Useful Tips on Choosing Antique Rings

An antique ring reflects the work of pure art. It depicts the cultured and refined taste of its owner. These rings were lavishly designed and it is quite hard to attain such intricate details nowadays. Today’s plain bands and prong settings of engagement rings are nowhere near to the antique artisanship of yester years so they will always be valued and appreciated.

The antique engagement rings, which are most desired today, date from the late Victorian era through the 1940’s, the Edwardian era. Rings from different eras reflect different attributes in accordance with their era’s style and design.

There are four characteristics of antique rings that should be kept in mind before purchasing it. These are carat weight, clarity, color, and cut.

The size and carat weight of the diamond comprises a large portion of the price. It is a common trend now that engagement ring should have a diamond set in. So, the diamond is the gemstone for an engagement ring nowadays. The price would rise up as the size of the diamond increases. During the 1930’s and 1940’s, the diamonds were set in white gold square-shaped boxes which were lavishly carved to make the diamond appear larger. This would give the feel of a larger diamond for the price of a smaller one.

The clarity of the diamond is another important attribute of the antique engagement rings. The clearer the diamond, the more its price is going to be. The clarity of the diamond has a direct impact on the price. Some mid century jewelry manufacturers like Keepsake never compromised on the quality of the diamond in their rings. They used top quality diamonds studded in their engagement rings. They would never set a poor quality gemstone in their ring settings.

The color of the diamond is the personal preference of an individual. It should be selected according to one’s own taste. Earlier this century, people wanted diamonds reflecting colors of the rainbow. In this period, diamonds were mostly soft pink, yellow or with green tinges. The scenario now has changed completely. People prefer white and colorless diamonds today as they are considered more chic and trendy. So with your personal preference, you could pick the color of your own choice in diamonds for your engagement ring.

The cut of the diamonds in previous eras can not be compared to modern standards. In those times, diamonds were cut manually by hand which would take a lot of manpower and time. They were cut very softly and appeared to have a classy feel to it. These days, diamonds are cut by lasers which consume less time and effort. The overall look of diamonds cut in yesteryears was very soft and romantic which attracts a large number of people today.

The most important aspect of antique engagement rings is that you do not have to pay for the craftsmanship. Even if you try to find someone to imitate the original antique design of the ring, the labor cost would be exceedingly high and still effective results would not be achieved. So it would be a total waste in investing your money in something which would not turn out the way you want it.

The selection of an antique ring solely depends on your taste and style. The important thing is to keep all the above mentioned aspects in mind. Some people can not judge the quality of the diamond and are not aware of the internal details of it. You should choose the best antique ring for your engagement. It would not only brighten up your day but would also make you confident in front of your loved one.