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Last Updated on April 5, 2024 by Steal the Style
There are so many brides-to-be out there that are so passionate about putting on a vintage engagement ring. The reason is that there’s something quite romantic about wearing a ring that has some kind of history to it.
This kind of feeling you don’t get from wearing an ordinary diamond rock. But you have to understand that shopping for a vintage ring can be a hectic job, and that’s why we are here to assist you in shopping for the right type of piece for the occasion. If you are in the market for vintage engagement rings, then you want to take proper care to ensure you get something special.
Here are a few tips on shopping for your prime rings.
In This Post:
1. Learn More About their History
Prime ring shoppers must understand what they are getting into before they go on a hunt for a unique piece. We have come to the understanding that vintage jewelry shoppers might develop a kind of sentimental attachment to a piece, and that might be what propels them to get one for themselves.
You have to be mindful of your lifestyle, how often do you want to wear the ring, and where are you wearing them to?
You have to understand the kind of vintage ring that you are buying. How do they wear them, where exactly do you wear them to and for how long can you wear them? For example, you cannot wear the Georgian ring in wet surroundings because water can damage the foil behind the diamond and darken the stone.
On the other hand, Edwardian rings have fragile filigree. You do not want to drop them and step on them accidentally. That’s why you have to learn more about the piece before you shop for them.
Take a look at the following benefits of knowing more about the history of your prospect vintage jewelry pieces:
- Be more inspired to take good care of your vintage jewelry because of the associated historical background attached to it.
- Determine how people in the past wear those vintage jewelry pieces so you can fully embody the feeling of wearing such unique pieces.
- Make your vintage jewelry a legacy by passing it to your children in the future, along with the rich story behind each piece.
2. Be Able to Differentiate Between a Vintage Jewelry and a Garb
Being able to know how to handle your jewelry doesn’t make you an expert at differentiating a real vintage piece from a costume piece. Custom vintage pieces bring out the best in your wardrobe, highlighting your unique personality. Lots of the antique jewelry you see at antique stores are mostly costume pieces.
Costume rings might be gold-plated, or silver-plated rather than the solid gold, or might possess’ non- precious crystals and gemstones rather than the precious stones of a vintage ring.
The costume rings will be a lot cheaper than the real deal, so any time you feel you are getting a ridiculously good bargain, then you probably might be getting a costume ring. You can learn more from this link on how to identify real jewelry.
3. Shop from a Reputable Place
There are lots of cities that have excellent vintage jewelry stores and auctioneers. There’s also a reasonable number of high stores with outstanding reputations online that you can shop from.
Shopping from a reputable store doesn’t just assure you of the quality of your ring, it also means that you will get trustworthy guidance and advice.
Check the following tips to ensure you’re dealing with a reputable vintage jewelry store:
- Read Reviews: Just make sure you read up on reviews left by previous customers because this means they have acquired a piece from the store, and they are satisfied with the services provided.
- Visit the Website: Check the jewelry store if it has a website. If they have, browse their product offerings online. It’s a good idea to check the vintage jewelry’s ‘About Us’ page to know the history and company profile of the business.
- Ask for Referrals: You can ask for referrals from your family and friends. You probably know someone who is also fond of wearing or collecting vintage jewelry pieces.
- Compare Products: It won’t hurt comparing the products and services of two different jewelry stores, which is highly beneficial if you’re planning to buy many pieces to treat yourself this holiday.
4. Make Sure to Get the Right Paperwork
It isn’t just about the kind of stone you are going to be acquiring or the weight of the stone. The ring must have its right certificate. All gemstones and diamonds have a gemological report. This way, you know exactly if what you are getting is worth it.
If the gemstones do not have a gemological report, make sure you seek the opinion of a reliable expert who will be able to provide you with an honest assessment of the stones. You can check here to find out why documentation is necessary for a gem piece.
Check the important benefits of making sure the jewelry has the right paperwork:
- Get the best value for your money knowing that you’ll buy authentic vintage jewelry pieces from a trusted seller.
- Avoid wasting too much money on a piece of cheap or fake vintage jewelry. Expert vintage jewelers and enthusiasts know how to detect fake ones.
- Having documentation or paperwork will also give you peace of mind that you can sell the items in the future at a higher price because you have proof of authenticity. As mentioned, expert vintage jewelry buyers know what is fake or not.
5. Find Out More About your Preferred Stone Styles
It doesn’t matter whether you are shopping for a ring of your own, or shopping for a ring for your other half, narrowing your search will help you a lot in finding precisely what you want, without being overwhelmed.
Take a look at different pieces of jewelry from different times and see if there’s a particular piece that tickles your fancy. You may then decide to buy a ruby, garnet, emerald or a sapphire gemstone.
6. Learn More About the Basic 4Cs of Diamonds and Gemstones
You must familiarize yourself with the 4Cs of diamonds and gemstones. They are carats, color clarity, and cuts and are what determines the value of the stone.
The carat is the weight and size of the stone as measured in metric carats. The higher the carat, the more the price of the stone.
The color of the stone is graded by a letter scale ranging from D-Z. in diamonds. The colorless stones range from D-F and are most valuable.
The cut is the symmetry and proportion of the stone. The cut of the stone affects its prowess and is graded from excellent to poor. The cut of the stone does not showcase the shape of the stone but rather how its facets interact with the light i.e., how sparkly it is.
The clarity is the appearance of the stone’s internal flaws. It is graded by a scale ranging from flawless to included. The perfect ones are scarce and are the most valuable.
7. Set your Budget
You need to plan your budget before embarking on your hunt. The reason is so as you avoid spending more than you originally bargained for.
You have to make sure you know how much you have to spend because there are a lot of attractive rings out there that can entice you to go over your budget. If a ring is out of your budget range, there’s no harm in telling the dealer to find a piece that fits into your budget.