5 Tips to Help you Shop for the Best Vintage Rings

5 Tips to Help you Shop for the Best Vintage Rings

When shopping for the best vintage rings in Orange County, Los Angeles and other surrounding areas of Southern California, there are a few tips that can help you find not only get the best price, but find the best rings as well! We’ve compiled this handy jewelry buyer’s guide as part of a series of How-To’s that are aimed at giving you more confidence in shopping for and selecting only the best vintage rings.

Tip #1 – A Jewelry Store’s Knowledge is Key in Identifying the Best Vintage Rings

So let’s say you’re ready to pop the question and have spent hours on the Internet researching your significant other’s favorite styles of vintage engagement rings. You keep track of diamond rings they post on Pinterest, ask their friends for advice and even have design in mind, but aren’t sure about the specifics. If you’re not sure about what you’re looking for, you’re not alone. Some people aren’t sure if they want a vintage setting to compliment the heirloom diamond that was handed down to them, or if they should start from scratch and get a custom-made vintage-style engagement ring.

Because there are so many variables when it comes to designing the best vintage rings and engagement rings, finding a jeweler and engagement ring store that has the right knowledge is key. You want a jeweler that has been in business for a long time and knows their stuff. Regardless of whether or not you know exactly what diamond engagement ring you want, your jeweler should definitely know the ins and outs of the best vintage rings and be there to guide you in the right direction. Try not to confuse this with a jewelry store that will guide you towards the more expensive option, because sometimes you can find inexpensive vintage engagement rings that fit the bill.

An experienced engagement ring store that has been selling the best vintage rings, diamonds and engagement rings for a long time will know what questions to ask you in order to help find what engagement ring fits your taste & budget perfectly. Likewise, they will also know the right questions to ask in order to weed out the options and hundreds of diamond engagement rings that won’t suit your specific needs.

Tip #2 – A Jewelry Store is Only as Good as its Inventory of Engagement Rings

best vintage rings, vintage rings, vintage mountings, vintage jewelry

Use your own family stone and purchase a vintage mounting to save!

Selection is a big part of finding the best vintage rings, diamond rings and engagement rings. Because without selection and a large inventory of engagement rings, you’ll never truly know if you got your favorite piece. Once you find a jewelry store that specializes in selling the best vintage rings, stop in and view their showcase. There’s traditional diamond rings in several cuts. Some engagement rings have sapphires or other colored stones. Vintage rings come in all forms. Some rings are white gold while others are platinum. Some engagement rings may just have a platinum setting, but no stone. There are also engagement rings that have beautiful and intricate filigree and engraving.

The point is, there’s so many choices & options that you can go with! Without visiting a jewelry store with a large selection of the best vintage rings, you can never be sure if you’ve found one that you know she’ll be crazy about for years to come, and that’s a tough lesson to learn. When shopping for the best vintage rings, find an engagement ring store with the biggest selection of antique diamond rings you can find, and get it right the first time!

Tip #3 – Make Sure They’ve Got a Gemologist in the Jewelry Shop!

best vintage jewelry, vintage jewelry, May Karam, Gemologist,

Make sure the jewelry you purchase has been vetted by a gemologist.

Any good jewelry store in Orange County knows their diamonds and engagement rings pretty well. A great jewelry store to buy diamond engagement rings from will have an actual gemologist on their staff! The different here is staggering. It’s like having a race-car driver who moonlights as a mechanic acting as a salesperson at a car dealership. A gemologist’s job is identify, grade and appraise gemstones. But it doesn’t stop there. If they’re employed by a jewelry store that sells vintage engagement rings, they’ll ensure they carry the best vintage rings.

Another reason to go to a vintage engagement rings store that has a gemologist on staff is peace of mind. You’ll know you’re getting the right stone and paying the right price for it. For instance, some sapphires are yellow, but so are fancy yellow diamonds. Aquamarines and Blue Topaz may look identical to some people. We’ve all heard stories about people buying a vintage ring only to learn the stone wasn’t what they thought. This can be bad news for both the vintage engagement ring store, but devastating to the buyer.

When in doubt, go to a vintage diamond ring store in Orange County that has a gemologist. This is also important if you’re buying colored stones or if you’re looking for a diamond with a specific grade/clarity. Finally, a gemologist will also appraise and value diamonds and diamond engagement rings properly. If you’re looking for the best vintage rings, buy from a place that has graded the diamond ring already? This can also ensure you’re getting the best value for your dollar, and a proper appraisal.

