Modern Era

When selecting the vintage engagement ring and wedding bands for yourself and your fiancée, it is important to know a little something about jewelry terminology. Settings Bezel Setting The diamond sits on a plate of platinum or gold and is surrounded by a wall of metal that is perpendicular to the plate. Prong Setting Prong setting is different from bezel setting in that equal parts of the bezel are removed...

There are many ways to set a stone including bezel setting, prong setting, bead setting, channel setting and invisible setting to name a few. Each style of setting offers a different visual appearance and manner of setting. It is important first to decide how to protect the diamond and whether the diamond is a main stone or a side stone. Bezel Setting A simple setting that can highlight the diamond...

Van Cleef & Arpels, most well-known for their inspired designs, their revolutionary gem setting procedure known as the Mystery Setting and perfumes, was founded in 1906. Esther Arpels, daughter of a precious stones dealer, Soloman Arpels, married Alfred Van Cleef in 1886. Alfred Van Cleef and his brother-in-law, Charles, founded a jewelry business, trademarked the name and opened their first boutique at 22 place Vendome in 1906. Esther’s brothers, Saloma,...

Cartier is known for its fine jewelry and watch manufacturing. It was founded in Paris in 1847 by Louis Francois Cartier. It was later operated by his son, Alfred Cartier, and in 1874 by Alfred’s sons Louis, Pierre and Jacques. The first wrist watch was designed in 1907. It was a flat watch with a unique square bezel containing a Jaeger movement. The watch was called the Santos and is...