Is an Estate Engagement Ring Right for You?

An estate engagement ring can offer a tremendous value to the buyer but there are a few important points to consider. Here we are talking about buying an engagement ring that has come on to the market as part of an estate sale. If you are looking for something from the past, estate jewelry makes sense. If you are just looking to save money then you are better off looking at discount diamond jewelry.

Estate, antique and vintage are all terms that get blended together. Antique rings are rings that are more than 50 years old. An estate ring would often be less than 50 years old and in fact might have been purchased last year. The term vintage is often used by jewelers to refer to a particular era. An art deco ring would be described as a vintage ring or an antique as it would be over 50 years old. It could also be on the market as the result of an estate sale… You can see the overlap in terms. An estate engagement ring could be either vintage or antique but it does not have to be. Estate really means that this is pre owned jewelry.

Today for most people an engagement ring means a diamond ring. One thing to consider with estate pieces is the cut of the diamond. Some of the older pieces that have been in a family for years may feature the older mine cut stones that are not as popular today, and may not be as valuable going forward. While we can’t predict what will or will not be more popular or valuable in the future, you ought to know that stones are not being cut like this any more.

Exceptions to this would be period pieces from famous makers. Typically those would be sought after by collectors and are not the typical engagement rings that we see come to market through estate sales. You will also see a lot more pear and cushion cut stones as you look at antique rings. There are some truly beautiful pieces but for the most part they do not look like our modern designs. If this is your interest lots of research is your best bet. An estate engagement ring that is less than 50 years old will not feature the older mine cut or European cut stones unless the rings were made with older stones to start with. Looking at ring styles from the 1950’s and onward would be another way of landing on a favorite style. If the style you are looking for is pre 1950 then include antique rings in your search.

Remember that most women will wear this ring everyday. This is an important consideration when you chose a style. Different designs and styles are definitely associated with different eras. If you and your fiancé share a period that is particularly evocative for you then start there. Again, if the period that you are interested in is more than 50 years ago you need to be looking at antique jewelry.

The real value of an estate engagement ring is that it allows the purchaser to evoke a time past. If the purpose of looking at estate jewelry is simply to try and find a good deal then discount diamond jewelry or an online jewelry auction is a better way to go. A person buying an estate ring is usually more concerned about the statement that the ring itself makes rather than trying to find a bargain.

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