Bridal Week: Part II – Love Stories Told in Antique Diamonds and Gemstones

May 28, 2021

By Katerina Perez

7 min read

Here, we return to the subject of beautiful bridal jewels and the customer stories that make us smile. What makes an engagement ring or bridal suite of jewels special isn’t just its component parts, it’s also the process a couple goes through, the painstaking selection of diamonds and coloured gemstones, and the moment when a bespoke idea comes together. Of course, there’s also the magic of stumbling upon an antique ring that is so perfect, one simply can’t imagine being wed with anything else. Continue reading for some more jewellers of note as part of Bridal Week on KaterinaPerez.com.

There’s definitely no one-size-fits all when it comes to engagement rings. In fact, the more unique and unusual an engagement ring, the more enticing it is to discover. The jewellers selected here don’t just offer their customers fabulous engagement rings, they also curate suites of bridal jewels and wedding bands should they be required. From these interactions, they have many stories to tell and just a handful are highlighted below.

Emerald-cut diamond jewellery by Los Angeles-based brand Norman Silverman

Emerald-cut diamond jewellery by Los Angeles-based brand Norman Silverman

Jack Weir & Sons

Jack Weir got his start in diamonds at a jewellery store on Canal Street in New York City, which is now considered part of ‘The Old NY Jewelry District’. His own business soon followed and today, Jack and his son Wyler work together sourcing diamonds and coloured stones, as well as vintage and signed jewellery, such as an antique Tiffany & Co. (circa. 1910) 4.33 carat Kashmir sapphire and diamond engagement ring with old-European-cut stones. Jack recalls this moment with a customer: “As soon as we posted a 2.99 carat rose-cut diamond engagement ring on Instagram, a lady from Canada reached out to us. During a virtual Zoom appointment, she said: “I have been scouring the globe for antique/vintage rings and never found ‘the one’.” After years of searching, this lovely couple was able to find their dream engagement ring and we are extremely grateful to be a part of their happy and long-lasting love story!”

Jack Weir & Sons 1.77 carat emerald-cut diamond engagement ring

Jack Weir & Sons 1.77 carat emerald-cut diamond engagement ring

 Jack Weir & Sons Art Deco style 1.44 carat 'Old Mine' cut diamond ring with a ruby halo, set in platinum

Jack Weir & Sons Art Deco style 1.44 carat 'Old Mine' cut diamond ring with a ruby halo, set in platinum

 Antique Tiffany & Co. 4.33 Carat Kashmir Sapphire No Heat Diamond Gold Ring

Antique Tiffany & Co. 4.33 Carat Kashmir Sapphire No Heat Diamond Gold Ring

 Antique Georgian GIA 1.29  Round Rose Cut Diamond Cluster Gold Engagement Ring

Antique Georgian GIA 1.29 Round Rose Cut Diamond Cluster Gold Engagement Ring

 Jack Weir & Sons 1.37 carat Art Deco-inspired diamond engagement ring with a sapphire halo

Jack Weir & Sons 1.37 carat Art Deco-inspired diamond engagement ring with a sapphire halo

 Jack Weir & Sons 5.02 carat fancy brown marquise-cut diamond engagement ring

Jack Weir & Sons 5.02 carat fancy brown marquise-cut diamond engagement ring

 Jack Weir & Sons retro 2.23 carat sapphire and diamond engagement ring

Jack Weir & Sons retro 2.23 carat sapphire and diamond engagement ring

 A selection of vintage and retro diamond engagement rings from Jack Weir & Sons

A selection of vintage and retro diamond engagement rings from Jack Weir & Sons

A la Vieille Russie

With a story that dates back to 1851, ALVR is a family business specialising in antique jewellery, especially by the inimitable Carl Fabergé, as well as art objects and Russian works of art. Couples visiting its gallery for the perfect engagement ring won’t just find Russian period jewels though… they’ll also be able to peruse treasures from eras gone by to find the ideal bridal suite that’s right for them. Peter Schaffer, Director of the ALVR Gallery, shares this anecdote: “A young couple came to the gallery together with the intention of picking out an engagement ring together. Although they found the perfect ring, before they made their final decision they wanted to ‘think it over’. When the woman called to ask about it a few days later, we had been told by her fiancée to tell her “sorry, it has sold”. He had returned the next day to purchase the ring! While we felt a little bad doing it, we were informed of how surprised and delighted she was when she received the ring, making it all worth it.”

