A broad-brush term used to describe items from the past, the word “vintage” is widely used, and often misused, across the worlds of fashion, furniture and jewellery.
But how old must a ring be, exactly, for it to be labelled vintage? Trawling through the racks of a retro clothes store, the word “vintage” is loosely used to describe pretty much any item that is pre-worn and vintage-esque. With jewellery it is different, though. A vintage ring is a much bigger investment, and buyers like to know that what they are buying is authentic.
Most antiques dealers would classify a ring as vintage if it is more than 40 years old, which means it would have to have been made in 1982 or earlier to qualify. But it is the starting point – the transition from an item being classified as an antique to it being described as vintage – that is a little more complicated.
As we explained in a previous blog, what is an antique ring, we, and many other sellers of antique and vintage jewellery, use the end of the Art Deco era as the point when the antique era ends, and the vintage age begins. Why?
The flamboyant Art Deco style quickly went out of fashion with the onset of World War II in 1939, making way for the hugely influential mid-century modern movement, which changed the world of design forever. Driven by a post-war boom in the economy that continued until the 1970s, the style was an alluring combination of post-war practicality, clean lines and streamlined simplicity that followed the ethos of “form follows function” and remains hugely popular today.
Daisy, a prime example of the bold colour and geometric contours of the Art Deco era
The influence of the mid-century modern movement had an enduring effect on the world of jewellery. The coloured gemstones, geometric silhouettes and rich yellow gold that were so popular in the Art Deco era replaced by a sleeker aesthetic that was characterised by the Danish designer Georg Jensen and the sculptor Alexander Calder, whose avant-garde, curvilinear jewels are collectors’ pieces today.
It was during the post-war years, in 1947 to be precise, that De Beers coined the marketing slogan, “A diamond is forever”. Accompanied by a major advertising campaign that romanticised the diamond as the ultimate symbol of love, diamonds quickly became the stone of choice for engagement rings. This fundamental shift in the design of engagement rings, away from the warm yellow gold and coloured gemstones of the Art Deco era towards a cleaner, more minimal look, simply embellished with a diamond centre stone, is another compelling reason why the post-Deco years are a clear and logical cut-off point between “antique” and “vintage”.
Elizabeth, a mid-20th century creation, is all clean lines, muted tones and pared-back simplicity
Each decade that followed represents an iconic moment in vintage style today. From the swinging sixties to the subversive 1970s, all the way through to the early 1980s, which represent the end of the great era of vintage, it’s a wonderful era to explore if you are searching for a vintage engagement ring.
Margot, a true vintage beauty hailing from the mid-20th century
From the elegant presence of our elongated Lucinda ring to the striking linearity of Ellen and the delicate, lace-like details of Margot, our diverse collection of vintage jewels beautifully reflects the rich variety of design inspirations to influence the vintage era.
FAQs
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.
How do you know if you have a vintage ring? ›
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.
How old is a ring to be vintage? ›
In jewellery trade terms, 'vintage' describes a piece that was made between 50 and 100 years ago. So at the time of writing, all jewellery produced between 1920 and 1970 is technically 'vintage'. From the AJC collections, our Art Deco, Retro and Mid-Century jewellery all falls under the vintage bracket.
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.
What counts as vintage jewelry? ›
Vintage Jewelry: On the other hand, a piece of jewelry is considered “vintage” if it is between 50 years old and 100 years old. Unlike antique jewelry, vintage pieces are often worn and displayed, as they are less likely to break.
Are vintage rings worth anything? ›
Not every vintage or antique piece has monetary value. Different factors come into play to determine jewelry's worth, including: Age – The older a piece is, the more value it generally has. Era – Jewelry from certain historical periods is worth more than pieces from other less interesting, exciting, or noteworthy eras.
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 do you value a vintage ring? ›
How To Assess the Value of Antique Jewellery
- Do you trust your source? ...
- What does your instinct tell you? ...
- Is it in good condition? ...
- How high is the quality of the stones? ...
- Is the design attractive? ...
- What is its historical context? ...
- Are there any hallmarks? ...
- Which metal is it?
The main types of antique symbols stamped on jewelry are purity marks, maker's marks, assay marks and date letters. Start by studying these to learn more about your jewelry's history, age and ultimately, value.
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. There are a few exceptions to this range. For example, very rare and highly desirable pieces may fetch a higher price.
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.
Is there any value in vintage jewelry? ›
Vintage seems to always be in fashion, but clothing isn't the only thing that's highly sought after. Pieces of jewelry that are at least 50 to 100 years old and in good condition are also highly valuable to the right collector. Plus, some of these vintage pieces work great as an accessory.
Are vintage rings a good investment? ›
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.
What age is a vintage ring? ›
Expert Tips for Identifying Authentic Vintage Jewellery Pieces. The term 'vintage' refers to pieces of jewellery that are older than 40 years and younger than 100, although some may consider that pieces made in the 1980s fall into this category too.
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.
How can you tell if vintage jewelry is real? ›
4 Ways of Identification
- Figure Out the Jewelry Style. One of the most telling ways to identify your jewelry is by its style, which can correspond to a specific time period or area. ...
- Take Note of Manufacturing Methods. ...
- Spot Popular Materials. ...
- Look for Jewelry Stamps.
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.
How do I find out how old a ring is? ›
Simple way by which you can identify antique jewelry is to first check for hallmarks. Hallmarks are a good way of identifying the age of the jewelry and also the purity of gold.
How can I find out how much my old ring is worth? ›
The first step to selling your engagement ring or other piece of fine jewelry is to determine how much it is worth. A jewelry appraiser is an educated professional who is skilled in assessing the value of fine jewelry pieces.
