What to Do Before Selling Your Gold Jewelry

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There are innumerate reasons to want to sell your gold jewelry pieces. Maybe you want to make room for new pieces in your life, or maybe you want to have a little extra money lining your pockets. The process of finding the best place to sell gold jewelry, however, can be more difficult than you might expect. If you’re planning to sell jewelry in Irvine, it’s important that you work with a trusted gold buyer like Watch & Wares and follow these crucial steps before you sell your jewelry pieces.

Make Sure You’re Willing to Part With Your Pieces

When you considering selling to nearby gold buyers, the first and most important thing is to not act on impulse. You don’t want to be wracked with regret afterward, so make sure that you’re ready to part with the pieces you plan to sell. You need to be certain that the emotional value that your jewelry holds does not outweigh the monetary value. This is why the most commonly sold jewelry is broken items or outdated pieces with no emotional attachment. Don’t worry if your jewelry isn’t flawless; at Watch & Wares, we buy damaged or broken jewelry and restore it before it’s resold. 

Research Nearby Gold Buyers

When you’re trying to find the best place to sell jewelry, always do your research. You need to get an accurate appraisal of the value of your jewelry, and that can only come from a professional jeweler. An appraisal will verify exactly what your jewelry is made up of. Most gold jewelry in the United States is made in 10, 14, or 18 karats, meaning that a certain portion of other metals is mixed in with the gold to add resilience. This will influence the value of the jewelry itself and help determine what price you can get for it. 

At Watch & Wares, our appraisals are performed by experienced jewelers and gemologists who can accurately offer you a fair price for your gold jewelry. Unlike most gold buying services, we make sure to take the design and age of your jewelry into consideration. Antique or designer jewelry can sell for more than just its value in raw materials, which we will identify on your behalf. Unlike most gold-buying services, we also offer money for gemstones set in jewelry as well. 

Be Wary of Mail-In Gold Buying Services

When purchasing or selling jewelry, it’s always better to do it in-person with a certified professional. When you work with a service that has you mail your jewelry in exchange for money, you are leaving yourself vulnerable to your items being lost in transit, or even worse, getting scammed. If you choose to work with a mail-in service, make sure that they are a certified business, and verify that they have a reimbursement policy. Of course, if you choose to sell jewelry at Watch & Wares, you don’t need to worry about these factors; we operate physical locations in Orange and Tustin, and our certified professionals are always ready to assist you throughout the selling process. We understand that jewelry is often more than metal and stones; it also has genuine emotional value. We will never try to pressure you into a sale, and we will always respect your final decision. 

Thanks to our professional and respectful approach, many jewelry collectors believe that Watch & Wares is the best place to sell gold jewelry in Irvine and the rest of Orange County. We always strive to make our customers feel comfortable and informed throughout the jewelry selling process, and we will always offer you a fair value for your pieces. If you’d like to give us the chance to sell us your jewelry, call us today at (714) 731-9600 to learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment. We also welcome walk-ins!

Getting Jewelry Loans with Watch & Wares

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A timeless piece of jewelry is a luxury. Here at Watch & Wares, we believe that one-of-a-kind pieces are worth the investment. While not everyone is ready to invest right away, we have created a jewelry loan program to best suit the needs of our customers. With multiple ways to approach your loan, we can help you find the perfect payment solution so you can walk away from Watch & Wares with your classic jewelry item.

Why choose Watch & Wares for your jewelry loan?
Watch & Wares has integrity that only 25 years of service can deliver. As a family owned and operated business, we offer quick and easy loans at competitive rates. We treat each of our customers with respect, and all transactions are discreet and confidential. We are also a licensed pawnbroker, so you can feel confident in our ability to give you the level of service you deserve.

How does it work?
We loan money for gold, jewelry, and other items, as well as loan money based on collateral. The process is simple, so there’s no miscommunication or hassle. First, Watch & Wares will evaluate your items you’d like to use as collateral. Next, we will issue a 4-month loan with a ten-day grace period and an interest rate based on the loan amount. You will then receive a ticket with all relevant loan information, at which time we will hold onto your item as collateral until you redeem your loan within its specified time. You also always have the option to renew your existing loan by paying the interest.

Should I get a pawn loan or is it beneficial to sell my item?
Depending on your particular circumstances, you might need to decide between a pawn loan or selling your item. Ultimately, this is a personal decision. If you choose to pawn an item for a collateral loan, you get the cash you need without having to give away the item for good and without a credit check. With a collateral loan, our staff works with you to determine the loan amount. Your piece stays with us until it’s time to return, repay, and collect your item.