A La Vieille Russie 'Old Mine'-cut diamond openwork bangle set in silver and gold

A La Vieille Russie 'Old Mine'-cut diamond openwork bangle set in silver and gold

 A La Vieille Russie mid-century sapphire and diamond engagement ring

A La Vieille Russie mid-century sapphire and diamond engagement ring

 A La Vieille Russie Art Deco natural ruby and diamond engagement ring

A La Vieille Russie Art Deco natural ruby and diamond engagement ring

 A La Vieille Russie diamond festoon pendant earrings

A La Vieille Russie diamond festoon pendant earrings

 A La Vieille Russie Edwardian diamond and emerald engagement ring

A La Vieille Russie Edwardian diamond and emerald engagement ring

 A La Vieille Russie antique pear-shaped diamond cluster ring

A La Vieille Russie antique pear-shaped diamond cluster ring

 A La Vieille Russie antique natural pearl and diamond negligee necklace

A La Vieille Russie antique natural pearl and diamond negligee necklace

 A La Vieille Russie enamel and diamond necklace

A La Vieille Russie enamel and diamond necklace

Victor Barboné

Based in New York, Victor Barboné is a go-to for antique and vintage engagement rings. The business’ founder Andria Rogers experienced first-hand how hard it can be to find the perfect engagement ring, so she decided to do something about it. As well as curating a selection of period finds, the brand creates its own line of jewels by repurposing and recycling antique diamonds and vintage stones from older, unloved pieces. There’s a soft femininity to her creations, whether sparkling with old mine-cut and old European-cut stones or Art Deco-inspired emerald-cut diamonds. Andria says she “inherited patience, determination and attention to detail” from her Argentine grandfather, whom she honoured by naming her business after him. Perhaps it’s this sentiment and family connection that helps her match each individual client with the bridal jewels that are right for them? I’m sure it certainly plays a role in her matchmaking success!

Victor Barboné Florian engagement ring with a 2.81 carat 'Old Mine'-cut diamond centre stone in 18k yellow gold

Victor Barboné Florian engagement ring with a 2.81 carat 'Old Mine'-cut diamond centre stone in 18k yellow gold

 Victor Barboné three stone diamond engagement ring with a diamond-set eternity ring and yellow gold wedding band

Victor Barboné three stone diamond engagement ring with a diamond-set eternity ring and yellow gold wedding band

 Victor Barboné Mariah 2.98 carat antique pear-shaped diamond engagement ring

Victor Barboné Mariah 2.98 carat antique pear-shaped diamond engagement ring

 Victor Barboné  Art Deco-style emerald and diamond engagement ring

Victor Barboné Art Deco-style emerald and diamond engagement ring

 Victor Barboné diamond solitaire engagement ring

Victor Barboné diamond solitaire engagement ring

 Victor Barboné Zinfandel peach-toned marquise-shaped diamond engagement ring of 3.72 carats

Victor Barboné Zinfandel peach-toned marquise-shaped diamond engagement ring of 3.72 carats

 Victor Barboné Barcelona 6.16 carat 'Old Mine'-cut diamond engagement ring

Victor Barboné Barcelona 6.16 carat 'Old Mine'-cut diamond engagement ring

Norman Silverman

There’s something romantic about starting as an apprentice and then flourishing to become a master in one’s own right, don’t you think? Norman Silverman started in the world of diamond cutting and later created his own brand, Norman Silverman Diamonds, in 1983. From his base in Los Angeles, California, he creates classical bridal jewels and eternity rings set with large colourless diamonds, as well as fancy yellow, pink and blue diamonds and a smattering of coloured gemstones. You could say Norman has a ‘sixth sense’ for engagement rings… he can visualize a finished piece by holding a stone and has an uncanny ability to translate the character of a diamond into a piece worthy of its shape, colour and rarity.

Norman Silverman emerald-cut diamond lariat

Norman Silverman emerald-cut diamond lariat

 Norman Silverman round brilliant-cut diamond solitaire engagement ring

Norman Silverman round brilliant-cut diamond solitaire engagement ring

 Norman Silverman oval-shaped diamond North-South tennis bracelet

Norman Silverman oval-shaped diamond North-South tennis bracelet

 Norman Silverman three-stone diamond engagement ring

Norman Silverman three-stone diamond engagement ring

 Normal Silverman round brilliant-cut diamond necklaces

Normal Silverman round brilliant-cut diamond necklaces

 Norman Silverman oval-shaped diamond engagement ring with diamond side stones

Norman Silverman oval-shaped diamond engagement ring with diamond side stones

 Norman Silverman diamond-set hoop earrings

Norman Silverman diamond-set hoop earrings

 Norman Silverman cushion-cut diamond engagement ring

Norman Silverman cushion-cut diamond engagement ring

If you were in need of a romantic pick-me-up today, I do hope, dear reader, that this article inspired your inner-Cupid.

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