Antique/Vintage ring help

[soconfused]

Help, please. I am in love with antique/vintage engagement rings. I have found a few that I really like, but have no clue what to shop for in terms of the diamond- old european cut, old cushion, etc. I think I prefer the subdued Edwardian style or subdued art deco. But want to stay away from the halo design as everyone has one.....

Following are some links to some rings that I love. Our budget is about 4k. I prefer at least a 1 carat center diamond. I would rather not have a replica. Is this asking for too much?

Are any of you familiar with any of these sites and if so, are they reputable?


http://www.antiquejewelryforsale.com/viewProduct-442-PLATINUM_1940_ENGAGEMENT_RING.html#

http://www.antiquejewelryforsale.com/viewProduct-434-PLATINUM_ART_DECO_ENGAGEMENT_RING.html

http://www.antiquejewelryforsale.com/viewProduct-412-PLATINUM_ART_DECO_ENGAGEMENT_RING.html

http://www.topazery.com/antique-jewelry-item-rg2508.htm

http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/engagement-rings/0.98ct-1920s-platinum-diamond-engagement-ring/2495/3/item#

http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/engagement-rings/0.98ct-diamond-platinum-engagement-ring/5163/3/item#

the one I absolutely love, but is gone is this one:
http://antiqueengagementrings.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=1968

I also love this one, but it is a replica….and wish it had some bling on the band.
http://antiqueengagementrings.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=1950

Love this, but also replica…
http://www.antiqueengagementrings.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=1983

 

[Indylady]

I have no idea if the sites you''ve listed are reputable. You might look into Fay Cullen, though you have to be careful, because a lot of her rings are replicas and because she has a bad return poicy.

However, an old mine cut is pretty much what you would see in antique rings; it basically means the facets are chunkier. 1 carat under $4000...I''m sure you can do it, but I would imagine its hard. Good luck!

 

[Maisie]

Is your budget rigid or could you go a bit higher? There is a gorgeous ring here for $5500....(halfway down the page)

http://www.jewelsbyericagrace.com/antique_and_reproduction_rings

 

[soconfused]

Maisie,

That ring is gorgeous and exactly what I would want-- But it is too much for us right now. I am in full-time nursing school and we have a 15-month old daughter... $ is tight right now!

Thanks so much for searching and if you find something else, please, please let me know.

 

[Circe]

I''d stay away from Fay Cullen: her return policy is awful, and some of her descriptions of whether a stone is eye-clean or not leave a bit to be desired (try doing a search on her for further details if you''re curious - I remember there was a recent incident where a buyer felt really lucky to get their money back minus an egregious restocking fee).

Other stores that seem really popular on here are Nelson Rarities and Lang Antiques. This half-carat Tiffany Lucida looks like it''s in your price-range, though not quite what you were describing (I only mention it because ... pretty!): alternately, maybe something like this or this might fit the bill? Like the Tiff, they''re smaller than what you had in mind, but so very pretty! And their settings make them look considerably bigger, I think. Additionally, Singlestone has gorgeous rings like this ... but it seems you need to call for pricing for their pieces.

I''d say your budget has a good chance of getting you what you want, if you''re patient and bargain-hunt assiduously. And, in the meantime, looking at all the pretties might have you falling madly in love with something that you wouldn''t have expected ....

 

[Circe]

D''oh! And I almost forgot about Dover Jewelry - what about something like this?

 

[Maisie]

Date: 10/14/2008 5:35:38 PM
Author: Circe
D''oh! And I almost forgot about Dover Jewelry - what about something like this?

Oooh Circe! You are so much better at this than me!! I love that ring!!

 

[Circe]

Why, thank you! And, I wouldn''t say better - just completely and totally obsessed.

P.S. - E&G were my first stop, too - their stuff is *amazing*!

 

[LostSapphire]

Here is New York Estate Jewelry''s (a.k.a. Israel Rose) return policy: 5 days from the date of receipt of the item. Some may find that limiting...others, maybe not.






Payment Options:
Credit Card Payment
You may Purchase items from website via our secure server, shopping cart checkout. You also have the ability to charge your PayPal account by sending your payment to [email protected] by clicking here.
Check Payment
NewYorkEstateJewelry.com, 10 West 47th Street, Booth #58 & 59, New York, NY 10036-3301. It may take up to 10 business days to clear the check. Please do not request rush shipment on these items because we cannot ship until payment clears.
Free Shipping
We only ship in United States. Domestic Shipping is FREE for purchases made from this website. However, the buyer is still responsible for the insurance fees. We ship to PO BOX addresses and all shipments must be made to a physical address with someone present to sign for the package.
Return Policy
Any item purchased from NewYorkEstateJewelry.com can be returned regardless of the reason for the return. Customers have 7 days (5 business days from the day of receipt of the merchandise) to return their purchases in order to receive a full refund minus Shipping and Insurance charges or any other extra charges that occurred during the transaction (e.g. we charge 2.9% restocking fee for any returned merchandise and 3.25% for purchases made with American Express). All over the counter sales are final and no exchange or return will be allowed.
Taxes
New York State residents who are not in the trade must pay 8.625% sales tax added to the sale.
Website Terms & Conditions
Jewelry descriptions and all carat weights stated represent approximate weights which varies up to 10% unless otherwise noted.
Any ruby, sapphire or emerald sold by NewYorkEstateJewelry.com, is sold under the assumption that such precious stone has undergone some type of clarity or color enhancement unless it is sold accompanied with a certificate from a gemological laboratory stating otherwise.




