You have been scouting for vintage solid gold engagement rings for your girlfriend. However, you cannot decide on the right jewelry that will suit her style and preferences. Also, you want this ring to be uniquely stunning for the special day.
Gold is one of the most celebrated elements used and adored for centuries. Everyone desires beautiful vintage gold ornaments from their loved ones. Your girlfriend may also be secretly looking forward to the proposal day. Are you ready? We reckon, yes, else you would not be reading this article 🙂
Finally, you have decided that it is about time to propose to your girl and surprise her with a vintage gold ring. But here is another problem you have been facing that every other guy in the world struggles with – being lost because there are more than a million options to choose from, and it is overwhelming to evaluate vintage gold quality.
So, here is your be-all-end-all buying guide to get the perfect vintage solid gold engagement ring for your future wife.
Gold Ornaments and Their Purity
Before you head out to purchase gold rings, you must be aware of the different varieties of gold that exist on the market. It will not only help you find the right vintage gold ring but also save you from getting duped by fake, not-so-pure, or real vintage gold jewelry.
Trivia time!! Do you know that 24 karats of gold have the highest purity? However, it is not practical as it is impossible to craft jewelry out of it because of how highly pliable it is. Therefore, 22K gold is the purest kind of gold, which is actually gold mixed with an alloy. The proportion of pure gold in an alloy defines its purity grade.
So, the color of your gold ornaments is a clear testimony to their purity. Commonly, your gold jewelry consists of a mixture of silver, gold, and copper. The amount of gold in the ornament gives it that blingy golden-yellow hue. Goldsmiths mix pure gold with nickel or platinum to create white and rose gold ornaments, too.
What is Vintage Gold?
Genuine vintage gold jewelry must be at least a hundred years old for it to be called an “Antique piece”. Vintage gold has warmer hues compared to hallmarked modern gold, which follows a more standardized manufacturing process.
But essentially, as a customer, you must be aware that gold is gold. The appearance and colors might vary with gold-to-alloy metal ratios. However, vintage gold is more expensive because of its unique design, which was made hundreds of years ago without the use of modern machines.
Another important aspect to know is that the procedure of hallmarking gold to indicate its purity and authenticity was a luxury in the 18th century. So, most jewelry pieces belonging to this and much older eras could be unmarked. However, it is 100 percent real gold!
The vintage gold ornaments of 15K or 12K from the olden times, if hallmarked, guarantee the highest grade of purity. The other metals used in combination with gold will determine the carat rating as well as the warmer tones of the jewelry piece. For example, a vintage rose gold ornament’s coppery, amber-like hue would be strikingly different from the color of a modern rose gold piece of jewelry.
Tips for Choosing The Perfect Vintage Solid Gold Ring
Here are some tips that might aid you during your search:
#1 Learn some Period History
There are wide different varieties and designs available when it comes to vintage gold jewelry from different eras. What you are specifically looking for is a vintage solid gold ring that belongs to the rolled gold category of the Victorian era. The Edwardian era was also known for crafting unique gold rings.
Before we get to that, you should know some key ways in which antique gold was crafted back in the day. We are listing a few of those styles below:
- Gold cased
- Gold plated
- Rolled gold
- Gold filled
- Gold Vermeil (first invented in France)
- Gold Fix
- Pinchbeck (brassy gold finish) and more
A vintage solid gold ring is a piece of a rolled gold style of jewelry that was first introduced in Birmingham in 1785. It was made by the process of mechanical bonding of gold to either copper or brass. Imagine a gold-plated ornament, but many times thicker and heavier.
#2 Research About Hallmarking
This is a no-brainer. You must explore authentic vintage gold jewelry stores selling hallmarked gold ornaments to have access to better quality and variety in designs. Certain period pieces of jewelry may not be hallmarked, so ask to provide appropriate certifications that prove the authenticity and gold content of the ornament. K or Kt/Ct are some common hallmarks used.
It is ideal to look for reputed shops, especially those offering vintage gold jewelry. If you are pressed for time, you can also check out a well-reviewed, bonafide online store specializing in unique vintage gold ornaments.
#3 Research About Design Customization
The more you customize, the more you will spend. If your girl likes gemstones and you plan to have one on your ring, be sure to read up on them. Connect with your reputed jewelry businesses, friends, or family to learn extensively about gemstones.
Check if your vintage gold ring store offers customizations. Personalization elements such as special engravings in a vintage ring require intensive work, so make sure you are factoring this aspect in your final design.
Also, you must confirm the exact size of the ring to avoid any future measurement errors. We would recommend secretly getting in touch with her family to verify the size of the new ring based on her currently owned jewelry pieces. This way, your girlfriend’s antique gold ring will get its best kind of customization and stay preciously unique.
#4 Earmark Your Budget
Based on the design chosen and the type of vintage gold for your ring, set a slightly flexible budget. The prices will vary, and often, a vintage gold ring could be less expensive than newer gold jewelry. So, make sure you explore the entire market pricing of vintage solid gold rings to make a practical budget estimate and prevent overspending.
You can start your exploration journey with AnothersLegacy.com to find the right vintage gold ring within your budget preferences. It is a goldmine of exquisite vintage gold jewelry designs and will help you craft the most unique-looking solid gold ring for your girlfriend.
#5 Know Your Girl’s Jewelry Style and Other Preferences
Find out the undertone of your girlfriend’s skin tone. Is she cool-toned, warm-toned, or neutral-toned? A more yellowy vintage gold ring will suit warmer undertones. If she is on the lighter or paler side with neutral to cool undertones, it would be ideal to get a vintage gold ring that has a silvery finish.
Needless to say, before you find the right hue of vintage gold based on your girl’s undertone, make sure to check with her specific preferences. Even though she is pale, she may prefer a yellow-toned, coppery goldish hue to her engagement ring.
The choice of a vintage gold ring design is also pretty subjective. Most women want the uniqueness in the jewelry to surprise them as well as others. They value rarity and will not go for mainstream or gaudy designs. Some practical women may prefer a bold design instead of delicate carvings.
All in all, give your memory tape a bit of a rewind and think of the hints she might have mentioned in the past. So, make sure you know these preferences of your girlfriend before you make the purchase decision.
Conclusion
We know it might be a tough job to find the right vintage gold ring for your would-be-better half, considering it is not your everyday drill. However, it is worth it because it is a timeless expression of your love for her.
As you educate yourself more about vintage jewelry and its associated eras, you will get a deeper understanding of the themes the different ornaments reflect. It is an interesting process demanding a bit of both your passion and patience. Your true love for your girlfriend can make this happen. So, you got this!