Tip #4 – Know How Much You Want to Spend

Cost will always be a defining factor when searching for the best vintage rings. Don’t get emotionally attached to an engagement ring before purchase. Go into the engagement ring store with a clear head. Make a list of antique ring attributes you or your significant other are looking for. Have an engagement ring budget and remember that the best vintage rings aren’t necessarily the most expensive.

When going into a Vintage Engagement Ring store, remember that several factors affect the cost. Some diamond rings may be antiques, while others are custom-made. There may smaller diamond rings that cost more than larger engagement rings simply due to the era it comes from. Whatever type of vintage ring you’re looking for, go into the jewelry store with a budget — you’ll thank yourself later. Any reputable diamond ring dealer in Orange County or Los Angeles would be happy to work with your budget. The jewelers that sell the best vintage rings generally also do enough volume to work with you a little on price.

Tip #5 The Jewelry Store’s Reputation & Commitment

Do some research on the jewelry store before your visit. Find out about other customers’ experiences. Find out if they offer warranties on their vintage rings and whether or not they stand by them. Yelp and Google can be a big help here. Check and see if they have an eBay store or if they sell online. Find out what people are saying about their online transactions as well.

At Watch & Wares, we’ve been selling the best vintage rings in Orange County for close to 30 years. What started as a small jewelry store in the Orange Circle has expanded into 3 locations. We buy, sell and provide collateral loans on vintage engagement rings. We’ve got a GIA-Certified Gemologist on staff to grade and appraise diamond rings. Watch & Wares has the largest inventory and the best vintage rings in California. The owner William Houchin has spent 3 decades helping customers find the best engagement rings for their special day.

We are a full-service jewelry store located in The Circle at Old Towne Orange. We provide Top-Notch Jewelry Repair and guaranteed work. Our master jeweler has over 32 years of experience. We provide impeccable jewelry repair and custom creations. Other jewelers come to us when they can’t fix it themselves. Read more about Our History & Expertise by clicking here.

Best vintage rings, vintage rings, vintage and antique ringsOur selection of diamond engagement rings will satisfy every bride and budget. Our engagement rings represent all art periods. If you’ve been thinking of popping the question, you’ve found the right store that can help! Our reputation speaks for itself and we have a solid 5-star review rating on Yelp. We’ve got 100% positive feedback on eBay, where we’ve been selling the best vintage rings and estate jewelry since the late 90’s!

Call Watch & Wares to Find the Best Vintage Rings Today!

Our customers love that many of our best vintage rings are one of a kind. We offer free ring sizing in most cases!

Call us at 714-633-2030 or stop in for a free consultation with an Engagement Ring Expert today!

The Best Place to Buy Pre-Owned Watches in Orange County

The Best Place to Buy Pre-Owned Watches in Orange County

Over the course of the last 30 plus years selling watches in Orange County, we’ve met our share of different watch lovers and timepiece collectors. Some have come to us stating they’ve never bought or even considered buying a pre-owned watch, while others will only buy pre-owned watches in Orange County. Watch enthusiasts are like car fanatics in a lot of ways and we enjoy meeting them on a daily basis in our watch store in the Orange Circle.

When looking for a pre-owned watch store in Orange County, you’ll want to make sure of a few things. Because watch stores in our area differ so greatly from one another, here’s a few questions you should ask yourself before buying a pre-owned watch in OC:

  • Do they Carry the Watch Brands you Love, Like Pre-Owned Rolex or Breitling & Panerai?
  • Are Box & Papers for the Watches Included?
  • Are the Pre-Owned Watches Restored or Returned to their Original Specs?
  • Does the OC Preowned Watch Store Offer a Warranty?
  • What’s the Benefit of Buying Pre-Owned Luxury Watches?
  • How Long Has the Watch Store been in Business?
  • Will they Take Care of You as a Long Term Customer after Buying a Preowned Watch?
  • What is the Reputation of the Orange County Luxury Watch Store?

What Brands Does the Store Selling Pre-Owned Watches in Orange County Carry?

Because we know that watch lovers are extremely loyal to their brands for the most part, it’s important to ensure that the preowned watch store carries the brand you’re looking for. Furthermore, check on their overall pre-owned watch inventory and see if they’ve got enough watches to try on. If you’ve been in business like us for over 3 decades, you end up with a staggering selection of men’s and women’s watches. If you’re looking for a pre-owned watch, call us first! Since we’ve got the largest selection of pre-owned watches in OC, you’ll be able to try on more! This means means that you’ll be able to get a good feel for what you love before purchase.

People always ask us if the pre-owned watch comes with box & papers. While most of our pre-owned watch selection is like-new and includes everything that came with the watch, some of our pieces may not. If this is a big factor in your decision, make sure and ask us — we’ve got a huge enough selection of watches to where we can find you just the right one!

