So, I may propose sometime in the next 10 years, my GF has expressed the desire to have an antique ring ... I did some research and looked online.... looks like I'll make out like a bandit.... the older rings used less perfect diamonds and they cost less :nice: ... anyways, I did not find what I wanted, and I'm not buying a ring online, I want to buy it from someone face-to-face ... and most of the online ones were just a couple hundred bucks, I cannot spend that little .... It’s got to be a few g's (not a few g's for a hundred dollar ring :) ... I want it to be nice).... I'm looking for something in white gold, with lots of engraving work on the ring, and a carrot or carrot and a half (anything bigger kinda looks silly IMO) … she’s a sensible girl, she said she does not want me spending more than $300 on a ring … lol $300, can you image … so I plan on spending more than $300 … but I’m not spending 2mo salary like the commercial (that’s about what I paid for my Cobra, she’s not getting a Cobra on her finger) … anyways:

Where does one go to buy nice antique rings?

What’s the process? … Can I secure the ring with a credit card and then take it somewhere to get looked as so I know I’m not spending a couple g’s and a $100 ring?

Do wedding bands need to match the ring … should I be worried at all about that while selecting a ring? (I do not know how that stuff works)

There should be a few antique jewelry stores around your 'hood. Pawn shops and estate sales are also a good option.

First and foremost you'll want the ring appraised by a reputable jeweler. This is a document that should come with the ring. If you find a ring you like and the merchant hasn't had it appraised DO NOT BUY IT AT ANY PRICE before you've had it checked out buy a jeweler.

I bought an antique ring for my ex from a dealer who bought it at an estate sale the very day I bought it. I got great deal, so IMO, it's definitely worth looking into. The rock was relatively small, but the overall ring was beautiful, and in perfect shape. The girls in the store all said that they would love to receive a ring like it. That's actually why I decided to buy it.

I also bought a beautiful string of pearls from the same guy, as well as an antique cameo necklace. I got really good deals on both of them, all from estate sales. If you can get them before they're inventoried and pay cash, you can save a few bucks as well as getting something really nice.

I would say call some dealers and start looking and asking questions. Different dealers operate differently. You may be surprised at what you find. It never hurts to look.


It's not always about the money, but the thought, and most importantly, whether or not she likes it.

I bought an antique ring for my ex from a dealer who bought it at an estate sale the very day I bought it. I got great deal, so IMO, it's definitely worth looking into. The rock was relatively small, but the overall ring was beautiful, and in perfect shape. The girls in the store all said that they would love to receive a ring like it. That's actually why I decided to buy it.

I also bought a beautiful string of pearls from the same guy, as well as an antique cameo necklace. I got really good deals on both of them, all from estate sales. If you can get them before they're inventoried and pay cash, you can save a few bucks as well as getting something really nice.

I would say call some dealers and start looking and asking questions. Different dealers operate differently. You may be surprised at what you find. It never hurts to look.


It's not always about the money, but the thought, and most importantly, whether or not she likes it.

thanks! .... I'm most concerend about getting what I want (what I know she'll like) and not getting ripped off in the process. what type of dealer do i need to look for? ... how do I do that? ... are there antique jewerly dealers that I can talk to? ... or do I role up to zales or something?

Once upon a time, "Estate Sales" was a classified ad category in the newspaper. That might still be a good place to start.

Try the Yellow Pages too. Most jewelers that specialize in antiques will advertise this.