Tag Archive for: estate jewelry

The Lap of Luxury

April 7, 2018/in Antique Watches, Collectibles, Contemporary Watches, Engagement Rings, Fine Art, Luxury, Vintage Jewelry, Vintage Watches, Watches, Women's Watches/by Watch & Wares

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!

Defining 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.

Vintage Engagement Rings – Largest Selection in SoCal

July 17, 2017/in Engagement Rings, Recent Posts/by Watch & Wares

Shop the Largest Selection of Vintage Engagement Rings in SoCal at Watch & Wares

Watch & Wares has been the best place to purchase vintage engagement rings in Orange County for over 30 years. We have a huge selection of antique diamond rings from all eras. Because of our passion for all things exquisite, we offer only the best vintage rings. Due to our staggering inventory and top-notch customer service, Watch & Wares is the premier vintage engagement ring store in OC.

Whether you’re looking for subtle or extravagant, we can find a perfect match! Many people who are getting engaged in Orange County start out confused. Vintage engagement rings can have a lot of quirks. It makes sense shopping for an engagement ring with experts by your side. Did you know that we stock vintage engagement rings from several different time periods? Because we realize you may not know what you love until you see it, it’s often best to stop into our large showroom and walk through the rings that fit your budget & taste.

For instance, we carry antique diamond engagement rings from the following eras:

Victorian Engagement Rings
Edwardian Diamond Rings
Georgian Wedding Rings
Art Nouveau Engagement Rings
Art Deco Diamond Engagement Rings
Retro Moderne Rings

That said, and with so much selection, it’s easy to see how a ring from one era may stand out more than another. When shopping for vintage engagement rings, it’s important to be true to your own style, while of course conforming to budget…

How Much Do Vintage Engagement Rings Cost?

How much should you spend on a vintage engagement ring? The answer to that lies within your own budget and preference. While one of the perks of buying a vintage engagement ring is that you may see cost savings vs. buying new or contemporary, it all depends on your needs.

We specialize in working with any taste and budget. Our passion has always been collecting. Therefore, when it comes to our selection, we’re not biased. Whether you’re the minimalist couple or want a peek at our high-end GIA Certified diamonds and gemstones, we’ve got you covered. Our specialty has always been the one-on-one service we provide our engagement ring customers. We know that spending a fortune on an antique diamond ring isn’t the key to happiness. Thus, we can help you choose the best vintage ring for your budget while making your bride-to-be extremely happy.

If you’re curious about how much vintage engagement rings cost, it all depends on what you want. For instance, you’ve got a choice of various diamond rings and their features:

Size of the Diamond
Diamond Clarity
The Diamond’s Color (we’ll help you with these)
Whether the Diamond/Gemstone is GIA Certified
Age/Era of the Antique Engagement Ring
Type of Precious Metal Used – for Both Ring & Setting
Any Historical Relevance
Customization Options – Filigree, Engraving, Custom Settings, Using an Heirloom Stone, etc.

How Does Watch & Wares Differ from Other Orange County Jewelry Stores that Sell Vintage Engagement Rings?

Because of all the options and so many vintage engagement rings from different periods, it’s often best to come in and speak with an engagement ring expert at Watch & Wares. No doubt we’re different than other Orange County jewelry stores that sell vintage engagement rings. The first thing we’ll do is find out about you and your future bride’s taste. Next, we’ll talk about your budget and how much you’d like to spend on an engagement ring. Moreover, we’ll take our time understanding your needs and why you want certain features as well how important they are to you.

Overall, your happiness should come second to none. Watch & Wares works hard to find you the right antique engagement ring at the right price, every time. Furthermore, we won’t nickel and dime you like some jewelers, especially when it comes to the details. We offer a 12-month layaway on all vintage engagement rings at 0% interest!

If you’re looking for a custom vintage engagement ring, we can build whatever you dream up! Whether you’ve seen a photo on the net and would like it cloned, or have a photograph of a family heirloom… our jeweler can knock it out of the park, and we’ve done so for hundreds of couples. A lot of engagement ring stores don’t have a GIA Certified Gemologist on-hand, but we do! Moreover, many of our vintage engagement rings feature GIA Certified diamonds and gemstones, fully-appraised.

Call Watch & Wares if You Want the Best Selection of Vintage Engagement Rings in Orange County & Surrounding Areas

As a final note, when shopping for vintage engagement rings in Southern California, work with someone you trust. Take time to ask questions and see what their responses are. Furthermore, you should do your research on the net — read Yelp and Google reviews. You should find out if the jewelry store has been a fixture in the community for a long time. If they have an eBay or online store, check its feedback — know who you’re dealing with before you spend.

