Frequently Asked Questions | The Vintage Ring Co.

How long will it take for my order to arrive?

Please see our Packaging, Delivery & Returns page for timings. We recommend allowing at least five working days for delivery in the UK.

Is it just rings that you sell?

As our name suggests, The Vintage Ring Co. started out as a curated collection of pre-loved antique and vintage rings. As passionate jewellery lovers, however, we found the other possibilities to tempting to resist. We have recently begun to expand our treasure chest of special finds, beginning to explore brooches, pendants and earrings, too.

We are also pleased to reveal our Reclaimed Vintage collection in partnership with our sister brand Lebrusan Studio, which revels in the possibilities of circularity by reclaiming antique Victorian components and combining them with newly designed components.

How long will it take to resize my vintage ring?

Door-to-door, the resizing process takes 2-3 weeks. This window allows time for delivery, the resize itself, cleaning, and quality control. If your vintage ring is set with gemstones, our stone-setter will need to give its settings a thorough check-over following the resize to ensure all stones remain safely secured in their settings.

To request a resize, please drop us an email so we can make arrangements.

Is it better to get an engagement ring resized before or after the proposal?

Your vision of the dream proposal probably involves you slipping the engagement ring onto her finger for the perfect fit first time, but we advise leaving the ring sizing until after the proposal. Resizing a ring more than once can compromise the structural integrity of its precious metal, so it’s best to avoid resizing numerous resizes if possible. In other words, we suggest popping the question with the ring unaltered, then having it resized afterwards. That way, your partner can have their ring size measured by a jeweller - no need for guessing games.

How do I find out my partner’s ring size?

Although this is our most frequently asked question, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. If you are purchasing a vintage ring as an engagement ring or gift, we recommend holding off on resizing it until after you’ve presented it so your partner can join in on the process for ensured accuracy. If your partner's unable to visit us or a local jeweller to have their ring finger measured in person, please get in touch to loan an at-home ring sizer.

If you really have your heart set on sizing your vintage ring before you gift it or pop the question, we can suggest a handful of tried and tested methods to help you estimate your partner's ring size; check out our blog post for our top tips.

Can I return a piece of jewellery if I’ve changed my mind?

If you haven't already had it resized, we're happy for you to return it during the cooling-off period of 14 days from receipt. Please note that we can only issue refunds for jewellery returned during this time period, unworn and in their original packaging and condition. If it shows signs of wear or has already been resized - thus customised for you - we are unable to accept its return.

How do I return a piece of jewellery that isn’t quite right for me?

Please see our Packaging, Delivery & Returns page for instructions.

How can I be sure that my jewel’s gemstone settings aren’t worn?

Diamond and gemstone settings have a very important job. The most classic of gemstone setting styles – particularly in the context of rings – is the prong setting, which features small claws that hug the stone tightly. Other settings commonly seen in antique and vintage jewellery include the cluster setting, halo setting, three-stone setting, split-shank setting and bezel setting. You can learn more about these settings and which might be most suitable for you here.

Settings do wear over time - especially if a piece of jewellery has endured heavy use - but we enlist a team of jewellery experts to check every piece before we list it for sale and, where necessary, repair the setting to ensure quality and longevity. You won’t find jewellery on The Vintage Ring Co. website with worn settings, but you might see other minor signs of use to fine decorative flourishes such as filigree detailing and etching.

How long is my vintage jewellery going to last?

If you’re planning on wearing your piece every single day, it’s important to bear in mind that this constant exposure to the elements will inevitably wear it down a little over time. This is particularly true of rings, which come into contact with surfaces and substances more regularly than jewellery worn elsewhere on the body. However, there are some simple steps you can take to ensure the longevity of your special jewel.

We recommend removing your vintage jewellery during any activity that might leave it vulnerable. This means…

Not wearing it when exercising, playing sport, gardening or lifting heavy objects. (No weight-lifting in the gym, please!) This is to prevent scratching or warping
Minimising contact with hard or abrasive surfaces (think car keys, garage doors or scrubbing cloths!)
To prevent metal corrosion at the hands of harsh household chemicals, removing your ring or wearing rubber gloves whilst carrying out any sort of housework
Removing your jewellery whilst showering or washing your hands. (Shower loofahs and sponges are a claw setting’s arch nemesis!)

Please also take the time to examine your stone setting on a monthly basis to ensure your gem is safe and secure. You can do so by gently tapping your piece of jewellery and listening out to ensure you can’t hear a rattling sound. If your jewel has a prong setting, it’s also important to feel the claws, checking they haven’t lifted or moved. A tell-tale sign of this being the case is the catching of hair and fibres. If you have an inkling (big or small!) that your stone might be loose, please let us know – we’ll have it professionally checked over for you.

