Vintage Rings - Opinions on Price?

[mausketeer]

Hi everybody! I tend to write long-winded posts so excuse me if it's boring - I'll attempt to be as entertaining as possible...... lol

Am hoping to get engaged soon and have always wanted a vintage ring rather than a new one (I just haven't seen any new ones that I like, nothing that really "speaks to me" at least) I've been looking for a few years and think I know what is out there but the prices are SO variable, I can't tell what is fair (I think because I have also seen some REALLY good deals that got snapped up quickly so am waiting to find one like that) Here are a few that I love (if I can't post multiple pics I'll make new postings for each one so hang on)

Ring #1 - Shooting Star (this would be more of a "promise ring" but I just LOVE it because we saw a shooting star the first night we met - AWWWWWW)
Vintage White Gold Ring
$1,350.00 (listed as sale price $475)
One lady's white metal die struck & assembled ring that is stamped14k but test to be 12k.

This millgrained ring is bead set with one round brilliant diamond measuring approximately 4.01 x 4.03 x 2.4 mm for an estimated weight of 0.24 cts and grade SI1 in clarity and G-h in color.

The shooting star motif ring also has 18 single cut diamonds each measuring approximately as follows:
14 @ 1.3 mm and 4 @ 1.0 mm for a total estimated weight of 0.16 cts and grade SI in clarity and G-I in color.

This ring weighs 4.9 grams and has a good finish. All gem materials were graded while mounted to the extent the setting permits examination.

 

[mausketeer]

Pic #2.....

 

[mausketeer]

Pic #3.....

 

[mausketeer]

Now this is ring #2 (which would be a "real" engagement ring.....) I have yet to find a new ring that even comes close to this sort of "look" (this is EXACTLY the type of ring I want). I REALLY love it but am a bit sad about the size of the main diamond (and the colour of the 2nd one) Although I actually like the "lesser" colour stones (if I were to get a new soliatire, I would get a "champagne" diamond), it just doesn''t seem to make much sense in this ring. I wondered if perhaps it was taken from another ring and added to this one? Maybe from a mother''s or grandmother''s wedding ring perhaps......

Vintage White Gold Ring
$2685.00 (listed as sale price $1,850)
One lady''s white metal die struck & assembled ring that is stamped 14K and tests to be 14K.
This ring has a 4-prong head set with one Old European cut diamond measuring approximately...
4.56 x 4.6 x 2.9 mm for an estimated weight of 0.39 cts and grades VS1 in clarity and H-I in color.
This ring is prong set with one full cut diamond measuring approximately...
3.1 mm for an estimated weight of 0.11 cts and grades VS2 in clarity and N-O in color.
This ring is bead set with Old European single cut diamonds measuring approximately...
29 averaging 1.3-2.0 mm for a total estimated weight of 0.58 cts and grade SI in clarity and H-I in color.

This bright-polished and beaded ring tapers from approximately 14.6-2.1 mm, weighs 3.6 grams and has a good finish.

All gem materials were graded to the extent the setting permits examination.

 

[mausketeer]

Pic #2.....

 

[mausketeer]

Pic #3......

 

[innerkitten]

That shooting star ring is really cool! Whenis it from? I have an antique ring too and am very happy with it.

 

[mausketeer]

Sorry the pics are so big..... I had enough trouble trying to figure out how to load them all let alone shrink them!

So comments? Are the prices "good"? "Fair"? If these were new would they be comparable?

Maybe just for fun I''ll post pics of my DREAM RING!!! Anyone wanna see it? Is this the right forum for it or should I put it on "Show me the Rock"?

 

[mausketeer]

Date: 7/16/2008 3:06:06 PM
Author: innerkitten
That shooting star ring is really cool! Whenis it from? I have an antique ring too and am very happy with it.

I''m not sure - they don''t state the year. I assume it''s from the ''40''s or ''50''s???

- Jodie -

 

[surfgirl]

While both rings are interesting in different ways, from a woman''s perspective, I dont think they look/feel like erings, to be honest. More like RHRs or cocktail style rings from the 50''s. Nothing wrong with that but not ering material, IMO.

There are tons of places to look for vintage/antique erings but...what does your lady want. You say what you want, but you''re not the one who''s going to have to wear this ring everyday. Are you 100% sure your lady wants an antique/vintage ring? Do you know what styles she prefers? If not, you might want to go shopping together to get that info first.

 

[Lexie]

Date: 7/16/2008 3:49:42 PM
Author: surfgirl
While both rings are interesting in different ways, from a woman's perspective, I dont think they look/feel like erings, to be honest. More like RHRs or cocktail style rings from the 50's. Nothing wrong with that but not ering material, IMO.


