Are Vintage Rings More Expensive? (2024)

GemvyJanuary 28, 2023Engagement Ring Styles and Design, Custom Engagement rings Blog, Vintage Engagement Ring blog, Engagement Ring Costs and BudgetingLeave a comment 9 Views

Your engagement ring reflects your personality and your love story. Sometimes, a modern engagement ring, as beautiful as it can be, cannot encapsulate the same emotions of long and ever-lasting love as a vintage ring.

Vintage engagement rings have a unique charm to them. Trends from different periods and countries are represented in a unique design, and what’s extraordinary is that you will never find two rings that look exactly alike. Each vintage ring has its own history, making it an appealing option for your engagement. If you are enticed by the old-world charm that a vintage ring can bring to your life, you will find many options. You will also come across vintage-inspired or vintage-style rings.

The main difference between a vintage or antique engagement ring, and a vintage-style engagement ring, is that a vintage-style ring is a modern ring inspired by the elements and designs of a vintage era. Whereas a vintage ring is a ring that has come down generations or is older than 50 years, and an antique ring is older than 100 years. Vintage and Antique rings, because of their age and history, can affect their price. Vintage style rings, however, can be a more affordable option in some cases. This Hidden Halo Vintage Style Art Deco Diamond Setting Heirloom Ring by Gemvy is the perfect example of how modern ingenuity can take inspiration from the best of an era and create a stunning piece.

You might think that vintage rings can be purchased cheaper than brand-new ones. While this can be the case, it highly depends on what vintage ring you are looking at.

  • Time PeriodAs you know, price is determined by demand. Some time periods are more popular than others, which can increase the price of a vintage engagement ring. Despite these two styles not being the oldest rings in the market, Art Deco and Edwardian vintage engagement rings have taken hold; thus, their value has exponentially increased.
  • Condition

    To an untrained eye, it’s a challenge to see if the ring is in its original condition, and antique or vintage rings have a higher value and price tag if they are in their original condition. Changes like replacing a stone or fixing a broken band can significantly reduce its price. It’s best to have a trained jewellery appraiser look at a vintage engagement ring if you’re planning to buy one.

  • Cut

    As you might have seen, the brilliant round cut has become popular in modern-day engagement rings. This cut was not developed until later, when the right tools were designed, so you will not find it in vintage-era rings. Rarer cuts like the old mine and European cuts found in antique engagement rings have a higher value and make them more expensive. It’s all supply and demand.

  • Hallmark

    A hallmark is a stamp or engraving, which is quite common in modern-day engagement rings. The hallmark can tell you information about the metal type, country, the time it was made, and in some cases, even the jeweller that created it. This can be a rare occurrence in vintage or antique jewellery; however, it can increase its price and value if they have one.

  • Where you find it

    The price of a vintage engagement ring can also depend on where you find it, whether it’s a boutique, a pawn shop or online. In pawn shops, you might be able to find a good bargain and some unique one-of-a-kind designs; however, the downside is knowing whether it is authentic, and for that, you will have to find a trained jewellery appraiser. Moreover, a pawn shop cannot make any alterations in terms of sizing, and it is tough to re-size a vintage engagement ring. A jewellery boutique specialising in vintage rings might have a higher markup as they know the actual value of the pieces.

Finding a vintage or antique ring can be a challenge. Besides the rarity, vintage engagement rings have some downsides, including maintenance and alterations. A vintage-style engagement ring could be the best alternative. Websites like Gemvy have a huge collection of vintage-style rings, and they can also help customise rings to fit your budget and design. A vintage-style ring not only embodies the charm and intricacies of a bygone era but can be personalised to you.

A vintage-style engagement ring’s price can depend on several customisable elements. For example, your metal choice, platinum, will cost more than white gold despite its durability. This Edwardian Style Milgrain Solitaire Custom Engagement Ring, by Gemvy, like other vintage style rings in its collection, comes with options to choose a metal according to your preference. The price can also be determined by the setting and the details like filigree or milgrain.

Lastly, websites like Gemvy offer direct sales, eliminating any middlemen who can add cost to your purchase.

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Are Vintage Rings More Expensive? (2024)

FAQs

Are vintage rings worth more? ›

Value. Most of the time, buying vintage and antique engagement rings offer more value than buying a new ring. As lovely and unique as they are, these rings are still considered second hand pieces - with a few exceptions.

Why are vintage rings cheaper? ›

Vintage engagement rings are more budget friendly

They are essentially secondhand, even if this is what gives them much of their charm.