At Watch & Wares, our reputation is number one. We know that you can buy a lot of things in life, but your reputation and name isn’t one of those. We’ve been a top seller on eBay since the mid-nineties (yes with dialup & AOL), and have a flawless 100% rating on eBay. We’ve also been selling from our brick & mortar locations in Old Towne Orange for over 30 years. Of course, our Etsy store is also thriving and receives excellent feedback weekly! Likewise, if you’re looking to sell a vintage engagement ring or other estate jewelry, diamonds, fine watches, you can also visit our Tustin, CA location.

We look forward to hearing from you, and hope that we can help you pick the perfect ring to propose with. If you’d like to send us a message with some details, fill out the handy contact form on our site. One of our Engagement Ring Concierges will reach out to you and find you something that fits your needs & budget!

Call Watch & Wares for the Best Selection of Vintage Engagement Rings

Serving all of Orange County, LA County, Riverside, San Bernardino & San Diego

(714) 633-2030

The Best Place to Buy Antique Engagement Rings in Orange County & Surrounding Areas

June 12, 2017/in Engagement Rings, Recent Posts/by Watch & Wares

Antique Engagement Rings – Why Are Vintage Diamond Rings So Special?

Everyone has their own taste, and lovers of antique & estate jewelry are no exception. If you’re thinking of taking the plunge and searching for antique engagement rings for your bride-to-be, you’re not alone. Antique engagement rings are back in vogue — you’ve seen them on your favorite celebrities’ fingers and in major fashion magazines.

But why purchase an antique engagement ring? At Watch & Wares, we like to ask, why not purchase one? Vintage and antique engagement rings are nod to historic style and values, but also incredibly chic and unique. With each vintage engagement ring comes it’s own history and a connection to the past… a time where bonds between lovers were not only sacred, but tough to break. From the Great Depression to the Roar & Bustle of Big Band, Classic Hollywood Stars & Cinema, and who can forget Prohibition? The 1920’s and 1930’s saw a lot of ups-and-downs, but there was a solidarity within the country as well.

As such, there’s been a huge upswing in all things vintage & throwback, antique engagement rings included. We’ve also seen a rise in custom wedding bands made to emulate vintage wedding rings and estate jewelry from the days where radio and newspaper ruled over social media and online videos.

How Much Should I Budget for Antique Engagement Rings in Orange County?

Shop the Largest Selection of Antique Engagement Rings in Southern California at Watch & Wares

Antique Engagement Rings at Watch & Wares. Photo c/o @isaiahvaldez.official via Instagram

While many people have caught the vintage engagement ring bug, there aren’t too many guidelines out there to help you shop for an antique engagement ring. Orange County and Southern California are both havens for estate jewelry and vintage wedding rings come in all shapes, sizes, precious metals and colors.

Some antique wedding bands and vintage engagement rings may look the similar on the surface. The truth is, while most antique engagement rings may have similar qualities, there’s a few things you should look out for. But before we go any further, you’ll want to figure out your budget for the engagement ring. Finding out what you want to spend on a vintage diamond ring is paramount to the process. It provides a guideline for qualifying different pieces and picking your favorite rings.

Budgeting your purchase properly also gives the antique engagement ring store or jeweler insight as to where to start. Since we’re talking about diamonds and precious metals, prices will vary. The great news is that vintage engagement rings can be extremely affordable or on the other end of the spectrum, lavish & expensive. Once you’ve got the budget out of the way, we can now begin shopping for the perfect antique engagement rings that fit your taste & bankbook.

What Should I Look for When Shopping for Vintage & Antique Engagement Rings?

While some antique engagement rings feature a diamond as the main stone, others may incorporate sapphires or other precious gems. It’s important to buy from a reputable antique engagement ring store in your area. Go to a place you trust, or one that has great online reviews. Furthermore, look for a jewelry store that specializes in antique engagement rings. If you’re ever in doubt, simply ask.

If the jewelry store carries vintage or estate jewelry, ask them about their antique engagement rings. Find out about their selection and vetting process. Ask the vintage jewelry store if they have anyone on staff that inspects or certifies the diamonds. Look into whether or not they restore their antique jewelry and engagement rings. Finally, you’ll want to know about the vintage engagement ring’s appraisal process.

Some other important things to ask when shopping for antique engagement rings includes:

What era is the vintage diamond engagement ring from?
What is the diamond’s clarity, size and color rating?
Is the precious metal rated at 10k, 14k, 24k etc.
Where was the antique ring acquired?
Did the vintage diamond ring undergo any restoration?
Do you have a GIA gemologist on staff?
Will I receive an appraisal & certificate with my purchase?

