Do Rings Go up in Value?

Do Rings Go up in Value?

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Maybe you’ve inherited a ring that’s been in your family, or stare at your rings and wonder, how much are you worth now? Regardless of where or when you got it, one thing you’ll start thinking about is if your rings can go up in value. Everyone has wondered about their jewelry, so we’ve looked up what those in the know have to say, and written up what we’ve found here to help you figure it all out.

In fact, rings can go up in value. Diamonds and other precious gems can go up in value, bringing up the overall value of a ring. Some designs may end up being considered collector's items - making them appreciate in monetary value even further. However, this increase in value is dependent on the market, as well as the desirability of the ring.

Surprised? Confused? You are not alone, that’s exactly how we felt as we looked into this! Read on so you’ll understand why the answer to these questions is yes and no, and to be thoroughly prepared for what to expect on valuing your jewelry.

Do Rings Go Up in Value?

There is always a market for rings and jewelry, but the best way to get the most money for your jewelry is to have knowledge on how jewelry is priced (like we’re giving you here) and/or a rare gem, setting or design.

Diamonds can appreciate over time, but many things affect the price of diamonds-- their prices are less stable than those for other things, like silver or gold.

Using jewelry as an investment is possible with some knowledge, professional advice, and experience.

Do Wedding Rings Go Up in Value?

First and foremost, your wedding ring will hopefully always go up in personal value. Most experts agree that your jewelry should help you express yourself and your style, and for that reason, it will always remain valuable to us. Sentiment aside, what you get for your ring can depend on many things, including when you’re taking it in.

Gold, silver, and metals tend to keep their value over time because they’re commodities, though those prices can go up and down a little over time. In any event, what your wedding band will fetch is usually pretty easy to figure out.

Look at the current market value for the metal, which you can find in dollars per ounce, gram, or kilogram. You can then use the karats and weight of your band to calculate how much it’s worth. Not much of a mathematician? Don’t worry, you can find gold jewelry calculators online (like this one). Diamonds, on the other hand, are not nearly so clear-cut.

Do Diamonds Go Up in Value?

One way that diamonds certainly go up in value is through inflation, so a diamond you bought fifteen years ago will be worth a little bit more today. Fifteen years of lovingly wearing one, though, usually means dirt, discoloration, scratches, or even cracks or chips. Diamonds are one of the hardest materials on earth, but they’re not indestructible! Reselling a diamond relies as much on the four Cs (carat, clarity, cut, and color) as when you first bought it. Even a couple of small scratches can lower the clarity number, which lowers the monetary number you’ll get in return. To get an idea of how your diamond might be worth, you can look here.

Sadly though, even a stone that has only seen the inside of a jewelry box will likely only get you anywhere from 20-70% of its price at a store. Jewelers can buy diamonds wholesale or on consignment, so they can buy a new stone for the same (probably lower) price than yours is now worth.

In order to make money, jewelry stores charge you more than they paid for the material, and diamonds alone can be marked up as much as twice their value. Unfortunately, the retail markup number doesn’t stick with the stone, meaning you’ll almost always pay more to buy the ring from the store than they’ll pay you to buy it back.

Is Jewelry a Good Investment?

Your head might be swimming at this point, and you may even be thinking, no matter what, it sounds like you’ll lose money every time! Not to worry, there are ways you can invest in your jewelry and have that investment pay off for you later on.

Rarity is (Almost) Priceless

Nearly-perfect stones are out there, they’re just not that common. But clarity and flawlessness aren’t the only things to look for. For example, heating rubies can intensify the color and hide flaws, and fracture filling can improve a stone’s clarity. As a result, many jewelers will treat gems so they’ll look more beautiful and sell faster. Untreated gems are rarer, so they’re worth more.

Time and trends also play a role. Vintage jewelry pieces will often hold more value because they’re harder to find. In addition, some trends and designers remain more popular over the years, giving the jewelry a more timeless look. Some styles that remain popular to this day include art deco and Victorian-era designs. Fashion designers can even play a role: if one year green is the color of the season, people may start buying up emeralds, which will make their price go up.

Location, Location, Location

Where your stones were mined can make a difference-- a Kashmir sapphire is usually worth more than one from Thailand. And where you go to buy or sell your jewelry impacts value later on as well. High-end stores sometimes use higher-quality stones and metals. They also charge higher prices, so investors are advised to buy loose diamonds from a certified vendor. And make sure wherever you go, the staff are trained and certified-- the gold standard is the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). This way, your purchase price is closer to what a jeweler pays before he puts it in a setting and ups the price.

Knowledge, Like Love, is Priceless

A little bit of knowledge goes a long way, so hopefully now you can feel confident about what to expect when appraising or selling your wedding ring. No matter how much money it costs, your ring can be a priceless means of expression, love, and tradition.

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