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.
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Featured Photo: Antique jewelry at Wave Antiques. DR
