When looking at an antique, authentic diamond, the culet is usually one of the tops indicators of age. The culet is the facet at the very bottom of the diamond. It’s the tiny facet that runs parallel to the table and is typically easily visible, even to the untrained eye.

Bottom Line Recommendation: Antique cut diamonds offer a beautiful, soft appearance when compared to modern cut diamonds. They make an excellent choice for those who particularly appreciate antique and vintage styles.

Antique diamonds are desired because of their romantic feel, larger faceting and greater scintillation (flashes of light that appear when the stone is in movement). This causes the stones to have a fiery sparkle, especially in dim lighting, as they were cut in the 1800s with candlelight in mind.

While the factors above all influence the resale price of an engagement ring, in general you can expect to get 20-45% of the original retail price. If you sell your ring to a jeweler, this number will be affected by their markup. Larger stores will likely have a higher markup than your local independent jeweler.

Brides looking for something a little different should consider an antique engagement ring. Not only will it have an inherent uniqueness and charm, but antique engagement rings also are typically less expensive, often have better craftsmanship, and are an instant heirloom.

Each ring will usually be calculated based on how much the collector paid and how much he believes the ring is worth. Often, collectors will pay a lot more than the actual value of a vintage ring and will then go ahead and sell it for even more. The rarer the ring, the more that it’s worth.

Most of the time, buying vintage and antique engagement rings offer more value than buying a brand spankin’ new ring. Some styles like the Edwardian Bombe for example (not something used in WWII, FYI) are considered rare – and like all rare antiques, are pricier when sold by people who know what they’re selling.

Unlike gold, a diamond loses its value dramatically. Once you walk out of a jeweller’s shop, the diamond that you have purchased might worth nearly one-fifth of its retail value. Thus, if you can anticipate such a significant loss, it would be wise to buy second hand engagement rings and save on the cost.

Put simply, vintage rings are rings that have lasted through the years due to their beauty, craftsmanship, and distinct originality. While “antique” rings are generally defined as over 50 years old, the term vintage is thought to have a looser definition, and can include rings from eras made after that threshold.

What Can You Do With Used Or Vintage Diamonds?

• Place it in a ring. Vintage or used diamonds can be set into a ring to make a beautiful fashion accessory or even an engagement ring.
• Create a bracelet.
• Add it to a necklace.
• Make a diamond pin or hair clip.
• Get it fixed to look like new.
• Sell the diamond.