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Antique style engagement ring

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dealfreak

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 6, 2007
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I''ve been reading the posts and it has definitely been very helpful.

I was wondering if anyone can provide with suggestions on getting an antique style engagement ring. The type of style of clothing that she likes is Anthropologie and Max Studio. If anyone has suggestion on a reputable jewler online or near Pennsylvania I would definitely appreciate it.
 
Many people have liked the rings on this site:
http://www.antiqueengagementrings.com/

I think some of them are replicas and some are actual antiques. A lot of the ones I like are out of stock, but I think they get new ones in pretty often.

Where in PA do you live? I''m in Pittsburgh and can recommend a jeweler that a lot of my friends have gone to (I didn''t - I used Whiteflash). I''m also originally from Lancaster and have a favorite jeweler there. My friend got her engagement ring in Philly, so I could look that up for you if you''re around there.
 
I don''t like their return policy, but faycullen.com has some lovely antique rings and settings.
 
I'd suggest you read through this thread because we gave this guy a lot of suggestions that you can make use of..Good luck!

Oh, the link is at the top of the Rocky Talk page right now...look for the title:

"She put me in charge (Vintage e-ring)"
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/she-put-me-in-charge-vintage-e-ring.61973/
 
I have an antique-style engagement ring/wedding band! I had mine made (pre-pricescope, obviously) at a maul jeweler. I like it, although it''s not the best quality, and to me that''s all that matters. If I ever figure out how to do pics I will post some. I have an .80 stone in an Stuller illusion setting with four 8 pointers - two on each side. My WB is a five stone ring with 8 pointers.
 
The finest quality antique settings that I know of are by Van Craeynest. There is no jeweler near me, but I had a jeweler in Maine send me the sample ring in the style I was interested in. I''ll give you both links, but you can call VC and ask where the nearest jeweler carrying their rings is. I''ll also give you a couple of links from threads here of people who have VC rings.

http://www.vancraeynest.com/index.html

http://crossstylebook.com/shl.htm

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/van-craeynest-bands-and-ering.60116/

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-elusive-van-craeynest-wedding-set.61902/

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/van-craeynest-antique-design-settings.52971/

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/antique-style-ec-set.6666/
 
I agree with diamondseeker on the VC rings. they are made old style and are wonderful, but they are pricy..

you might also check out Carl Blackburn along with the beverly k suggestion. Both have antique designs and the settings are more affordable. Ritani is another one that comes to mind. although not really antique looking still very beautiful and have the same kind of delicate charm.
 
I have a Van Craeynest wedding set and got my fi a Van Craeynest wedding band too as a surprise. We are both couldn't be happier with our rings...they are built to last forever! In fact I have gone back to them for some wedding day jewelry.
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Here are the links to my pictures if you are interested:

My Van Craeynest bands and ering

More shots of my wedding set (I'm so in Looooove!)
 
Date: 6/7/2007 7:01:21 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
The finest quality antique settings that I know of are by Van Craeynest. There is no jeweler near me, but I had a jeweler in Maine send me the sample ring in the style I was interested in. I''ll give you both links, but you can call VC and ask where the nearest jeweler carrying their rings is. I''ll also give you a couple of links from threads here of people who have VC rings.

http://www.vancraeynest.com/index.html

http://crossstylebook.com/shl.htm

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/van-craeynest-bands-and-ering.60116/

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-elusive-van-craeynest-wedding-set.61902/

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/van-craeynest-antique-design-settings.52971/

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/antique-style-ec-set.6666/
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errr...duh for me
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...thanks Diamondseeker!
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I live in philly.

What type of style would you go Anthropologie or Max Studio?
 
Date: 6/17/2007 11:01:07 AM
Author: dealfreak
I live in philly.


What type of style would you go Anthropologie or Max Studio?
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dealfreak...I don''t think clothing from those two stores is at all "antique" in style. In fact, they''re both fairly hip clothing stores, IMO. I also dont think you should necessarily be buying an ering to "match" her clothing. Take her window shopping and see what she likes best, then come back and tell us and we can help you better when you know your:

A. budget
B. diamond shape she wants
C. setting style she likes

It''s a bit difficult to help you with the little info you''ve given and since the styles you have mentioned aren''t really antique at all, I''d go back and talk to your GF about her tastes on rings. It''s too big a purchase to just take a guess, right?
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Recommendation for you: Bryn Mawr Jewelers in Bryn Mawr. They''ve got a good selection of antique diamond rings, along with newer diamonds and sapphires, for you to compare. My own engagement ring came from there. It''s worth getting on the R5 train and visiting them!
 