There are tons of places to look for vintage/antique erings but...what does your lady want. You say what you want, but you're not the one who's going to have to wear this ring everyday. Are you 100% sure your lady wants an antique/vintage ring? Do you know what styles she prefers? If not, you might want to go shopping together to get that info first.

I believe that mausketeer is a woman?

At any rate, out of the two rings that were posted, I like the first one the best. It would make a nice promise ring, has sentimental meaning, and it's fairly inexpensive, which is a plus!

Do you know what kind of budget you're going to be working with for an e-ring? And what does your dream ring look like?

 

[mausketeer]

Date: 7/16/2008 3:49:42 PM
Author: surfgirl
While both rings are interesting in different ways, from a woman''s perspective, I dont think they look/feel like erings, to be honest. More like RHRs or cocktail style rings from the 50''s. Nothing wrong with that but not ering material, IMO.

There are tons of places to look for vintage/antique erings but...what does your lady want. You say what you want, but you''re not the one who''s going to have to wear this ring everyday. Are you 100% sure your lady wants an antique/vintage ring? Do you know what styles she prefers? If not, you might want to go shopping together to get that info first.

LOL - yes, I''M the girl! It''s funny when you write on these forums sometimes - what seems so clear to you comes across differently when other people read it.......

Oh yes, I know these don''t fall into the "engagment ring" style. I hope this doesn''t offend anybody but if my boyfriend tried to give me a "6 prong Tiffany solitaire" I think I''d DIE (and not from being HAPPY I might add!). I''m not your average girl. I''ve got tons of tattoos, piercings in odd places, my hair is usually some odd shade or another, I ride motorcycles and scooters, etc. I''m just not a "solitaire" or "halo mount" type of person, you know? I like things that are really unique and different, and that''s what I love about these rings. I am pushing for the star one "for now" and then the "REAL ONE" for later.......

- Jodie -

 

[mausketeer]

Date: 7/16/2008 4:00:10 PM
Author: Lexie

Date: 7/16/2008 3:49:42 PM
Author: surfgirl
While both rings are interesting in different ways, from a woman''s perspective, I dont think they look/feel like erings, to be honest. More like RHRs or cocktail style rings from the 50''s. Nothing wrong with that but not ering material, IMO.


There are tons of places to look for vintage/antique erings but...what does your lady want. You say what you want, but you''re not the one who''s going to have to wear this ring everyday. Are you 100% sure your lady wants an antique/vintage ring? Do you know what styles she prefers? If not, you might want to go shopping together to get that info first.

I believe that mausketeer is a woman?

At any rate, out of the two rings that were posted, I like the first one the best. It would make a nice promise ring, has sentimental meaning, and it''s fairly inexpensive, which is a plus!

Do you know what kind of budget you''re going to be working with for an e-ring? And what does your dream ring look like?

I dont'' really know the budget to tell you the truth. I think we could afford something up to about $5,000 but I think he would kinda lose it to spend that much on a piece of jewellery. He makes okay money but he can be thrifty on things sometimes. And we''re trying to figure out where to live right now, etc etc so not a lot of extra money around.....

Here''s the "I WOULD KILL TO HAVE THIS RING"-ring. I think it sold for around $8,000 which is WAYYYYY more than we could have afforded. I was thinking of trying to get this reproduced but I think it would just end up costing about the same amount. It was with "Lang Antiques".

 

[surfgirl]

Oh, I saw the reference to Ivan and thought you were talking to yourself...

In that case, I take back my previous comments. All you really need to know is whether or not you love the ring(s). If so, go for it!

 

[Dreamer_D]

For an e-ring, you want quality. Get a diamond from a trusted vendor, and then have Green Lake Jewelry Works or Single Stone make you a reproduction. Here is an example from Green Lake that I thought you might like. There are more in their "antique" section: http://www.greenlakejewelry.com/n_gallery2.asp.

 

[mausketeer]

It looks like a "Hollywood starlet" kind of thing to me.......

 

[mausketeer]

I can''t remember the total diamond weight but I think it was around 2.5 ct?

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

I absolutely LOVE the second ring. I'm not a pricing expert, but if it is priced at $1850, that sounds good to me.

PS. I love your dream ring too!

 

[Lexie]

Ooh.. I loooove Lang Antiques

I was browsing their selection earlier today, as a matter of fact

Here''s the ring that you liked on there

I''ll see if I can come across something similar elsewhere!