Some of the Pre-Owned Watches in Orange County we Carry Include:

  • Rolex
  • Breitling
  • Omega
  • Patek Philippe
  • Bell & Ross
  • Longines
  • Ulysses Nardin
  • Chopard
  • Panerai
  • Chanel
  • Hamilton
  • Cartier
  • Vacheron Constantin
  • Glashutte Original
  • A. Lange & Söhne

All of Our Pre-Owned Watches in Orange County are Professionally Serviced & Come with a Warranty!

That’s right folks, because we’ve been in the watch business long enough, we know our long-term customers expect more. That’s why all of our pre-owned watches are restored to their original specs. The luxury watches are inspected, cleaned and serviced by our own Master Watchmaker.

This means that you get a pre-owned watch in Orange County that is often like-new. Some of our timepieces get a full overhaul, receiving service on gaskets, seals, movement, case, dial and links. Our pre-owned vintage watches get a full service and restoration as well, but we’re careful not to molest anything collectors covet, such dial patina and original watch parts.

Our expertise speaks for itself and all of our watches come with a warranty. You get a full 2-year warranty on all contemporary watches in our store. You’ll also receive a 1-year warranty on all vintage watches. Because we love our customers and have been selling pre-owned vintage and estate jewelry & watches for the last 30 years, we will always work to help you and your timepiece if you’re out of warranty.  We also do expert watch repair in Orange County and have been turning them out in a timely fashion with perfection for the last 3 decades, so know that you’re in good hands!

What is the Benefit of Buying Pre-Owned Watches in Orange County?

The biggest factor in buying a pre-owned watch in Orange County is definitely cost. It always blows our customer’s minds when they find a pre-owned Rolex or pre-owned Panerai in our OC Watch Store for thousands less than retail. What’s more significant is that the pre-owned watch is often in perfect condition and looks & runs as new. They get the watch on their wrist that day (or take advantage of our 12-month layaway) and walk out with thousands more in their bank accounts. Couple that with our extensive warranty, preowned watch experience and our exceptional customer service, and it’s a win-win for most people.

We’ve Been Selling Pre-Owned Watches in Orange County for 30 Years — We Take Care of Our Customers and it Shows

The staff at Watch & Wares has been selling preowned fine watches in OC since the Orange Circle was mostly dirt road and soda fountains. Our small Orange County watch store has grown from one location to three, and we couldn’t be more excited. Because of our fast-paced incoming watch inventory, we’re able to turn around and sell these watches at great prices — passing the discount on to our customers.

We pride ourselves on our family-run watch store in Orange, and our Tustin location where we buy luxury watches. If you’re thinking about selling a luxury watch in OC, give us a call! We also do collateral loans and pawn loans on fine watches, including Rolex, Cartier, Panerai, Breitling and more! If you’re looking for the best pre-owned watch dealer in Orange County, then you’ve found us!

Because we have such a large inventory of pre-owned watches in Orange County, and due to our ever-changing inventory, come see us or send us a message! Tell us what type of luxury watch you’re looking to buy and we’ll do the rest! You can come into our OC watch store and deal directly with us. We’re in it for the long-haul and our 5-Star rating on Yelp and 100% Feedback on eBay and Etsy prove it!

If you want to buy a pre-owned watch, call us at 714-633-2030 or send us a message today! We’d love to meet you and show you our OC watch collection today! You can also view a small sample of our different online shops by clicking here! If you’d like to sell your watch for cash in Orange County, visit this page for more info!

 

 

Watch & Wares is the Best Place to Buy Women’s Watches in Orange County

Where is the Best Place to Buy Women’s Watches in Orange County?

At Watch & Wares, we’ve spent the last 3 decades collecting, buying and selling women’s watches in Orange County, CA. From our in-house watch sales in our Orange Circle store to eBay and Yelp, we’ve upheld a 5-star reputation for having the largest pre-owned watch selection in Orange County and exceptional service. Our women’s fine watch selection includes all major watch brands from all eras.

When looking for the best women’s watch store in Orange County, there are a few key things to remember when shopping:

  • What Kinds of Watches and Brand Names does the Watch Store Carry?
  • Can you Buy Vintage Watches as well as Contemporary Fine Watches?
  • What is the Reputation of the Women’s Watch Store in OC
  • Is the Fine Watch Store in Orange County Offer a Warranty on their Watches?
  • Will the Jewelry Store offer Pre-Owned Women’s Watches in Orange County
  • Does the Orange County Watch Store Offer Layaway?

What Brands Does the Watch Store Carry?

