Antique Engagement Rings - What You Should Know

If you are a man looking for an engagement ring, chances are the first thing you thought of was going out to a jewelry store and buying a new one. However, have you ever considered an antique engagement ring? Whether it is from your family or from a specialty jewelry store, there are a few things you should know about antique engagement rings before you acquire one.

What You Should Know About Antique Engagement Rings
Often people get estate management rings confused with antique engagement rings. An antique engagement ring only merits such a title if it is at least 50 years old. An estate management ring is always less than 50 years old, and actually if a ring was bought just last year and put up for sale, that ring would be placed in the estate management ring category. As a rule, it is best to look for unique antique engagement rings that were made before 1950.

There are several popular types of antique engagement rings that you could choose from. Victorian rings are those made between 1835 and 1900. These kinds of rings are often set in rose or yellow gold, and they can have very simple or very decorative designs.

In regards to Victorian rings, when the Industrial Revolution happened, rings began taking more of a decorative look. In 1886, the Tiffany six-prong diamond solitaire ring came into existence, thanks to the discovery of new diamond mines in Africa.

Edwardian engagement rings were made between 1900 and 1920. Platinum became a popular metal for rings, and lacy designs, sapphires, and rose-cut diamonds were very prevalent. Taking those designs to the next level were the Art Deco engagement rings, which showcased lots of glittering gemstones reflecting Native American, Asian, or Egyptian cultures.

When it comes to rings that have older diamonds, remember that today’s standards of quality are different. Since techniques were not as advanced, some diamonds were not smoothly cut, and flaws were not always able to be seen.

If you do decide to purchase an antique engagement ring, be sure to that the piece you like the most has a complete description. Also, be sure that you get a return policy. When it comes to figuring out where to buy an antique engagement ring, you can go to place like antique stores, the internet, or online. With the proper research, you are sure to find a beautiful quality ring.

Next article: Vintage Engagement Ring - Another Popular Option