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If you are looking for a unique and timeless engagement ring to present to the love of your life (we’re not talking about customised rings here), antique or vintage engagement ring is the best way to go. However, shopping for an antique or vintage engagement ring may be a challenging experience due to the different terminologies used, especially if you aren’t well-versed.

In this article, we have rounded up a few important and common terms to make shopping experience a little less stressful and more pleasurable.

• Antique jewellery – any piece of jewellery that was crafted more than 100 years ago.
• Vintage jewellery – a fine jewellery can only be considered vintage when it is aged at least 20 to 30.
• Georgian Period (1714 to 1837) – jewellery in this period featured intricate details based on natural elements (flowers, butterflies) on the ring’s band. Georgian engagement rings used a combination of diamonds and gemstones (rubies, sapphires, emeralds).
• Victorian Period (1837 to 1901) – named after Queen Victoria, Victorian engagement rings showcased floral vines, birthstones, and multi-coloured gold.
• Art Nouveau (1895 to 1905) – jewellery belonging in this period are known for its fluid lines, nature and floral themes, and natural colours.
• Art Deco (1915 to 1935) – Art Deco jewellery features bold geometric shapes and colours. It also uses coloured stones, such as onyx, jade, and corals.
• Hallmarks – refers to the manufacturer’s information stamped on the metal. Hallmarks are used to determine the date the piece had been created as well as its worth.
• Patina – the change of colour on the metal caused by oxidation over a long period of time.
• Carat – a part of the four Cs of a diamond, it refers to the weight of the actual diamond, not the size. A carat is equivalent to 0.2 gram.
• Faux – this French term means counterfeit or imitation. Faux jewellery is often made with imitation materials.
• Intaglio – a method where the jeweller carved the motif into the surface.

If you are looking for a reputable dealer of antique and vintage engagement ring, you can check out Kalmar Antiques. They employ skilled and expert jewellery designers, gemmologists, art historians and appraisers to ensure that you are getting a great deal of their products and services.

Do you know other terms used in antique and vintage jewellery? Share them with us by writing them down in the comment section below.

Although modern jewellery designs are quite beautiful and popular, you can give her something that is extraordinarily elegant and timeless instead Say, why not surprise her with a lovely antique jewellery?

There are quite a lot of reasons to love antique jewellery, especially when it comes to engagement rings. A jewellery can only be called antique if it is aged 100 years or more. Recently, a number of people have been increasingly drawn to antique jewellery. Most antique jewellery has a rich history and significant value that people find attractive. Aside from those, this type of jewellery is known for its durability and high quality.

So whether it is your first time to buy or not, purchasing high quality antique jewellery does not need to be a daunting and overwhelming task. If you are looking for some elegant and exquisite collection, check out the Kalmar antiques product archives.

• Gemstone
  
  Antique jewellery is embellished with precious gemstones. Among the most common gemstones used are rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and diamonds. So when it comes to choosing a gemstone, go for a diamond or a sapphire because both are hard and durable and they can effectively hold up well to everyday wear. Most importantly, it is very essential to make sure that the jewellery comes with authentic gemstones.

• Metal
  
  One of your main concerns when buying antique jewellery is that it should be something that holds value for a long time. Most antique jewellery were often made of yellow gold, platinum, and sterling silver.

• Style
  
  Getting to know her style is another important factor when shopping for antique jewellery. Does your loved one prefer antique or vintage design? Does she love jewellery with sleek or detailed designs? If you do not have any idea yet, snoop secretly on her jewellery box or you can just ask a family member or a friend to do it for you.

• The Right Jeweller
  
  Once you know what you are looking for, the next step to do is to find an antique jewellery dealer that does not only sell the finest collection of antique jewellery, but also offers repairing, remodelling, and valuing services. You can visit them at https://www.kalmarantiques.com.au/.

Do you want to share with us more tips or perhaps your experience on buying antique jewellery? Let us know in the comments below.