Is vintage jewelry more expensive? ›

Antique jewelry pieces tend to be valuable because jewelry over 100 years ago was seldom created in large quantities and was usually handmade. Therefore, the pieces are often one-of-a-kind and of a much higher quality than more contemporary jewelry. Estate: A more general and broad term for antique or vintage jewelry.

What classifies a ring as vintage? ›

"Vintage" refers to anything at least 20 years old, while "antique" refers to anything at least 100 years old. When it comes to engagement rings, "vintage" usually signifies the ring's style rather than its age.

How old does a ring have to be to be vintage? ›

Most people refer to 'vintage' jewellery as pieces that are between 50 and 100 years old. Certain eras with distinct styles may be referred to as vintage even if the jewellery from that time isn't yet fifty years old. For example, jewellery from the 1980s has mass appeal due to the recent style renaissance of that era.

How do I know my ring is vintage? ›

Patina and Wear: Look for signs of aging, patina, or wear on the jewelry. Vintage pieces may show slight signs of tarnish, scratches, or fading, which can add to their charm and authenticity. Style and Design Elements: Pay attention to the overall style and design elements of the jewelry.

Is it OK to wear vintage jewelry? ›

Wearing vintage jewelry adds a touch of nostalgia and uniqueness to any outfit. Vintage pieces often have intricate designs and details that are not commonly found in modern jewelry. To wear vintage jewelry stylishly, it's important to follow some guidelines. First, think about the piece of jewelry you are wearing.

Is it OK to wear cheap rings? ›

Do not underestimate the risks that the counterfeit industry may carry for the health of the skin. Irritant dermatitis, nickel allergies, and skin rashes that occur with itching, swelling, burning, and redness of the skin are all consequences of cheap metals such as nickel and cobalt.

Are old class rings worth anything? ›

So, is there money to be made in old class rings? The answer is, it could well be, provided you don't buy them for more than what the gold they contain is worth. So keep your eyes open and when one of them comes along, be ready to buy it if the price is right.

How to tell if a ring is valuable? ›

We recommend taking the piece to a jeweler to be tested. They will have professional tests that will determine whether your jewelry is real as well as the purity of the metal itself. A certified appraiser will be able to provide the value of the piece as well.

What rings hold their value? ›

Engagement rings will usually hold most of their value even if there are new fashions. Outside niche trends like black diamonds, style changes in engagement rings are most easily measured by the popularity of various diamond cuts. The five most popular cuts for diamond center stones are: Round brilliant cut.

What jewelry holds the best value? ›

High-quality materials, such as gold, platinum, and precious gemstones, not only retain their value but may also appreciate over time, making for a solid long-term investment.

Why are vintage rings so cheap? ›

VALUE. Older rings are, by their very nature, used, secondhand pieces. This can give couples some surprising bargains and lower prices to choose from when compared to new, modern rings, especially when comparing prices per carat of the ring's stones.

Do vintage rings increase in value? ›

Age also factors into the overall worth of the piece in the following ways: Design and trends. The design and style of jewelry often change over time, reflecting the prevailing trends of a specific era. Vintage pieces of this nature are generally valued higher during appraisals.

Can a jeweler tell how old a ring is? ›

Even if an antique ring is not hallmarked, an expert who specialises in antique jewellery will be able to determine the approximate era it was made in based on the materials used, the craftsmanship and the style. To ensure you are investing in the real thing, always buy from a reputable store or dealer.

Is it worth selling old rings? ›

Resale Value. Generally, when you sell pre-owned fine jewelry, you can expect to get around 20 to 50% of the original purchase price.

Does vintage jewelry hold its value? ›

An antique piece in top condition, with no chips, scratches, or damage, will likely retain its value and even appreciate. The same is true for vintage pieces, especially if they are rare. Estate pieces are more vulnerable to the whims of fashion, but quality and rarity can overcome these factors.

How do you value a vintage ring? ›

How To Assess the Value of Antique Jewellery
  1. Do you trust your source? ...
  2. What does your instinct tell you? ...
  3. Is it in good condition? ...
  4. How high is the quality of the stones? ...
  5. Is the design attractive? ...
  6. What is its historical context? ...
  7. Are there any hallmarks? ...
  8. Which metal is it?

Do antique rings hold their value? ›

With antique and vintage jewellery the piece has already gone from 'new' to 'old' before you buy it so its purchase value remains the same. In the same way that classic cars are always in demand and retain their value, so antique jewellery will always be collectable and desirable and retain theirs.

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