I imagine it’s incredibly hard for a man to choose an engagement ring. Although we’re pretty much guaranteed to coo over his pick, much like a wedding dress, we always have an image in our head that is rarely met in reality. Hopefully I’ve made it clear to Craig that I want a vintage engagement ring when he finally asks me. However expensive it may be, the idea of wearing something mass-produced just isn’t really me.
Does your partner have her heart set on a vintage engagement ring (like me)? If so, here are some helpful tips on how to pick the perfect piece.
The Four Cs
Diamonds have four C’s – colour, clarity, carat, and cut. A reputable dealer will always go over each of the Cs with you and explain how compromising in one area could gain you strength in another. For instance, if size is your priority, you may have to compromise on colour and clarity to find a diamond to suit your budget.
- Colour – this is the whiteness of the diamond, the whitest being a D. As you move closer to Z, the diamonds become more yellow.
- Carat – the bigger the number, the heavier the diamond.
- Clarity – referring to the ‘brilliance’ of a diamond, this ranges from F, which will have no inclusions (imperfections), all the way to I3 (included).
- Cut – this measures the perfection of the diamond’s facets and ranks from excellent to fair. Antique diamonds may rank lower since they were usually cut by hand.
Determining the age of antique diamonds
Figuring out the age of a vintage diamond can be difficult, but there are a few things a reputable seller will have done to narrow it down:
- Culet – looked down through the centre of the ring’s stone to see the rounded facet right at the bottom. If this is present, the diamond is probably extremely old.
- Table – this is the flat surface that you will find at the very top of the diamond. Older diamonds have smaller tables.
- Girdle – the girdle is the widest part (or the circumference) of the polished diamond - the portion of the stone that makes contact with the setting itself. If the girdle is frosted, the diamond is likely to be old.
Kalmar Antiques have a selection of vintage engagement rings to choose from so make sure to look into the rings they have on offer.
The Design and Style
A solitaire ring (with a single set stone, not always a diamond) has become the epitome of an engagement ring. But, they’re just one in an endless array of engagement ring designs.
There are a number of periods for antique rings, meaning you have far more designs to choose from. If she frequently picks out intricate and ornate designs, you won’t go far wrong if you ask to see rings from the Artt Deco period, or the early 20th Century. You can spot Art Deco rings by their bold symmetrical designs.
Earlier style periods are often considered more edgy in intent and construction, with a simple symmetry more aligned to the rings you’ll see on the high-street today. I recommend having her image search vintage rings and show you a few designs she likes, or if it’s a surprise ask her about architecture and fashion instead - it might go some way towards informing your eventual choice.
Assurance and Quality
Finding a reputable antique dealer is critical. Most vintage rings have one main diamond in the setting, and diamonds come in a huge variety of values and qualities. A trained and honest seller will be able to navigate you through internal flaws and colour tints, educating you about vintage jewellery and helping you to make your important engagement ring buying decision.
Insurance and Certifications
If you can afford a diamond of 1 carat or larger, make sure you get an appraisal or certification of the stone for insurance purposes. Also, be sure to get the right level of cover for the vintage engagement ring. Aside from regular home owner’s cover, you can also take out specialist jewellery cover - although you might not be reunited with your ring, at least you’ll be appropriately rewarded for the ring you fell in love with. Be sure to have the ring re-valued every few years and make sure you upgrade the insurance cover as and when required.
Happy hunting, and best of luck with your proposal
