The search is on! Finding an inexpensive antique ring.

alyssak · Feb 16, 2013

Hello everyone,

I'm finally starting my search for an affordable antique engagement ring. I first have to thank the forum so much for helping me return my original ring, and for walking me through the process. I never would have done it if it weren't for everyone here.

Now, I'm starting the search anew for an antique engagement ring on a limited budget. I'm thinking around 600 for the budget, maybe a bit more. I know that's not a lot, but am curious to see what the amazing sleuths here can find. I thought I would throw my wish list out there and see if anyone had any recommendations.

My wish list includes:
Vintage or antique,earlier than 1940, older is good
Edwardian, Victorian or even Georgian style.
Cluster shape, anything with east-west features is a bonus
Stones included can be diamonds, red stones of any type, green stones
Low profile, close to my hand

I would prefer not to have:
A reproduction
A classic Art Deco solitaire with filigree, or any solitaire
Blue stones or purple stones
Something too fragile to wear frequently (so nothing foiled, though I would adore a very old ring!)

I also wanted to ask the forum about some rings I currently own. These are family rings, and they are from a bad marriage, so I'm a bit superstitious about wearing them. I also don't love the style, but the diamonds are pretty nice. It makes me wonder whether I should even get anything at all? Or sell them? Will post pics in a new post.

alyssak · Feb 16, 2013

To get a sense of my style, one of my favorite rings I've seen is this:

alyssak · Feb 17, 2013

Here are the images of my family rings. I think the diamonds are nice but the rings are generally not my style, though I might wear the 5 stone as a wedding band. I believe that they are both from around 1944, but I'm having trouble figuring out whether either of them is older, because they both match the solid gold band that was my family members'.

My apologies for the terrible quality phone photos:

side-view of the 5 stone:

alyssak · Feb 17, 2013

Last fall I spent some time trying on antique rings to see what I liked. This is a screenshot from a video, so it probably will look terrible, but the ring is an absolute favorite. Gold, silver, diamonds, and emeralds from 1845. I tried it on at a super fancy antique jewelry shop. They said that they thought it would be okay for everyday wear because of the way the diamonds and bezels protected the emeralds. Is that possibly true? In any case, I couldn't swing the 10k price, but if money were no object....

LibbyLA · Feb 17, 2013

alyssa,

I would be hesitant to wear emeralds every day. I had an emerald ering at one point and treated it gently.

I like the five stone and solitaire. If you can, try to get a better closeup of that solitaire head on, in case there's an interesting facet pattern. Have you louped it? It could be an older cut diamond.

Can't wait to see what suggestions people have for you.

liz

Circe · Feb 17, 2013

Given the style you like, I'd have the family stones resent into a vintage style cluster ring - you clean the karma, and get the style you love. For $600, I think David Klass might be able to do something nice - maybe bezeling all around? Or maybe ... hm, I'm trying to remember the PSrs name, she had a great K AVC that she set in a cluster-style, and it liked like a million bucks. Can't remember who she used, though - will do a search, but if any of you all know off the tops of your heads, post a link?

LibbyLA · Feb 17, 2013

LibbyLA · Feb 17, 2013

I know you said you aren't interested in a solitaire, but I'll post a few anyway. The settings are different and some of these are WAY under your budget.

This is a pretty setting with almost a half carat diamond that's supposed to be old cut. Can't really tell from the photo. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Old-European-Cut-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-14K-Gold-Certified-G-VS2-/370756779442?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5652d37db2

Another setting that's a little different: http://www.ebay.com/itm/14K-Two-Tone-Gold-48-Ct-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-/370756753940?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_Rings&hash=item5652d31a14

Another pretty setting: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Diamond-Heart-14K-Gold-Ring-/221188381744?pt=US_Fine_Rings&hash=item337fdadc30

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Detailed-14K-Gold-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-/390540765523?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5aee0b2953

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-stone-Diamond-Engagement-RingVintage-14k-Gold-Two-Tone-/221188396578?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item337fdb1622

cluster, terrible photos: http://www.rubylane.com/item/757819-R582/Ancient-Diamond-18k-Cluster-Ring

sapphire (sorry!): http://www.rubylane.com/item/518197-RGA12242V/Antique-Sapphire-Diamond-Cluster-Ring

couple hundred over budget, but very pretty ruby center cluster: http://www.rubylane.com/item/518197-RGC11535V/Edwardian-Ruby-Diamond-Cluster-Ring

four hundred over budget: http://www.rubylane.com/item/701081-14Kx20RETROx20DIAMx20CLUSTERx20RINGx20x2e6/Antique-Art-Deco-14K-White

nice cluster, pretty setting, under budget: http://www.rubylane.com/item/307969-R3362/Art-Deco-Diamond-Cluster-Ring

