These Vintage Jewels Are Sustainably Fabulous

By Brittany Siminitz | October 23, 2024

Jewelry is an art form, and we love and admire varying artists’ takes on what makes modern jewelry special. And much like art, there is an appreciation for both the new and old, where we gaze upon centuries-old paintings and imagine what it might have been like to exist at the time of their creation.

Scoring a truly special vintage jewel is like winning the lottery, both in style and in holding several eras’ worth of stories in your hand. As more consumers seek ways to shop sustainably, vintage jewelry (and clothing, especially) is becoming central to a number of retailers’ repertoires.

What could be better than a single jewel, with several lifetimes of stories and experience, being passed around for years to come, continuing to shine even as everything changes around it? And in terms of eco-conscious purchasing, what could be more sustainable?

Vintage jewelry is not without its challenges: It takes a jeweler familiar with specific techniques to work on it, should it need repairs or sizing. Some jewelers won’t even try to size certain rings, for example, for fear of doing damage to the integrity of such precious pieces. But when a customer finds something that fits them perfectly, and harbors stories of the past? Unadulterated jewelry magic.

Randi Molofsky, founder of fine jewelry showroom For Future Reference, recently debuted For Future Reference Vintage, in collaboration with Excalibur, a father-daughter team that offers collectible estate jewelry and watches. Combining Molofsky’s impeccable eye for vintage finds and Excalibur’s extensive archive of jewels, FFR Vintage is a destination for some of the best treasures you can find.

Ashley Zhang deco diamond ring — *Deco ring in 18k white gold with 1.4 ct. old European–cut diamond, 0.2 ct. t.w. synthetic blue sapphires, and 0.24 ct. t.w. single-cut diamonds, $12,500; Ashley Zhang*

Other brands, such as Ashley Zhang, combine an astounding assortment of vintage jewelry with modern offerings of their own, attracting a range of different consumers. “Vintage jewelry is the most sustainable option, as you are recycling and reusing already mined and sourced materials,” says Zhang. “The prices on vintage items tend to be better than newly made jewelry, as they are usually priced on the materials and no labor pricing needs to be factored in. Purchasing vintage jewelry also supports the preservation of traditional craftsmanship and history.”

Pictured is just a sampling of the phenomenal vintage pieces shoppers can get their hands on, made easy by these brands that are doing a beautiful job of curating them.