Few pieces of jewelry have as great a symbolic power as the ring. It is one of the oldest pieces of jewelry in human history, found in all cultures, and worn by both women and men. Its form alone – the ring has neither beginning nor end – stands for eternity and infinity. Once, however, rings were not only used as jewelry, but also represented objects of value that served as a means of exchange and payment. Ancient "ring money" was one of the pre-coinage currencies, a kind of "jewelry money". Over the course of cultural history, however, the ring has taken on more and more meanings. In antiquity and medieval Europe, rings remained reserved for the upper class. They were considered a symbol of prosperity and wealth and, through the signet ring, became symbols of authority, power, and dignity. Gradually, however, they also increasingly served ritual purposes, such as mourning or as documentation of a given marriage promise.

Today, the choice of material, value, and design is more decisive for the symbolism of a ring. There are endless possibilities, so no wishes are left unfulfilled.

At PreJou, you will find a comprehensive selection of vintage rings. To give you an overview, we present the most common types of vintage rings here.

Stackable Ring

A ring, also referred to as a stacking ring, is a narrow, usually intricately designed ring that is worn in combination with a second, often wider ring. Depending on personal preference, it is worn before or behind the second one. The look becomes very individual in a variation of several different rings. This jewelry has a long tradition in Great Britain and the USA. It is pushed onto the finger before the wedding ring after the ceremony.

Eternity Ring (Memoire Ring, Memory Ring, Alliance Ring)

This is a diamond ring that is set all around (or halfway) with sparkling gemstones. Its form – it has neither beginning nor end – is also responsible for its name. Eternity – infinity.  The basic idea of this ring is to capture especially beautiful memories and moments in life in the form of diamonds. Due to this symbolism, the Alliance Ring is often chosen as a gift for very special occasions. The brilliant-cut diamonds remind of important milestones in life, a significant anniversary, passing the final exams, or the engagement. Not infrequently, memory rings are chosen so that the number of diamonds corresponds to the years of the relationship or anniversary.

Signet Ring

Originally, the signet ring was reserved for the nobility. They had their coat of arms engraved into the extremely conspicuous rings, so that they could press them into the wax seals of letters and dispatches as a kind of certificate of authenticity. Even today, variations of the classic signet ring are worn by Bundeswehr officers, university graduates, and student fraternities. Or simply as a decorative piece of jewelry, mainly for men.

Band Ring

Similar to the conventional wedding ring, the band ring has a uniformly wide ring band. This shape lends itself to being embellished with a colored gemstone in a cabochon cut. Often, the colored stone is further framed by two diamonds. The stones are fixed using a rubbed-in setting, so they are directly integrated into the piece of jewelry. The band ring is considered the classic par excellence. Due to the comfortable ring band and the recessed, well-protected stones, it offers a high level of comfort and is perfectly suited for everyday wear and every occasion. A vintage ring that always fits.

Solitaire Ring

Solitaire rings are probably the most popular variant of the diamond ring. They are often chosen as classic engagement rings. They take their name from the French term "Solitaire" (= loner), as a single diamond sits on the ring band. The first solitaire rings were made around 1886 according to designs by Tiffany&Co. They quickly established themselves as the classic engagement ring and even displaced the traditional and widely spread variant with a blue sapphire.

Here at PreJou you will find a large selection of vintage solitaire rings and vintage engagement rings.

Tension Ring

The form of the tension ring, newly developed in the USA, is characterized by a modern and timeless look. The gemstone –  mainly a brilliant-cut diamond – is held in the ring band without an additional setting. It does not run continuously, but receives a cutout for the solitaire. This is thus held solely by the high tension of the ring band between the two open ends and appears to float freely. Since the brilliant-cut diamond or gemstone in this ring variant is not covered by any setting, the stone is also freely visible from the sides and unfolds an incredible fire.

 Toi & Moi Ring

The Toi & Moi Ring is one of the most romantic pieces of jewelry ever and is currently experiencing a revival. The term comes from French and means "You & Me". The ring is first specifically mentioned in the year 1796 as none other than the famous military commander and later French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte – at that time still a general in the revolutionary army and without great wealth – asked for the hand of his beloved Joséphine de Beaucharnais. Later, John F. Kennedy also chose a Toi & Moi Ring to propose to Jacqueline Bouvier, the later First Lady Jackie Kennedy. From then on, this ring, which stands as a symbol for love, for connection, for two hearts that beat for each other, was worn primarily as an engagement ring. Characteristic of this model is that it is set with two central gemstones, usually diamonds.

Halo Ring

In a Halo Ring, a central gemstone is framed by a wreath of small diamonds. The name "Halo", which is actually the designation for the bright rings of light that surround the planets, hits the character of the ring more than true. The diamond wreath forms a radiant ring around a central, larger gemstone and intensifies its color and brilliance many times over. The probably most famous example of a Halo Ring with a blue sapphire is the former engagement ring of Princess Diana, with which Prince William then also asked for the hand of his wife Kate Middleton.

Ballerina Ring

The Ballerina Ring is, strictly speaking, a variant of the Halo Ring. Here too, a large central gemstone is framed by a wreath of diamonds. However, the surrounding diamonds here are not chosen in brilliant cut but in trapezoid cut. This is why the overall picture viewed from above reminds of the folds of an opened ballet skirt, the so-called tutu. Freely inspired by the famous ballerina pictures of the impressionist painter Edgar Degas.

In the assortment of PreJou you will find countless vintage rings. If it should be a vintage ring with a diamond or brilliant, then you will perhaps find it here. If the strong colors of gemstones say more to you, feel free to look at our selection of vintage rings with gemstones.If you are looking for a very special model, feel free to contact us and we will do our best to find your dream vintage ring with you.