Rosebloom · Feb 17, 2013

Circe said:
Given the style you like, I'd have the family stones resent into a vintage style cluster ring - you clean the karma, and get the style you love. For $600, I think David Klass might be able to do something nice - maybe bezeling all around? Or maybe ... hm, I'm trying to remember the PSrs name, she had a great K AVC that she set in a cluster-style, and it liked like a million bucks. Can't remember who she used, though - will do a search, but if any of you all know off the tops of your heads, post a link?

I would absolutely do this! Whitby has one of my favorite rings ever:

ID Jewelry might also be able to reset this ring close to budget (especially if you scrap the other settings with them).
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/you-wanted-more-pictures.117683/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/you-wanted-more-pictures.117683/[/URL]

LibbyLA · Feb 17, 2013

Cluless · Feb 17, 2013

a little over budget but oh so pretty

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/STUNNING-HIGH-QUALITY-ESTATE-97CT-17-DIAMOND-14K-WHITE-GOLD-FLORAL-DETAIL-RING-/170990630795?pt=US_Fine_Rings&hash=item27cfd5f78b

Enerchi · Feb 17, 2013

Libby LA!!! you are ON FIRE!!! I applaud your AWESOME sleuthing skills!!

wow --- you rock!

I hope you love something here Alyssak - what an incredible selection of lovelies!!

alyssak · Feb 17, 2013

Wow! Thank you all for your amazing replies!!

Circe and Rosebloom

I've thought about resetting them, but there are only 6 stones total - wouldn't I need to buy another diamond or two? I think that the solitaire diamond is really pretty, I want to do something with it! And I was considering using the 5 stone as a wedding band. But I think my dream would be to have an antique engagement ring, and I'd be happy with a plain wedding band.

The problem is I've literally never seen a contemporary setting that I've liked. I recognize that they are pretty, but they just don't have that feeling to me. I really can't put my finger on it. There's something about the workmanship that's different, but I don't know what it is. The older settings seem --older? more delicate? David Klass's work is an example of this. I recognize that it's really great, but it doesn't sing to me.

That said, Whitby's ring is definitely amazing, and I think the closest approximation of something I would love. Of course I would want some very fine milgrain. And for it to be 100 years old.

However, do you know who made it? Is hers from ID Jewels?

Also, I have a loupe somewhere! But I can't find it. I think that the cuts are mrb maybe except the engagement ring.

Liz

Thank you so much for your amazing suggestions! I am going to have some coffee and sit down and go through them now. One of your suggestions (I won't say which yet) is something I've been seriously considering buying, that was a partial inspiration for this thread. So, my question to everyone is:

Is it better to spend 6 -800 on an antique? Or would I have a better ring (with bigger diamonds) by resetting the ones I own? Keeping in mind I lean toward the ornate and floral, and that I love things that are old?

Thank you all for your help! Going to search around. It's hard since I'm impatient, I want to buy a ring now!

LibbyLA · Feb 17, 2013

Enerchi,

I wish I had the mad search skills some of you ladies do. I just did a search or two on ebay and Ruby Lane and looked at some of my saved vendor's offerings. The thread last year where someone was looking for a wedding set for $300 or less really got me interested in low-budget wedding jewelry and there are usually a lot of pretty things on ebay.

On one hand, I like the suggestion to using her diamonds and having a setting made, but for the same price, she can keep her existing rings and get something new. She may like the idea of turning two rings into one she likes, but I'm wondering if she can get a nice setting for her budget. Most of the cluster rings seem to have an even number of stones around the center stone and she only has five stones. That may make something that looks like flower petals.

She has options, though, and she should be able to have something she loves, whether it's recycling her existing diamonds into something new or getting a new piece. Maybe she can use the wedding band as her wedding band with an ering she selects.

liz

P.S. off topic, but I read one of your recent posts about being tired from staying up late grading papers. I can relate...

LibbyLA · Feb 17, 2013

Alyssa,

If you can get a true vintage/antique ring that you love for your budget, that's what I'd do, especially if you can use the wedding band you already have as a wedding band. If you like the diamond in the engagement ring, you can have it reset later.