Just emailed my friend from Philly to get her recommendation. Her ring is a gorgeous round 3-stone in a trellis setting. She got it on Jeweler's Row. Hopefully she'll write back with the name of the jeweler soon.

As for the ring/clothing style...I haven't heard of too many people trying to match a ring to clothing, but I can see how these 2 stores give you an idea of her personal sense of style. After briefly going through their websites, it seems like your girlfriend likes flowing, graceful, almost hippie-like looks. I'm with surfgirl in that I don't think antique really goes with that. I think instead a "swoopy"-looking trellis setting might work. Try something like this:
http://www.bluenile.com/product_details.asp?oid=5922&page=1&col=3&row=2&pos=6&set_shape=

Or perhaps the Vatche Royal Crown for a solitaire:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/setting/V-119/

Or maybe the WhiteFlash Legato Sleek Line, my all-time favorite solitaire setting for a princess or round:
http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Solitaire/-Legato--Sleek-Line_1118.htm

Sorry if I'm way off the mark...just throwing out a few suggestions!
 
OK, the jeweler in Philly was Barsky Diamonds. She tells me they''re big on negotiation too - she ended up getting hers for half the sticker price. Good luck!
 
Date: 6/17/2007 12:42:45 PM
Author: surfgirl



Date: 6/17/2007 11:01:07 AM
Author: dealfreak
I live in philly.


What type of style would you go Anthropologie or Max Studio?
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dealfreak...I don't think clothing from those two stores is at all 'antique' in style. In fact, they're both fairly hip clothing stores, IMO. I also dont think you should necessarily be buying an ering to 'match' her clothing. Take her window shopping and see what she likes best, then come back and tell us and we can help you better when you know your:

A. budget
B. diamond shape she wants
C. setting style she likes

It's a bit difficult to help you with the little info you've given and since the styles you have mentioned aren't really antique at all, I'd go back and talk to your GF about her tastes on rings. It's too big a purchase to just take a guess, right?
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I'm looking to spend something under 9K and from my impressions she is only intersted in round diamonds.

The setting style that she likes is something has details around the band and not necessarily with more diamonds. She doesn't like the solitare look with the smooth finished bands. She also didn't want anything to big or overpowering.

I was just baseing those clothing brands as the type of style she likes. Thanks for everyones suggestion thus far.
 
Date: 6/17/2007 11:01:07 AM
Author: dealfreak
What type of style would you go Anthropologie or Max Studio?
Click to expand...
HA!!! Exactly *my style*!!! I love those stores ... & though I agree with Surfgirl that they are "hip" ... they''re a retro/vintage kind of hip which IMO goes perfectly with funky antique styles -- OR, particularly, DECO styles that have a modern "edge" to them, angular etc ... while still feeling classic & timeless.

Here''s another way to tell ... does she like funky 60''s graphic patterns ... or the flowery kind of vintage. DECO = graphic EDWARDIAN & VICTORIAN = flowery.
 
OK, seems like an engraved band is the way to go. How about something like these?
http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Solitaire/Engraved-Cathedral-Solitaire_1033.htm#
http://www.bluenile.com/product_details.asp?oid=4124&page=1&col=2&row=5&pos=14&set_shape=

This jeweler''s website has some beautiful engraving work. They seem to be a tad expensive, but they may give you a good idea of what you want:
http://www.jewelryexpert.com/

For example...think about this band with a round stone rather than a trillion:
http://www.jewelryexpert.com/catalog/Trilliant-Diamond-Engraved-Ring-dr.htm

The one that Gypsy posted is gorgeous too!
 
I am in philly also and like both those stores as well, but I definitely didn''t want an antique-looking setting! I think whoever said trellis-type is probably more on the mark. When I was looking for rings I really liked some of the Vatche settings, esp. the royal crown, but I also love the newer designs that Irina did for them. Anything flowy and elegant but definitely different from the stock "tiffany" type setting. Those are beautiful, but just weren''t for me.

