{
  "_cite": "How to Buy Jewelry Vintage vs New Cost Guide",
  "_url": "https://howtobuyvintagejewelry.com/data/vintage-vs-new-cost-guide/",
  "_note": "Vintage vs New Cost Guide. Original ranges are typical estate-dealer and auction hammer ranges for a wearable, unrestored ring of the period in 2026; the new-setting ranges come from data/facts/prices.json (vintage settings) plus the 1 ct round G/VS1 ranges. Editors re-check quarterly.",
  "updated": "2026-09-17",
  "intro": "This guide puts the typical cost of an original period ring next to the cost of a vintage-inspired new setting holding a certified stone, so a buyer can see what the age premium actually is before choosing.",
  "method": "Original ranges describe a wearable ring of the period with its original stones, bought from an estate dealer or at auction including buyer's premium; exceptional signed pieces sit far above them. The 1 ct column assumes an old European or old mine cut centre of roughly one carat for periods before 1940 and a transitional or modern round for later periods. New-setting figures use the vintage setting ranges in our price data (14k gold) and the 1 ct round G/VS1 ranges for the stone; platinum adds to the setting cost. All figures are USD before tax and change with the market.",
  "rows": [
    {
      "era": "Georgian",
      "years": "1714 to 1837",
      "originalRing": [
        3000,
        15000
      ],
      "original1ct": [
        8000,
        30000
      ],
      "newSetting": [
        900,
        2800
      ],
      "newWithLab": [
        1400,
        4000
      ],
      "newWithNatural": [
        5900,
        10800
      ],
      "note": "Closed-back settings, foiled stones, rose and old mine cuts, high-carat gold or silver-topped gold. Very few survive unaltered."
    },
    {
      "era": "Victorian",
      "years": "1837 to 1901",
      "originalRing": [
        1500,
        8000
      ],
      "original1ct": [
        5000,
        18000
      ],
      "newSetting": [
        900,
        2800
      ],
      "newWithLab": [
        1400,
        4000
      ],
      "newWithNatural": [
        5900,
        10800
      ],
      "note": "Old mine and early old European cuts, yellow gold, snake and cluster motifs, hair and mourning work late in the period."
    },
    {
      "era": "Edwardian",
      "years": "1901 to 1915",
      "originalRing": [
        2500,
        12000
      ],
      "original1ct": [
        6000,
        20000
      ],
      "newSetting": [
        900,
        2800
      ],
      "newWithLab": [
        1400,
        4000
      ],
      "newWithNatural": [
        5900,
        10800
      ],
      "note": "Platinum-topped gold then platinum, millegrain, lace-like piercing, old European cuts, pearls and diamonds together."
    },
    {
      "era": "Art Deco",
      "years": "1920 to 1939",
      "originalRing": [
        2500,
        15000
      ],
      "original1ct": [
        6000,
        20000
      ],
      "newSetting": [
        900,
        2800
      ],
      "newWithLab": [
        1400,
        4000
      ],
      "newWithNatural": [
        5900,
        10800
      ],
      "note": "Geometric platinum mounts, calibre-cut sapphires and onyx, old European and early transitional cuts, engraved shanks."
    },
    {
      "era": "Retro",
      "years": "1940 to 1950",
      "originalRing": [
        1500,
        7000
      ],
      "original1ct": [
        5000,
        18000
      ],
      "newSetting": [
        900,
        2800
      ],
      "newWithLab": [
        1400,
        4000
      ],
      "newWithNatural": [
        5900,
        10800
      ],
      "note": "Rose and yellow gold in bold scrolls, small diamonds, synthetic rubies and sapphires used openly, transitional cuts."
    },
    {
      "era": "Mid-century",
      "years": "1950 to 1969",
      "originalRing": [
        1200,
        6000
      ],
      "original1ct": [
        5000,
        18000
      ],
      "newSetting": [
        900,
        2800
      ],
      "newWithLab": [
        1400,
        4000
      ],
      "newWithNatural": [
        5900,
        10800
      ],
      "note": "White gold and platinum return, early modern round brilliants, baguette side stones, cluster and starburst forms."
    },
    {
      "era": "1970s to 1990s",
      "years": "1970 to 1999",
      "originalRing": [
        1200,
        6000
      ],
      "original1ct": [
        5000,
        18000
      ],
      "newSetting": [
        900,
        2800
      ],
      "newWithLab": [
        1400,
        4000
      ],
      "newWithNatural": [
        5900,
        10800
      ],
      "note": "Modern round brilliants with GIA reports appearing, heavy yellow gold in the 70s and 80s, channel-set bands and tension styles later."
    }
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "title": "GIA: The Four Cs of diamond quality",
      "url": "https://4cs.gia.edu/"
    },
    {
      "title": "How to Buy Jewelry Diamond Price Index",
      "url": "https://howtobuyvintagejewelry.com/data/diamond-price-index/"
    },
    {
      "title": "Rare Carat vintage-inspired engagement rings",
      "url": "https://www.rarecarat.com/jewelry/rings/the-best-place-to-buy-engagement-rings-online"
    }
  ]
}