Tag Archive for: vintage diamond rings

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 Vintage Wedding Rings in Orange County at Watch and Wares

May 18, 2017/in Custom Jewelry, Engagement Rings, Vintage Jewelry/by Watch & Wares

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

Many 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

Watch & 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!