Estate Diamond Engagement Rings

The dangers of buying Estate engagement rings

The name estate engagement rings bring to mind a highly precious and valuable piece of antique engagement rings or jewelry. Unfortunately this couldn’t be further from the truth.  Estate engagement rings to put is simply is the purchase of an engagement rings through the sales of estate items from a deceased person. More than likely in this case the family has already dispersed the valued items among the remaining family members leaving very little valuable items to be sold. Finding an engagement ring with this method is much like rummaging through garage or flea market sale. For this reason when looking to find an estate engagement ring you must be extra careful to avoid buying costume pieces.

Most antique or vintage engagement rings are best found at an antique dealer or other sources that specialize in vintage jewelry.  Although many people have discovered expensive engagement rings at reasonable prices, by means of Estate sale, at present this is a rarity because most families will have jewelry, especially antique engagement rings, appraised prior the estate sale.  In this case the family has already acquired the item.  Yet chances are you could acquire an affordable engagement ring that is a degraded generational heirloom at a reasonable price.

If your heart is set on purchasing an Estate engagement ring; is it highly recommended to pay very close attention to a few guidelines when estate shopping. First and foremost you should always ask for appraisal documents. Most estate sales when selling a true antique engagement ring will have the piece previously appraised.  When there is no appraisal documentation request original certification of authenticity.  In many cases neither form of documentation is available however the family or estate coordinator may know the engagements rings province and history. Yet many times there is no information to authenticate its true value if any so be very careful.   

Because of the uncertainty of the true value of most Estate engagement rings, unless accompanied by certification of authenticity and/or appraisal documentation, many people run the risk of being caught up in family folk lore that’s was passed down from one generation to the next and the true value can be obscured or even unintentionally fabricated.  For this reason it is always wise to consider buying a piece that has been previously appraised or have it appraised if possible.  While this may be added cost, it is the effective method to ensure you’re not buying a piece of useless jewelry.