Helping friend find perfect (antique?) e-ring

[rfath]

My friend is finally searching for the perfect ring for his long-time girlfriend. Thing is, I think he''s got a few misconceptions about what is possible in engagement rings. His lovely girl is quite tiny, with large knuckles and almost skeletal long fingerbones. She''s mentioned in the past that she doesn''t think that a solitaire would work for her, given that any jewelry that she owns similar to that type tends to move too much and fall over on her finger.

She''s also crazy about antiques. Insanely crazy.. goes to fairs and has several lovely collections. Unfortunately, they both think that the only ''antique'' engagement rings out there are solitaires. He''s speaking with a local custom ringmaker, but I was curious what the experts here have seen in the ''old'' and ''not solitaire'' category.

I fear I may be speaking to deaf ears when I talk about cut.. he''s definitely one with pre-conceived notions about the process.. but I''m working on it!

Thanks.. and looking forward to seeing your ideas...

 

[glitterata]

Check out this thread.

Also this one.

Another.

 

[widget]

Ooooh, I hope he reconsiders and decides to look for a genuine vintage ring!

If his gf is a typical antique nut, I bet she''d be thrilled....and if she''s like some...she might be less thrilled with an ''antique reproduction''.

There really are some wonderful diamond rings out there....MANY of which aren''t classic solitaires!

My two favorite places to look are Singlestone and Nelson Rarities.

I''ve dealt with NR before....and they really are terrific. (ask for Malcolm...he''s so nice). They are so knowledgeable about old pieces. My biggest gripe about them is that their website is difficult to navigate, and I suspect they have lots of wonderful rings not listed on it. Definitely worh calling!

Another thought...what about an antique diamond (OMC or OEC) in a contemporary mounting?

Just for fun here are two rings I found at www.melsantiquejewelry.com : both from the ''20s: One Art Deco, the other Art Nouveau... yum!

widget

 

[blueroses]

Love those two, Widget!!!

I like the idea of an actual antique, not just a repro--sounds like it''d be her "thing"!!

Here''s Katrina33''s AMAZING and exhaustive list (from this thread https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/links-for-settings-antique-rings-online.16601/ )


http://www.nelsonrarities.com/ - antique pieces

http://www.antiquejewelrymall.com/ - antique pieces

http://www.oneofakindjewels.com/ - antique pieces

http://www.antiquejewelryforsale.com/main.html - antique pieces

http://www.estatediamondjewelry.com/ - antique pieces

http://www.antiqueandestate.com/ - antique pieces

http://www.diamondten.com/ - antique pieces, new pieces, antique style mountings

http://www.estate-sales-online.com/ - antique pieces

http://www.masterpiecejewels.com/ - antique pieces

http://www.tnsdiamonds.com/NewAntique1.htm - antique pieces, new mountings, antique style mountings. Tacori discounter.

http://www.topazery.com/ - antique pieces

http://www.valentinasgifts.com/ - antique pieces

http://www.aprioriantiques.com/ - antique pieces

http://www.carolinesjewelry.com/ - antique pieces

http://www.isadoras.com/ - antique pieces

http://www.solovey.com/ - antique pieces

http://www.stardustantiques.com/ - antique pieces

http://www.indygem.com/ - antiques, new jewelry, antique style mountings

http://www.indygem.com/PlatinumAntiqueSemiMts-1.htm

http://www.oscarsdesignjewelry.com/

http://www.gordonclark.com/ - antique style mountings

http://www.fusarojewelry.com/ - antique style mountings

http://www.martinflyer.com/ - antique style mountings

www.jackkelege.com – antique style mountings

http://www.peternorman.com/frameset.html - LA jewelry store, custom jewelry

www.diamondsonfifth.com – NY diamond district based

www.wannabuyawatch.com – antiques, antique style mountings

http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com

http://www.solomonbrothers.com/

http://www.jewelryexpert.com/

http://www.engagement-ring-mountings.com/ - great selection

http://www.greenlakejewelry.com/ - custom jewelers

www.icestore.com

http://www.jewelrysourceusa.com/home.html - eightstar dealer in LA

http://www.servisandtaylor.com/ - custom jeweler los angeles


And I like this one too: http://www.carolinesjewelry.com/rings.html

 

[lizz]

www.faycullen.com has antiques and antique repros

 

[Munchkin]

My ring came from www.antiqueengagementrings.com Leigh frequently gets new stuff in and also makes repros. My fiance said he was great to work with. He was nice enough to pull my ring from the website last summer while my guy mulled his decision.
Munchkin

 

[KittenKat]

I happen to also be a HUGE fan of antique diamonds! She''d probably be so excited to get an original antique.

I got my old european cut at www.singlestone.com - they had an amazing selection

 

[rfath]

Thanks for all of the wonderful links! I''ll pass along some of the sites and hint heavily that he should at least search for an antique stone...