Vintage Wedding Rings have a romantic appeal. However, shopping for older rings can be tricky. There's some basic information you should know before even heading out the door to stores.
Antique vs. Estate Rings:
The word antique only applies to wedding rings over 50 years old, and really should only be used with rings over 100 years old. Estate rings are less than 50 years old (they can actually be brand new but simply part of an estate sale). So when you're looking for vintage wedding rings it's recommended that you ask to see only rings made before 1950.
Style File:
Each era of antique and vintage ring has some specific style points. Knowing these in advance can help you create a short list of what you really want to see, based on personal tastes.
If you like rose gold, for example, Victorian rings are lovely. They not only often have the rose colored gold (12K and 14K) you enjoy but incredible mine cut diamonds that continue to appreciate in value. Alternatively you may find Victorian rings with pearls – just be careful here. Pearls are very delicate and not the best choice for a ring you wear every day.
From 1900 – 1920 you'll find Edwardian style wedding rings, often made in platinum. The Edwardian style is typically filled with lace, filigree and scrollwork. The main gems used were diamonds (rose cut) and sapphires.
Art Deco rings start showing up in 1920 and remain on the scene for 10 years. Art deco has strong geometric lines and multi-cultural influences. A variety of gemstones show up in the rings, and platinum continued to be a favored metal.
The 1930s and 40s were the “diamonds are a girl's best friend” years and have rings with larger diamonds and intricate detailing.
Vintage Wedding Rings Buyer Helps and Hints
Antique Wedding Ring Sets can actually represent a great bargain, even though they're not cheap. If you were to get a custom piece today with the workmanship of vintage rings, it would likely cost far more than the price of the rings you've picked out.
Having said that, there are some things to be cautious about. Particularly some stones like opals don't stand the test of time as well as harder stones like diamonds. If you're considering wedding bands with soft stones, make sure you have them checked for cracks before buying.
Making the Purchase:
Thanks to online shopping, a larger selection of Vintage Jewelry is available to all of us. I recommend purchasing from eBay and paying for your purchase with PayPal. Together they protect you and they make it very easy to resolve any problems that may arise. If you are making a substantial investment, you will want to have your item inspected by a jeweler after it is received. Again, if there is a problem or the item is not as you expected, it is very easy to resolve with the seller, suing eBay & PayPal's buyer protection and dispute resolution processes.
Here are the current listings on eBay:
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| Fine Estate 14K Gold 5mm Comfort Fit Wedding Ring Band | |
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$399.00 Time Remaining: 38m Buy It Now for only: $399.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Estate English Diamond Topaz Gold Wedding Band Ring Fine Bridal Heirloom Jewelry | |
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$316.00 Time Remaining: 49m Buy It Now for only: $316.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Natural Blue Sapphire Eternity Style Wedding Band Ring Solid 14k White Gold sz 7 | |
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$639.00 Time Remaining: 52m Buy It Now for only: $639.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Fine Created Ruby Eternity Style Wedding Band Ring Solid 18K White Gold | |
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$879.00 Time Remaining: 55m Buy It Now for only: $879.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Fine Estate 14K Gold Comfort Fit Wedding Ring Band | |
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$499.00 Time Remaining: 56m Buy It Now for only: $499.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Tri Color Signed Landstroms Black Hills Gold Diamond Estate Ring Wedding Band | |
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$191.25 Time Remaining: 1h 4m Buy It Now for only: $191.25 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Estate Diamond Gold Wedding Band Ring Jewelry | |
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$236.00 Time Remaining: 1h 11m Buy It Now for only: $236.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Estate 18k White Gold Diamond Wedding Ring Set Fine Bridal Wedding Jewelry | |
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$2,995.00 Time Remaining: 1h 26m Buy It Now for only: $2,995.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| ANTIQUE 14 K GOLD ITALIAN ETERNITY WEDDING BAND RING 7 | |
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$134.09 Time Remaining: 1h 40m Buy It Now for only: $134.09 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Antique Art Deco Platinum Wedding Band Ring Vintage Fine Jewelry Heirloom 475 | |
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$495.00 Time Remaining: 1h 52m Buy It Now for only: $495.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Antique Deco Diamond Platinum Wedding Band Ring Vintage | |
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$343.20 Time Remaining: 2h 11m Buy It Now for only: $343.20 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Fine Estate Diamond 14k Gold Wedding Ring Band Bridal Heirloom Pre Owned Jewelry | |
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$236.00 Time Remaining: 2h 12m Buy It Now for only: $236.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Estate Antique 14k White Gold Filigree Wedding Band Not Scrap 25 Grams Very Old | |
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$56.00 (10 Bids) Time Remaining: 2h 13m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Estate Diamond 14k Gold Wedding Band Ring Fine Bridal Heirloom Pre Owned Jewelry | |
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$503.20 Time Remaining: 2h 15m Buy It Now for only: $503.20 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Antique Deco Diamond 14k Gold Wedding Ring Band Vintage Estate Bridal Jewelry | |
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$316.00 Time Remaining: 2h 15m Buy It Now for only: $316.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Tiffany Co Wedding Band Ring Solid Platinum Estate Fine Jewelry 1950s | |
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$529.00 Time Remaining: 2h 32m Buy It Now for only: $529.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Estate Diamond Emerald Gold Wedding Ring Band Fine Heirloom Pre Owned Jewelry | |
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$215.20 Time Remaining: 2h 42m Buy It Now for only: $215.20 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Estate 14k Gold Eternity Wedding Band Ring Old | |
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$196.00 Time Remaining: 2h 43m Buy It Now for only: $196.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| ANTIQUE DIAMOND WEDDING BAND PLATINUM D 140CT F G VS2 SI1 SIZE 475 UK J ESTATE | |
