Something Old: 53 Vintage Engagement Rings To Shop Now (2024)

FAQs

Are old engagement rings worth anything? ›

The value of a diamond is said to increase with age, so the older the diamond, the more expensive the diamond is said to be. However, the value of the diamond is further determined by some basic characteristics that the diamond has.

The three key options are selling to a jeweller, a private sale or sale by auction. Each option has its benefits and considerations. If you opt for selling to a jeweller, this would entail engaging with professionals who are well-versed in the evaluation and procurement of valuable pieces.

Any professional jeweler or gemologist can quickly establish the exact market value of a second-hand diamond ring. Obviously, they'll try and offer you the lowest possible price, but they know that if you settle for 70% of the resale price, they'll still make an acceptable profit on the deal.

"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.

Our Margot mid-century diamond ring

First, check for hallmarks and a maker's mark on the inside of your band. These markings may provide information about the jeweller who originally created the piece, its country of origin, and sometimes even the date of manufacture.

The quickest way to sell an engagement ring is to sell it to a business that purchases used rings. These include jewellery stores, pawnbrokers and even diamond dealers.

Lifetime Guaranteed Diamond Trade-In Value

We guarantee that the item you trade will be valued for trade in at Zales at 100% of its original net purchase price.

Yes, you can get cash for old rings at a jewelry store. Many jewelry stores buy back old jewelry, including engagement and wedding rings, and are happy to give you a cash payment. However, don't expect to receive the full value of the jewelry, as stores often offer less than 20% of the original price.

Our diamond trade-in and upgrade services allow you to take any diamond jewelry purchased at Zales you no longer wear and trade it in for a brand new jewelry item.

As a general rule of thumb, an antique cut of a similar carat weight will be around 20% less expensive than a new modern cut. This applies to earth-mined stones only. When comparing an antique diamond to a modern lab-grown Diamond, the difference in price may be negligible (or at least smaller).

Do old diamond rings have value? ›

In general, diamonds do not increase significantly in value over time. Outside of a small number of rare or colored diamonds, the vast majority of diamonds have decreased slightly in value over the last few years, making them a poor investment from a price appreciation perspective.

Your diamond engagement ring's actual value on the resale market will vary depending on a number of factors. However, the majority of engagement rings — those that were purchased for between $3000 and $5000 from a chain store — are often only worth ten to thirty percent of the initial purchase price.

Sell it – Whether you want to cash in your ring for a getaway vacation or to start your own business, selling your ring can offer you some exciting new opportunities. Repurpose it – You can often repurpose the setting and incorporate the diamond into a fresh jewelry item, such as a pendant or co*cktail ring.