Hope this helps. They have some beautiful items on their website.

I was corresponding with them prior to having my sapphire ring made: they were very accomodating to my requests for additional photos of the ring I was interested in. They even took hand shots for me.

Good luck!

LS

 

[soconfused]

Wow, you guys are fast and good. Thanks for all of the great links. Love them ALL! Now we are talking about buying a smaller loose diamond and possibly seeing if Whiteflash can do something for the setting in terms of an antique look. I am still a novice when it comes to diamonds- a lot of great advice and info on PS, but I can''t seem to wrap my brain around it all......... Almost every post lists Whiteflash- and we live in Houston, so it would be dumb NOT to go talk to them... right??!

 

[Maisie]

I know you don''t want a halo but I just wanted to show you my ring from Whiteflash. They did an amazing job and its exactly what I wanted it to look like. Here is a side view so you can see the work that went into it. My thread is Here

 

[kcoursolle]

You should also check out singlestone. I''ve visited them here in LA and they have an awesome selection of vintage rings and I liked the salesperson who was knowledgeable and friendly. Many here have had good experiences.

Link: http://www.singlestone.com/

 

[soconfused]

Maise- your ring is absolutely stunning! It''s beautiful . The truth is, my bf and I were looking at buying a halo design- although not split shank- and one of my dear friend''s got engaged and had a halo ring, so it put a damper on things for me....

Any opinion on these? Not vintage, but I think they are pretty and they have the old stones....

http://www.oldworlddiamonds.com/jewlery_detail.php?id=16&page=1

http://www.oldworlddiamonds.com/jewlery_detail.php?id=12&page=1

And Maise- I am talking to someone at Jewels by Erica Grace about the one you first recommended to me for $5500. I asked if the diamond was certified and she said it was not. Is that some sort of red flag?

 

[Maisie]

I''m sorry that I can''t be of any help about the certification. I don''t know if older diamonds even have them. I am pretty sure you would buy it based on how beautiful you find it to be.. rather than the way it was cut. I could be wrong of course. I hope one of the more knowledgable ps''ers will chime in.

I love that ring. I really hope you end up getting it. Its so beautiful!

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 10/16/2008 12:06:23 AM
Author: soconfused
Maise- your ring is absolutely stunning! It's beautiful . The truth is, my bf and I were looking at buying a halo design- although not split shank- and one of my dear friend's got engaged and had a halo ring, so it put a damper on things for me....


Any opinion on these? Not vintage, but I think they are pretty and they have the old stones....


http://www.oldworlddiamonds.com/jewlery_detail.php?id=16&page=1


http://www.oldworlddiamonds.com/jewlery_detail.php?id=12&page=1


And Maise- I am talking to someone at Jewels by Erica Grace about the one you first recommended to me for $5500. I asked if the diamond was certified and she said it was not. Is that some sort of red flag?

No, a lot of old diamonds aren't certified. What it DOES mean is that you should have it independently appraised BEFORE purchase to make sure you are getting what you think you are getting. Certs are mostly just trying to make sure you are really getting what you are paying for, and an appraisal can serve the same purpose.

And those rings are very pretty! I have called OWD a few times and they are always very responsive and kind.

 

[purrfectpear]

Many of the diamonds on Old World Diamonds are EGL or GIA certified. I purchased my 1.75 antique cushion cut from them <---------------------------

I would not be overly concerned that Erica Grace didn''t certify their stone (they have been sending some of them to EGL) as most of us purchasing old mine, old cushion, or old euro diamonds are buying by "eye" more than by "paper". A cert is nice if you want one, but the main attraction to the older diamonds is that they are NOT perfectly symmetrical as a modern diamond would be. I look at my cushion and compare to modern cushions and I''m just not wowed by the modern cushions at all (even when they''ve attempted to duplicate the chunky facets). They just look too mass produced to my eye.

The things to look for in an antique stone are whether they meet your idea of "eye cleaness", whether there are chips or bearded girdle, whether they are too shallow, or occasionally TOO deep (note that most old cuts ARE deeper than modern brilliants, that is part of their charm).

If it''s beautiful to your eyes, the price is right, then put that baby on your finger

I love the settings at Singlestone, but Ari''s pricing is definitely at the HIGH end. You can do as well at lower cost with other custom jewelers IMO.