You can check on having your diamonds set into a custom setting, but you may be right about needing to buy another diamond in addition to the setting and that may take you out of budget (if you can even get a nice setting for your budget). Don't know how hard it would be to match the diamonds in your existing setting. May not be a problem, though.

Maybe it's a sign that one of the things that I posted is something you've already been considering

.

I'm sure you'll end up with something you love!

liz

Cluless · Feb 17, 2013

Don't know if Liz posted this one

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Diamond-0-25ct-9-Stone-18ct-Yellow-Gold-Flower-cluster-Vintage-dress-Ring-25pt-/221183371994?pt=UK_Jewellery_Watches_FineJewellery_CA&hash=item337f8e6ada

alyssak · Feb 17, 2013

EVERYONE, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

I am now the proud winner of this ring: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fine-Art-Deco-18k-gold-platinum-Diamond-cluster-ring-/380571096257?pt=UK_Jewellery_Watches_VintageFineJewellery_CA&hash=item589bce14c1&nma=true&si=mZmFX0g5C%252BCcq66aJtbj42%252BVBvo%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

which Liz so perspicaciously suggested!

I have been watching this ring for a few days and I wasn't sure if it would end up under budget, and I was a bit afraid to pull the trigger, but everyone's amazing suggestions made me realize it was the one, if it could be had for the right price. The auction ending was what prompted me to post last night, and I'm thrilled to get everyone's suggestions.

I'm going to need an appraiser / person to resize the ring in Boston once I get it, and of course I will post many many pics.

How do you think I did? Do you think it's a decent deal? I didn't overspend, right? I'm a size 7.5 so I think it should look decent on my finger.

LibbyLA · Feb 17, 2013

alyssa,

I'm so happy for you!!!!!!

It's a lot of finger coverage for the money. It looks like there's milgrain detailing around all the diamonds. They're old mine cuts (or they could be OECs, the piece I bought from her said OECs but turned out to be OMCs).

If this is what you've had your eyes on and you got it within your budget, I think it was meant to be. It will take a little while for it to get here, but I think mine was here within a couple of weeks. Clare is really nice and a pleasure to deal with.

I'm not normally keen on airlines, but I think it works beautifully in this setting. You get the finger coverage of a cluster, but the center diamond is set off from the others. Each diamond looks separate instead of them being all clumped together.

I'm not a good judge of price, but I think you did just fine. I'm tickled that you got what you were looking for and got it NOWWWWWW (well, there's the wait for it to arrive, but you have found the one and that part is over)!

Photos once you get it in, of course. Oh, and you'll have to have it resized, which is another expense, but at least it's sizing down and it's yellow gold so you won't have to pay for additional gold or rhodium plating.

liz

Enerchi · Feb 17, 2013

What a perfect ring!! Lovely condition of the setting and the diamonds look good too! Easy enough to size down to fit. Congratulations!

alyssak · Feb 17, 2013

Liz, thank you! Yes, your thread about your experience with her helped me pull the trigger, too. I was comforted by her return policy and that she would honor it.

I personally like the airline (is that what it is?) because it reminds me of a beautiful coral, platinum, and sapphire ring that was edwardian openwork and sort of like a shield, that I lost out on years ago on Ebay. I have never seen anything like it since. This ring is a more common style, but I couldn't find anything this size for under 1200 dollars, and often much more. Of course, I'll have to see how it looks once it comes in. I think it's a pretty reasonable budget for an engagement ring! I really wanted to spend about 600 so I think I did well. Okay, well, I wanted to spend 10k but being realistic....

Do you think the center diamond looks a bit asymmetrical in the setting, though? So the airline is a bit skewed to one side? It may be the pics. Her pics are hard for me to decipher, a bit, but her merchandise seems really good.

Also, thank you for telling me it might take a few weeks. Did you have insurance on yours? I am thinking of having it sent to my fiance's office, since we have a mailbox outside and I"m not always home.

Should I start a separate post asking for suggestions on having it resized? I'd also like to get an estimate of the sizes and cut of the diamonds, for both this ring and my family rings.

I also have to give a shout out to Gemfever and everyone else who helped me before!

Rosebloom · Feb 17, 2013

It's stunning!!! Excellent find!

