8 Tips for Buying Estate and Antique Jewelry

EIGHT TIPS FOR BUYING ANTIQUE AND ESTATE JEWELRY

• Jewelry, especially unique pieces, always make for a noteworthy purchase. However, if you have never P antique Purchasing estate or vintage jewelry, the process can feel a bit overwhelming. Doing your homework will not only simplify the purchase process but help to ensure that your investment is authentic. Not sure how to start? Read our 8 tips and shop like a pro.

• 1. Learn More About The Seller
• While buying inexpensive jewelry does not require extensive research, the same does not apply when buying more costly items. It is important to know something about the seller in order to ensure gems are authentic and have been obtained legally.

• 2. Be Wary Of Multiple Items
• Many pieces of antique and estate jewelry are highly unique This is what makes these pieces so special. It is not likely that a seller has more than one of these pieces. If you come across something you like and realize there are many available, this is a sign that you should shop elsewhere.

• 3. Ignore Prices That Are Unrealistic.
• Everyone loves a bargain but the reality is that you cannot expect to spend a few dollars and end up with quality gemstones . When browsing for estate jewelry, an “antique” that costs around $50, is a huge red flag that should not be ignored.
• 4. Investigate The Prongs
• Prongs are what hold the precious stones onto a piece of jewelry. Any damaged prongs should be fixed before money is invested. The last thing you want is to purchase a piece and have the stones fall out afterward. Even if the problem is minor and can be fixed, avoid making a purchase until the seller has prongs repaired.
• 5. Have A Professional Inspect It
• This is something you should definitely consider if you are purchasing jewelry that has diamonds and/or other precious stones in it. While the piece may look perfectly fine to the untrained eye, a professional may see flaws that make the piece virtually worthless. Try to purchase from a seller that has paperwork to prove authenticity of their items. If no paperwork is available an inspection should be mandatory.

• 6. Always Get A Receipt
• When buying estate and antique jewelry, it is a good idea to have it appraised. Having a receipt from the sale will certainly help things along. If there were any repairs, they should be noted on the receipt. You may be able to take legal action if the appraiser examines the piece and determines that some of the information on the receipt is not valid.

• 7. Ignore Sparkling Jewelry
• Some people go out to purchase antiques and are immediately impressed by so- called older piece that shine like the sun. If a piece if supposed to be old, it is not likely it will be gleaming. Be concerned about jewelry that is too sparkly, since this means that it may be a fake, or it is an authentic piece that has been restored.

• 8. Look For A Maker’s Mark
• Older jewelers are well known for marking their jewelry so people will know who created it. If you see a piece that is supposed to be antique and it does not have any distinct markings, be wary. These markings may not be very large, but should certainly be easy to discern.
• Questions? Feel free to ask our trained professionals how to make life more beautiful with our authentic pieces.