Estate jewelry refers to jewels that have been preowned and are at least a hundred years old. That is what the term means. Aything pre-1916 would qualify right now. It is not to be confused with the term vintage jewelry, which refers to the era of a piece. For instance, Art Deco or modern pieces are classified as vintage pieces. Also, vintage jewelry must be more than a hundred years old. If you’re curious about estate jewelry pieces, here is what to look for when you shop.
It Turns into Cash
Some buy jewelry as a form of investment. That works in many instances. You can sell it off. You can pawn the piece. It’s an asset that’s easy to liquidate, unlike other bulky items in your home.
It’s Something You Love
However, some believe that buying jewelry is something you do because you love the piece, not because you’re thinking about how much you can sell it off for later. After all, markets are volatile. There are times when the value of the piece will go down. It’s much better to shop for the best estate jewelry online and pick one because you love it. And if you sell it off later and make a tidy profit, think of that as extra. It’s a bonus because you already got what you wanted.
It's Special
Are the pieces important? Many estate jewelries are made of quality materials. So, that could affect the rarity factor. When you combine that with the craftsmanship and the design specific to the time or period, it’s not hard to see how unique most estate pieces are. To ensure you aren’t getting scammed, buy pieces from a reputable store. Can they stand behind the authenticity of the pieces? Consider that before you purchase anything.
It Has a Signature
Experts can tell what that signature is. But if you’re new to estate jewelry buying, this detail may escape you. Still, it’s worth a try. If you look around for options, consider the material used. There are materials or design details specific to the time. You’ll need to be familiar with the workmanship of jewels from that period. Pay attention to the stones or metals used, too. Is it platinum, jade, onyx, lapis, or gold? One thing you can do is bring the piece to an expert to determine its authenticity. Find someone with a reputation for integrity. That can help you answer questions about the pieces in your collection.
It's Easy to Spot
That is, for an expert. Someone with training or the proper credentials will know right on the spot if a piece is fake or not. Sometimes, they’ll use a jeweler’s loupe. Other experts check if the signature is fake since it may have been added much later. Is the standard up to the quality of the maker? That’s another thing they’ll look at. It takes years of training to do this, though, so that means you may need a trained eye with you in case you plan on going off to shop for jewelry from that period.
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