A Cute Story About Antique Edwardian Filigree Engagement Rings

Most of us don’t associate antique Edwardian filigree engagement rings with a torch. And yet,no finer association has ever been made. When Edmond Fouche and Charles Picard invented the oxyacetylenetorch in 1903, they also unwittingly invented the platinum engagement ring. Theoxyacetylene torch was the first to use pure oxygen in it’s tank instead of regular air and wastherefore able to produce a much hotter flame. These hot flames allowed jewellers to melt metalwith precision and in a room environment.

Great Gatsby Art Deco Jewellery

Since it’s inception in 1925, art deco jewellery has always been in fashion.The clean lines of deco fashion and architecture has made it both aversatile and remarkable design. As if it’s consistent popularity wasn’tenough, Art Deco has been enjoying a huge resurgence, thanks in largepart to Baz Luhrmann's film adaptation of The Great Gatsby (2013).

Art Deco jewellery is characterized by long strands of pearls, as well as bold rings and bracelets. Since the art deco era came to life in the height of the machine age, art deco jewellery clearly features human’s newfound love affair with machines.Gone were the asymmetrical and organic designs of the art nouveau era, in were thestraight lines and bold surfaces that only a machine could create and reproduce on amass scale. Art Deco jewellery speaks of immense progress and opulence. Art Decojewellery often features colour contrasts, such as deep blue sapphires against brightwhite platinum, or onyx contrasted with coral. Our Art Deco collection featuresgenuinely period art deco pieces and modern deco-inspired jewellery.

The First Engagement Ring

We have Archduke Maximilian of Austria to thank for the diamondengagement ring tradition. In 1477 he proposed to Mary of Burgundywith a ring of thin, flat diamonds set in the shape of an “M.” Unconfirmedsources believe that the Archduke chose diamonds for their hardness. Hetold Mary of Burgundy that the strength of the stone, worn on the outside ofher wedding ring, would protect her wedding band, and it would be a symbolof a strong relationship.

This ring features old cut, flat diamonds that would be similar to those in Mary of Burgundy's ring.