Design Your Antique-Style Engagement Ring Inspired by Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift’s engagement ring has captivated the world with its vintage elegance and thoughtful details. From the antique cushion cut diamond to the warm yellow gold setting and unique side stones, it’s the perfect example of how antique-inspired design can feel both timeless and deeply personal.
At Buchroeders Jewelers, we bring this same level of artistry to life through our custom engagement ring design process. Here’s how you can achieve an antique-style look, step by step.
Source: @taylorswift on instagram
The Gallery: Framing the Center Diamond
The gallery—the side view of the ring—is often where antique-style craftsmanship shines the most. While many modern rings keep the gallery simple, antique and vintage-inspired designs showcase intricate details that add hidden beauty visible from every angle.
Taylor Swift’s ring incorporates a bezel-like rim that secures her antique cushion cut diamond, paired with delicate engraved accents for a vintage feel. At Buchroeders, we specialize in creating custom galleries that blend artistry with durability, giving your engagement ring the same heirloom-level character.
Examples of Antique-Style Galleries You Can Incorporate:
Open Filigree Galleries
Featuring hand-crafted wire or lace-like details under the center stone, filigree galleries add a romantic, airy quality to antique rings. These designs were popular in Edwardian jewelry and create a delicate yet durable frame.
Bezel & Engraved Galleries
A partial or full bezel around the diamond creates security while allowing for engraving or milgrain (tiny beaded details). This style combines vintage charm with modern wearability.
Floral & Nature-Inspired Galleries
Antique jewelers often hid tiny flowers, leaves, or scrolls in the gallery. This adds a touch of whimsy and creates a personal story—perfect for clients who want something subtly symbolic.
Cathedral Galleries
The shank of the ring rises up in sweeping arches to meet the center stone, reminiscent of cathedral architecture. This style was especially popular in vintage and antique settings, and gives the ring a regal, dramatic profile.
Hidden Diamond Galleries
A row of small diamonds or accent stones is placed under the center diamond in the gallery. This creates a surprise sparkle visible only from certain angles—a favorite choice for those who want modern luxury with antique flair.
Why the Gallery Matters
A beautifully designed gallery makes your ring stunning from every angle, not just from the top view. It’s also one of the best ways to incorporate antique-inspired details into a custom engagement ring without altering the classic look of the center stone.
At Buchroeders, our custom design team can sketch and 3D-model your preferred gallery style—whether you want a filigree Edwardian look, a hand-engraved floral motif, or a cathedral-inspired profile—so your ring is as unique as your love story.
Stone Selection: Antique Cuts with Character
The centerpiece of Taylor Swift’s ring is an antique cushion (old mine brilliant) cut diamond, prized for its romantic glow and hand-cut facets. Unlike modern diamonds, which are precision-cut to maximize brilliance, antique cuts carry unique personality—each stone reflects the craftsmanship of its era.
At Buchroeders, we offer both genuine antique diamonds and modern stones cut in vintage styles, giving you the freedom to select a stone that reflects your style, story, and budget.
Popular Antique Diamond Cuts We Offer:
Old Mine Cut
Known as the predecessor to the modern cushion cut, old mine cuts date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. They have a soft square shape with rounded corners, a smaller table (top facet), and a high crown. Their chunky facets produce a candlelight-like glow, perfect for those who want romance and authenticity.
Old European Cut
Emerging in the late 1800s, the old European cut features a round shape with large facets, an open culet (small flat bottom facet), and a tall crown. It’s one of the most popular antique cuts today for couples who want vintage charm with a classic round outline.
Rose Cut
Popular in Georgian and Victorian jewelry, rose cuts feature a flat bottom and a domed, faceted top. They reflect light softly and romantically, making them a favorite for clients who want a subtle, ethereal sparkle.
Antique Cushion Cut (Old Mine Brilliant)
Similar to the old mine, this cut bridges the gap between antique hand-cut styles and modern cushions. It’s characterized by a pillow-like shape and larger facets, offering a blend of vintage elegance and wearable sparkle.
Asscher Cut (Early 20th Century)
With step-cut facets and a square shape, the Asscher cut rose to popularity during the Art Deco era. Its symmetry and bold geometry offer a more structured antique feel, perfect for those who love architectural lines.
Why Antique Cuts Stand Out
Each antique cut diamond tells a story—its facets, proportions, and character reflect the techniques of the time it was created. Unlike modern diamonds, no two antique stones are exactly alike, which makes them as unique as the love stories they symbolize.
At Buchroeders, we guide you through selecting an antique or antique-inspired cut that aligns with your style, from the romantic glow of an old mine cut to the bold geometry of an Asscher.
Antique Engagement Ring FAQs
What is an antique cushion cut diamond?
An antique cushion cut, also called an old mine cut, is a hand-cut diamond style popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. It features larger facets, a softer square or rectangular shape, and a romantic, candlelight sparkle.
Are antique diamonds rare?
Yes. Genuine antique diamonds were cut by hand more than a century ago, making them rare and highly collectible. At Buchroeders, we also offer newly cut diamonds in antique-inspired styles for a similar look with modern precision.
Why is yellow gold often used in antique rings?
Yellow gold has been a traditional choice for centuries. Its warm tone complements antique cuts beautifully, enhancing their vintage character.
Can I customize a ring to look like Taylor Swift’s?
Absolutely. While Taylor’s ring is unique to her, Buchroeders can help you design a custom piece with similar features—such as an antique cushion cut, yellow gold setting, and half-moon side stones—tailored to your preferences and budget.
Metal Color: The Warmth of Yellow Gold
Taylor’s engagement ring is set in 18k yellow gold, which enhances the diamond’s warmth and adds to the antique aesthetic. Yellow gold has been used in fine jewelry for centuries, making it the ideal choice for creating a vintage-inspired ring.
At Buchroeders, you can choose from yellow gold, rose gold, or platinum to complement your diamond. Each metal brings out a different character in the design, allowing you to customize the look while maintaining the antique feel.
Special Half-Moon Design: Unique Side Stones
One of the most distinctive elements of Taylor’s ring is the half-moon side stones that flank the center diamond. These curved accents balance the cushion cut beautifully, adding symmetry and a subtle sparkle without overpowering the main stone.
Buchroeders can incorporate half-moons, tapered baguettes, or other antique-style side stones into your custom design. Combined with engraving or milgrain detailing, these elements create a ring that feels both timeless and uniquely yours.
Proposal-Ready Engagement Rings at Buchroeders
Not every couple has the time—or desire—to wait for a custom ring to be made. That’s why Buchroeders also offers an extensive collection of proposal-ready engagement rings.
These rings are carefully curated, set, and ready to go—so you can find a stunning design that captures the antique or modern look you’re after and propose without delay. Many of our proposal-ready rings feature antique-inspired settings, unique side stone arrangements, and timeless yellow gold or platinum bands, giving you instant access to rings with heirloom appeal.
Whether you’re looking for a custom design inspired by Taylor Swift or a proposal-ready option you can take home today, Buchroeders has the perfect ring waiting for you.
Create Your Antique-Style Ring at Buchroeders
Taylor Swift’s engagement ring proves that antique-inspired designs are as relevant today as they were a century ago. At Buchroeders Jewelers, our custom design team can help you recreate this look—or craft something entirely your own—with the same timeless elegance.
Schedule your custom consultation today or explore our proposal-ready collection to find the perfect engagement ring.
