Vintage and Estate Dealers
Dealers who buy and sell rings with a previous life: Art Deco solitaires, estate pieces once sold by the maisons on Bahnhofstrasse, and secondhand gold traded directly with the public. Several old-town names combine this with new stock, so ask specifically for the pre-owned side. The appeal is a design you cannot order new, often at a lower price per carat than a comparable new stone. The risk is condition and authenticity, so provenance paperwork and a recent independent appraisal matter more here than anywhere else on this site. We rank by how much documentation a dealer actually provides, not by how the piece photographs.
- 1
San Francisco (ships internationally) · since 1969
A San Francisco estate jeweler trading since 1969, deep Victorian to mid-century stock, in-house GIA-standard grading, shipped to Zurich by FedEx.
- 2
Baden
A Lucerne-based pre-owned watch and jewellery dealer that pays cash on the spot or lets you trade toward something new at its Baden shop
- 3
In Gassen 6, Zürich · since 1984
A Zurich old-town jewelry dealer that changed hands in 2024 and still runs a dedicated antique engagement ring selection by appointment.
- 4
Fraumünsterstrasse 19, Zürich · since 2017
A single-dealer vintage jewellery showroom near Paradeplatz run by Hedley Prynn since 2017, with published lab reports, an English site and virtual appointments for buyers abroad.
- 5
Rämistrasse 33, Zürich · since 1978
A Zurich appraiser and dealer trading since 1978, useful if you have inherited a ring and want its value assessed before deciding what to do with it.
- 6
Zürich · since 2000
A one-owner Zurich jewelry shop with a GIA-trained gemologist at the helm, selling antique and vintage pieces with English service and public 1stDibs pricing.
- 7
Hatton Garden, London (ships to Europe)
A Hatton Garden dealer selling its own antique stock, family-run since 1985, with free insured delivery to Europe and a genuine returns policy.
- 8
Augustinergasse 14, Zürich · since 1972
An Altstadt buyer and seller of watches and jewellery trading since 1972, useful for a track record when you cannot check provenance yourself
- 9
Limmatquai 62, Zürich (main office Lucerne)
A Gübelin-linked antique jewellery dealer with a genuine Zurich boutique, not just a Lucerne sideline, that buys, sells and appraises vintage rings with real gemological credentials.
- 10
Lindenplatz 5, 8048 Zürich · since 2009
A family-run Altstetten dealer selling pre-owned Rolex, Cartier and certified diamond rings at a fixed CHF price since 2009, no bidding involved.
- 11
Augustinergasse 52, Zürich · since 2006
A Zürich old-town boutique trading its own stock since 2006, mixing international designer jewelry with a small, genuine vintage line.
- 12
Feldspatgasse 2, Bülach (canton Zürich) · since 2022
A Bülach jeweller selling secondhand fine jewellery it inspects, refurbishes and tests in its own gemological lab, plus gold buying and appraisal services.
- 13
Ships to Switzerland from Beverly Hills, US · since 2012
A Los Angeles dealer that dates and GIA-grades every vintage ring itself, prices it in CHF and ships worldwide from its own stock
- 14
Niederdorfstrasse 35, Zürich (Niederdorf)
A family-run Niederdorf goldsmith that buys and sells gold jewellery, including wedding and engagement rings, with free appraisals and in-house ring sizing.
- 15
Crans, Vaud
A Vaud-based online dealer selling its own authenticated pre-owned jewellery and watches in English, with 5-day returns and Swiss-wide delivery.
- 16
Strehlgasse 11/15, Zürich (Altstadt)
A Zürich Altstadt antiques and watch dealer whose jewellery line runs from Art Deco pieces to newly made Swiss rings
- 17
Switzerland (online, ships within Switzerland)
A one-woman Swiss online shop for secondhand and vintage rings, hallmark-checked by a certified gemologist, for a buyer who doesn't need a showroom to decide.
- 18
Zürich (near Bellevue) · since 1985
A family-run Zürich dealer selling its own secondhand rings at fixed CHF prices, with English, French and Italian spoken.
- 19
Limmatquai 108, Zürich (Altstadt) · since 1996
A Limmatquai watch dealer with a genuine pre-owned gold ring line, fixed prices, per-piece authentication, and the same owner as eheringkaufen.ch
- 20
Göttingen, Germany (ships internationally)
A Göttingen antique jewellery dealer with its own stock of vintage rings from 450 to 9,800 euros, shipping worldwide with clear non-EU customs wording.
- 21
Miami area, Florida, US
A Miami-area estate jeweler with its own GIA gemologist, pricing in Swiss francs and shipping vintage and antique rings straight to Zurich.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell an inherited ring or trade in my old jewelry for something new?
Yes. Several dealers offer appraisal services to assess the value of inherited pieces. Some shops also allow you to trade in your old jewelry toward a new purchase or pay you cash on the spot.
What kind of authentication and grading can I expect from these vintage dealers?
You can find dealers who provide in-house GIA-standard grading or employ GIA-trained gemologists. Some specialists even conduct testing and refurbishment in their own dedicated gemological labs.
How can I buy antique jewelry if I am not located in Zurich?
Many dealers offer virtual appointments for international buyers. You can also find options that provide insured shipping to Europe or use services like FedEx to deliver items to Zurich.
Is it possible to find specific high-end brands in the pre-owned market?
Yes. Certain family-run dealers specialize in pre-owned luxury brands like Cartier and Rolex. Other boutique dealers mix international designer jewelry with their vintage collections.