Antique jewelry has never been so desirable. In London, the family-owned Wave Antiques, founded in 1892, is attracting a new generation of future newlyweds in search of unique engagement rings steeped in history and meaning. We meet William Wright, representative of the fifth generation.
Did you notice the engagement ring given by American football player Travis Kelce to global pop star Taylor Swift? An old mine cut diamond, set on a finely chiseled yellow gold ring. This stone, estimated at nearly eight carats, has created a global buzz, both for its singular brilliance and its unique character, inherited from its age. Its price? According to experts, $500,000, or even a million or more.
Antique jewelry is all the rage. Many celebrities wear it with ease. Kate Middleton still wears the famous Ceylon sapphire engagement ring surrounded by diamonds, once belonging to Lady Diana, a powerful symbol. Kate Moss, fashion icon, loves Art Deco rings and Victorian jewelry in silver and diamonds. French actresses Marion Cotillard and Léa Seydoux often choose antique pieces for their public appearances. As for Inès de la Fressange, a figure of Parisian elegance, she mixes family jewelry, antique finds, and contemporary creations, favoring the patina of the old over the shine of the new.
According to the Pinterest Wedding Trend Report 2025, searches for 1920s engagement rings have exploded in the last year, while those for vintage cushion cuts have also increased significantly. This tidal wave has sometimes relegated new jewelry to the background.
So what alternative is there for a young couple who want to celebrate their engagement with an antique ring but don’t have the budget of a celebrity? The answer is clear: go to a specialist jeweler who is known for their expertise and reliability. We found one in London.
Head to Hatton Garden, the historic heart of London’s jewelry and diamond trade. This iconic neighborhood, whose specialization dates back to the early 19th century, has inspired novelists and filmmakers alike. Do you remember Diamonds Are Forever (1971), the James Bond film based on Ian Fleming’s novel, or the movie A Fish Called Wanda (1988)? Several scenes were shot there.
On the second floor of a building located at 7 Hatton Garden, William Wright welcomes us with a smile in one of the showrooms of Wave Antiques, a family business founded in 1892. Access is secure, the furniture delightfully retro, without ostentatious luxury. Here, time seems to stand still. The most important thing? Listening and customer relations.
“My family started out at the end of the 19th century selling to jewelry stores. The business grew over the decades. In 2022, we decided to sell directly to private individuals. It was an excellent decision. We are really successful with young customers who are looking for antique jewelry with history, charm, and identity,” says William Wright, whose 70-year-old father is still working, perpetuating a skill that has been passed down through five generations.
Choosing antique jewelry is a long-term commitment—and in love, that may be the most precious commitment of all.
Today, 80% of Wave Antiques’ sales are engagement rings. Antique diamonds, especially old mine cuts, are appealing because of their rarity and uniqueness. The company recently sold a ring similar to Taylor Swift’s, set with an elongated cushion-cut diamond weighing 8.17 carats. Another equally spectacular piece is currently in the works. But rest assured: Wave Antiques also offers rings for all budgets.
Why is antique jewelry so appealing?
Like vintage clothing and furniture, second-hand jewelry is becoming increasingly popular. Generations Y and Z—born between 1980 and 2000—often prefer an antique or vintage ring to a recently mined diamond or a synthetic stone produced in a laboratory (which is less expensive than a natural stone).
“I’m a vegetarian, sensitive to animal welfare and human rights issues,” says Kathleen M., a customer. “Choosing an antique ring, because it already exists, won’t have an additional environmental impact. Lab-grown diamonds all sparkle in the same way and are also very energy-intensive. “
In a century, the world has changed. Luxury remains, but consumption patterns are evolving. Wearing an antique ring becomes a statement: ”I choose the timeless over the ephemeral.” And what could be more symbolic to announce a lifelong commitment?
“Our young customers are sensitive to sustainability issues, but this interest in antique jewelry also extends to previous generations,” confirms William Wright.
Antique jewelry or vintage jewelry: how can you tell the difference?
Antique jewelry is defined as being over 100 years old. It often comes from major historical periods: the Victorian era (1837-1901), the Edwardian era (1901-1915), or the Art Deco era (1920-1930).
Vintage jewelry, on the other hand, is generally less than 100 years old, often between 20 and 50 years old, sometimes less.
Each era has its own aesthetic language. Victorian rings feature old-cut diamonds and yellow gold bands with romantic motifs such as hearts and flowers. Edwardian creations are distinguished by their delicate, openwork platinum settings. Art Deco jewelry captivates with its geometric, symmetrical lines and sparkling stones.
Each piece comes with independent certification guaranteeing its origin and period.
Trends are also changing. “In 2025, yellow diamonds were particularly popular, while emeralds dominated in 2024. We have to keep up with demand. To do this, I hunt for pieces all over the world: in London, of course, but also in New York, Hong Kong, Miami, and Las Vegas,” explains the thirty-something CEO.
How can you make an appointment at Wave Antiques and enjoy the experience?
Despite its decidedly old-fashioned look, the company has brilliantly invested in social media. Present on Instagram and TikTok, Wave Antiques inspires lovers in search of the perfect ring. Word of mouth, meanwhile, continues to operate discreetly in informed circles.
Unlike traditional jewelry stores, the company only accepts appointments. Here, love at first sight takes time to mature.
On the Wave Antiques website, you can make an appointment by indicating the items you would like to see. The displays will be prepared before your arrival. And other surprises await you.
Digital sales already account for 10 to 20% of sales to private individuals—a proportion that is set to grow. A VIP offer, including a return trip on the Eurostar for French customers, is even being considered… Shhh, we didn’t tell you anything.
Is buying antique jewelry a good idea?
Overall, antique jewelry remains more affordable than new creations, even if its value is increasing. If well cared for, an antique engagement ring increases in value over time.
“Our prices are on average 20% lower than those of traditional jewelers. Our upstairs showroom reduces our costs. We don’t advertise or do press relations. Some pieces sell for three to five times more in central London, in the Mayfair or Bond Street areas,” says William Wright.
In addition, Wave Antiques is committed to social responsibility: 1% of each sale is donated to Surfers Against Sewage, an organization that has been working to protect the oceans since 1990.
For more information, visit: https://waveantiques.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waveantiques/
TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@waveantiques/video/7542974956292902166
Wave Antiques
7 Hatton Garden London EC1N 8AD
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Featured photo: Antique jewelry at Wave Antiques. DR
