Are Vintage Rings More Expensive?
Introduction
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.
What is the difference between a Vintage Ring and a Vintage-style Ring?
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.
Why are Vintage Rings More Expensive?
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 Period
As 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.
A Great Alternative- Vintage Style Engagement Rings
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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