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【France】”Having Something That No One Else Has”: Price, Design… How Vintage Jewelry Captivates a New Generation

Jul 14, 2026

Editor’s Note

**Editor’s Note:** This piece explores the growing appeal of second-hand jewelry, driven by rising prices and shifting consumer habits. As vintage and silver pieces gain traction, we examine how economic and aesthetic factors are reshaping the market.

The Rise of Second-Hand Across All Sectors

Faced with rising jewelry prices, vintage and silver pieces are experiencing a true resurgence. A closer look at a market in full renaissance. To the aesthetic dimension is added a significant economic argument. It is no longer necessarily the windows of major jewelry houses that dictate trends. Now, women and men draw inspiration from Instagram, auctions, or even their grandparents’ jewelry boxes.

“Today, true luxury is having something that no one else has,” estimates Mélanie Eram Drubigny, director of Bijoux d’Antan, an online sales site specializing in vintage and second-hand jewelry.

Vintage godron or Art Deco rings, 80s ID bracelets, antique lockets—they are increasingly taking center stage in the jewelry scene and in the drawers of young people. And the phenomenon is far from anecdotal. According to a 2026 study by Interencheres in partnership with YouGov, 22 million French people have already bought or are considering buying a second-hand jewel. In 2025, jewelry auction sales on Interencheres reached €41 million, a 20% increase year-on-year. For the expert, a graduate in gemology,

“this trend also comes with the rise of second-hand in fashion, there is a real logical continuation.”

This new attractiveness is also reflected in the arrival of new buyers. Last year, 31% of those who won a jewelry auction were new users of the Interencheres platform. Before launching Bijoux d’Antan, this jewelry enthusiast already accompanied clients in transforming their family jewels:

“Today, this search for emotion has become a real phenomenon. Young generations are also looking for a memory, a story to tell.”

A More Accessible Luxury

À la dimension esthétique s'ajoute un argument économique de taille.

To the aesthetic dimension is added a significant economic argument.

“You can save between 30 and 50% compared to a new jewel, with equivalent gold weight, carat, and diamond quality,” specifies Mélanie Eram Drubigny. “On a vintage jewel, you pay for the material, the design, but not the manufacturing hours.”

The professional favors in her selections pieces from French workshops from the 1940s to 1980s:

“At that time, French know-how was remarkable. It is recognized by hallmarks, the quality of settings, and the gold work.”

For many, vintage jewelry also becomes an investment as much as a pleasure. Its intrinsic value, linked to the quality of materials and craftsmanship, is reassuring in this context of rising precious metal prices.

Silver, an Alternative That Also Appeals

The surge in gold prices has not only revived the vintage jewelry market; it is also restoring luster to silver. Although its price has also risen sharply in recent months, from €1,000 per kilo in July 2025 to nearly €1,800 today, it remains a more accessible alternative.

“Many jewelers now offer diamonds set in silver, 9-carat gold, or even titanium. Clients are looking for alternatives without giving up on stone quality,” concludes Mélanie Eram Drubigny.

Mélanie Eram-Drubigny, fondatrice de Bijoux d'Antan

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⏰ Published on: July 14, 2026