6 Reasons to Buy A Vintage Engagement Ring (2024)

You have a lot of things to consider when selecting an engagement ring. After all, it is a piece that you will be wearing every day for many years. It can be difficult to choose from the many options available in diamond engagement rings. This is especially true when they all look very similar.

An antique or vintage diamond engagement ring makes a great choice and you might find an alluring vintage engagement ring to be the perfect fit.

Unique Designs

Vintage engagement rings are rare because they aren't mass-produced. They have more character and personality, and are truly one-of-a kind. Our clients are looking for something unique and not the same as everyone else. Vintage engagement rings are often unique because they have intricate engravings, millegrains, enamel, and calibre set stones. These details aren't as common in modern jewellery.

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Because each ring is handmade, there are no exact copies. Vintage rings are a great choice for someone looking for something unique. The best thing about vintage rings is the fact that they can still be worn today, even though many are over 100 years old. They have stood the test of time and it will never be questioned why you fell for this trend.

They Are Sustainable

The fact that antique or vintage engagement rings can be used to create new ones is a sign of sustainability. Because the diamonds were extracted decades ago, you don't need to worry about them being conflict-free. It doesn't matter if you use energy to make something else.

Diamond Cuts & Gemstones

Because they were hand-cut, old cut diamonds and gemstones have a unique look that is hard to find in machine-cut stones. Each diamond and gemstone are cut by hand, so each one is unique. This results in a more interesting personality and character.
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Although there are many cutters who can cut old miners, old Euros or rose cuts today, very few know how to preserve the charm of the older cuts. A computer program could not be used to determine the largest stone from a rough piece. The older stones are generally more interesting.

Fine Craftsmanship

The ring's quality was unmatched, regardless of whether it was made in America or France. All items were made by hand. It was hard work to train for an artistic career. Jewelers used to have to be apprenticed for many years before being able to create their own work. They were skilled in many areas, including engraving, millegrain and pave.Today, there are very few people who still do the old way. Today, most craftspeople are skilled in only one technique.
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Most pieces today are cast and accepted. It's very rare for jewellers to make a piece of jewellery by hand. It is now prohibitively expensive to create pieces by hand.

Romantic Histories

It's romantic to know that someone's ring is part of their story. The historical aspect is also important. Each era has its own unique visual style that reflects the fashion of the time. The Belle Epoque was rich in scrolls and flourishes.

These pieces are more refined and lighter. The Art Deco era saw the trend towards geometric shapes and more use of coloured gemstones. Platinum was back in fashion after the war.

Excellent Value

Vintage engagement rings are generally very affordable. Second-hand dealers often buy what is on the market. When pricing a piece, they don't often consider the cost for the mounting. This is despite the fact that the mounting was made by skilled craftsmen.

It is difficult to recreate the cost of engraving or millegrain today. Mounting is often a very valuable part of the overall value. The majority of the cost of a stone is usually in its mounting. The stone that does come out usually weighs more than we estimated. This is a huge benefit to the consumer.

August 02, 2022 — CG Hart

6 Reasons to Buy A Vintage Engagement Ring (2024)

FAQs

Why choose a vintage engagement ring? ›

An antique or vintage diamond engagement ring makes a great choice and you might find an alluring vintage engagement ring to be the perfect fit. Vintage engagement rings are rare because they aren't mass-produced. They have more character and personality, and are truly one-of-a kind.

What are the 5 C's of buying a ring? ›

Each diamond is unique being a combination of various qualities. These qualities are universally described as the 5 C's – Carat, Cut, Colour, Clarity and Confidence.

Are vintage rings worth 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.

What are the characteristics of a vintage engagement ring? ›

Rings from this period were generally platinum and included intricate metalwork called filigree in designs featuring scrolling, ribbons, and vines. Floral motifs were also popular. Although diamonds and pearls continued to be popular, colored gemstones appeared in jewelry more frequently.

How to choose a vintage ring? ›

LAPADA Guide to Buying an Antique Engagement Ring
  1. Pay attention to the type of ring you are buying. ...
  2. Avoid stones that will break easily. ...
  3. Avoid rings that spread across the finger lengthwise. ...
  4. Verify what type of metal the ring is set in. ...
  5. Look for quality and condition.

What is the old rule for buying an engagement ring? ›

One of the most infamous wedding etiquette rules revolves around how many months' salary one should spend on the engagement ring. It's known as the "three months' salary" rule, and it implies that a buyer should put three months of their salary toward a sparkler for their future spouse.

What's the rule of thumb for buying an engagement ring? ›

To put that number into perspective, the three-month rule means that someone making $50,000 per year ought to spend $12,500 on the engagement ring. If a budget of three months' income seems like too big of a stretch for your lifestyle, you've got plenty of company.

What is most important in an engagement ring? ›

Out of the 4 C's of diamonds, the cut of the diamond is the most important. This is followed by color, clarity, and carat weight.

What is the golden rule for engagement ring prices? ›

When it comes to buying a diamond ring, the rule of thumb used in the industry is a 3 month's salary guideline. This is the rule that most people are familiar with especially if you had done some browsing around or research.

What age is a vintage ring? ›

Expert Tips for Identifying Authentic Vintage Jewellery Pieces. The term 'vintage' refers to pieces of jewellery that are older than 40 years and younger than 100, although some may consider that pieces made in the 1980s fall into this category too.

Why are vintage engagement rings so cheap? ›

While vintage jewelry enthusiasts exist, demand is generally lower compared to that for modern engagement rings; thus allowing sellers to provide more accessible prices in order to attract potential customers.

What considered vintage rings? ›

Most people refer to 'vintage' jewellery as pieces that are between 50 and 100 years old. Certain eras with distinct styles may be referred to as vintage even if the jewellery from that time isn't yet fifty years old. For example, jewellery from the 1980s has mass appeal due to the recent style renaissance of that era.

How do I know my ring is vintage? ›

Patina and Wear: Look for signs of aging, patina, or wear on the jewelry. Vintage pieces may show slight signs of tarnish, scratches, or fading, which can add to their charm and authenticity. Style and Design Elements: Pay attention to the overall style and design elements of the jewelry.

What kind of engagement ring is timeless? ›

With an art deco inspiration due to the clean lines and symmetry, emerald cuts are extremely timeless and pair well with many different settings. Its large, step-cut facets showcase the diamond's clarity and inner beauty, and give the appearance of longer and thinner fingers.

How to date a vintage engagement ring? ›

First, check for hallmarks and a maker's mark on the inside of your band. These markings may provide information about the jeweller who originally created the piece, its country of origin, and sometimes even the date of manufacture.

What is the difference between vintage and antique ring? ›

A piece of jewellery should be described as antique if it is over 100 years old. As jewellery passes over the 100-year age mark, it technically becomes classified as antique as opposed to vintage, but as we have learned already – it's common for the lines to be blurred, especially with unique engagement rings.

Why do you love vintage jewelry? ›

The quality is better. Today, most modern jewellery is cast. Antique and vintage jewellery was almost always hand-made or at the very least (in the case of newer, vintage jewellery) hand-finished.

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