Source: Christine's Heirloom Antique Diamond Engagement Ring
It's easy to get caught up in the romance of vintage engagement rings and the mysterious love story of its previous owners. However, if you are not prepared to shop, own, and maintain an old used piece of jewelry, your romantic notions may soon be swept away.
First, let me say that working for a jewelry manufacturer that has been around for 100 years in 2016, means I come in contact with a lot of old, used, and antique jewelry. However, not all antique jewelry was created equal. For owners or our jewelry, they were fortunate enough to acquire true heirloom die struck jewelry which is far denser than cast jewelry. Essentially, the jewelry is much stronger and can with stand the test of time far greater than its cast counter parts. So, to determine if you are ready to shop and own a vintage ring, lets see if you have considered asking these questions:
Vintage Engagement Rings Question #1:
How many times has the ring been sized?
It's inevitable that at some point your ring will have been size. However, multiple sizing will begin to effect the integrity of the shank. However, a red flag should go up if you see lines, shadows, ripples, or variations in the color of the metal at the base of the shank, this is the area at the bottom of the band that rests on the palm side of your finger.
Vintage Engagement Rings Question #2:
How well was the ring maintained?
Owning a piece of jewelry is just liking owning a home, a car, or anything of value. Regular maintenance is essential. Here are just a few of the things you want to look for:
- Is the the shank thinner in one spot than the other?
- Are the prong tips covering/touching the stone(s)?
- Are there stones missing?
- If there are engravings, are they crisp or faded?
Vintage Engagement Rings Question #3:
Is your ring die struck?
The two most popular types of jewelry manufacturing are cast and die struck. Cast jewelry is made using a melt and pour method. While it is less expensive, it is also produces jewelry that is softer and can be worn, damaged, and broken down much faster than die struck jewelry. Die struck jewelry is made using carefully alloyed metals that are struck between steel tools to slowly compress the metal into the form of the desired piece of jewelry. The end result of die struck jewelry is a dense and heirloom quality piece of ring that can withstand the test of time. If you shop for die struck vintage engagement rings, you can be sure the production methods will make your ring last for generations to come.
Vintage Engagement Rings Question #4:
How was your jewelry made?
While die struck jewelry lasts much longer than cast jewelry, the method of assembly can vary even among manufacturers. In the diagram above you can see the solder points among early 20th century die struck jewelry manufacturers versus that of Jabel. We continue to use this method; to eliminate as many weak solder points as possible.
Vintage Engagement Rings Question #5:
Is the original manufacturer still in business to restore your ring?
Unless you are shopping for a vintage Jabel rings, this may be a long shot since many die striking jewelry companies have gone out of business. If possible, shopping for vintage engagement rings from a manufacturer that is still in business is a good way to guarantee that restorations to keep your ring in excellent condition can be done correct.
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In closing, just like a treasure hunt, shopping for vintage engagement rings can be an exciting journey to find the perfect ring. Likewise, the care an maintenance can be time consuming once you have found the right ring. If this is not for you, than consider some of these great alternatives to vintage engagement rings.
Email us to find a local Jabel jeweler at info@jabel.com