Buying Antique Engagement Rings
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There is rarely anything as beautiful as a well-cared-for, well-presented antique engagement ring, but what should you know about before committing to buy what may well be the third most expensive purchase you ever make after your home and car
Before you know it, when looking at antique diamond rings, your budget has unintentionally crept up a few dollars here and there, so stand firm. If something is just out of your budget range, by all means, tell the dealer that, and they will work with you or find you a more practical ring.
The cut itself, especially in an antique engagement ring, may not affect the price significantly, but the other 3 Cs most certainly will. Any reputable dealer will be able to produce a grading report or appraisal for the diamond(s) in any engagement ring, which will contain all the information you need to make an informed decision.
Although both gold and silver are common metals used in the manufacture of engagement rings, diamonds work particularly well with platinum as the choice of metal for the band. This is for practical reasons as well as aesthetic. Although a little more prone to scratching than gold, platinum is also much less prone to bending and shaping, and so tends to survive in better condition into old age. Platinum rings also produce a patina over time, and for that reason, most antique engagement rings ring enthusiasts will prefer platinum.
The Art Deco period has proven to be a very popular period for engagement rings and although the period itself dates from around 1920-1935 and is therefore not yet considered antique, rings were starting to appear from 1910 onward that can comfortably be defined as Art Deco.
Art Nouveau rings are truly antique, and the floral, delicate designs are very different from their more industrial-revolution-inspired counterparts. Another option is rings from the Edwardian period when parting diamonds and platinum started to grow in popularity. The point is to do a bit of research, see what you like, and know what you wish to look for. It brings us back to buying a ring for you. After all, experts can advise, but only you can know for sure what you want.
Wherever you buy your antique engagement ring, make sure the dealer is reputable. Membership of recognized trade associations is often a good sign, and means details information about the dealer may be available.
Unless you stumble across that absolute, must-have antique engagement ring early on in the process, take the time to shop around. Not because of trying to find a better price for your purchase, necessarily, but to garner an appreciation of the range of rings that will be available.
Unless you have gained the knowledge to be able to compare rings at least from an aesthetic point of view, you may be faced with seeing something you like more within days of buying your engagement ring. Not that you should, or even would, be disappointed with your choice of engagement ring, but why even take that chance.
Before opting for an older ring, first and foremost you must consider the style and preferences of that special someone who will be wearing it. A vintage engagement ring is unique and distinctive, and can have lovely detail and craftsmanship, but it may not be as sharply refined as the cutting edge, modern styles of today. If your partner prefers sleek, trendy designs with extra sparkle, a more modern ring may be a better option. If, however, they love history and romance with the charm of yesteryear, a vintage or antique ring can easily capture their flair.
Vintage and antique engagement rings have a rich history and longevity to their symbolism. These rings may already have decades or even a century or more of happy anniversaries behind them, and embody the richness of relationships that can stand the test of time. While couples may not always know the detailed history of their ring, the mystery of that past can have its own special allure as couples plan their future together.
Vintage and antique rings were crafted before modern machines created precise designs that could be easily replicated and mass produced. Expert craftsman and artisans designed and created each ring by hand, and that individual attention often gives older rings more unique designs such as lace or filigree detailing, basket settings, halo arrangements, and other one-of-a-kind options that are harder to find from modern jewelers.
Many socially-conscious couples are concerned that their engagement ring might harbor conflict diamonds, stones that were sold to help finance civil wars, terrorist actions, or human rights abuses. Because those issues only became associated with diamond mines in the early 1990s, however, older rings do not have conflict stones and couples can feel comfortable that their vintage engagement ring played no role in those atrocities.
In addition to conflict-free stones, vintage engagement rings are also more environmentally friendly choices for conscientious couples. Older rings do not require additional mining, shipping, and processing, all of which contribute to habitat loss, toxic contamination, greenhouse emissions, and more. Vintage antique engagement rings, however, are already long-since designed and only need to be enjoyed for more years to come.
Vintage engagement rings may have already stood the test of time, but they do tend to show their age and may require repairs as settings loosen with extended wear. Because of the delicate nature of their detailed, unique settings, repairs could be more expensive than with newer rings, but experienced jewelers can make arrangements to repair and strengthen even the oldest antique rings.
