How to Find the Best Vintage Jewellery
Adding Vintage Jewellery to your collection is a great way to spice up an outfit or pass a timeless piece down to loved ones. However, buying vintage requires research and patience.
A few clues can help you determine whether a piece is truly vintage. The type of clasp on jewelry, for example, can reveal its age and authenticity.
Local Shops
Shops that specialize in vintage jewellery often have a diverse range of pieces. They may focus on specific eras or designers such as Miriam Haskell or Trifari or have a more general inventory. Some may sell only costume jewellery while others offer high-end, fine jewelry.
Purchasing Vintage Jewellery can be an adventure in itself. It is important to do your research and decide on the type of jewellery you want and what it will be used for. Bracelets, earrings, rings and necklaces are popular choices but you may also want to consider adding a brooch or watch. Diversifying your collection will help to increase its value and will make it more appealing to potential buyers.
Etsy is a great resource for finding independent sellers who specialise in vintage jewellery. It is also an excellent place to find artisan pieces from around the world. Many of these are environmentally friendly and have a wide range of styles to suit all tastes.
Markets
If you’re looking to expand your vintage jewellery search beyond your local shops and markets, it’s worth checking out online marketplaces such as Ruby Lane or Etsy. These sites have a wide selection of bracelets, earrings, necklaces, watches, and brooches to suit any taste and budget.
Online shopping can be a safer option as you’ll have a paper trail of your purchase and secure online payment platforms such as PayPal and Shopify offer all buyers automatic buyer protection. However, if you’re buying online it’s important to be aware of the difference between authentic and replica jewellery pieces.
Educating yourself on the terms used in the jewellery trade will give you a huge advantage as a buyer. If you see a seller using terminology incorrectly it’s a big warning that they may not be as knowledgeable about their stock as they claim to be. Understanding the difference between a new reproduction and a genuine antique will help you avoid the pitfalls of online sellers who tell “porky pies” (Cockney rhyming slang for lies!) when it comes to their jewellery.
Estate Sales
If you’re looking for something specific, an estate sale can be a great place to find it. These sales are typically run by professional companies that specialize in organizing and staging items to make them more appealing to buyers. They also conduct research and marketing to ensure the high-ticket items are sold for their full value.
Estate jewelry is typically priced by a number of different factors, including material, style and age. A general rule of thumb is that it should not sell for less than 50% of the cost of a comparable new piece. If you’re shopping at an estate sale, look for a maker’s mark (such as Eisenberg or Weiss) or for a hallmark.
You can also try online marketplaces like Etsy or Ruby Lane, which have a strict vetting process to become a seller and charge a small fee for each listing. You can also find a local gemologist or appraiser to help you get an estimate on the melt value of your jewelry.
Auctions
There are many online auctions that sell vintage jewellery. Some have a high price range while others have bargain prices. The key is to find a seller you trust and research the pieces you are interested in. It is also a good idea to have clear targets – are you buying for self-indulgence, resale purposes or as an investment?
When shopping for vintage jewellery, be sure to take the time to read descriptions and study photographs carefully. It is important to remember that colour can be misleading in photographs and that manufacturers’ stamps do change over time.
If you have unworn jewellery sitting in your jewelry box, consider selling it to make a profit. It’s a great way to recycle and keep your pieces in their original condition. Talk to a jeweler and find out how to identify and determine the value of a piece. They will also know whether it’s a piece that will stand the test of time and can be worn with modern trends.
