where to find vintage/antique setting?

[mrcysco]

OK well I thought I had everything figured out. I bought my stone yesterday and had every intention of getting it set in a cool tension setting.
Then I spoke to her best friend...

Anyway, word on the street is that my GF has always wanted a vintage ring. So I ask, where is the best place to find such a thing? ebay is obvious. any other places? Is it reasonable to believe I can find a unique vintage setting without a diamond that I can have my diamond set in?

I''m thinking something classy like the one below that I believe belongs to forum member Hetty. (it doesn''t have to be Tiffay) or a unique solitaire setting.

thanks for any advice!

-=marc

 

[cdt1101]

try faycullen.com

 

[Maisie]

http://antiqueengagementrings.com

Try here too

 

[chrono]

Pearlman''s has a section online called Great Deals: Vintage that has some REAL vintage settings for great prices. I myself just bought 2 for unbeatable prices to set my coloured stones in. One is a 1930 piece and the other is a 1950 piece.

 

[kcoursolle]

oooh, good thing you checked before buying a tension ring. Tension rings are beautiful, but it''s pretty common that males like them better than females because they are a bit masculine. Do you know a little bit more about what type of antique-style ring she would like? There is a lot of variation. Some have pave, engraving, filigree, halos, and the styles look quite different.

 

[jfan]

Katrina_33 posted this awhile ago (hope you don''t mind the repost!)...there are some great links:

Hi All,

I tried to add these links into the thread in the FAQ section, but it wouldn''t let me! Anyhow, since I spent so much time putting them together, here they are... Lots of antiques and antique style mountings. Maybe someone with access to that section can add em to that thread?

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

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I''d check out the Tacori settings from Good Old Gold. Be very careful because the quality is questionable on some of the less expensive antique reproduction settings.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/settingSearch.php

 

[poptart]

Van Craeynest has gorgeous pieces, too. http://www.vancraeynest.com/collections.html Also, you might want to look up antique jewelers right in your area so that you can get some ideas in person. I find that really intricate antique designs are best viewed in person so you can see the delicacy of the work, but that's just me.

*M*

 

[neatfreak]

I would stay away from ebay as often those settings are too old/not strong enough anymore to remount a diamond in.

If it doesn''t need to be a real antique, Mark T. at engagementringsdirect.com has a whole section of replica antique settings. Also try antiqueengagementrings.com.

Fay Cullen has nice stuff, but a horrible return policy, so you need to be 100% certain it will work before you buy from her.

 

[Apocalypse]

I came across this site called Filigree that sells antique replica settings along with antique rings

http://www.efiligree.com/product_show.asp?category=11

 

[pixelbender]

From my experience,

White House Brothers has some beautiful replicas (they look much better in person than on their website, kind of a shame).

I spent money on an eBay ring, it was beautiful, but a little too "antique" to be viable as an everyday ring. However, we did end up using a ring I got her for her 21st that I did happen to get from eBay, so it is hit or miss (but for instance in my circumstance, I could buy 2 or 3 rings on eBay just to get a good one and its still cheaper than anywhere else).

That, or take up metal detecting.

But SERIOUSLY, my BEST ADVICE is to get her opinion on a SPECIFIC "antique" setting. That vintage word is tossed around often nowadays, and you need to know exactly what you''re lookig for! HEED THIS ADVICE my friend!