Because vintage engagement rings are often more exquisitely detailed, they can require more diligent, delicate maintenance to look their best. Cleanings cannot always be done in modern machines, particularly if a ring has several types of stones or the settings are excessively worn. Hand-cleaning can be painstaking, but will help keep an older ring looking magnificent with all the sparkle and shine it showcased when it was new.
Given the one-of-a-kind nature of many vintage and antique rings, it can be difficult to find a matching wedding band to create a bridal set with a vintage engagement ring. Of course, couples may opt to forgo an accompanying band, or may choose to have a band customized to fit snugly adjacent to a treasured vintage ring. Another option is to wear the engagement ring on the right hand after the wedding, and a beautiful vintage wedding ring on the left.
Evaluating the pros and cons of vintage engagement rings is important when deciding if an older ring is right to symbolize your relationship, but ultimately, the choice is up to you. Finding a ring you love and one that can represent the love you share is a happy challenge as you take this first step toward your wedded bliss.
The best retailers for vintage engagement rings are James Allen and Blue Nile. They are the top two vendors with a track record of high-quality vintage rings. For actual antiques, we recommend Abe Mor because they have a high standard for recycled jewelry, and offer a personalized experience.
Blue Nile carries a large inventory of high-quality diamonds and antique engagement ring settings. Blue Nile is especially known for their strong partnerships with jewelry manufacturers, designers, and diamond suppliers.
Abe Mor specializes in buying and selling diamond rings, making them the premier option for true antique engagement rings. Not only that, they give customers a personalized, high-end experience. Many of our readers have been very pleased with the antique engagement rings they bought from Abe Mor.
Wondering where to buy vintage engagement rings that are at least a few decades old Consider antique stores, vintage jewelry shops, and estate sales. These vendors often buy and resell engagement rings, and have a limited selection available for shoppers.
Erica Weiner, partner Lindsay Salmon, and their staff are all passionate about the history, lore, and legend of antique rings and provide a wealth of details about each ring on the website. They travel widely to find unique, quirky, and timeless heirlooms for the woman of today. Some examples from their site are below.
Why You Should Check It Out: Ever since Mia Moross launched her website when she was still in college, she has gained a steady following of women like herself: entrepreneurial, independent, and confident in their choices. She specializes in all eras of rings from Georgian through mid-century with an emphasis on antique styles with personality and a warm glow.
Why You Should Check It Out: In business for 40-plus years, Michael Khordipour and Afshin Shaddaie have been buying jewelry from estates, auctions, dealers, and wherever they can locate the rarest and most unique antique and vintage rings they can find. They are experts in all time periods of jewelry.
Why You Should Check It Out: Ashley Zhang is a contemporary jewelry designer with an affinity for antique jewelry from the Victorian through Art Deco eras. The antique and vintage rings on her website are impeccably curated, and there is an assortment of styles. In particular, she offers a small crop of rare and beautiful hand-picked Art Deco styles that are competitively priced.
Return Policy: If, for some reason, you do need to return a ring, make sure the store has a policy that you have read thoroughly and that you are comfortable with. Read the fine print about restocking fees, refunds vs. exchanges, and the timeframe allowed for returns and store credits. You should know going in that antique and vintage rings are sometimes harder to return due to the nature of their rarity and the number of rings the shop stocks.
Vintage engagement rings are from the 1980's or older. An authentic antique engagement ring comes from a certain historical Era, these Eras are the inspiration for our company name: EraGem. Unique engagement rings were made using materials, tools and methods from the different time periods. Victorian Engagement Rings 1837-1900 were primarily crafted of yellow gold, the halo setting was popular, and the tradition of engagement/wedding rings became widespread. Edwardian Engagement Rings 1901-1910 featured floral patterns in ornate platinum filigree. Art Deco Engagement Rings 1915-1930's were hand crafted with mil-grain, symmetrical, geometric, and architectural designs, and often contained colored stone accents. The Retro Era circa 1940's saw yellow and rose gold rings make a comeback and white gold began to compete with platinum. In the 1950-1980's Mid Century period, heirloom engagement rings became a popular choice. Many rings from these years feature older antique family stones that were reset into current styles or ones handed down from previous generations. Our selection includes many pre-owned modern estate engagement rings as well. The antique ring boxes are not included; however, we do have a limited selection available here: Old Ring Boxes 59ce067264
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