Vintage & Art déco
Vintage engagement rings: old shapes, cleanly made new
A vintage engagement ring borrows shapes from earlier decades: fine milgrain edges, filigree metalwork and cuts like the old European cut or the rose cut, which have become rare today. At émin in Zurich District 4 these rings are newly made and custom-fitted, with modern certificates and current setting technique, not actual antique pieces. We say that openly, so you know exactly what you're getting.
Art déco, by contrast, favours clear, geometric lines, often with an angular cut like emerald or radiant in the centre. Both styles can be built on settings from our collection. During the consultation we show you samples and renderings, so you can see how much vintage character suits your ring, and we work out the price with you openly.
What makes a vintage engagement ring special
Filigree craftsmanship
Milgrain beading, fine engraving and pierced metalwork take time and experience. It's exactly these details that give a vintage ring its warm, lived-in character.
Rare cuts available
The old European cut, rose cut or Asscher cut read softer and warmer in the light than modern brilliants. We source these cuts specifically and explain the differences.
Newly made, clearly labelled
Every vintage ring at émin is a new, custom-made piece in a historical style, not an actual antique. We tell you that openly, always, with no sales trick.
Art déco as a clear alternative
If you prefer straight lines over curves, our art déco style offers geometric settings with angular cuts, built to measure with the same care.
Vintage look, newly made: what that means for you
A vintage engagement ring at émin is not a real antique, it's a newly made ring that draws on historical design language. That has a clear advantage: you get the look without the risks of an actual old piece, such as unknown setting damage, unclear stone origin or missing certificates. Every diamond comes with an independent certificate, every setting is fitted to your hand.
Particularly popular are rare cuts like the old European cut, a precursor to the modern round brilliant with a larger culet and warmer sparkle by candlelight, or the rose cut with a flat base and faceted dome. During the consultation we show you how these cuts compare to modern shapes, so you make the choice with your eyes open.
Settings from our collection as a base
Our collection shows solitaire, halo, hidden halo and floral settings. A vintage or art déco ring is built entirely to measure on that basis, with the milgrain, filigree and cut you want.
What a vintage engagement ring costs
Guide prices so you can get your bearings in advance. Fine work like milgrain or engraving takes more time, we discuss the surcharge openly during the consultation.
Price depends on the work involved. We calculate openly, no surprises.
Guide prices, as of 2026, incl. VAT. The exact price depends on stone, metal and work.
Honest about the antique look
We never sell you a real old ring as new, and never a new ring as an antique. Every vintage ring at émin is clearly labelled: newly made, in a historical style, with a modern certificate for the stone.
Frequently asked questions
No, and we always say that openly. A vintage ring at émin is newly made and draws on historical shapes like milgrain, filigree or old cuts. You get the look without the risks of an actual old piece, with a modern certificate for the stone.
Vintage rings usually feel softer, with curves, milgrain beading and filigree metalwork. Art déco favours clear, geometric lines and often angular cuts like emerald or radiant. We build both styles individually to your preference, at your pace.
Both are historical diamond cuts. The old European cut is a precursor to the modern round brilliant, with a larger culet and warmer sparkle in candlelight. The rose cut has a flat base and a faceted dome, ideal for a very flat, quiet look.
A complete solitaire with a 1 carat lab-grown diamond in a classic prong setting, in 18k gold or platinum, also available in 14k gold on request, starts at CHF 1'900. Filigree details like milgrain or hand engraving come as a surcharge, since they take more working time. We work out the exact figure with you openly during the consultation, before you decide.
We're happy to discuss that during the consultation. We remodel old gold and can reset existing stones, but we always check the condition of the metal and stone first, before honestly telling you what's possible and what it will cost.
Yes, we work by appointment only, in person in Zurich District 4 or by video. That way you get our full attention and see samples with milgrain and rare cuts in real daylight, not just in a photo.
For a vintage ring with filigree details we usually plan three to five weeks from order, somewhat longer than a plain setting, because milgrain and engraving take extra working time. If you have a fixed proposal date, tell us right at the start.
Quick enquiry
Ready for your vintage engagement ring?
Send us a short message about what you're looking for. We'll give you honest advice on style and budget and suggest an appointment, in Zurich or by video.