Vintage engagement rings have become extremely popular these days, especially with the Millenials. These rings are unique and recyclable, both becoming important features for engagement rings. Follow our tips below in order to best find an affordable vintage engagement ring that you love!

A vintage engagement ring is one that is at least 20 years old. Generally, the jewelry trade considers anything 20-100 years old that has been previously owned as vintage. Sometimes you will hear the term antique, which generally refers to items over 100 years old. Estate is another word thrown around, which means something previously owned. All of these words refer to basically the same thing, something older that has lasted the test of time!

To learn more in depth characteristics of vintage engagement rings, check out our Ultimate Guide to Buying Vintage Engagement Rings  

Trying to pick the perfect engagement ring can be very difficult. Likely, you’ll want to find something that not everyone has. This can be hard in the current saturated engagement ring market, but going for a vintage ring can help out. These older rings were often never replicated, as they were handmade instead of cast or cut by a machine.

Not only will you get the uniqueness to the design of the ring, but also with the background. You might have clues as to who wore the ring or when, with engravings in the shank or stories past down. Even if you aren’t able to find out the exact story, it is fun to imagine the life the ring had prior to yours.

There are many concerns in the jewelry world these days regarding ethically sourced diamonds and jewelry. This concept is so hard to trace, but with vintage rings, you know that nothing new has been created. This lack of waste or resources in using something old, allows for a recyclability aspect that you just can’t get with modern engagement rings.

• Older diamonds can be 30% less expensive than a similar new diamond.
• Pre-owned settings cost one-third to one-half the price of the same new setting.
• Vintage rings are more likely to have been made by a jeweler, rather than mass produced. The workmanship is better and the styles are unique.
• Pre-owned or vintage jewelry is less likely to carry the 300% mark-up common with new jewelry.
• Vintage rings are an eco-friendly choice.
• Unique and unlike the engagement rings everyone else has.

In addition to all the wonderful features from above, generally vintage engagement rings will cost less than contemporary engagement rings. It is hard to compare each vintage ring to each other, allowing for stores to price them as they see fit. Generally they will be cheaper than finding a new diamond and creating a new ring. On occasion, if the ring is extremely special and rare, usually Georgian items, it can be more expensive than a new one.

When looking for an affordable vintage engagement ring a good place to start is to perhaps think of other stones besides diamonds. One of the great things about vintage engagement rings is that back then, jewelers were more open to other stones. You’ll find precious stones such as sapphires, rubies and emeralds and semi precious such as turquoise, onyx, pearl and opal. These options are often cheaper than diamonds.

If you were to go the diamond route though, keep in mind that many vintage diamonds will be warmer in color and not certified. This warmth is nothing to be scared of as sometimes the yellower diamonds can really bring a setting to life!

The warmth also helps to keep the cost down as it seems more contemporary rings than rings that are in the white D-E-F color ranges. Additionally, most vintage engagement rings will not be certified, which also helps decrease costs. Be sure that the person you are purchasing your item from is reputable, as their color and clarity calls will be all you have to go off of.

Another tip to finding an affordable vintage engagement ring would be to not be so center-stone focused. These rings were handcrafted and some of them have such incredible detail. The setting can be just as, if not more important than the center-stone. Not worrying about how large your center-stone is can allow you to find something affordable.

• Talk to her friends, look at the jewelry she wears. You want to make sure the ring you buy is one she will like. 
• Think about her lifestyle. If she is a doctor or nurse, or someone who wears gloves a lot, a high setting will tear the gloves. She may want a low setting that she can wear everyday. 
• Figure out her ring size.
  • Ask her friends and family if they know, or use a ring she wears to figure out size. 
  • Take one of her rings and place it on a piece of paper. Draw a circle on the inside and outside of the ring. Take this to a jeweler. 
  • When you are holding her hand, see if one of her fingers is similar in size to a finger of yours. 
  • Ask one of her friends to help, maybe they can go "engagement ring shopping" just for fun. She can get sized and her friend can share the info with you. 

*Note that diamonds made before 1931 will not have grading.

Carat

A carat is the unit of weight by which a diamond is measured. 200 milligrams or 0.2 grams equals 1 carat. The more carats a diamond is, the more expensive it is.

Diamond prices rise dramatically at 1 carat. Buying a diamond that is 0.9 c will save you a considerable amount of money.

Clarity

Clarity is a sliding scale that measures a diamond's inner and outer flaws. Fewer flaws give a diamond more value. The clarity of a diamond ranges from F (no inclusions), IF, VVS1, VVS2, VS1, VS2, SI1, SI2, I1, I2, and I3 (included).

Be aware that up to a certain point, flaws are not visible to the human eye. There is not much point spending a fortune on a diamond whose flaws can only be seen under a microscope. Eye clean diamonds are within the SI1 and SI2 clarity range.

Miners and jewelers in the past had very high standards about inclusions, and this benefits you today because you can buy pieces with high-quality diamonds at a fraction of the price.

For budget shoppers, stick to diamonds in the slightly included clarity range (SI1 - SI2)

Stick to diamonds that are within the G - M color range for the most affordable options.

• Research stone choices. Are you going to buy a diamond ring? Or are you opting for an alternative stone?
• Consider the durability of the gemstone. Diamond, sapphire, ruby, topaz, garnet, cubic zirconia, and aquamarine are the toughest stones. 
• The size of the center stone will affect the price. If you want a large diamond, look for a ring from the 1930's or 40's. The diamonds used in these rings were made to appear larger by placing them in an elaborately carved setting.

• Setting options include: Solitaire, bezel, prong, three-stone, cluster, halo, and box setting. 
• Choosing a ring setting with diamond accents is a smart way to create a dazzling ring without spending too much on a large center diamond, these are known as a halo design. 
• A prong setting will cost less than a Bezel setting. 

• Consider the metal you are looking for. Gold and silver are typical metals used to make engagement rings. However, platinum works especially well with diamonds.
• Platinum is a bit more prone to scratching than gold, but it is less prone to bending and holds its shape better with age. Platinum produces a patina over time that is highly desirable. Platinum is the most expensive metal. 
• Be wary of white gold bands, as white gold from the past is made of an alloy of gold, silver, and nickel. Nickel can cause skin irritation in some people, so if the engagement is going to be a surprise, stick to a platinum band.
• If you want a gold band, look for 14 karat gold. It is affordable, while still being strong enough to withstand everyday wear.

• Make sure you are aware of the return policy for any store you are considering purchasing from. 
• Find out if the shop you are looking at offers ring resizing and if there is a charge for the service. 

Typically, stones with shapes such as round, pear, and oval will look larger than cushion or emerald shaped stones given the same carat weight.

If you stick to just under 1 carat, even 0.9 carats, you will save a significant amount of money.

Read reviews, ask questions. Make sure you are buying from someone you can trust. Do they offer any guarantees against loosening of the stones or defects not obvious a the time of purchase? We have a list of reputable sellers here.

Various retailers may have small estate or vintage sections and this can be a good place to start. It is a good idea to try on different styles as they are all so unique. Once you feel you’ve found a style that works for you, we’d suggest going online.

Etsy and Ebay have many different users who are selling vintage items. These sellers don’t necessarily have a high overhead, so they are able to sell their items at more affordable costs than a retailer.

But, be sure it is a reputable seller! Check out our article on on some of the Best Vintage Jewelry Shops on Etsy.

Finding a vintage engagement ring you love at an affordable cost may seem daunting. We hope this article provides you some tips to ease this worry. With so many unique vintage engagement rings out there, you are sure to find your perfect ring!

Make sure to have a browse on Etsy and eBay for your ring purchase.

Happy Shopping, 
Andrea