If you find that your collateral items have sentimental value to you, collateral loans will be a better alternative for you. On the other hand, if you don’t need the item, you should consider selling since you can generally receive more money. The most beneficial part of pawning the item for a collateral loan is that you have no obligation to repay it. Because you have provided a piece to secure the loan, failing to repay doesn’t affect your credit.

Watch & Wares provides the best loan options.
Because we are a certified cash buyer and licensed pawnbroker, Watch & Wares can provide simple, secure, and confidential loans on your collateral items with no income verification or credit checks. We can appraise your items in our store with no appointment and have historically offered higher values than our other Orange County competitors. If you’re looking to invest in your next classic piece, make sure to stop by our location here in Tustin. Please contact us if you have any questions. We are here to help.

 

The Lap of Luxury

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Another Luxury Day, Another Luxury Dollar


Working in The luxury goods industry certainly has its advantages. First off, we get to buy awesome watches,  handbags, and fine estate jewelry all day long. We also are greatly privileged to have many customers come in with such great estate pieces to sell to us. After all, We are always happy to find new homes for these amazing sundries.

When you do as much buying and selling of estate items for as long as we have, you gain a sense of the value of things just by looking at them. That’s why so many of the fine folks who visit us rely on Watch and Wares for high-quality, concrete information on their luxury items. The owner, William, is always happy to answer questions or provide guidance. What should you do with estate pieces that may need a new home? Watch and Wares can usually help. In fact, many other estate jewelry buyers and store owners come to us for our expertise. After all, we have been around for over 28 years!


luxury goods, estate jewelryDefining Luxury

But what defines a luxury item? Webster’s dictionary offers several helpful definitions:

1: a condition of abundance or great ease and comfort : sumptuous environment

 

  • lived in luxury

 

2a : something adding to pleasure or comfort but not absolutely necessary

 

  • one of life’s luxuries

 

: an indulgence in something that provides pleasure, satisfaction, or ease

-And isn’t that just a perfect description? After all, wearing a stupendously sparkly engagement ring does provide “pleasure” and “comfort” while still not being “absolutely necessary”. In other words, these items are pieces that exist for their own sake. They are art that you can use for the pleasure and enjoyment of it. After all, we don’t need diamonds or gold. We want them, because they make us happy and content. Luxury items like estate jewelry and fine watches are food for the soul.

How to Find the Best Jewelry Buyer in Orange County

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How to Find the Best Jewelry Buyer in Orange County & Surrounding Areas

If you live in Orange County and you’re anything like us, you’ve got a passion for jewelry. It’s also possible that you’re quite attached to the jewelry you own. Because jewelry can hold such a significant sentimental value, we often wear it more for ourselves, rather than for others. It’s also extremely hard to part with certain significant pieces, and it’s not always due to their monetary value. Because of this, when it comes time to part with your beloved piece, it’s important to find the best jewelry buyer in Orange County.

Finding the best place to sell your jewelry in OC can be a daunting task. Due to the sentiment that certain items hold, you want to find an experienced jewelry store that pays top value. Furthermore, you want to ensure that the entire experience is safe, discrete and painless. Let’s explore how to find the best jewelry buyer in Orange County and how to get top value for your items.

Find a Trustworthy Jewelry Buyer in Orange County

We meet with hundreds of people who want to sell jewelry in Orange County each month. Initially, they weren’t looking forward to selling jewelry they loved. Whether selling a diamond engagement ring or a Swiss watch, each piece holds sentimental value. It probably took some time and a lot of thought to acquire your jewelry. We understand this. That’s why it’s important to find a trustworthy jewelry buyer in Orange County.

What makes a jewelry buyer trustworthy? For starters, they’re someone you feel comfortable selling your jewelry to. Furthermore, you want them to be respectful, understanding and honest. Finding an honest jewelry store that buys jewelry in OC isn’t as easy as it sounds. You’re going to want to start with doing some sleuthing. Start by searching for jewelry stores that buy jewelry in your area.

To begin, jump onto Google and try some different searches. For instance, you can search Best Place to Sell My Jewelry,  or try searching Where to Sell Jewelry in Orange County. Try a few different searches and make a list of the top jewelry stores to sell your jewelry to. Once you’ve got the list, head over to Yelp or other review sites. You can start reading reviews from other people who have sold to a jewelry buyer in Orange County.

Find a Jewelry Buyer in Orange County that Pays Top Dollar for Your Items

Searching reviews will give you a good handle on the way others view them and if the jewelry store has a good relationship with their clients. Remember to look for actual jewelry store reviews and not ones that seem over-the-top, purchased or fake. Also keep in mind that happy customers usually mean they got a great value when selling their pieces.

