From the Victorian era into the early 1900s, the style of engagement rings began to change.

From the yellow gold beauties set with sapphires and rubies of the Victorian era, sprang platinum topped gold, Old European cut diamonds accented with filigree and wavy Art Nouveau rings.

One style that is common from the early 1900s is a navette, set with many diamonds, usually Old European or rose cuts. This design might have been fashioned in yellow gold, and have a yellow gold band, but a large part of the ring – where the diamonds are set and anywhere visible when worn on the hand – is topped in platinum. This Old European and Rose Cut Diamond Ring is an example.

Another style seen during the early 1900s and into the 1920s/1930s is a ring centering on an Old European cut diamond (sometimes the center stone will be old mine cut or a rose cut diamond if it is from earlier in the era, but more commonly it will be an Old European cut) and accented with platinum filigree. The filigree can be a large or small part of the ring, and is sometimes set with diamonds.

The style of Art Nouveau-era engagement rings definitely stand out.  As designers were influenced by Japanese art, pieces of this era were comprised of very fluid, sinuous lines. Art Nouveau jewelry was very stylized and directly inspired by nature, and it possesses an exotic flair. These motifs are reflected in rings from this era as well.

While I’ve seem many rings that center on Old European diamonds and are accented with wavy yellow gold, such as this Art Nouveau 1.56ct Diamond Ring, I’ve also seen more extravagant pieces with openwork, platinum, floral motifs and yellow diamonds.

Old European and Rose Cut Diamond Ring

Old Cut Diamond Cluster Ring

1.45ct Old European Diamond Ring

Art Nouveau 1.56 ct Old European Diamond Ring

Tags: Art Nouvea, engagement ring, old european cut diamonds, rose cut diamonds.

November sets off the season of family gatherings, and life gets a bit more hectic.

Our friend and familial obligations bring us together -  in pairs, in trios and in large groups.

You should do the same with your jewelry.

A great pair of earrings that go perfectly with a statement ring makes getting dressed for events and gatherings much easier; having more than one piece that you are completely in love with doesn’t hurt either.

And, like in life, your jewelry suite doesn’t have to be matchy matchy to work. Sometimes the most unlikely pairings are also the best.

Below, some of my favorite combinations of current Doyle & Doyle antique and vintage jewels, and some things to think about when picking out your duo:

Tip #1 – Take the High (End) Road.

I picked this pairing because what goes better with diamonds then, well, other diamonds? The Opal and Diamond Ring may be fashioned in yellow gold, and the Deco Diamond Drop Earrings in platinum, but their glamour is their commonality.

Opal and Diamond Ring

Deco Diamond Drop Earrings

Tip #2 – Be Prepared for the Unexpected.

Like seeing a so-so dress on a rack that looks amazing on, you never know when two pieces will just go together and look great, despite evidence to the contrary.

Take the Georgian Foil Back Garnet Pendant that I’ve paired with these Diamond Cluster Drop Earrings – their physical shape is similar (round and oval), and they are both yellow gold, but the visual similarities stop there.

But there’s no denying it – something about them together just WORKS.

Georgian Foil Back Garnet Pendant

Diamond Cluster Drop Earrings

Tip #3 – It’s in the Details…

Rather than finding matching colors for your two pieces, why not concentrate on their smaller, style details?

This Victorian Turquoise Bangle has a rope pattern that surrounds a line of turquoise stones. As soon as I saw this beautiful bracelet, I was reminded of our Heirloom by Doyle & Doyle Diamond Knot Earrings.  Finding similarities such as this make make your jewelry pairing more subtle than bold.

Victorian Turquoise and Rose Cut Diamond Bangle

Diamond Knot Earrings - Heirloom by Doyle & Doyle

Tags: Earrings, garnet, georgian, opal, Rings, rose cut diamonds, turquoise, victorian.