Are you interested in buying a vintage jewellery piece? Shopping for such items is exhilarating for most buyers, as one has to research pieces from various eras before finding a suitable adornment.
Antique jewellery can be purchased online, at brick-and-mortar stores, or at estate sales. However, one has to be familiar with the history of the accessory, as well as its condition, in order to make a valuable investment. Given the high prices of these items, you have to be absolutely certain of their quality.
We hope the following shopping tips will help you choose a nice antique accessory.
Fine or costume jewellery?
The inceptive aspect to consider when shopping for a vintage ring, necklace, or earrings is making a choice between fine and costume jewellery. The former is made with precious metals like gold and platinum, decorated with gemstones. Conversely, the latter can be made with different kinds of materials, such as glass, wood, stone, and plastic.
Needless to say, fine vintage jewellery is of much higher quality than costume pieces due to the use of valuable materials and gems. Hence, the cost of the former is higher, whereas the latter is more affordable to buyers. Keep in mind that antique costume accessories are more long-lasting when compared to modern costume pieces. Make sure you visit this page to learn about the components and historical expression of costume jewellery.
Research pieces from different eras
The term vintage jewellery stands for all types of accessories that were designed at least twenty years ago. Naturally, the style and materials of these pieces varies across periods, depending on the fashion trends from a certain époque. Therefore, one is supposed to get familiar with the style and characteristics of different eras, such as the Edwardian, Victorian, or the Art Deco period. After analysing the shapes, motifs, techniques, and materials used in the jewellery making process in each époque, you’ll decide which era appeals to you the most.
For instance, the Edwardian époque offers an assortment of delicate, lace-like pieces designed to depict elegance. The filigree and milgrain crafting techniques were employed in the process of designing long earrings, vertical rings, tiaras, and waistline-long necklaces. The Victorian era, on the other hand, is more conservative in terms of motifs, offering accessories with amorous motifs from the Romantic period, as well as mourning, dark jewellery from the Grand period.
The Art Deco style is popular for extravagant accessories with abstract designs and geometric shapes, made from either platinum or white gold. Art Deco pieces are usually adorned with a combination of diamonds and colourful gemstones, suitable for bold individuals.
Look for online shops
The most convenient method of shopping for vintage jewellery is by looking for online vendors. There are numerous online antique jewellery shops offering a wide assortment of vintage diamond rings, bracelets, brooches, necklaces, charms, earrings, and lockets. Nevertheless, online shopping deprives shoppers of the opportunity to check if the accessory they wish to buy is fake.
Since there’s no way for a person to identify a fake piece of jewellery online, the only factor to take into account is the price. It doesn’t matter whether you shop for a fine or a costume piece; its price should not be lower than a hundred dollars. Make sure you look for customer reviews from people who have purchased such products before to identify the most established vendors in the market.
Try other shopping methods
Some of the online vendors have brick-and-mortar shops that shoppers can visit to check out the assortment of products in person. It’s the most reliable method of inspecting the quality of vintage jewellery pieces, as well as getting all of your questions answered.
Thrift shops are another place to try your luck when it comes to buying antique accessories. These shops sometimes surprise shoppers with high-quality adornments sold at bargain prices. As long as you have an eye for detail, the chances of coming across a valuable piece are quite optimal.
Auctions and estate sales are another possible method of finding a valuable item at a reasonable price. It’s important to follow the local advertisements in order not to miss the dates when such auctions or sales are organized.
Inspect the piece
Prior to investing in a vintage jewellery item, one is advised to inspect its condition and learn more about its history. When shopping for such items in a brick-and-mortar store, the shop assistant is expected to share the history of the piece with potential buyers. The item might be inherited or bought at an auction.
In order to be sure of the item’s real value, search for the initials or a tiny emblem marked by the jewellers. Keep in mind that vintage jewellery wasn’t marked in all periods, which you can check online. Also, buyers are strongly advised to inspect the condition of the piece prior to making an investment.
It’s normal for antique jewellery pieces to have signs of minor damage, but the overall look of the item is expected to be perfect. Don’t invest in pieces with noticeable scratches, damaged gemstones, or broken details. The following link, https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-tell-if-your-jewelry-is-valuable-in-three-steps-2043563, explains three important steps for checking the value of jewellery.
The final step of one’s shopping journey should be asking for documentation, serving as proof of origin. It’s the only way to be sure of the authenticity and legitimacy of the accessory you’ll be buying. Vendors usually provide shoppers with an authentication certificate issued by an expert in this field. Also, they can provide receipts, photographs, and other paperwork that verifies its history.
Check the price
The price of vintage accessories is an indispensable factor in one’s decision, as fine adornments are known to be rather expensive. The items made from gold and platinum, decorated with gemstones, are the priciest, whereas those of silver or low-carat gold are reasonably priced.
Final thoughts
The charm of antique adornments has always appealed to buyers more than modern accessories.
It’s an investment in classic beauty!
