Antique Vintage Engagement Diamond Ring
Buying an engagement ring can be a stressful process given the importance of the meaning. An antique vintage engagement diamond ring might be a better choice given its uniqueness.
Antique Vintage Engagement Diamond Ring
Many women are tired of the same styles of engagement rings that they see in all of the mall jewelry stores and on their friends' hands. In order to really wow the woman in your life, an antique ring may be just the thing. Estate sales, as well as estate jewelry sellers and online brokers, often have just the right antique vintage engagement diamond ring for your fiancée-to-be. Antique rings are a great way to really show your taste and style, as well as a way to make sure that your engagement ring is unique.
There are quite a few different styles available for your antique vintage engagement ring, and it is important to note that these rings are often not as easily appraised as newer jewelry. Many of the vintage engagement rings available today are from the early 1900s, to around the 1940s, a time when diamonds were cut differently and the metals used were not as reliably marked. Some rings and other pieces of jewelry from this time period may be marked as one type of gold, for example, 18k - and they may actually be of a lesser quality. Reputable estate jewelry sellers will test the gold or other metals for accurate karat ratings.
The diamonds found in antique rings are also different than those found in modern rings. These diamonds were cut in a different way than diamonds are cut today, meaning that the quality and fire of the diamond may not be as eye catching as a modern diamond. Some of the diamonds in antique rings are "mine cut", a term used for a diamond that was not cut in today's style, r but instead faceted by hand in a round shape. This gave these older diamonds, also known as European cut, a less than perfect look. Many jewelry collectors prize this type of diamond, however, because they are said to have more character than a machine cut gem.
A final thing to consider before purchasing an antique vintage engagement diamond ring is that the carat weights on diamonds vary greatly throughout history. In times of prosperity, diamond engagement rings were larger, with larger diamonds. During times of financial troubles, such as in the 1930s during the Great Depression, engagement rings tended to hold smaller diamonds. This is important to consider if you are looking for a ring of a specific size and from a specific time period.
Choosing to get an antique engagement ring instead of a ring that is more modern can be a way to assure that you have purchased a unique ring. If you (or your wife to be) shudders at the thought of wearing a ring that someone else owned, you can also get antique rings reproduced using new materials - another great way to assure a different type of engagement ring.
