| CNN recently published an article in their online series, | | | | sold at businesses or estate sales without ever |
| WORLD: Art of Life, entitled When only unique will do | | | | having to pay for advertisements. A search on |
| describing how couples are looking to invest in | | | | Craigslist Atlanta, Boston, and LA on February 7th for |
| authentic antique diamond engagement rings for their | | | | "antique diamond rings" turned over forty-two results. |
| rare and unreproducible qualities. | | | | 4,360 on eBay. But wait, antique diamond rings were |
| Susan Allan, a Londoner looking for an antique | | | | supposed to be rare! They are, and for this reason, |
| engagement ring with her finance, Nick Coffey, told | | | | couples should be extremely cautious in whether or |
| CNN, "First of all it's a piece of jewelry, but it's also | | | | not they are buying something authentic. There are |
| nice to think that you've got a piece that will never | | | | plenty of phonies out there. |
| be reproduced; that's a completely unique piece that | | | | Many prefer to buy their rings in person, and there is |
| will act as an investment." CNN explains, "It is | | | | the added advantage of having something tangible to |
| becoming increasingly difficult to find these gems, but | | | | hold before laying down cash. Many local jewelers will |
| it's a challenge that [couples] thrive on....it is the | | | | have a small collection of beautiful antique rings that |
| history and originality that makes the difference. It is | | | | have been traded or cashed in. Antique stores and |
| not laser cut...you won't see anyone else wearing it." | | | | pawn shops are also classic locations to look for |
| As these antiques attract media attention, they are | | | | antique diamond rings. Most will be willing to produce |
| going to be harder and harder to find in good | | | | a professional appraisal or allow you to bring in your |
| condition. Diamond rings were not readily accepted as | | | | own jeweler to look at the ring you're interested in. |
| engagement rings until the mid-20th century, and all | | | | Browsing for rings is fun and exciting, but when |
| diamond pieces may be difficult to find in pristine | | | | looking becomes a challenge, you can narrow down |
| condition. They are after all, going to typically be at | | | | your search by "antique era" depending on your style |
| least fifty years old. So how would you go about | | | | preferences. Victorian era (1837-1901) diamond rings, |
| finding an antique diamond ring in good condition? The | | | | a popular choice for engagement rings, may pair |
| media reports shortened inventory and increased | | | | diamonds with pearls, emeralds, and opals. The |
| demand, but with our available technology, we have | | | | Edwardian era (1901-1920) featured diamonds |
| abundant resources we can use to our advantage. | | | | commonly paired elegantly with rubies or sapphires, |
| After all, your engagement ring would be even more | | | | and often set in platinum. Most recently, the Art |
| treasured with the little extra effort it took to find it. | | | | Deco era (1920-1930) is characterized by very |
| With online retail and auction sources, jewelry stores | | | | distinguished geometric shapes and straight lines |
| networking together electronically to share | | | | characteristic of modern artistic design. Art Nouveau |
| inventories, and even hometown antique shops linked | | | | and Retro styles are also common in the antique |
| to clients and auctions from across the world via the | | | | jewelry markets. Diamond cut, color, clarity and carat |
| Web, couples have more opportunities than ever to | | | | preferences may vary based on the styles and |
| find that fun vintage style engagement or | | | | arrangements. |
| anniversary ring. The biggest craze in online | | | | With a little bit of work, you will find that perfect one |
| classifieds, Craigslist, assists buyers and businesses | | | | of a kind antique ring, and be able to pass this |
| alike with free ads advertising antique diamond rings | | | | newfound history through future generations. |