We also recommend washing your jewellery once a month to remove any film left behind by household or cosmetic products. To do this, fill a bowl with warm water and washing-up liquid. Let your jewellery soak for around 30 minutes, then brush it very gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Top tip: kids' toothbrushes are usually softer, which makes them perfect for cleaning delicate jewellery! Keep this toothbrush separate from your other cleaning brushes and use it only to tend to your jewellery. This way, it will stay soft and clean.

If the worst comes to the worst, accidental damage can be repaired. This blog post explores some of the most common mishaps with vintage engagement rings, and how we might go about redeeming them.

Is the vintage jewellery you sell certified in any way?

Our Certificate of Authenticity is unique to The Vintage Ring Co. It’s a guarantee to you that any ring you see on our website set with a precious cardinal gemstone (diamond, ruby, sapphire or emerald) has been professionally assessed by a third-party valuer and is exactly as described. Signed and stamped by The Goldsmiths' Company, your certificate will tell you everything you need to know about your ring, from the type of precious metal used to the size and quality of the gemstones. It will also specify the era in which the ring was made and even the year if it has been hallmarked as such.

We don’t provide a certificate for the ‘hybrid’ jewels in our Reclaimed Vintage collection or any pieces set with semi-precious gemstones, but the majority of these jewels bear hallmarks. As jewellery experts fuelled by over 30 years of shared experience and a deep-rooted passion for beautiful things, we only source our treasures from trustworthy, reputable sources.

Will my vintage jewellery be covered by my house insurance?

Most home insurance policies cover the loss or theft of jewellery, but we recommend giving your policy holder a call to check. Always keep the receipt for your Vintage Ring Co. order in a safe place so you’re covered in the event that your policy holder requires you to provide proof of purchase.

What type of wedding ring will match my vintage engagement ring?

Our collection is a varied array of unique jewels hailing from various periods in design history. For this reason, there is no simple answer to this question; it really depends on the shape and size of your engagement ring. In the first instance, we recommend visiting a few jewellers to try on some sample wedding bands alongside your engagement ring, gauging what does and doesn't work.

If you're unable to find an existing wedding band design that feels like the right fit, it may be worth exploring the bespoke route. Our co-founder Arabel Lebrusan specialises in ethical jewellery design, and would be delighted to design you a wedding band using responsible materials like reclaimed vintage diamonds or Fairmined Ecological Gold under her eponymous jewellery design studio, Lebrusan Studio.

You can also find complementary wedding band inspiration in this blog post.

What does pre-owned mean?

All of the rings listed on our website are pre-owned, ranging in era from centuries-old antique pieces to more recent vintage-style designs. Quite simply, 'pre-owned' means that somebody has owned the piece of jewellery previously, whether for generations or just a few years. Purchasing a pre-loved piece of jewellery is not only budget-friendly but kind on the environment, too. Discover all the benefits of buying a second-hand ring here.

Meanwhile, our Reclaimed Vintage collection combines reclaimed antique Victorian components like gold chains, T-bar clasps and brooches with newly designed parts crafted locally in environmentally-conscious materials like recycled platinum and recycled broken diamonds. On account of these newer components, these collage-like pieces of jewellery are not defined as ‘pre-owned,’ but their commitment to circularity aligns with the slow and sustainable ethos that gave birth to The Vintage Ring Co. in the first place.

What's the difference between 18ct and 9ct gold?

The purity of gold is measured in carats, with 9ct gold being much more affordable than 18ct. But why is that? Well, simply put, 9ct gold is less pure than 18ct. It contains 37.5% pure gold – the rest consisting of other metals, mixed with the gold via a process called alloying. The presence of these other metals gives 9ct gold a slightly lighter and less saturated colour than 18ct gold. Meanwhile, 18ct gold contains 75% pure gold, the 25% most commonly consisting of silver or copper. Since 18ct gold contains twice the amount of pure gold as 9ct, it's generally 50% more expensive.

Do you have a shop where I can try on the rings?

We're a clicks-and-bricks business, which means our website is a great place to browse the full extent of our collection - but we're also available for in-person consultations. If you'd like to view our treasure chest of vintage jewellery in the flesh, you can visit us by appointment at the London Diamond Bourse in Hatton Garden. We’re usually available there on Thursdays, but it’s important to book in advance. Please head here to request your appointment slot.

I can't find the answer to my question, what should I do next?

Please send us an email at help@thevintageringco.com, or give us a call on 07946942350. We endeavour to respond to enquiries within one working day.

I can't find the answer to my question, what should I do next?