Antique engagement rings
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.