Finding the perfect engagement ring isn’t easy. You can browse rings online for days on end and never find exactly what you’re looking for.
Or you might find plenty of possibilities and be unable to choose. Searching for an engagement ring should be fun and exciting, so if you’re struggling to find the right one, these tips will help.
- Look for artisan jewelers
Artisan jewelers make some of the most beautiful rings you’ll ever see. Unlike the major jewelry companies, who make fine yet standardized rings, you’ll find jaw-dropping designs from artisan jewelers.
Many individual designers make rings that will take a variety of gemstones, so there will be plenty of options to choose from. For example, John Atencio makes beautiful, unique engagement rings based on hand-sketched designs. All ring designs are uniquely crafted and look absolutely stunning.
The best part about John Atencio rings, as with the best artisan jewelers, is that you have the option to order a completely custom ring. When you commission a custom ring, your jewelry will truly be one-of-a-kind.
In an engagement ring, that’s a huge plus that can add extra layers of meaning to your relationship.
- Go to jewelry auctions
Jewelry auctions are held online as well as in person, and you can find amazing pieces at them. If you’re not concerned about getting your engagement ring brand-new, you might find something incredible that appeals to you at an auction.
The Wealthy Single Mommy blog reviewed several jewelry auction sites. You might be surprised to learn that some of them have received an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) along with hundreds of glowing reviews.
Other jewelry auctions are run by well-known retailers. You might also find what you’re looking for in sections dedicated to jewelry on popular general auction sites.
- Look for vintage engagement rings
Vintage engagement rings are extremely popular and not that hard to find. Though older rings from the 1800s are often classified as antiques, the line between vintage and antique is somewhat subjective.
Antique rings are generally 100+ years old. But regardless of the classification, vintage and antique engagement rings can be exceptionally stylish.
If you or your partner are into a specific time period, such as the 1800s, you’ll love having an engagement ring from that era. It can also be exciting to search for older rings. There are so many styles and designs, it can feel like a treasure hunt.
When you look at older rings, you’ll rarely come across two similar designs. Almost everything you find will be different, and since the styles are all from the past, their designs are more likely to be unfamiliar, and therefore intriguing.
- Swing by estate sales
You can find just about anything at an estate sale, but you probably should show up early to catch the jewelry. That tends to go quickly at estate sales, provided the family hasn’t already tucked everything aside to sell on eBay or directly to a professional jeweler.
When you go to estate sales, bring plenty of cash. If the jewelry is worth anything, the family probably won’t be offering discounts.
- Browse lesser-known auction websites
Did you know that Goodwill has an auction site? It might not be everyone’s first choice to sell their jewelry, but many people list valuable items up for auction. You can find plenty of jewelry auctions to sift through at any time.
Other sites you can browse for jewelry include Etsy, Depop, and of course, eBay. The quality usually won’t be the best on these sites, but if you know what you’re looking for, you might be able to score a rare find.
Just be careful about the potential for buying fake jewelry. Only purchase from sellers who have a high level and lengthy array of positive reviews.
- Be creative
When you can’t seem to find the perfect engagement ring, consider going creative. The Internet is filled with countless stories of people who made their own engagement rings or used a ring designed for movie fans, such as these rings from “The Crow”.
If you’re into tattoos, you could get a custom ring tattooed onto your finger. It’s a little more permanent than a real one, but other people have done it.
Some companies make rings for people with specific interests, like the Star Trek ring featured on this page. DIYers make their own rings from scratch. This guy made a 1-carat diamond ring out of two hex nuts!
Keep looking – you’ll find the perfect engagement ring!
If you haven’t found what you’re looking for yet, don’t give up the search. The perfect ring is out there, and if you look hard enough, you’ll find it.
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