Antique Engagement Rings
Learn about plain antique
engagement rings and antique style engagement rings.
Also see
cheap platinum engagement rings,
inexpensive
moissanite engagement rings and
inexpensive wedding rings

One of the biggest
trends in engagement ring style is going vintage with true antique
or antique style engagement rings.
These rings are stylish and
classy because they’re a work of art and a piece of history. When
you wear an antique engagement ring, you are wearing a ring that is
truly unique.
Antique engagement rings
are one of a kind and often created with better craftsmanship than
modern engagement rings. Even plain antique engagement rings are
often more ornate than modern ones.
Want to know more? Read on and
learn all about antique engagement rings, how to find them and where
to buy them. You’ll also find tips on buying antique replica
engagement rings.
About
Antique Engagement Rings
When
applied to an engagement ring, the term “antique” means that the
ring is over fifty years old. When you start looking into antique
engagement rings, don’t get confused by estate rings which are less
than fifty years old, but may be previously used as well. Vintage
rings are not necessarily antiques either; they could be antique
engagement ring replicas or just generally old rings.
Antique
engagement rings are crafted with quality that you won’t find in
other types of engagement rings, so check with your jeweler to make
sure the ring is really old enough to be antique.
Also
know that not every antique engagement ring will be a diamond ring.
Though we prize diamonds for rings today, opals, pearls, sapphires,
rubies and other stones were used for rings of yesteryear.
Ornate or Plain
Antique Engagement Rings?
It depends on the era...
When
you look for an antique engagement ring, there are several different
time periods to consider. The styling and detail will vary largely
from one era to another. The big time frames to know for antique
rings are Victorian (1830’s - 1900), Edwardian (1900 - 1920) and Art
Deco (1920 – 1940.) The styles from these periods will vary from
plain antique engagement rings to very ornate gaudy designs.
Rings from
the Victorian era are typically more plain antique engagement rings
made from yellow or rose tinted gold. These rings typically contain
rows of diamonds and sometimes pearl accents as well.
Antique
engagement rings from the Edwardian period are usually made from
platinum or white gold with mountings in thin lacey designs called
filigree. Metallurgy had improved with technology, so engagement
rings became more ornate, often with designs of flowers or leaves
(very much like Art Nouveau at the end of the period.) Diamonds and
sapphires were both popular center-stones for this time frame.
Possibly the
most popular of antique engagement rings are rings from the Art Deco
period. These rings are streamlined with geometric accents and are
unmistakably unique.

Where
to Buy an Antique Engagement Ring
There
are several different places where you can purchase an antique
engagement ring. The places you can find an antique engagement ring
include online jewelers, antique stores, traditional jewelers, pawn
shops, estate sales, flea markets, consignment shops and even Ebay. We
recommend that you only buy from a reputable jeweler unless you are
well versed in antiques.
A jeweler who specializes in antique
jewelry can help guide you through your purchase.
When
you buy an antique engagement ring, be sure to have thorough
descriptions of the ring on hand. You should have in writing, the
age, condition, cut, color, carat and clarity of the ring as well as
any other descriptive features. You should also only work with a
jeweler who has a return policy or guarantee. Get the ring
appraised as soon as you’ve purchased it to validate its
authenticity.
Antique Replica Engagement Rings
If you
can’t afford to buy a true antique engagement ring, you don’t have
to sacrifice the antique look. These days, you can buy an antique
engagement ring replica and nobody will be able to tell the
difference. Antique replicas are typically called antique style
engagement rings. These rings are much cheaper than true antiques
but look just as nice.
You can
purchase antique style engagement rings from a jewelry store or an
online store that specializes in antique style rings. You’ll
probably find a better selection from an online jeweler, so that’s a
good place to start looking at antique ring styles.
With antique
style engagement rings, you don’t have the high cost or extensive
search as you would have with a true antique.
|