For Fall’s Hottest Jewels, Look to the Past

By Brittany Siminitz | September 03, 2025

Vintage jewelry has long been a niche market for consumers, but several factors have the category going mainstream for fall. Pinterest’s 2025 seasonal trend report has predicted big demand for vintage pieces (particularly watches) in the coming season, and the engagement heard round the world might have cemented the prophecy.

An elongated cushion old mine cut diamond is at the center of Taylor Swift’s engagement ring, an antique stone that hadn’t been in the realm of mainstream for many consumers. But as jewelry wearers look to learn more about old mine cuts and the history behind them, it’ll be hard to not to enter (and never want to leave) the world of vintage and antique jewelry.

Briony Raymond vintage Bvlgari ring — *Vintage Bulgari ring in yellow gold with 14+ ct. diamond and mother-of-pearl, $16,500; Briony Raymond*

“We’re seeing more and more clients gravitate toward vintage pieces because they want something with soul and individuality,” says New York City–based jewelry designer Briony Raymond. “There’s a romance to wearing a jewel that has lived another life, and people are drawn to that sense of history. In a world of mass production, vintage jewelry offers rarity—it’s about finding a piece that feels like yours alone.”

So your store may start getting requests not only for old mine cut diamond rings but also for vintage jewels in general. As a retailer, it’s essential to know what you’re selling—if you don’t specialize in or have someone on staff with knowledge of vintage jewelry, this would be the time brush up on your eras, techniques, and materials. Consumers want their jewels to tell a story, and nothing tells a story like an old jewel.

Ashley Zhang old mine cut ring — *Victorian starburst ring in 18k yellow gold with 0.36 ct. old mine cut diamond and enamel, $2,550; Ashley Zhang*

“In the vintage and antique jewelry market, the most important thing is trust,” says Konstantinos Leoussis, founder of antique jewelry specialist KIL N.Y.C. “I have personally seen a proliferation of antique and estate dealers in the last 12 years—there are more stores and e-commerce dealers than ever before. So it’s important [for shoppers] to feel comfortable with their dealer. When shopping, [they will] ask questions about provenance, compare prices on similar items with other dealers, and always check the return policy.

“The pieces that hold their value best over time would be those with classic designs, the big brand names, and the heavy gold pieces, given the ever-increasing price of gold,” adds Leoussis, who is also the founder of the New York City Jewelry, Antique & Object Show (NYCJAOS). (First held in November 2023, NYCJASO takes place this fall Nov. 21–23, with a VIP preview the morning of Nov. 21, before the event opens to the public.)

For answers to consumers’ common questions about vintage and antique jewelry—why they should invest in it, how they can tell when a piece is worth the splurge—we’ve got some insight from the experts.

“The best vintage pieces hold their value because they are truly rare, and rarity is the ultimate luxury,” says Raymond. “You know a piece is worth investing in when it stops you in your tracks. It isn’t only about the maker or the materials—it’s about that sense of rarity, whether it’s a distinctive gemstone, an exceptional design, or craftsmanship you simply don’t see today. When something feels irreplaceable, that’s when it truly holds its value.”

Bondeye vintage bracelet — *Antique bracelet in 18k yellow gold with diamonds, $25,000; Bondeye Jewelry*

Jessica Klein, founder of New York–based brand Bondeye Jewelry, says a magnifying glass is helpful when checking out vintage jewelry. “[Use it to] spot gold stamps, and check the day’s gold value so you know if the price makes sense,” Klein says. “Half the fun is that sometimes those tiny marks lead you to an old designer logo—and suddenly you’ve uncovered a whole story.”

FFR vintage gemstone bracelet — *Bracelet in 18k yellow gold with ruby, emerald, sapphire, and diamonds, price on request; FFR Vintage*

Randi Molofsky, owner of PR firm For Future Reference and retailer FFR Vintage, which specializes in nonbranded fine jewelry, drives home the importance of a jewel’s individual appeal to a customer: “Vintage and estate is really about finding pieces that speak to you, not jewels that are necessarily on-trend or ‘of the moment.’”

Molofsky says she’d advise consumers to “check that the piece feels sturdy and secure, and don’t hesitate to ask the store if they can tighten a stone or clasp if you buy. With diamonds, ask if a cert or appraisal is available, but I always recommend choosing the stone that makes your heart skip a beat rather than for investment value.”

Top: Vintage Lalaounis ring in 18k yellow gold with sodalite beads, $2,250; KIL-N.Y.C.