Perhaps for some, this is the most important factor. People want to sell jewelry for top dollar in Orange County. This isn’t a new or far-fetched idea; we get it. There’s a fine line for most jewelry buyers in Orange County because most aren’t buying your jewelry simply in order to collect it. In fact, most Orange County jewelry buyers are more concerned with how much they can make when they sell your jewelry.

Again, we come back to the trust factor here, because all jewelry stores that buy are in effect, businesses. That is, they need to make a profit in order to stay in business. That said, you’re going to want to find the best value when shopping for the best place to sell your jewelry in OC. This will come with some effort, but with the proper research and understanding the process, you’ll get it right.

What is the Process of Selling to a Jewelry Buyer in Orange County?

When selling your jewelry it’s important to remember a few vital things after the sale is complete. The jewelry buyer in Orange County will usually have to spend money and time after initial transaction as well.

  • The jewelry buyers will usually have to polish and clean the piece
  • If there are repairs to be made, a jeweler will have to return it to original specs
  • If the jewelry is engraved, it may have to be filled & removed
  •  The pieces takes space in the store, effectively making it one more item they’ll need to sell
  • It will also need to be graded/tested and physically entered into inventory
  • This includes initial research from more than one team member
  • Time for photography – pics for inventory, social media and online stores/channels

While this may seem mundane, it’s important to understand the process of what a jewelry buyer in Orange County must do after the sale.

Hopefully it also helps shed a little light on the time and money spent after you’ve sold your jewelry and left. Furthermore, it’s important to keep in mind that each jewelry buyer in Orange County has a budget. If they buy jewelry in Orange County regularly, they probably set aside a specific budget for purchases. It’s always smart to call and ask if they’ll give you a free estimate for your jewelry. Now would be the time to provide details including whether the piece is certified as well as carat weight, etc.

Why Watch & Wares is the Best Jewelry Buyer in Orange County

Watch & Wares has been collecting jewelry for over 35 years. It started with one man’s passion for all things luxury and grew from there. Watch & Wares has a reputation as the jewelry buyer in Orange County with the biggest buying power. We sell a lot of estate and pre-owned jewelry and thus need an incoming inventory every month. Because we have spent the last three decades as the best place to sell jewelry, we’ve acquired quite a collection. We’ve also helped thousands of OC & Los Angeles natives buy a piece that would have otherwise been shelved long ago. We think that’s special and that fine jewelry and how it makes people feel — that sentiment — should live on.

As the biggest jewelry buyer in Orange County, we’re also able to offer customers top-value for their items. We know that not every customer wants to sell their jewelry, and therefore we treat each case like anything but a transaction. Your comfort and security are paramount to us, and so we work hard, quickly and with integrity.

Items we Buy as the Premier Jewelry Buyer in Orange County

  • Swiss Watches, including Rolex, Patek Philippe, Panerai, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Omega, Breitling & More!
  • Diamond Engagement Rings
  • Loose Diamonds
  • Colored Gemstones
  • Gold Rings
  • Platinum Rings
  • Vintage Engagement Rings
  • Antique Engagement Rings
  • Estate Jewelry
  • Diamond Earrings
  • Sapphire Jewelry
  • Necklaces & Pendants
  • Men’s Diamond Rings
  • Wedding Rings & Wedding Bands
  • Pins & Brooches
  • Designer Jewelry
  • Cartier, Bvlgari and Tiffany & Co.
  • Precious Metals – Gold, Silver, Platinum
  • Antique Jewelry / Vintage Jewelry
  • Art Deco, Edwardian, Georgian, Art Noveau, Mid-Century Moderne
  • Jewelry Collections
  • Contemporary Jewelry

Check out other items we buy on our site!

Call the Top Jewelry Buyer in Orange County & Get a Free Estimate Today!

Our experienced jewelry buyers will answer your questions and take time to learn about your piece. If you need help identifying the jewelry you’d like to sell, we can help! While it’s best to bring your jewelry into our Orange County jewelry store, we can also give you a free estimate.

If you’re looking for a safe and trustworthy jewelry buyer in Orange County, you’ve found us. We’ve been the best jewelry buyer in Orange County for over 35 years and it’s not by chance. Check out our 5-Star Yelp reviews or our 100% Feedback in our eBay & Etsy stores. We’ve got three locations to serve you, including our Tustin location where we buy jewelry from people throughout Southern California.

Call us at 714-633-2030 today or fill our contact form and a jewelry buyer will call you to set an appointment and answer all of your questions!

