The Bite Magazine - Spring/Summer 2021 - Issue 29

bitejewellery encircles two old cut diamonds that ooze vintage charm.” It has two synthetic square-cut rubies at the centre - the majority of accent rubies in rings from the Edwardian and Art Deco decades were synthetic stones. The 31 rose-cut diamonds are set to form the figure-of-eight design and extend part-way around the band. From 1920 to 1935, the Art Deco era was one of the most significant periods in the history of jewellery design.With geometric proportions, con - trasting patterns and angular shapes, most jewellery in this era had a modern, sleek aes - thetic considered the epitome of sophistication. French toi et moi rings, meaning ‘you and me’, featuring two diamonds set side by side and symbolising two souls becoming one, also became popular during the Art Deco era. Named after Daisy Buchanan from The Great Gatsby, the Daisy Sapphire Art Deco Engagement Ring has a linear silhouette of 2.88-carat emerald-cut blue sapphire mirrored in the halo of diamonds set to form a spar - kling frame around the centre stone. “Crafted in platinum and 18-carat white gold, the setting is further embellished with del - icate millegrain detailing.” This authentic Art Deco engagement is a stunning example of 1920s design and craftsmanship with the hallmarks of an heirloom jewel. The mid-century era created a symbolic saying regarding dia - monds. After the SecondWorld War ended in 1945, platinum was scarce, so most engagement rings were made, predomi - nantly, in yellow gold. In 1947, De Beers unveiled its iconic ‘A Diamond is Forever’ advertising campaign, which coincided with the opening of the jeweller’s African mines. In 1953, Marilyn Monroe sang ‘Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend’ from the movie Gentlemen Prefer Blondes covered in sparkling stones. This catapulted the popularity of the modern sparkly round brilliant cut diamond in the early 1950s and since then has remained the most popular gem for engagement rings. “In terms of style, larger centre diamonds were the most desirable, often set with smaller side stones,” the brand explained. “If you didn’t have the means to buy a big diamond, illusion settings designed specifically to make the centre stone appear larger were the fashionably affordable choice.” Evelyn 0.5 Carat Diamond Mid-Century Engagement Ring is stylish with an old brilliant-cut diamond with a quintessential design. The classic eight-claw design is set with six small dia - monds on either side of the centre stone. “Mixing metals also became popular in the ‘50s, with the pure white of the platinum serving to amplify the brilliance of the diamonds.