The vintage market is becoming more and more popular, as couples are
developing interests in the unique styles available from engagement ring
designers from past generations. Even modern day engagement rings can
be daunting to shop for, but in the world of vintage engagement rings
the designs are often more complicated and the age of some of the rings
can cause complications. There are a number of aspects of vintage design
to consider when purchasing, so here are some pointers that will
hopefully lead you to the right engagement ring.
Many couples have a preconception of vintage engagement rings being out of their price range, but this needn’t be the case when you know what you’re after. Costly modern engagement rings are typically linked to the carat of diamonds. However, when shopping for vintage rings the main factor affecting the price range is likely to be the age of the ring. Pieces by engagement ring designers of the late 19th century Victorian era can be extremely difficult to find in the first place, and the price may well reflect that effort, as the rarity of these antiques often leads to higher prices. A good piece of advice is to look in places other than the large retail jewellers, check out family owned jewellers as well, where you might find a hidden treasure.
Many couples have a preconception of vintage engagement rings being out of their price range, but this needn’t be the case when you know what you’re after. Costly modern engagement rings are typically linked to the carat of diamonds. However, when shopping for vintage rings the main factor affecting the price range is likely to be the age of the ring. Pieces by engagement ring designers of the late 19th century Victorian era can be extremely difficult to find in the first place, and the price may well reflect that effort, as the rarity of these antiques often leads to higher prices. A good piece of advice is to look in places other than the large retail jewellers, check out family owned jewellers as well, where you might find a hidden treasure.
Be sure to ask some questions about the gems when you spot a ring you’re
looking to buy, as the quality can vary massively from piece to piece.
If the ring is very old then ask whether the gem/s have been replaced.
More often than not, the best quality gems in vintage rings are found in
pieces from the Edwardian period (1901-1910). Imperfections on the gem,
whether diamond, sapphire or any kind of stone, can either prompt you
to negotiate further on the price tag or look for a better quality ring.
Often the mentality of shopping for vintage engagement rings is very personal and more involved with finding the right ring for the person, rather than the biggest diamond. This allows more freedom to shop around to find the right design, and it can be a very rewarding experience as you journey from place to place to find the perfect vintage piece with character and a rich history. Ask about the engagement ring designers, and how the ring got to where it is today, because its journey might be of some significance to you.
Often the mentality of shopping for vintage engagement rings is very personal and more involved with finding the right ring for the person, rather than the biggest diamond. This allows more freedom to shop around to find the right design, and it can be a very rewarding experience as you journey from place to place to find the perfect vintage piece with character and a rich history. Ask about the engagement ring designers, and how the ring got to where it is today, because its journey might be of some significance to you.
