Proposing with a real heirloom ring can bring a lot of unexpected pressure due to the story surrounding it and family expectations. You also have to hope your bride has the same style as your past relatives. It works for some couples, but many people are now moving away from using a family ring and instead starting their engagement from scratch with a new ring that will tell only their own story. That’s not to say you need to reject the timeless style of an heirloom ring, though, as many jewellers now offer engagement rings that mimic the style of a precious family antique. Timeless heirloom styles are combined with modern bands, techniques, and sustainability practices to create something that fits you as a couple and doesn’t come with any baggage. You’ll still feel connected to that time in history by using those designs, but you’ll be adding your own flair, so you have a ring you’re truly happy with.
Tips to Embrace Rose Gold
A great way to bring heirloom designs into modern tastes is to set them into a rose gold band. This bucks the tradition of white or yellow gold bands that are common with heirlooms, but can be combined with classic design elements. Rose gold has been having its moment for a good few years now, as it works with both cool and warm skin undertones, so it suits every bride-to-be. There have also been some high-profile celebrities showing off rose gold engagement rings, such as Alison Brie and Blake Lively, which has helped push the desire for them up. By embracing stylish rose gold with classic gemstone centrepieces, you can create a ring that’s currently fashionable but will also stay stylish through trends. If your bride-to-be likes to be on-trend, rose gold is a great middle ground to ensure she feels happy with her stylish ring for years to come, instead of jumping on a trend that she might not like once it’s passed.
Rose gold is an alloy of gold, copper, and often silver. This combination provides the lasting sturdy charm of gold while the copper provides the gentle, visually appealing pink colour. It was originally used in jewellery in Russia in the 19th century and was commonly used in the Art Deco period. After this, white and yellow gold took over in popularity, but brides are now coming back to rose gold to express their style and embrace a modern twist for their ring. For example, this beautiful ring combines the diamond cluster that was popular in Edwardian engagement rings with a sleek modern rose gold band. The simple band lets the gemstones shine, and the rose gold complements the pink tones in the centre alexandrite beautifully. The diamonds are also lab-grown, so there’s no guilt around mining or conflict, just a beautiful ring that you’ll be keen to show off.
How to Merge Vintage and Modern Styles
Many heirloom-style rings are show-stopping pieces that need little to no accessorising to shine. Take this emerald ring, for example, with an eye-catching gem, your other jewellery will hardly be noticed. You could pair it with other delicate rose gold pieces and a couple of green accents to ensure the ring is complemented well and help it take centre stage. You can combine your rose gold ring with other metal jewellery too, if you do it carefully. Rose gold and silver can be a modern, stylish look, while rose gold and yellow gold bring warmth to an ensemble. It’s best not to overdo it if you’re mixing metals and to keep them at different heights to ensure you look fashionable. For example, keep the rose gold on your hands and pair it with a necklace of a different metal. If you like gemstones in your other jewellery, you could pick the same colours as your engagement ring stone to help tie the look together.
When it comes to clothing colours, rose gold pairs well with almost anything, so your new ring should match your wardrobe. With neutral colours like black and white, rose gold brings warmth and contrast for a sleek, modern look. For office wear in these shades, rose gold can help you look sophisticated and ready for a challenge. For a perfect date night look, rose gold pairs well with pastel clothes. Fabrics in colours like peach or pale blue pick up on the undertones of your rose gold ring and give a playful, feminine look. Finally, earthy tones like khaki and brown also reflect the undertones of rose gold and help the warmth shine for a balanced, stylish look.
Rose gold with a classic large gemstone or cluster will stand the test of time just like you and your bride-to-be. At Vinny and Charles, we have a passion for supplying the right ring for each couple, and we have strict sustainability measures in place to match your values, too, such as gold recycling and planting trees with each order.