Watch & Wares knows that watch lovers are a special breed. When searching for women’s watches in Orange County, the most important thing is selection. Watch & Wares has the largest pre-owned watch selection in Orange County and Southern California. We’ve Spent the last 30 years collecting fine watches for men & ladies.

Horology lovers are loyal to the watch brands they covet. We know that sometimes it can be tough committing to buying a Panerai Watch if you’re a Rolex Watch fanatic. The reason it’s important to buy women’s watches in Orange County from a watch store that has a large selection of watches, is because you can try the timepiece on and see if it fits your style.

Here’s a short-list of just some of the major brands of fine watches for men & women we carry:

  • Rolex
  • Cartier
  • Omega
  • Panerai
  • Chanel
  • Breitling
  • Patek Philippe
  • Vacheron Constantin
  • A. Lange & Söhne
  • Gucci
  • Chopard
  • Hamilton
  • Bell & Ross
  • Longines
  • Ulysse Nardin

Are you Looking for Vintage & Antique or Contemporary Women’s Watches in Orange County?

We have started with our owner’s passion for collecting fine timepieces. We pride ourselves on having the largest vintage, antique and contemporary pre-owned watch selection in Orange County. When we built our store and brand 30 years ago, we never knew our collection of pre-owned watches would grow to its current size today.

We specialize in selling both contemporary luxury watches as well as vintage watches in Orange County. We’ve been doing business out of our brick & mortar store in the Orange Circle for over three decades! We’ve also been selling vintage and antique watches on eBay since the late 90’s and also sell on Etsy and through our recently launched online store!

Click here to view a small cross-section of our large Orange County watch & jewelry store inventory!

Our contemporary women’s watch selection is staggering. Looking for something in yellow gold? How about white gold or platinum with a diamond bezel? Leather strap or classic bracelet? Are you a Rolex or Cartier watch lover but particular to their classic vintage designs?

We’ve also been seeing a lot of women who love wearing larger men’s watches as of late, dubbed the boyfriend watch. Watch & Wares in the Orange Circle is the best pre-owned watch store in Orange County. Most of our watches are in like-new condition and include box & papers!

Do They Have a Good Reputation?Are the Watches Guaranteed?

Watch & Wares has worked hard to maintain a 5-Star Rating on Yelp and a 100% Feedback rating for every transaction on eBay. We’ve also relied mostly on word-of-mouth for the last few decades before the Internet became such a huge factor in doing business.

We’re lucky to have had many repeat clients over the years. Most watch lovers do business with people they trust. Our owner takes a hands-on approach to ensuring each watch purchase; service and restoration is done with the utmost care. Our staff has over a century of combined experience in the watch & jewelry industry.

Each watch we sell in our Orange County watch store or through eBay carries a warranty. The warranty may differ on contemporary watches vs. vintage/antique watches. Each contemporary timepieces we carry is restored to their factory specs. Our vintage watches are carefully restored to ensure they retain their vintage appeal (including dial patina, etc). We have a Master Watchmaker on staff and make sure our seals & gaskets are tight & lubricated. We also ensure movements are accurate, and that links/clasps are tight & polished before purchase.

Now let’s talk payment options and layaway plans for watches. This is a biggie for most people looking to buy women’s watches in Orange County. While we have luxury watches to satisfy most every taste and budget, some folks love to take advantage of our 12-month Layaway!

This allows you to put a small down-payment on a Men’s or Ladies Fine Watch and make interest-free monthly payments! This is a huge plus because it makes it easy to own a piece you fall in love with, even if you can’t pay upfront for it.

For more information on the brands of women’s watches we carry, call us at 714-633-2030 and speak with one of our helpful staff members!

 

 

How To Save When Buying Her That Engagement Ring

 

Engagement Ring Best Advice

 

 

She’s The One

Engagement, proposal, engagement rings, engagement ring, ring

You know you have been thinking about an engagement ring.  You want to pop the question. The two of you are in love and can’t imagine living life without each other. You are also smart and budget conscious. So where do you begin when searching for an engagement ring? Where can you buy her the perfect engagement ring at a great price?

The Best Ways To Save

edwardian, engagement ring, diamond ring

Edwardian Ring from The early 1900s

One of the smartest ways to maximize value is to purchase estate jewelry.  Estate jewelry is pre-owned jewelry that has been fully restored by a jeweler to original condition.  Therefore, this kind of jewelry can save upwards of 50% off retail jewelry prices in a regular store.  An estate jewelry store like Watch and Wares carries not only rings, but necklaces, pendants, pins, brooches, bracelets and bangles from many different art periods.