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$1,830.00 Time Remaining: 2h 54m Buy It Now for only: $1,830.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| ANTIQUE VINTAGE DIAMOND WEDDING BAND D 30 CT18K SIZE 575 UK L ESTATE 25 GRAMS | |
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$737.50 Time Remaining: 2h 59m Buy It Now for only: $737.50 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Art Deco Antique Natural Ruby Eternity Style Wedding Band Ring Solid Platinum | |
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$2,749.00 Time Remaining: 3h 7m Buy It Now for only: $2,749.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Antique Art Deco Natural Ruby Eternity Style Wedding Band Ring Solid Platinum | |
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$1,539.00 Time Remaining: 3h 23m Buy It Now for only: $1,539.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| WOMENS 14K WHITE 5 DIAMOND WEDDING BAND RING | |
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$750.00 Time Remaining: 3h 33m Buy It Now for only: $750.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Fine Estate 14K Gold Comfort Fit Wedding Ring Band | |
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$469.00 Time Remaining: 3h 49m Buy It Now for only: $469.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| VALENTINE1 Carat White Gold Plated 18K GP Vintage Style Wedding Ring Size 6 | |
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$9.00 Time Remaining: 4h Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| 299 CARATS WEDDING RING ENGAGEMENT ANNIVERSARY BAND SET 18K GP CZ Size 9 | |
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$19.00 Time Remaining: 4h 6m Buy It Now for only: $21.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Diamond Engagement Wedding Ring Set 14K Gold 75ctw baguette | |
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$485.00 Time Remaining: 4h 9m Buy It Now for only: $485.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| 101ct VS Diamond 18K Gold Engagement Wedding Ring Set 156ctw high quality | |
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$5,750.00 Time Remaining: 4h 12m Buy It Now for only: $5,750.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| SILVER FANCY SCROLL BOLD WIDE WEDDING BAND RING 75 | |
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$35.09 Time Remaining: 4h 18m Buy It Now for only: $35.09 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Antique Deco Designer Belais 18k Gold Eternity Wedding Band Ring Vintage Estate | |
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$236.00 Time Remaining: 4h 20m Buy It Now for only: $236.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| ESTATE Vintage Art Deco 14K Gold DIAMOND Stacker Wedding Band Ring no scrap | |
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$305.00 (18 Bids) Time Remaining: 4h 42m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| ESTATE Vintage Art Deco 14K Gold DIAMOND SAPPHIRE Wedding Band Ring no scrap | |
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$169.50 (18 Bids) Time Remaining: 4h 52m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| ESTATE Vintage Victorian 18K Gold OPAL Wedding Ring no scrap | |
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$202.51 (31 Bids) Time Remaining: 4h 59m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Fine Estate 14K Gold Diamond Curved Wedding Ring Band | |
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$599.00 Time Remaining: 5h 14m Buy It Now for only: $599.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Estate 14K Gold Comfort Fit Wedding Ring Band Fine Jewelry | |
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$299.00 Time Remaining: 5h 27m Buy It Now for only: $299.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage 14K Y Gold Fancy Womans 6mm Wedding Ring Band | |
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$399.00 Time Remaining: 5h 34m Buy It Now for only: $399.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Art Deco Jewelry Platinum Wedding Ring Band | |
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$399.00 Time Remaining: 5h 44m Buy It Now for only: $399.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Antique Art Deco 18k White Gold Wedding Band Ring Vintage Fine Estate Jewelry | |
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$349.00 Time Remaining: 5h 45m Buy It Now for only: $349.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| ESTATE TIFFANY CO PLATINUM WEDDING BAND RING SIZE 11 | |
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$300.00 Time Remaining: 5h 54m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| ANTIQUE VICTORIAN 18K GOLD WOMANS or MANs WEDDING BAND RING for SIZE 75 7 | |
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$397.00 Time Remaining: 5h 54m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Fine Vintage 14K Gold Fancy Mans 6mm Wedding Ring Band | |
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$469.00 Time Remaining: 5h 59m Buy It Now for only: $469.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| 750 18K GOLD SIZE 5 WEDDING BAND RING 32 GRAMS | |
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$204.98 Time Remaining: 6h 15m Buy It Now for only: $204.98 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| 14K GOLD PRINCESS CUT EMERALD DIAMOND WEDDING BAND RING | |
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$177.50 (14 Bids) Time Remaining: 6h 18m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Estate Diamond 14k Gold Engagement Wedding Ring Band Set Bridal Jewelry | |
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$599.00 Time Remaining: 6h 30m Buy It Now for only: $599.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| 14K GOLD PRINCESS CUT DIAMOND SOLITAIRE ENGAGEMENT WEDDING RING | |
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$370.00 (40 Bids) Time Remaining: 6h 37m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| 1920s Genuine Traub ORANGE BLOSSOM Ring Wedding Band 18k White Gold | |
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$175.00 Time Remaining: 6h 42m Buy It Now for only: $175.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| 100 YEAR OLD + ENGRAVED GOLD WEDDING BAND | |
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$118.03 (9 Bids) Time Remaining: 6h 45m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| FILIGREE ART NOUVEAU DIAMOND WEDDING BAND VINTAGE ESTATE FLORAL RING ENGRAVED | |
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$195.00 Time Remaining: 6h 45m Buy It Now for only: $195.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Estate 154 ct Natural SI2 Fancy Cognac Diamond Engagement Wedding Ring 14k Gold | |
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$2,002.22 (29 Bids) Time Remaining: 6h 48m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| GLAM VINTAGE 14K 3 4CT DOUBLE DIAMOND WEDDING BAND SZ 9 | |
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$699.00 Time Remaining: 6h 49m Buy It Now for only: $699.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
