Tips for Buying Estate Jewelry

Estate jewelry is a mix of period pieces that span various notable epochs. Whether a buyer favors Victorian jewelry, pieces from of the Art Nouveau school of design or retro modern pieces, the estate market offers the widest selection of pre-owned finds. Of course, not all that looks like an Edwardian brooch actually is one. 

Differentiating Antique from Vintage Estate Jewelry

Experts frequently designate jewelry created prior to 1920 as being antique. Newer pieces that fall into an identifiable era generally get a vintage jewelry designation. Therefore, it is possible for a piece of estate jewelry to also be listed as antique jewelry. That said, quite obviously not all estate jewelry pieces are also antique or even vintage.

Knowing the Seller’s Reputation

Buying period pieces from a reputable jeweler is a key aspect in finding genuine jewelry and not merely nicely done reproductions. The jeweler’s reputation should be based not only on honesty in retail transactions but also on the time that the professional has been in the business. A jeweler with three decades in the field is far more knowledgeable at differentiating a genuine Art Deco piece from an imitation than a newcomer.

Ask Plenty of Questions

Estate jewelry should be unique. Even so, the seller should have some information on a piece’s history. Did the seller purchase it at an antique auction? Did an original owner who is selling a family heirloom bring it in? Is the jewelry a museum piece that the seller took on as a consignment? In short, the more questions the buyer asks, the easier it is to ascertain if an item is real or merely a reproduction. When pieces feature genuine stones, there could be a jewelry certification. It never hurts to ask if one is available.

Bringing a Loupe, Estate Jewelry is rarely Shiny

“Patina” is a buzzword that experienced jewelry hunters use when describing the looks of their finds. It refers to the appearance of an item that has experienced decades of use. Estate jewelry should look somewhat worn. There may be scratches and scuff marks. However, it is possible for a genuine item to look almost brand new. Frequently this occurs when a piece has been professionally restored. It is rare that a seller undertakes this process before listing any piece of estate jewelry. If the item that the buyer is considering looks too new, it is time to ask about a possible restoration and the accompanying paperwork describing it.

It never hurts to examine a piece of estate jewelry with a loupe. In addition to scratches and dents, the buyer might find a signature, metal stamp or artisan symbol. Moreover, if the buyer takes the time to learn about period-specific gold content and diamond cuts, it gets easier to identify genuine estate jewelry from knock-offs.

We invite you to find us on Facebook and Google+ and check out our awesome Pinterest Boards! All of our social media page offer examples of some of the stunning antique and estate jewelry we take pride in selling.