Archive for the ‘Jewelry’ Category
What You Need to Know About Vintage Jewelry
There is nothing more beautiful than seeing a sparkling diamond engagement ring or solitaire diamond rings on a woman’s finger, especially if you are the one that has put it there. But these are not the only options you have when choosing engagement rings. If your bride-to-be is more of a classic beauty with a love for antique pieces that have character and beauty, then vintage engagement rings are an interesting option for you. But there are some things to remember if you choose vintage jewelry.
A vintage engagement ring gives the appearance of being antique or historical, though the term “vintage” does not require that the piece be genuinely old. If you are looking for a vintage ring, you’ll have to take extra care investigating the quality of the piece. For many people, vintage rings are timeless, unique pieces with far more character than modern rings, and vintage engagement rings often become heirlooms passed down for generations.
While rings can certainly be dated back for decades, some of the most popular designs date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. If you want a genuinely vintage engagement ring, you may be limited as to what metal is available for purchase. Platinum wasn’t used extensively in engagement rings until the beginning of the 1900s. Until then, yellow gold was the most prominent metal. In the early twentieth century, platinum engagement rings became popular, but as wars and particularly World War II demanded platinum for military manufacturing, yellow gold once again regained its popularity. Today, ring purchasers can choose from white gold, yellow gold and platinum, as well as various combinations.
Many of these earlier vintage engagement rings have delicate patterns and feature small diamonds that are exquisitely captured in a gold setting. Not all of the stones may be diamonds though. Rubies, emeralds, and sapphires are all popular vintage stones as well. Because jewelers of the past didn’t have access to the precise technology available today, they had to develop the art of cutting each stone individually. Because of the cruder methods of cutting, many truly vintage and antique stones will have chips, scratches or flaws along the edges or surfaces of the facets. While these flaws may devalue the piece slightly, that depreciation is often countered by the intricacy and age of the ring and the overall character of the piece is increased because of this.
There is more to buying vintage engagement rings than visiting an estate sale or local or online jewelry store. There are several points you need to keep in mind when searching for that perfect ring. Vintage rings are often quite delicate, with intricate patterns and tiny accent stones. Be sure you have the ring examined thoroughly and understand what repairs might be necessary, along with any extra maintenance costs. Older rings often have the accumulated dirt and oils of decades of ring fingers embedded in the prongs, setting, and other miniscule niches of the ring, and thus may not appear as sparkling as they will after a thorough cleaning. Many jewelers should be able to clean the piece upon request, though this service may not be available at pawn shops, estate sales, and auctions or online.
If you are purchasing a gemstone rather than a diamond engagement ring, keep in mind that these stones may be quite a bit softer and more vulnerable to time and everyday wear. Small flaws may be overlooked in favor of the age of the ring. However, vintage engagement rings are not made to be worn every day. Plan on removing the ring before cleaning, yard work, or sports activities, and always store it in a safe location. The ring should be examined regularly by a jeweler to check for loose settings, bent prongs, or other damage. It should be professionally cleaned as well because modern over-the-counter chemicals may damage older rings.
If you want the look of a vintage engagement ring without the delicacy, many jewelers can create the same intricate designs and patterns of vintage engagement rings with new bands and stones. Because modern technology makes this process easier, a “new” vintage ring may be less expensive than a true antique. Furthermore, when you design your own engagement ring, you guarantee the quality of the stones and the durability of the ring since many settings and metals used today are sturdier than those used previously.
Whether you choose pre-set diamond engagement rings, a vintage engagement ring, solitaire diamond ring or some other style of diamond engagement ring, the reflection of your love will last through the ages.