For my ring, we worked with Rob at My Jewel Shop in Jenkintown, PA who was incredibly patient with all my design angst. He is also (as far as I know) willing to set diamonds purchased elsewhere, though FI ended up buying the diamond through him (FI doesn''t even like to pay bills online...). He does lovely lost-wax casting work in both gold and platinum.

I would recommend taking a look at her jewelry, not just her clothes, for some hints. I wear a lot of simple, semi-modern looking silver pieces with flowy lines, and, after looking through the sites of every vendor I could find and scouring jeweler''s row, that was exactly what I wanted. Lucky for me, FI asked before he bought, because he (for some reason) thought I wanted something ancient-looking with lots of filigree. While I have one or two pieces along those lines, they aren''t the things I wear (or would want to wear) everyday!
 
I think the best advice people have given here is that you CANNOT buy her a ring based on her clothing.

I love anthropologie and adore antique or art deco settings, others translate that clothing look into the trellis/swoopy settings, which I don''t care for.

I suggest you rope in one of her best friends. Likely they have talked about what she wants and she can give you a MUCH MUCH better idea than we ever could!
 
One good tactic is to get one of her friends (or siblings) to go shopping with her and check out rings ''just for fun'' -- then friend can report back to you on what she liked/didn''t like.
I second neatfreak, though -- not only is it kindof hard to predict jewelery based on clothes, but styles and tastes for clothes change at what seems to be a faster rate than jewelry styles. If you want something that she''ll never want to change, I would recommend that you either ask her directly or do some more sleuthing.
If you do want real antique settings, try Linde Meyer in Liberty Place. Their stuff wasn''t what I wanted for an engagement ring, but they have some beautiful estate pieces that might work for you, and also carry some very modern designers.
 
Date: 6/22/2007 3:39:03 PM
Author: dealfreak
What are your thoughts on these rings with a round stone?
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Hate #1 & #2 (sorry!) ... love #3. And I'm an Anthropologie/Max Studio chick.


ETA: I think Gypsy's Sheldon Speyer suggestion above is a good one. Good Old Gold carries their settings ... or you search their site for a retail location near you if you want to look in person.
 
Give Marie and Good Old Gold a call. She''s a very nice, and the setting is really beautiful, delicate feminine and classy. I don''t like 1 and 2 of the WF and number three is NOT antique. I think you''ll be surprised at how reasonable a designer setting can be from Sheldon Speyer-- I was. It''s all hand made platinum and the workmanship (in talking to a few people about it) is VERY good.

Trust us on this one.
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Thanks for everyones response.

I''ll be visiting good old gold this weekend to take a look at the Sheldon Speyer setting. One question how are there diamond prices there?

After speaking with my gf, I''ve definitely found out more of what she does or doesn''t want.

- She want''s something Elegant with an old charm.
- A setting that doesn''t have diamonds lined up around the band to distract from the center stone.
- Round stone

Any more leads in the NY area or online would be great since I''ll be there Saturday.
 
Goodoldgold will be a wonderful place for you to visit. Just make sure you call ahead and make and appt. so someone will have time to really work with you
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Date: 6/22/2007 3:39:03 PM
Author: dealfreak
What are your thoughts on these rings with a round stone?

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/Petite--Champaigne--Pave-by-WF_1120.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/-Crescendo--Hand-Engraved-Half-Bezel-by-WF_745.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/Harmony-Engagement-Ring_1136.htmhttp://www.whiteflash.com/Engagemen...tings/Petite--Champaigne--Pave-by-WF_1120.htm
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I *love* the harmony setting. I think it''s a really beautiful ring that has antique elements, but can also be very classic. Lynn b has this ring and a thread with lots of pretty pictures in it. This setting will also help the center stone pop!
 
The Tacori is very pretty on the hand and if you look in Show Me The Ring, you''ll see Momma Bear''s new ring with that setting.

The GOG I dont like, it looks cheaply made.

The Tiffany setting is very simply with an Art Deco flair and it''s a lovely ring, I''ve seen it in person.
 
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