Age of Ring?

Question: I have an oval white gold filigree ring with 3 diamonds. An appraisal will give the gold and diamond characteristics but not the date. How can I get an idea of it age? Thanks

- Tracey, Ontario

Answer:

White gold was not traditionally used in rings until after the 1930s – when platinum was restricted only for use in the World War II effort. However, as white gold is still popular today – the ring could have been made anytime between the 1930s and today.

A few of the rings made during the Retro era between 1935 through 1945 utilized Edwardian filigree designs, but filigree has also been a very popular style throughout the 1990s and on; although, the style of the diamonds could provide additional clues which may help to pinpoint the age of the ring.

The Retro era was defined by ‘symmetry meets asymmetry.’ If the diamonds have a square cut and setting combined with a filigree ring you may have an authentic Retro ring. Diamonds cut before the 1970s have a very distinctive style – the most popular of which after the 1930s and before the 1970s were the semi-modern brilliant cut, the brilliant cut, the rose cut, and the old mine cut. After the 1970s, advanced mathematical models and computers were used to create new diamond cuts and diamonds began to take on a very clean cut and edgy style.

Without any definitive markings, it may be difficult to pinpoint the exact date of the ring – but an experienced jeweler may be able to determine an estimate of the ring’s age based on the ring’s style and diamond cuts.

I hope this information helps!