Find your perfect antique or vintage engagement ring
A simple guide to choosing style, era, old cut diamonds, sizing, and buying online with confidence.
Choosing an engagement ring should feel exciting, not overwhelming. This guide is designed to help you confidently choose an antique or vintage engagement ring.
At Goldbrick Jewels, we specialise in one of a kind pieces with history, including old cut diamonds and gorgeous antique and vintage settings. If you’d like an expert opinion, we can help you compare options and shortlist the right ring for your budget and lifestyle. We can also help if you're looking for an antique or vintage wedding band to match your perfect engagement ring.
Choose your style - with a curated edit
We love antique jewellery across many eras (especially Victorian and Edwardian), but our engagement ring range at Goldbrick Jewels is intentionally small and highly curated. We don’t buy rings just to ‘cover every style’. We buy pieces that stand out - for beauty, craftsmanship, and how they feel to wear.
Most of the rings we choose share a few things:
- Old cut diamonds with personality: The kind you can’t replicate or replace with a modern copy
- Strong design and craftsmanship: Details that hold up over time
- Wearability: Comfortable profiles, secure settings, and proportions that suit real life
Start with the feel you want
Rather than choosing from a huge catalogue, it helps to decide what you’re drawn to:
- Clean and timeless: Classic solitaires and simple settings that let the diamond do the talking.
- Romantic and detailed: Soft curves, hand-finished touches, and antique character (often Victorian or Edwardian inspired).
- Bold and architectural: Stronger lines, more presence, and graphic silhouettes (often Deco-adjacent without being overly ‘costume’).
If you’re not sure where you fit, send us a screenshot or two of rings you love. We’ll tell you what era and style cues it has, and what we’d recommend for a similar look within your budget.
Links: Shop Engagement Rings | Contact Us
Old cut diamonds and coloured stones
Old cut diamonds - what makes them special
Old mine cuts, old European cuts, and transitional cuts were shaped by hand and by eye. No two are identical - and that individuality is a big part of the appeal.
Many collectors love:
- Softer outlines and charming proportions
- A more ‘candlelit’ style of sparkle
- The sense of history and rarity
Learn more: Old Cut Diamonds value & buying guide
Coloured stones as engagement rings
Sapphires and other gemstones can be a beautiful alternative, especially in antique and vintage rings. When choosing a gemstone ring, it’s worth thinking about durability and how the stone is set for daily wear.
Explore: Our full ring range
Metal, colour and wearability
Choosing a metal colour
Antique and vintage rings often have warmth and depth that can be hard to replicate in new jewellery - and you may even come across gold colours and carats you’ve never seen in modern pieces, like 15ct or 12ct gold.
If you’re unsure between yellow gold, rose gold, white gold, and platinum, consider:
- The jewellery you already wear daily
- Your skin tone preferences
- Whether you prefer contrast or a blended look
- How the ring would look next to a wedding band
If you like, we can show you quick comparison photos in different lighting.
Learn more: 15ct and 12ct gold explained
Daily wear considerations
A ring can be antique and still be practical. We’ll always highlight anything worth knowing: setting height, prong condition, any past repairs, and the best way to care for the piece.
Learn more: 5 easy ways to care for your jewels
Sizing and resizing
Getting the size right matters - both for comfort and for security.
Our resizing approach
- Complimentary resize down on all rings that can be resized - tell us your preferred size at checkout.
- Sizing up is possible more often than not - please contact us for a quote.
Some rings have resizing limits (for example: eternity bands, patterned bands, or designs where resizing would disrupt original details). If resizing isn’t possible, we’ll let you know clearly before you buy.
Learn more: Ring resizing myths
Budget, value and what matters
There is no ‘rule’ for what you should spend
Forget the salary rules. A good engagement ring is the one that fits your budget and feels right to wear - and antique and vintage rings can offer exceptional value for their craftsmanship and uniqueness.
Read more: Engagement ring myths and what to focus on instead
Buying online with confidence
Buying a ring online can be simple and worry free when you know what to look for.
We’re always happy to provide:
- Additional photos or videos in different lights
- Details on hallmarks and age where known
- Resizing guidance and fit advice
- Shipping guidance and what to expect
Links: Shop Engagement Rings | Contact Us
Next steps
Get in touch with us
Write to us at hello@goldbrickjewels.com or use the contact form below.
It helps to let us know things such as:
- Your budget range
- Ring size (if known)
- 2-3 links or screenshots of rings you love
- Your timeline (if relevant)
And if you don’t have all the details yet, that’s completely fine - we’re happy to chat.
Contact form
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Budget and value
Do I need to follow the ‘three month salary’ rule?
No. That rule is marketing, not reality. Choose a ring that fits your budget and your priorities. The most meaningful ring is the one you’re excited to give and proud to wear.
Read more: Engagement ring myths and ‘rules’
What matters most when comparing two rings?
Start with what you see and feel: overall style, face up size, setting height, and how it suits daily wear. Then compare stone personality, condition, and originality. We’re happy to help you compare options.
Why can antique rings be such good value?
You’re often buying craftsmanship, rarity, and unique materials that would cost far more to replicate today. Many antique rings also have distinctive diamonds and settings you simply can’t ‘order in’.
Old cut diamonds
What is an old cut diamond?
Old cuts are diamonds shaped before modern precision cutting - including old mine cuts, old European cuts, and transitional cuts. They’re loved for their individuality and their distinctive sparkle.
Read more: Old cut diamonds guide
What should I prioritise in an old cut diamond - cut, clarity or colour?
Old cuts are valued differently to modern brilliants. Many buyers prioritise face up beauty, character, and rarity over ‘perfect’ modern metrics. We can guide you on what will matter most visually.
Are old cut diamonds ethical?
Antique and vintage diamonds are recycled by nature - they already exist and are being re-loved. Many customers choose old cuts for this reason, alongside their beauty and history.
Condition, authenticity and practicality
How do I know if a ring is truly antique or vintage?
We look at hallmarks, construction, setting style, and signs of age. Sometimes an exact date isn’t possible, but we’ll always share what we know and what suggests an era.
Read more: How we check for authenticity
Will an antique ring have wear or small imperfections?
They can, yes. We’ll note any wear that affects durability or value, and we’ll never hide meaningful flaws.
Are prongs and settings secure on older rings?
We check settings carefully and will advise if anything needs attention. Many rings are sturdy, especially when well maintained.
Sizing and resizing
Do you offer resizing?
Yes. We offer complimentary resizing down on all rings that can be resized - let us know your preferred size at checkout. For sizing up, please contact us for a quote.
Read more: Resizing myths
Can every ring be resized?
Not always. Certain designs have limits, and some resizing would disrupt original details. If a ring can’t be resized, we’ll advise before you buy.
What if I’m unsure of my size?
Get in touch - we’ll guide you on measuring and choosing a safe size, and we can advise based on band width and style.
Buying online with confidence
Can I request extra photos or video?
Yes. If you’re choosing between options, we can also show comparison photos to help you decide.
Do you ship insured?
Yes - we ship securely and provide tracking. If you’d like details for your country, feel free to get in touch.
Read more: Shipping policy
Do you offer holds?
We do. If you need time to decide, we can hold pieces for 24 hours with a 5% (minimum $50 AUD) deposit.
Image gallery - engagement ring inspiration
