Things to keep in mind when shopping for vintage engagement rings
Whether you’re planning on getting engaged or if you already are engaged and are now trying to find the ideal engagement ring, there are some important things to keep in mind when shopping for vintage engagement rings to make sure that you buy one that will last a lifetime.
First, while diamonds are the hardest gemstone and are less prone to problems, you’re still going to want to make sure that the vintage engagement rings you are looking at have diamonds without cracks or huge flaws. Even being the hardest gemstone cannot necessarily protect all diamonds from having problems or cracks from misuse or abuse and you want to make sure that if you are spending a lot of money on an engagement ring you are getting one that won’t cause you problems in the near future. Also, something else to keep in mind is that while you will be able to buy more diamond with your money, this also means that your diamond is not worth more. A lot of the older cuts—like old mine cuts or old European cuts—were popular at different times, but are actually valued at a lot less than modern diamond cuts. The older style cuts are still beautiful and make the diamond sparkle, but make sure that you’re okay with having a diamond that is valued less than modern diamonds. Of course, keep in mind that what this also means is that you’ll be able to afford a lot larger center diamond for your budget, which means you’ll have a ring that will make most of your friends jealous. (Even if your jewelry appraiser can tell the difference, most people without an education in gems cannot.)
Also, a lot of vintage engagement rings have stones that are not diamonds. Emeralds, sapphires, pearls, and opals were all popular at different times in history. However, all of these stones are much softer than diamonds, which means that they may have problems like internal cracks. This will allow them to be more easily damaged. Make sure that any vintage engagement rings you are seriously considering purchasing are examined by an expert who can tell you if there are any internal flaws or cracks that should cause you concern about your ring not lasting for the long-term.
Another thing you want to examine when shopping for vintage engagement rings is the setting. Settings can become loose or become generally damaged over a long period of time, especially if the metal is softer. If the setting comes loose when you least expect it, chances are that you are going to lose a sides stone or, even worse, the center diamond. If you plan to wear the ring every day—which is what usually happens with engagement rings—you’ll want to make sure the prongs are in really good condition, both strong and secure, before purchasing the ring. This is something you can check for when shopping for a ring or have an expert examine before you finalize your purchase. The metal of the ring itself should also be sufficiently thick and not worn away by use or time. If it’s already wearing away and is extremely thin in places, there is a good chance that you’re liable to break it or wear through it the rest of the way. While it can be fixed, it’s always a good idea to try to find a ring where this isn’t a problem in the first place so as not to cause more trouble for yourself down the line.
You should also look for a ring that has been taken care of and cleaned by the jeweler who is selling it to you. There should not be dirt between the stone and the prongs or within the engravings on the metal. Once you get the vintage engagement ring home, it’s fairly easy to clean with a soft jeweler’s cloth—if you wear eyeglasses, it’s a similar cloth to the kind you use to keep those clean without scratching it. Use warm water and chemical free soap, or cleanser provided to you by your jeweler, to remove any buildup of dirt or dust from your ring. You’ll especially want to keep a vintage engagement ring clean since you don’t want it to get damaged while you’re using it, and it’s always wonderful to preserve and protect your vintage engagement ring for future generations.
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