Antique engagement rings are a unique and elegant alternative to buying a
new ring.
The tradition of giving separate rings for the engagement and the marriage may
have started in Victorian England in the late 1800s when the first DeBeers
diamond mines increased the popularity of the diamond engagement ring.
Early diamonds were not nearly as brilliant as those in today's rings. The first
mine-cut diamonds were not very clear. Cutting improved in the early 20th
century with the diamonds cut in Europe. These diamonds are often found in rings
from the Art Deco period. Diamond cutting continued to improve until it evolved
into the brilliant cut that is still done today.
While the diamonds in Victorian rings don’t have the clarity of the diamonds in
newer rings, the stones are larger. In the 1900s and through the Great
Depression, the diamonds in rings became smaller. The quality of a diamond
affects the price, including clarity, but clarity isn't as important in antique
rings as it is in new rings. The value of antique rings depends more on the
demand for rings of specific periods.
The most popular vintage rings were made during the Victorian Era through the
1940s. Each period boasts distinct styles, settings, and stones. Victorian rings
are generally set in yellow- or rose-colored gold. The stone in these rings may
be a diamond, but pearls were just as commonly chosen. Edwardian rings have a
filigree design, sometimes with Jewish or Christian symbols in the filigree.
Art Deco rings from the 1920s are generally made of platinum, white gold, or
silver with bezel settings. This setting makes a small diamond appear larger. In
the 1930s and ‘40s, rings became smaller and less ornate. During the war years,
platinum was used less often and yellow or white gold became the common material
for rings. Carvings on the shank and the settings made the center stone appear
larger.
You can find antique rings at antique stores, jewelry stores, and estate sales.
Antique stores often carry jewelry, although some dealers are more knowledgeable
than others about the history and value of rings from different periods.
Sometimes you can get a really good deal, as some stores undersell antique
jewelry because they don’t know its value. If an antique ring does not come with
a certificate, have it independently appraised for insurance.
Jewelers, on the other hand, are usually knowledgeable about the value of any
vintage rings they carry. You may not get as good a deal with a jeweler, but you
will have peace of mind knowing the value, authenticity, and quality of any ring
you buy. When you buy from a jeweler, you will be given a certificate for the
diamond.
Estate sales are great for finding antique wedding jewelry. Often you can
arrange to view the items for sale the day before the estate sale. Before going
to an estate sale, read about the value and characteristics of antique rings to
help you determine the value of any ring you might want to purchase. Before the
sale, inspect the ring carefully to decide how high you will bid. You can find
information on antique rings in books at the library or on the Internet.
Antique diamond jewelry and engagement rings will retain their beauty for many
years if you care for them properly. Before you purchase a ring, have a jeweler
inspect the prongs carefully to make sure the stone won't come loose and cause
you to lose your diamond. Once or twice a year, take the ring to your jeweler
for professional cleaning and inspection. |