LibbyLA · Feb 17, 2013

alyssa,

I don't remember whether I got insurance or not. Wouldn't hurt. It's probably not that expensive. Having it sent to your fiance's office is not a bad idea. There will always be someone trustworthy to get it.

I wouldn't worry about any perceived asymmetry at this point. The photos are much larger than real life. Wait until you see the ring on your hand before being concerned. Unless the shot is dead head-on, the center stone won't look perfectly centered.

I know a lot of people here don't think that getting an appraisal from a local jeweler is a good idea, but it may be a very reasonable choice for your jewelry. My local jeweler charged $50 for the first piece, then $20 for each additional piece with diamonds and $10 for each additional piece without stones/diamonds. For relatively inexpensive pieces of jewelry, this is probably all you need: basic info on type, size, and quality of stones, metal type and weight.

I like this one because it's just a little bit different.

Keep us posted!

liz

alyssak · Feb 17, 2013

Enerchi and Rosebloom, thank you!

Liz, thanks for your advice. Now I have to find someone local to resize it properly. Hopefully that person can also give more info on it.

I can't wait to see it in person! I'm trying to remind myself that it will be smaller, but it's so pretty.

Cluless · Feb 17, 2013

Congratulations Alyssa you did very well! It's a beautiful ring

alyssak · Feb 18, 2013

Clueless, thank you!!!

LibbyLA · Feb 18, 2013

alyssa,

If for some reason, this one doesn't work out, JbEG has one you might like. Wish I'd seen it yesterday when I was posting. However, it's enough different in style from the one you bought that I can see how you would prefer the one you bought. This one also has a MRB as the center stone and it's showing some wear.

First one on this page: http://www.jewelsbyericagrace.com/antique_vintage_and_reproduction_rings

liz

alyssak · Feb 18, 2013

Liz,

Thank you! I really like the delicacy of the one I bought, but we'll see how that turns out in real life, when it's smaller! I had stopped looking at JBEG's website because I assumed everything there was out of my pricerange.

Do you think that the JBEG would give any more finger coverage? There's definitely higher ct weight and larger diamonds, but with the airline I wonder if mine will have the same coverage. That's definitely a possibile option.

LibbyLA · Feb 18, 2013

alyssa,

I don't know about the finger coverage. I do think that the one you bought looks a bit different from the standard cluster and that's a plus. It has the milgrain detail. But if you don't love it when you get it, this is a possibility. The one you bought looks like it may be in better condition and the diamonds may all be antiques, which is a plus.

The one you bought has a lower head, which will probably make it more wearable (and I say this as someone who tends to like higher-set stones).

It wouldn't surprise me if the two have about the same finger coverage. The JbEG one has fewer and larger stones but they are all clustered together without the pretty metal work around the diamonds that your purchase has.

liz

bunnycat · Feb 19, 2013

I like the look of the one you purchased Alyssa. All the stones look to be old cuts, and as it sits lower, so what I would suggest is getting a very thin spacer ring (like the 1mm kind from Etsy, ought to cost around $70, but you can find them for a little less too) and use it to space with the 5 stone ring you will be using for the wedding band.

I have a ring with a similarly built head and so here's a (sort of) example I cobbled together for you:

I think with either of them, you may have an issue with rubbing of the ering and multistone wedding band so you may want to contemplate the spaceer idea now rather than later. If you've followed the recent thread in RT about the refurb gone wrong, I'd take that to heart and take advance precautions now to protect that very pretty ring, rather than have stones eat in to your metal and have to find someone you trust to refurb it later....

Also- CONGRATS! to finding something so pretty and in line with your budget! I hope you'll put up plenty of handshots once you get it in!

GemFever · Feb 19, 2013

Congrats on finding something so nice! Besides being beautiful, it also looks pretty solidly built, so you shouldn't have any issues with it being too worn out for everyday wear. One of the vintage rings I got on ebay has that problem -- it's gorgeous, but the metal in general has worn away to the point where it's safe enough for everyday wear. I got a jeweler who specializes in antique jewelry to tell me what he thinks about reinforcing it, but he advised against it. He said it would mess it up and change the look, and that I should enjoy wearing it on occasion, and carefully. Luckily for me, that's how I planned to wear it anyway. But, it is a cautionary tale of those who buy really antique rings as engagement rings -- they may be worn too thin by now.

Phew, all that said, I think the ring you bought still looks sturdy and safe for wear. Good choice! Can't wait to see hand shots

The search is on! Finding an inexpensive antique ring.

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