What Can You Do With Used Or Vintage Diamonds?

So you have a used or vintage diamond, but you don't really know exactly what you want to do with it. Vintage diamonds are a lot different than more modern diamonds for a number of reasons. They were cut differently and are much more rare now. And when it comes time to make a decision about what to do with that loose diamond, you have a lot of different options.

Whether you've inherited a used or vintage diamond or have one that you've bought and want to repurpose, you'll want to consider if you want to keep the diamond or make something completely new out of it. A vintage stone doesn't always need to be placed in a vintage piece of jewelry. Because these stones are very different, you can really make your own piece or transform jewelry with your stone.

The decision to keep or get rid of the stone is completely up to you. But, it's important to know all of your options before you commit to something. Vintage diamonds are very special, and you want to take full advantage of the stone that you have depending on its importance to you and the quality of the stone. Here are some options to consider:

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. Diamond rings are perfect for stacking and wearing with other jewelry. They can be incredibly fashionable and worn with a nice outfit or even your every day outfits depending on the size of the stone.

Many women choose to wear bold diamond fashion rings on their right hands. You can set the stone in a more simple setting or even a more elaborate setting to add some personality. Many jewelers will have ring designers in-store that can also help you create a really special diamond ring that is incredibly unique. You can really think big with the design, adding some color or creating a one-of-a-kind piece like a flower or spiral design.

You could also use your diamond to create an engagement ring. Vintage stones don't need to be necessarily placed in a vintage setting. You could also search for a "vintage inspired" ring setting or just place it in a more modern setting like a plain band. With a vintage stone, the engagement ring could instantly become a piece that you could pass down in the family.

Create a bracelet

You can create a beautiful bracelet with vintage or used diamonds. Stringing a simple diamond on a bracelet is a simple and timeless piece that will last forever. Plus, it'll never go out of style. You could also take a fashionable bangle and have your jeweler place the diamond into the bangle for a more fashionable way to wear the diamond.

Charm bracelets are coming back in style and have been around for a long time. You could place the vintage or used diamond in a unique charm and add it to the bracelet. This is a great choice if the diamond is symbolic or meaningful in some way. That way, you could continue to add charms to the bracelet that start to tell a story.

Add it to a necklace

A simple diamond necklace is one of the most classic ways to wear a diamond. Adding your old or vintage stone to a simple chain creates an extremely elegant and simple piece that can be dressed down or up depending on your outfit. The chain can be any color that you would like to pair with the diamond including platinum, white or yellow gold, or even rose gold. A classic diamond necklace is a piece that can be treasured and passed down forever.

You can also set the diamond in a charm or pendant to wear around your neck. Consider placing it in charms like hearts or flowers to give the diamond a new purpose or something meaningful like lockets or names of loved ones.

Make a diamond pin or hair clip

Pins and hair clips are also making a comeback, and a great way to add some more sparkle and pizzazz to a piece would be to use your old or vintage diamond! You can wear a pin with any sweater, blazer, or blouse to dress it up a bit more. And, you could wear a diamond hair clip to tie back your hair in many different ways. There are so many different styles of pins to choose from that are popular now, including ones featuring flowers, animals, or other fun designs. Pins and hair clips are a fun way to add something special to complete an entire look.

Get it fixed to look like new

Sometimes old or vintage diamonds can be a little worn out or have cracks or chips. Or, maybe they just don't sparkle the same way they used to. You might have the option to fix your diamond to make it look new again. Vintage stones were often cut in different ways to optimize their sparkle under candlelight. If you want to add a new sparkle to the diamond, you could have it recut. This will also depend on the size of the diamond and how much material the jeweler would have to work with.

If your vintage or old diamond has chipped in any way, you could ask your jeweler what you could do to get it fixed and looking like new. If your options are limited or if you would end up losing significant carat size, you may want to set the old or vintage diamond in a way that hides the chips. A bezel set, for instance, would allow for metal to surround the sides of the diamond to hide any chips or imperfections that would be visible.

Sell the diamond

So maybe you aren't interested in creating something new with your old diamond. You may not feel a connection to your diamond or may want to get rid of it for personal reasons. You can always trade in your diamond at most jewelry stores who will give you either cash or store credit in exchange. You can use this to buy a new piece that you've had your eye on or something that is more meaningful that you can keep in your family. There's nothing wrong with going this route as long as you are okay with parting with your diamond. Visit a local jeweler whom you trust and ask for a fair offer on your piece. Another option to consider is using secure diamond buying services like our Farewell Diamond where you can ship your diamond risk free and receive a free quote.

Are you interested in selling your diamond or setting it into a new piece of jewelry? Long's Jewelers offers these service and would like to help!