There comes a time in a relationship when you know you’re with the person you want to love for the rest of your life—the person you want to come home to every day, share life experiences with, and possibly even raise your own family with. When the time comes, you may start thinking about proposing. Once you’ve decided to propose to your partner, consider what kind of engagement ring would really wow them. There are so many styles, gemstones, settings, and options to choose from when you’re engagement ring shopping. One of the options that’s currently skyrocketing in popularity is vintage engagement rings. Check out all the reasons to buy a vintage engagement ring.

They stand the test of time

The term “vintage” refers to items between 50 and 100 years old. This means that vintage engagement rings have stood the test of time. Allowing a vintage ring to symbolize your love for each other means believing your love and commitment to each other will also stand the test of time. You and your partner will get to add your love story to this ring, which has symbolized love and beauty for decades. A vintage engagement ring has already seen the trials and hardships of marriage, and it can serve as a reminder during hard times that the love will continue to shine, just as the ring has shone through multiple love stories.

They’re unique

Rings didn’t used to be mass-produced as they are today, so buying a vintage engagement ring guarantees your partner’s friends and family members won’t have the same style rings. A vintage ring will be just as unique and one-of-a-kind as your partner. Having a unique ring can also make your partner feel valued and special.

They’re more ethical

Vintage rings are more likely to be made with non-conflict diamonds. This means the diamonds and gemstones used in vintage rings predate the popularity of conflict diamonds, which funded wars, were mined by forced labor in poor conditions, and generally have adverse ethical impacts. Another addition to the ethics of vintage rings is that they already exist. Reusing any item has a less negative environmental impact that producing new items.

When you start shopping for vintage engagement rings online, keep your partner’s tastes and preferences in mind. The key to the perfect engagement ring is thinking about what your partner likes—after all, they’ll be wearing this ring every day for the rest of their lives.