 

 

That Special Ring

diamond ring, engagement ring

Beautiful 1930s Deco Ring

Furthermore, at an estate jewelry store, you can find many vintage and even antique pieces that are completely unique! Looking for an art deco ring that was actually made in the 1920’s-30’s? Does your soon-to-be fiance have an eye for Edwardian, or Art Noveau periods? Estate jewelers like Watch And Wares deals in many such pieces, catering to all different budgets. We have diamond engagement rings as low as $800.00 in gold, white gold, platinum, you name it!


(BYOD)

Bring Your Own Diamond

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Bring your own diamond and save!

Do you have an heirloom diamond? Another great way many people save is by using a family diamond and purchasing one of our stellar estate mountings.  Our jeweler can modify the ring to accommodate your diamond, giving you a wonderful new family heirloom ring! Watch and Wares can sell most of our mountings separately, so don’t hesitate to ask for pricing.

 

 

Great Serviceyelp, 5 stars

Finally, when shopping for an engagement ring, you want fantastic customer service. Watch and Wares stands by everything we sell, and we offer free sizing on any engagement ring purchase. We believe in providing the kind of personal service that only a family-run business can offer.  Our 5-Star rating on Yelp is testament to our happy customers!

Where to Sell Your Rare Coins in Orange County or Sell Your Coin Collection for Cash

Wondering How Much Your Coin Collection is Worth or Want to Sell a Rare Coin in OC?

Do you have a rare coin collection or want to find out how much your rare coin collection is worth? Want to sell a rare coin in Orange County and curious about the process and how to go about getting the best value for your collectible coins, antique coins or precious metal coins in OC?

Let’s go over some of the most important things to consider when selling your rare coin collection in Orange County in order to ensure that you’re getting the most money for your antique coin collection:

  • How long has the store been buying and selling coins in Orange County?
  • Do the Orange County coin buyers offer safe & discreet service?
  • If I want to sell a rare coin in Orange County, will the store pay cash?
  • Can you get a collateral loan for your coin collection or pawn some of the coins?
  • What is the Orange County coin store’s reputation?

If You Want to Sell a Rare Coin in Orange County, Go to the Coin Experts

At Watch & Wares, we’ve been buying and selling rare coins and antique coin collections in Orange County for the last thirty years. We’re passionate about helping our customers identify unique and rare coins as well as helping them discover what their coins are worth.

We’ve helped numerous customers find out what their coins are worth and have had the opportunity to buy rare coin collections in Orange County that other small shops could only dream of. We’re proud to be able concierge service to all of our customers looking to sell their coins in Orange County and have been lucky to have many return customers.

Make Sure the People Who Buy Your Coins in Orange County Offer a Secure & Discreet Environment

We’ve been buying and offering collateral loans (pawn loans) on antique and vintage coins and coin collections long enough to know that the customers who want to sell their coins to us want a safe and secure transaction. We’re located directly in the Orange Plaza (also known as the Orange Circle) in Old Towne Orange, which is an extremely safe location to sell your coins in OC. If you want to sell your coins in OC, we  pride ourselves in being able to offer one-on-one service and discreet purchases in a private and quiet atmosphere.

We Pay Cash for Rare Coins and Historic Coin Collections in OC

One thing you may encounter a lot when you want to sell a rare coin in Orange County are stores that will give you the run-around on estimates or offer you store credit instead of giving you cash for your coin collection. This can be frustrating because of a number of reasons, but mostly because you we know most people wouldn’t part with your coin collection if they didn’t want cash. We also know that some buyers don’t plan on returning to the coin shop in Orange County and simply want to sell coins and leave with cash.

Watch & Wares pays you cash for your coins and coin collections and will give you a fair price for them. Not only do we usually offer the going-rate for gold, silver and precious metals, but we also take historic value into account and understand the small nuances that make a specific coin or coin collection worth buying.

Do the Coin Buyers have a Good Reputation?

We have a solid 5 star rating on Yelp and 100% Feedback on eBay, where we have sold coins since the late 90’s. We’re proud to be able to offer instant cash for coins and rare coin collections and our service and 5-star rating prove it! We’re one of the few coin buyers in Orange County that offer concierge service and can work with large estates and families in order to find out the value of the coin collection that belonged to a recently lost loved one.

Watch & Wares is one of the few coin buyers that are also passionate about collecting coins. We’ve seen some really rare antique coins over the years and have expanded our stores to cover and serve Orange County and all surrounding areas!

If you want to sell a rare coin in Orange County or want us to give you a free estimate for your coin collection, please call Watch & Wares at 714-633-2030 and ask for William.

Check out other items we buy and find out more about our team by clicking here!