San Diego Engagement Rings · 2 min read

Do You Need to Sell a Vintage Engagement Ring?

Some tips on selling a vintage engagement ring successfully.

BL
Bert Levi
Third-generation jeweler
May 2025
2 min read
Do You Need to Sell a Vintage Engagement Ring?

If you find yourself in a situation where you need to exchange a vintage engagement ring for cash, there are some steps you can take to make things easier on you, and I thought I would throw some ideas out here to help. Best of luck, and remember you can always get in touch with me for help.

Get an Appraisal:

Before selling, get an appraisal. Bert Levi Family Jewelers will give you a free verbal appraisal. This appraisal will provide a baseline for what you can expect the ring to sell for in a retail setting. However, unless you sell the ring yourself, you’re not going to get a retail price but a wholesale price. If the ring is very valuable, you might want to pay for a formal appraisal. 

Research Selling Options:

There are a number of sales venues to consider.

1.       Auction Houses: Consider ones that specialize in fine jewelry and vintage pieces. These businesses attract buyers looking for unique or historical items. 

2.       Online Marketplaces: These offer a wider reach to potential buyers. You’ll want to have professional pictures and detailed descriptions. 

3.       Local Auction Houses or Consignment Jewelers: Look for local businesses who specialize in vintage or estate jewelry. They may have a better understanding of local market values, too. 

4.       Social Media: Facebook Marketplace is a big social media sales platform but you can also check out next door and others.

5.       Local Wholesale Buyers: If you want fast money and you’re willing to accept a wholesale price, you can go to a jeweler or a pawn shop. A jeweler is more likely to understand the value of a vintage item, so it’s best to compare. Avoid the “We Buy Gold” stores. They pay next to nothing and the transactions aren’t handled openly.

If you have a vintage engagement ring you’d like to sell quickly, give us a ball. I can promise you we’re committed to a fair deal, and we’ll do all we can to make things work for you. So, give me a call or drop by my La Jolla showroom. You’ll be glad you did.

You might find this useful next:

Do You Have Diamond Ring You’d Like to Sell?

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