Haggling for Vintage Engagement Rings

As long as the diamond and the gold is real, a ring that looks vintage can be just as acceptable as the real thing. Lots of companies take designs from vintage or antique settings and use them to design their current line. Finding warrantied vintage engagement rings can be difficult because the manufacturer is long gone or it's simply too old to warranty. You might be able to get a warranty from a local jeweler or one that designs their own work in house.

Stay away from the mall or corporatized jewelry chains if you're stuck on getting a genuine vintage engagement ring. On the other hand, you can let them know the kind of look you want and you just might find something that looks exactly like what you want.

Sylvia's Antique Jewelry http://www.sylviasantiques.com has quite a selection of the real thing. Most of the pieces don't go from about $500 and go to over $6,000, with most falling in the $2,500 to $1,250 range. They've got some outstanding Deco pieces but their stock is always changing.

Antique Engagement Rings http://antiqueengagementrings.com has a fabulous collection of reproductions. The best part about that, is that if you know you're having trouble coming up with the cash, the reproductions can still be made when you have the money. When you go for a real vintage or antique engagement ring you feel like you've got a one of a kind piece. Most of the time you don't, but good luck finding the same exact piece that you fell in love with. These pieces are expensive, but they are exact copies of original rings from the Edwardian period or Art Deco. Prices range from several thousand to about $13,000. Most run about $9,000.

Antique Jewelry Mall http://www.antiquejewelrymall.com ranges in price from $300 and up, with many rings in the $500 range. It's easy to see stuff in the $1,000 range, but this site is good if you've got a budget.

How to Haggle

There isn't much of a difference in price between a vintage engagement ring and a modern engagement ring with the same gold and karat weight. At least there shouldn't be. With that knowledge you can have idea of where to start your haggling.

There are exceptions of course. Anything from Tiffany or a specifically sought after designer would be an exception, as would certain unusual gem cuts. (The answer to that is to say that we don't see that gem cut because it just isn't popular with customers and negotiate from there.

One of the best ways to have negotiating power is to not admit that you're shopping for an engagement ring. Just have the size ready and say you're merely buying a ring.

Find more than one place that can supply you with the ring if possible. Use that to get some leverage. Or just look for comparable rings of the same price. Tell them that you're ready to walk unless you can get it for a little less.

This can be done in even in the mall shops, though with more difficulty than the places below:

Antique Stores

One of the best places to find real vintage and antique engagement rings is at am antique store. Normally they have many cases with all sorts of unusual jewelry and rings of all kinds in the glass cases. Go to more than one and shop around. Prices range quite dramatically and are dependent on the area. You can get decent vintage or antique ring from about $100 to a few thousand. Most, at least here in Florida, will fall at about the $350 range.

Estate Sales

You can find estate sales by scouring your local newspaper. Sometimes you'll get lucky and land a gorgeous ring. Sometimes they'll offer an entire box of jewelry for $50 and you might be able to snag a real and beautiful vintage ring there. I don't know how many times I've watched Antique Roadshow and heard that story.

The Pawn Shop

A pawn shop isn't very romantic, but you can sometimes find beautiful old rings for an engagement. Just don't tell her where you bought it.

Consignment Stores

Consignment stores are often the most expensive. But that can depend on your area. Owners who place jewelry on consignment know the value of the ring and are hoping to recoup it.