Osmosis Mom Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 Dd wants to find an engagement ring that is different and mentioned she liked vintage. I am thinking they want something that has a warranty (so not Ebay etc.). Any suggestions? Also, she mentioned she doesn't want a diamond ring...isn't that extremely unconventional?? And, oh, yes, feel free to congratulate the mother!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 My ring is from here http://www.antiquejewelrymall.com/ My husband ordered the ring without the stone, then purchased the stone locally and had the jewler set it in the ring. I LOVE my ring. I also wanted something other than a diamond...a sapphire was my ideal stone, but my husband said that everyone would think he was too cheap to buy a diamond, so he wouldn't do it. Also, in more practical terms, a diamond is much harder and therefore will stand up to everyday wear much better than a sapphire or other stone. (also, the sapphire was just as expensive as the diamond, if i remember). That said, I know that Princess Diana had a sapphire engagement ring, I think they are pretty common really. Congratulations!!! This is my engagement ring..I have the wedding band to match. http://www.antiquejewelrymall.com/r199w75.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mergath Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 (edited) Etsy has a huge selection of vintage jewelry. I don't know if any of them have warranties, but I just browsed through and some of the rings they have are simply amazing. If you look there, just be sure to change the dropdown next to the search bar from "handmade" to "vintage." :001_smile: ETA: Ooooh, like this. I know you said no diamonds, but look at this vintage Edwardian platinum diamond engagement ring: Edited November 21, 2011 by Mergath Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annandatje Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 Estate sales of affluent decedents often offer good prices on older pieces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osmosis Mom Posted November 21, 2011 Author Share Posted November 21, 2011 Yes, Mergath. Gorgeous ring and thanks also for the site to Antique rings. I am trying to convince dd to go for a diamond ring and will suggest Etsy. I was thinking TJ Maxx might have unique rings. Problem is also that they are students and don't have time to go to estate sales etc. I am looking around for her right now, but want to stay in the back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k2bdeutmeyer Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 I have a friend that is an expert in this area....let me check with her :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 Congratulations to the Mother of the Bride to be! :D Wow! Were you expecting this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 (edited) Congratulations! I admin a diamond/gemstone forum, so this is a topic near and dear to my heart. :) I would really try to talk her into diamonds. There's a reason most people use them in engagement rings. They handle daily wear better than anything else. Personally, the only other stone I'd be likely to consider is sapphire, and that's only if she's gentle on jewelry. If she doesn't plan on taking it off when she's working around the house/yard, I would honestly really advise her to stick to diamonds. If you would like, I'd be happy to ask around to a few of my "diamond friends" to see what sites they like for vintage pieces. ETA: I just wanted to add that diamonds aren't always colorless, so if she wants something unique, she might consider going with more nontraditional diamond. Diamonds in the brown family can be lovely if they are properly cut, and they're usually quite easy on the budget. Light yellows in the S to Z range can also be very beautiful and budget friendly. My engagement ring is a Y-Z yellow, and I love it. Edited November 21, 2011 by Annie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MotherMayI Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 (edited) Congratulations! I have had success in pawn shops! They could also check out local antique shops. Edited November 21, 2011 by MotherMayI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yvonne Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 Congratulations! How exciting! I've seen some beautiful engagement/wedding rings at a couple of local home consignment stores. I was surprised to see them there, but I guess it makes sense. What they have is hit/miss, but just another idea for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katiejane Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 Just wanted to say I have a Sapphire engagement ring and after 18 years it is still going strong and until recently I never ever took it off. I love Sapphires. :D My mum has a Ruby and it is over 40 years old and it has held up fine. You need to get "real" stones not created ones and make sure they are from a reputable place with a warranty. Congratulations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 Congratulations! My engagement ring is vintage emeralds. I have worn it non-stop for 20 years. My great-grandmother wore it non-stop for 50+ years. I have had no problems with it. It is rose gold, and my wedding band was designed (and the gold was actually "mixed") to go with it. We were students when we got engaged and married, so the free ring from my family was a bonus. ETA...No one thinks my DH was cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 Congratulations! My engagement ring is vintage emeralds. I have worn it non-stop for 20 years. My great-grandmother wore it non-stop for 50+ years. I have had no problems with it. It is rose gold, and my wedding band was designed (and the gold was actually "mixed") to go with it. We were students when we got engaged and married, so the free ring from my family was a bonus. ETA...No one thinks my DH was cheap. I should have clarified that my dh was being paranoid when he thought people would think he was cheap. I do NOT think it would be cheap to have a different stone, and in fact wanted a different one. He is just paranoid sometimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueridge Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 A few years ago, I was hammering garden fencing when I stuck my diamond solitaire ring really hard and damaged it beyond repair. It did, however, save my finger from certain breakage! Dh replaced it with a very unconventional ring with a large natural ruby encircled with small diamonds...because he said 'my price was far above rubies'. :001_wub: It has a vintage look about it, with small pink sapphires running down each side of the ruby. I think he got it at JC Penney on a really good before the holidays sale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osmosis Mom Posted November 21, 2011 Author Share Posted November 21, 2011 Thanks, ladies, for the suggestions. Annie, please share if it is not too complicated to get the sites. I might try local pawn stores, but not sure they'll go for that. However, an old acquaintance has a jewelry store and also does buy-backs and might have some unique rings (I remembered last night) so I'll suggest we look there. I have a couple of rings, but I am still young plus she is my first-born out of 8 so it wouldn't sit well to offer her something. Plus she has already gotten a couple of my things... Starr, this is not coming unexpected -as in I have known the kiddo for 4-5 months, but he presented the issue to his parents a few months before we expected (which was a good thing) so things are moving pretty fast right now. It seems as if dd wants to savor the engagement time so I'll probably be setting a later time limit for the next step rather than sooner. However, she'll be getting a ring on her finger within a few weeks, God Willing. In Islam, then you get a ring on the finger and are thus promised eachother (OK, ISlam and culture here), but they can't be alone etc. Then we do the actual marriage contract which would be a formal affair with something that compares to a prenuptial and that is when they are legally married but unless we held the wedding, then we call them really engaged (and they can do whatever, but usually don't go *all the way*, hehe). And then the wedding which is another big party. But for now, a small intimate affair and a ring on the finger... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lolly Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 Here, the local jewelry stores sometimes carry estate jewelry. It is absolutely the most gorgeous stuff I've ever seen. Much nicer than what is being put out today! The prices are also much lower than the new. That is where I got dd's graduation gift last spring. I felt confident purchasing from them because jewelry is what they do. (Plus, I have purchased items and had repairs done there in the past.) They inspect everything before the put it in the display case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osmosis Mom Posted November 21, 2011 Author Share Posted November 21, 2011 Lolly, thanks for the feed back. We have an old acquaintance (where dd even interned once when she was into jewelrymaking) where I'll suggest we look first. They have looked online, but she really wants something unique and this guy knows his stuff and would probably only sell us a great thing. Getting excited now that I have an idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 Thanks, ladies, for the suggestions. Annie, please share if it is not too complicated to get the sites. I might try local pawn stores, but not sure they'll go for that. However, an old acquaintance has a jewelry store and also does buy-backs and might have some unique rings (I remembered last night) so I'll suggest we look there. I sent off a Facebook message to a few ladies who buy and sell a good amount of jewelry. I'll let you know if they have any good website suggestions. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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