The 'weathered' accessories weren't originally in the game though - they were only added to all new characters starting the game in a recent patch to make it easier for new characters just starting. Originally a new character only started the game with a weapon and racial gear, their belt and accessories slots were empty (although a new character also got a special ring that was determined by how you answered the merchant on the ferry or chocobo carriage).

Hence the vendor/crafted rings from level 1 and above with minor stat increases, they might be more or less obsolete stat wise but they've only just become obsolete recently.