In recent years, it seems there has been a growing interest in jewelry items that have a past. While the allure of shiny new charms in glass cases still entices mall goers and passersby, the mystery and glamour behind estate jewelry is proving to have a big impact on the market. Estate is a broad term; it doesn’t necessarily limit itself to fine quality gems or only the most precious of metals. Jewelry accompanied with the title of estate simply indicates that the piece has been previously owned, whether the previous owner is deceased or not. These items are often sold as is and at a discounted price compared to those sold brand new. When considering purchasing an estate jewelry piece, or if you have inherited one, you should inspect it closely. The most important features relating to value are the ones seen with the naked eye. Make sure no stones are missing, there are no chips that could be damaged further, and there is no dreaded “Made In China” marking etched in anywhere. If you are purchasing, you should ask the dealer if any repairs were made and what they were. It is important to have a jewelry item, especially one that was previously owned, appraised for value and insurance. This way, a more thorough and professional examination can be performed.
Two words that often accompany estate on jewelry tags are antique and vintage. These terms are not interchangeable and it is very important to know the difference. To be considered as antique, a piece of jewelry must be at least 100 years old. Just because you’ve found yourself in an antique store, does not mean jewelry being sold there is actually antique. It should be kept in mind that the first machine-made jewelry items came about in the late 1860’s, so a legitimately antique piece could be handmade or machine made. Jewelry proved as being handmade can often carry more value since the craftsmanship is one-of-a-kind. Jewelry declared as vintage, however, is a little more general. Items of this nature do not stick to one specific design era, though “retro” is a popular go-to for many dealers. A vintage piece could just as well be from the Art Nouveau time period of the early 20th century. The ValuePros Jewelry Appraisal Professionals are familiar with styles of jewelry making over time and can specify when your great grandmother’s ring was most likely made, and how much it would be worth in today’s market.
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