was talking to my best friend and he sort of thumped me over the head with something. I need to make sure I'm getting something SHE wants, not just that I want.

That said, the best I have to go on is the link here from my original post (http://www.etsy.com/listing/88686945/antique-edwardian-sapphire-platinum-and) as well as the amateur sketch. Maybe the 3-stone M2145 above that I've been drooling over might not be what she wants (though I think she would really love the band and the mount beneath the stones).

However I have noticed it is very difficult to find actual antique/estate rings in platinum. So that might mean she'll have to live with a replica or just using the antique style after all

The first comment I bolded is where quite a few posters looking for e-rings seem to go off course, so it's great that you had a friend to remind you! If I had a nickel for every new fiancee who came to the forums because she didn't like her new e-ring I'd be a wealthy woman.

Actually, there are quite a few vintage pieces in platinum, some of which have been linked here. You just need to be willing to pay the price for them! So, at this point, are you mostly interested in vintage or replica? Would you consider one of the many PS vendors who make vintage-style rings?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Glad you are focusing on what she wants! I am thinking you really need some more input from her. I think you need a few examples of rings she would like. That one little ring with the small sapphire center is not necessarily an indicator of what she would want as an e-ring. I love antique rings, but there would be no way on earth that anyone could pick out the one I'd like best but me! Your budget is going to go MUCH farther if you buy an antique ring.

However, if she could take a sapphire center, here is a platinum ring that would be a good buy at $3500+:

http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Modern-and-Estate-Pieces/Estate-Sapphire-Ring-Tacori/17842250_fvx3RS#1364338180_LkcStWB

 

[vintagelover229]

I just found this one that www.goodoldgold.com is selling. STUNNING!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZVC14NzjAA&list=UUEV7slr-i-VduBBnfv9MxhA&index=10&feature=plcp

 

[natascha]

You could also look at New York Estate jewelry.
http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/engagement-rings/2.86ct-art-deco-style-ceylon-sapphire-and-diamond-ring/5362/3/item

http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/engagement-rings/2.59ct-round-ceylon-sapphire-diamond-18k-gold-engagement-ring-/14911/3/item

http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/engagement-rings/1.41ct-diamond-art-deco-style-platinum-engagement-ring/9526/3/item

If you want everything in one http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/engagement-rings/1.35ct-18k-white-gold-ceylon-sapphire-diamond-ring/4311/3/item

http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/engagement-rings/1.29ct-edwardian-18k-white-gold-diamond-engagement-ring/3806/3/item

http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/engagement-rings/1.28ct-art-deco-style-platinum-diamond-sapphire-engagement-ring/4008/3/item

A bit over the top but I kinda like it http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/engagement-rings/art-deco--1.18ct-marquise-diamond-18-white-gold--engagement-ring/15941/3/item

http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/engagement-rings/1.11ct-diamond-platinum-engagement-ring/9821/3/item

http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/engagement-rings/1.01ct-diamond-art-deco-platinum-engagement-ring/10500/3/item

http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/engagement-rings/art-deco-0.98ct-diamond-&-sapphire-platinum-engagement-ring/13927/3/item

http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/engagement-rings/0.92ct--round-brilliant-diamond-&-sapphire-platinum-engagement-ring/14450/3/item

http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/engagement-rings/art-deco-0.92ct-diamond-&-sapphire-18k-white-gold-engagment-ring-/13929/3/item

This was is pretty different, but not really art deco http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/engagement-rings/0.75ct-18k-white-gold-diamond-sapphire-ring/3306/3/item

http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/engagement-rings/art-deco-old-mine-diamonds-sapphire-platinum-engagement-ring/16379/3/item

Ha ha sorry for going a bit overboard. Just wanted to show you lots of different styles that are in your budget.

 

[JDMWDC]

I just found this one that www.goodoldgold.com is selling. STUNNING!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZVC14NzjAA&list=UUEV7slr-i-VduBBnfv9MxhA&index=10&feature=plcp

One question about this ring (actually this style). I'm not sure what the style is called, but I've been a little turned off by rings that have that certain "class ring" or "superbowl ring" look. By that I mean the big, hefty, bold top with a big stone that is surrounded by other stones. Maybe its just the bezel mount that I'm noticing as opposed to a more cathedral type loft, with less metal around the center stone showing it off more.

So let me ask - does this loon engagementy to you? I think its great in that it incorporates sapphire beautifully into the design!

 

[Aoife]

It all depends on what "engagementy" means to you, and more importantly, your SO. There are quite a few people on Pricescope who have vintage rings like this as engagement rings, and the one you linked is particularly lovely.

Going back to what has been suggested previously, it seems to me that it may be time to have a conversation about this with your SO.

 

[vintagelover229]

Remember when you are looking online at photos and videos that they aren't that bulky in real life. Most are much more delicate looking-especially the GOG one. That's pierced filigree style and those done shaped heads are very common from that time period

 

[JDMWDC]

It all depends on what "engagementy" means to you, and more importantly, your SO. There are quite a few people on Pricescope who have vintage rings like this as engagement rings, and the one you linked is particularly lovely.

Going back to what has been suggested previously, it seems to me that it may be time to have a conversation about this with your SO.

I actually will push back on you with that last statement. As you can see from my OP, she has already laid out a lot for me. Art deco/vintage style, sapphire is an option but not necessary, she linked me a ring that she likes to show me what she is thinking (just isn't an engagement ring), and I know platinum (or palladium if it comes down to it) for precious metal.

If I have any more of a conversation with her about it, I may as well take her to a jeweler with me and have her pick out her own ring.

I think what it actually is time for instead is for me to go to some B&M stores to look at the designs to get a better feel for what im looking at online and how that translates to a physical item. Hoping to identify some (in the Northern VA by DC area) today and do that while she is working this weekend.

 

[Aoife]

That sounds like a good plan, and I'd also suggest, if you have not already, taking a look at the Show Me the Bling forum, searching using terms like "vintage," "Art Deco," etc. Quite a few of those threads have photos of vintage rings on the hand, and that is a helpful perspective.

The reason I, and a majority of posters on your thread, keep on suggesting that you talk to your SO is that we have seen what happens when the guy tries really really hard to choose the right ring, and doesn't get it quite right. We've seen the posts from the disappointed newly engaged fiancee that usually start out with statements like "I love how much time and effort he put into this, and of course I hope I'll come to love it, and I could never tell him, but how could he ever think I'd like......." If you know your SO wants a white, 1ct. modern brilliant diamond in a solitaire setting, it can be hard to make all the right choices. With a vintage setting, it is mind-boggling-ly difficult. "Personal preference" doesn't even begin to come close to covering it.

In any case, do let us know what you find out.