The Best Vintage Wedding Rings in Orange County at Watch and Wares

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Find the Best Vintage Wedding Rings and Antique Diamond Engagement Rings at Watch & Wares

If you’ve been looking for the best vintage wedding rings, Watch & Wares in Orange County should be your first stop. We’ve been catering to lovers of antique, vintage and estate jewelry for over 35 years. As vintage jewelry collectors first, we’ve been able to acquire some of the most rare & stunning pieces and enjoy sharing our passion for vintage wedding rings and diamond engagement rings with our customers.

From diamond wedding bands to estate engagement rings, designer diamond rings and antiques, Watch & Wares has been the best place to buy vintage wedding rings for over three decades. We’re one of the few Orange County jewelry stores that started with a passion for collecting. Our passion for finding the best vintage wedding rings, estate jewelry and watches defines our unparalleled attention to detail. For many, we define the genre, and as such, we’d like to share a little bit about our collection.

Best Vintage Wedding Rings & Diamond Wedding Bands

sell my jewelry, sell my ring, sell engagement ring, diamond ring, vintage engagement ringMany people that find us have never considered buying a vintage wedding ring. There are many benefits to buying a vintage or estate diamond ring instead of a new one. For instance, when you buy a new wedding band at retail, it will usually lose some of its value immediately. People who are searching for the best vintage wedding rings are looking for quality, but also take price into consideration. Others simply want the most bang for their buck, and shopping for a used wedding ring means they will save some money versus retail.

Designer Wedding Rings & Diamond Engagement Rings

designer wedding rings, designer vintage ringsWatch & Wares has the largest selection of pre-owned designer wedding rings in California. Because of our love for jewelry, our large wedding ring inventory changes daily. We find pieces from all over the world and buy only the best vintage wedding rings from trusted sources. Because we have long-lasting relationships in the jewelry industry, we’re able to pass the savings onto our customers.

Furthermore, each wedding ring and diamond engagement ring is inspected, restored and polished upon acquisition. We work hard to restore diamond rings and wedding bands to their original luster, allowing us to offer our diamond rings in like-new, unworn condition.

We carry all major brands of designer engagement rings, and only the best vintage wedding rings from brands including collections from:

  • Cartier
  • Chopard
  • Tiffany & Co.
  • Bvlgari
  • Van Cleef & Arpels

Buying a Vintage Wedding Ring Instead of a New Wedding Ring

vintage engagement rings, engagement ring, vintage

Buying vintage ensures you get something unique and special.

For many people that buy vintage wedding rings or estate jewelry, it boils down to cost. Take for instance buying a new vehicle, that vehicle loses some value the second you drive it off the lot. For jewelry lovers and people shopping for the best vintage wedding rings, we hear the same thing. Most people shopping for a wedding band simply want to pay less, and why not? You’re essentially getting the same piece, for hundreds or thousands off retail.

Another big factor when it comes to buying a vintage wedding ring instead of a new one is whether the jewelry store is trustworthy. Watch & Wares has been selling the best vintage wedding rings and diamond engagement rings for over 35 years. Furthermore, we hold a 5-star rating on Yelp and 100% Feedback on eBay, where we’ve been selling since the 90’s. We have a GIA Gemologist on staff and our Master Jeweler has been repairing and building custom wedding rings for decades. We’re also the best place to take your wedding ring in for repair or adding a stone to a setting. We handle both simple & complex wedding ring repairs and usually fix what other jewelry repair stores can’t.

Why Watch & Wares is the Best Place to Buy a Vintage Wedding Ring or Diamond Engagement Ring

When considering buying a vintage, used or pre-owned wedding ring, consider the details. Ask if the vintage wedding ring has been looked at by a gemologist and find out what it appraises for. Our brick & mortar location in the Orange Circle is always here to help you find the best vintage wedding ring for your budget. We do it all — from custom wedding rings and antique engagement rings, to heirloom diamonds for custom settings and more! We can also create a custom wedding ring from scratch or recreate one from a photograph!

Our Owner, William Houchin and our helpful staff has helped thousands of people tie the knot in Orange County and all parts of the world. Give us a call at 714-633-2030 or drop in anytime. We’ll help you search through our large selection of the best vintage wedding rings in Southern California!

Because we’d love to meet you in person and help you shop for a wedding ring based on your needs, you can also drop in anytime or send us a message using our contact form!

*If you’d like to sell your vintage wedding ring or sell a diamond engagement ring in Orange County, our Tustin Location can help you!

5 Tips to Help you Shop for the Best Vintage Rings

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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!