Hi fiancé to be! I got some tips for those that are looking to purchase a ring that's already been pre-loved.
These are for people that:
- Love to be fiercely unique. The older the item, the higher chances that it is a one off. You want truly one of a kind!
- Prefer efficiently priced.
- Understand pre-loved. You know the little tiny scratches of gold? Or the little wear you see around the edges of gemstones?
- Higher chances of a good quality piece. So this is a pretty tricky one. Good quality rings with good care can last a lifetime.
- Prefer to be sustainable. These were already created rings that deserve to be loved again. The jewelry industry has come a long way but there are still significant environmental and labor concerns.
These are NOT for people that want:
- Pristine condition! (Aside from incredibly rare antique or vintage examples where rings have been tucked away or saved.)
- Perfect symmetry in design, cut, and color. Especially for antiques, most of these don't look precise or exact.
Classification:
- Antique (+100 years old)
- Vintage (+20 years old)
So where can one find a ring like this?
In person: estate jewelry shops and antique shop dealers
Online: I will be very biased here. Instagram is surprisingly a nice option. Ebay, Ebay and First Dibs can also be great options but make sure you vet it out first before you purchase.
Seller evaluation thoughts:
- Did they list the specifications on the ring? Gold purity, item weight, gemstone ID, carat size, cut, color, how they date the ring etc..
- Do they provide an honest status of the condition of the ring?
- Did they answer your questions fully?
- Are they open to sending you additional photos or videos of the ring?
- Do they disclose how they test the ring?
- Do they provide sensible recommendations on how to wear and take care of the ring?
Post Sale
You got the ring. Now what? Well for most, if it's high value then you should consider getting it appraised. An appraisal can be utilized for insurance purposes. Go to an appraisal company that has at a minimum a GIA Graduate Gemmologist. Make sure they have an additional accreditation such as the Accredited Gemologists Association and even better if they are a certified lab or compliant with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice. A detailed appraisal will cost ~$100. After an appraisal, get it insured. Jeweler's Mutual is a company I recommend in getting insurance, they make it super easy.
If you are local to the Oregon area, I highly recommend these ladies:
Oregon Estate Jewelry: https://oregonestatejewelry.com/pages/services
J.S. English Appraisals: https://jsenglishappraisals.com/
Not all engagement rings need to be high in dollar value. If you don't need an appraisal, I still highly recommend that you take your ring to a jeweler or some sort of gemmologist that have experience with reviewing pre-owned jewelry. Having another unbiased review - just to make sure that your ring is what the specifications are. You don't know how many stories I've heard where someone had purchased a gemstone and it actually wasn't correct.