If You’re Shopping for Vintage or Antique Engagement Rings in Orange County, Check Watch & Wares First!

At Watch & Wares, we hate tooting our own horn, but we practically wrote the book on vintage, estate and antique jewelry. Our history dates back 35 years with over a century of vintage jewelry experience between our entire staff. Our Owner, William Houchin, is a collector of fine jewelry and vintage & estate engagement rings and has been honing his skills for over 3 decades. We started as collectors and that’s why we only offer the best.

Our customers know us as the premier destination for vintage, designer and antique engagement rings in Southern California. Our selection of vintage diamonds and wedding bands is staggering, and we’re proud of that. We’ve earned a reputation as the best place to buy antique engagement rings for many reasons, but our commitment to our customers is our favorite.

We’ve sold thousands of pieces on eBay, where we hold 100% Feedback since the early 90’s. We cross-sell items on Etsy and have an immaculate 5-star rating on Yelp through all of our 3 locations. Our flagship jewelry store in the Orange Circle features hundreds of antique engagement rings and vintage settings. If you’re looking for a custom engagement ring or would like to replace a cherished heirloom that was lost, we can do that too!

Watch & Wares Has the Best Selection of Estate & Antique Diamond Engagement Rings in SoCal

Watch & Wares has a GIA gemologist on staff and every vintage piece of jewelry we acquire undergoes a well-practiced restoration process. Not only is every antique engagement ring and vintage wedding band appraised properly, most look brand new.

We’ve served hundreds of beautiful couples that have tied the knot in Southern California. We’re proud to be a part of a legacy and tradition that keeps these beautiful antique engagement rings alive. We know that every customer is unique in terms of taste, budget and needs. We offer a 12-month layaway with no interest on all of our vintage wedding bands and diamond engagement rings.

Give us a call at 714-633-2030 or come by the store today! Speak with one of our Engagement Ring Concierges and let them walk you through some of our pieces. Ask us questions — we love answering them. In the end, we want happy & satisfied lovers making educated decisions. We want you to love the jewelry you wear and nothing is more cherished than an engagement ring.

Make the gift you give her on this special occasion one she’ll remember and covet forever.

*for more information about precious gems & diamonds used in antique engagement rings, visit the GIA Gem Encyclopedia.

*if you’d like to sell us antique engagement rings or other jewelry, you can come by or stop by our Tustin, CA location!

The Best Place to Sell Your Jewelry in Orange County

March 26, 2017/in Custom Jewelry, Engagement Rings, Recent Posts/by Watch & Wares

Where is the Best Place to Sell Jewelry in Orange County?

At Watch & Wares, we’ve spent the last 3 decades collecting, buying, selling and trading vintage, contemporary and estate jewelry in OC. People often ask us what makes us different from other jewelry stores that buy jewelry in Orange County and we tell them it’s our experience, the simple process, free estimates and our concierge service. Let’s take a look at some of the factors that affect your decision when selling your jewelry and why Watch & Wares is the best place to sell jewelry in Orange County.

Watch & Wares is the Best Place to Sell Jewelry in Orange County, CA

Watch & Wares has over 30 years of experience appraising and buying all types of jewelry, including:

Vintage & Estate Jewelry from All Periods
Necklaces & Pendants
Earrings, Pins & Brooches
Diamond Engagement Rings
Gold & Platinum Wedding Bands
Gold, Silver, Platinum and Other Precious Metals
Signed Pieces, such as Tiffany & Co., Bvlgari, Van Cleef & Arpels and Cartier

What Sets Us Apart from Other Jewelry Stores that Buy Jewelry in Orange County?

At Watch & Wares, we know that jewelry has an emotional value to our customers and that selling an heirloom or your once-favorite piece of jewelry can be a tough thing for many people. We’ve been serving Orange County and residents from all surrounding areas in Southern California including Riverside County, Los Angeles, and San Diego for the last 3 decades and know how it can affect our customers on many levels.

Aside from free estimates and instant cash for your jewelry, here are a few other reasons that make us the best place to sell your jewelry for cash in OC:

Our Staff of Trained Jewelry Professionals
GIA Gemologists Available
Experienced Estate Buyers that Can Work with Your Family’s Goals
Secure & Discreet One-On-One Transactions
The Option to Get a Collateral Loan vs. Selling Your Jewelry (pawn & collateral loans are handled in our Tustin, CA location)

For more information about other items that we purchase in Orange County, click here!

If you want to sell jewelry in Orange County and would like to come in and get a free estimate, simply Contact us by calling 714-633-2030 or provide your info and some photos using our simple online submission form!