Antique engagement rings have become all the rage in recent
years, particularly with famous brides like Madonna, Catherine
Zeta-Jones and Camilla Parker-Bowles all sporting
vintage-inspired engagement rings.

We have the Victorians to thank for introducing the diamond
engagement ring as THE ring to wear and many of those early
designs are now being copied and updated for today’s modern
fiancee. But before you rush out and buy that to-die-for, vintage engagement rings
, antique
engagement, vintage engagement rings
, ring, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Tips when choosing an antique engagement ring

The settings used in the manufacture of modern engagement rings
are very different from those used last century.

Antique
settings often involved fine filigree work and delicate designs
that weren’t meant for much wear-and-tear. These delicate
settings will have become even more delicate over time and
there’s many a story about the starry-eyed soon-to-be-bride who
has been heartbroken when her precious antique engagement ring
proved even more precious than she had thought, vintage engagement rings
, .

If you want a genuine vintage engagement ring make sure you have
it assessed by a qualified jeweler so that any damage can be
corrected and the settings strengthened.

You may even need to
have the stone or stones re-mounted.

Diamond cuts have also changed dramatically over the years.
Contemporary diamond cutters use modern faceting techniques to
show a diamond off at its brilliant best. Although a diamond
will sparkle even when its been poorly cut, don’t expect the
same razzle-dazzle, vintage engagement rings
, you see today from the diamonds in antique
engagement rings.

Also keep in mind that antique engagement rings were often made
with stones that don’t stand the test of time. Turquoise is a
gem to steer clear of because it has a nasty reputation for
discoloration. As do pearls, which lose their sheen and opals,
which will gradually wear away.

Another thing to be wary of is that lesser-quality garnets were
often marketed as rubies in vintage engagement rings, so be sure
to have your ring valued if you badly want a ruby-red engagement
ring.

An antique engagement ring is not a ring you can wear every day
in our rough-and-tumble world, but it’s preciousness makes, vintage engagement rings
, it a
treasure that, with the right care, will give you pleasure every
day for a lifetime.

Source: articleage.com