 

[mausketeer]

Date: 7/16/2008 4:27:50 PM
Author: NeverEndingUpgrade
I absolutely LOVE the second ring. I''m not a pricing expert, but if it is priced at $1850, that sounds good to me.

PS. I love your dream ring too!

Thanks! I have to say it''s getting kinda old for me to show my favorite rings to people and have them say "Oh, is that an ENGAGEMENT ring? That doesn''t look like an engagement ring to me!" etc. People seem to forget that fashion is dictated by what is POPULAR. Everything that is popular now was "new" at some point too. Vintage style rings are really in vogue now - I wouldn''t be surprised if cocktail "style" rings came into fashion as engagement rings in the next few years..... (with modern tweaking of course)

Check THIS one out - this one sold for $1,850 as well (different web site) The centre stone was ONE CARAT! I couldn''t believe it! If this was new it would go for what? $5,000+? (another reason I want to go with vintage!)

 

[mausketeer]

I loved it but thought it would be a bit "much" for everyday (even for ME)......

 

[mausketeer]

view #3.......

 

[mausketeer]

#4.......

 

[mausketeer]

Date: 7/16/2008 4:32:44 PM
Author: Lexie
Ooh.. I loooove Lang Antiques

I was browsing their selection earlier today, as a matter of fact

Here''s the ring that you liked on there

I''ll see if I can come across something similar elsewhere!

Yes, I go back to "visit" it every once in a while and sigh heavily...... someone out there has MY ring!!! I hope they love it as much as I would have!!!!!

Wouldn''t it be funny if they were on Pricescope?? Helloooo!!!! Give me my ring!!!!! lol

- Jodie -

 

[Lexie]

Date: 7/16/2008 5:01:41 PM
Author: mausketeer

Yes, I go back to 'visit' it every once in a while and sigh heavily...... someone out there has MY ring!!! I hope they love it as much as I would have!!!!!


Wouldn't it be funny if they were on Pricescope?? Helloooo!!!! Give me my ring!!!!! lol


- Jodie -

Awww..

What a bummer!

Well, I'm going to assume that you're into vintage floral motifs, and I found this ring on eBay that's reasonably priced and quite modest, as well as this one.

I recently saw the setting was cheaper though

 

[mausketeer]

Date: 7/16/2008 5:25:25 PM
Author: Lexie

Date: 7/16/2008 5:01:41 PM
Author: mausketeer

Yes, I go back to ''visit'' it every once in a while and sigh heavily...... someone out there has MY ring!!! I hope they love it as much as I would have!!!!!


Wouldn''t it be funny if they were on Pricescope?? Helloooo!!!! Give me my ring!!!!! lol


- Jodie -

Awww..

What a bummer!

Well, I''m going to assume that you''re into vintage floral motifs, and I found this ring on eBay that''s reasonably priced and quite modest, as well as this one.

I recently saw the setting was cheaper though

Wow yeah - I LOVE that one yeah! (the one from the Pricescope thread) Too bad we''d have to put a .10 carat stone in it to be able to afford it though! lol. I''ll have to check out the eBay ones at home tonight - can''t open them on this computer......

Here''s another one that is in the running (in MY mind at least) It''s a bit more expensive (good thing I don''t find our modest means embarassing - I''m sure there are people on here who think these prices are SO low......) This one is going for $3,200. I have to remember that these things are usually negotiable on vintage items. Especially if they''ve been around the store a long time....... I really love it but it''s kinda big (almost 1" long). I have pretty small hands although I wear fairly large rings normally (I have a giant oval moonstone that''s about 20mm wide and also a circle ring that covers my whole finger so..... I could get used to it!)

Thanks for all the detective work Lexie! Very helpful!!!! (I LOVE this forum!)

- Jodie -

 

[mausketeer]

That first one is pretty blurry...... can get an idea of it though I think......

 

[mausketeer]

I think this is the one on a ring mandrel..... shows how long it is....... funny how the top stone seems to be larger than the more central stone (which appears to be in an illusion setting?) Wonder why that would be? You''d think they''d put the larger stone in the central position, no?

 

[Lexie]

I do like the ring that you just posted, but it does look rather big

But since it is so pretty and there's the potential of you getting used to it, then it could definitely be in the running

And I totally don't mind helping you out. I've been searching for an antique e-ring myself, so I'm usually scouring all sorts of web sites

 

[Lexie]

Here are a few other options:

I''m totally lovin'' this ring. It''s definitely unique and sparkly! Don''t know if you''d consider it to be too uh, showy.

In comparison, this ring is more low-key and dainty.

This ring is.. interesting and abstract.