Purchasing an engagement ring is always a major event. Regardless of whether a person is investing in an expensive, antique engagement ring or buying a bargain piece from a local, big-box jeweler, the sentiment behind buying the ring is one that can change a person’s life forever.

It’s no wonder, then, that so many people rush into buying engagement rings without first thinking about the purchase they’re making. If you’re looking to buy an antique or vintage piece, though, it can pay to take your time and consider your decision carefully. After all, you want your loved one to cherish your gift for years to come!

Here are just a few tips for buying antique engagement rings:

Know the Four C’s

Typically, wedding and engagement rings are set with diamonds. With this in mind, there are four major qualifications that jewelers and enthusiasts use to determine the quality and value of diamonds that you can apply to your engagement ring shopping. These are often called the “four C’s”, and are as follows:

• Cut – This is how a stone is cut to reflect light. It also refers to the general shape of the stone, and can help shoppers find stones that appeal to their aesthetic senses.

• Color – In reference to diamonds, this typically ranges from white/clear to a more yellow color. The whiter the diamond is, the more valuable it will usually be.

• Clarity – This refers to a lack of visible imperfections in the stone. The fewer imperfections, the more valuable the stone.

• Carat – This is the measurement of weight used in the jewelry industry for gemstones.

Even non-diamond stones can be qualified by these specifications, and a well-trained shopper can find the best piece for the investment they’re making. Shop in the know, and get the most for your money.

Know When Your Ring was Made

Depending on the time period your ring hails from, its look will differ drastically from those of other pieces of jewelry. This is part of what makes antique engagement rings appealing to many buyers. If your significant other likes to have something that not everyone else is going to have, buying them an antique piece is a great way to assure that – as well as give them the thrill of a lifetime when you get down on one knee!

When shopping through your local antique jewelry dealer’s stock, be sure to ask when the pieces that interest you were made. Knowing what styles your significant other might like is helpful, but being able to tell them just how long ago their gorgeous ring was designed is an added layer of excitement when handing over that little box.

Keep in mind that the older a piece is – and the better condition it is in – the more expensive it is likely to be. However, mint-condition antique pieces are well worth the investment, and will continue to build value and impress your intended spouse for years to come!