Simply said, vintage rings are rings that have stood the test of time because of their beauty, workmanship, and distinct character. While "antique" rings are commonly regarded as being more than 50 years old, "vintage" rings are believed to have a broader meaning and might include rings created beyond that time period. There is no specific definition of what makes an item or piece of jewelry antique or vintage, but generally speaking, if you see one old ring, it's probably old enough. Rings were used for many centuries before metal detectors were invented, so odds are high that if you find something that looks like it could be a ring, then it probably is. Some people may refer to anything from the 1850s as vintage, but that isn't true. Only certain items were made during this time period, such as jewelry, furniture, and art. Other things that people claim are vintage aren't really old at all, such as cars, clothes, and even beer. People often ask me about gold coins, and whether they're worth something today. The short answer is yes, gold coins can be worth something today, but not much. Coins from early in our country's history may be worth more because they were first issued currency, but most coins from after 1815 are not worth much unless they're rare. I think what people want to know is how much money they can make by selling something they find.