Antique Jewelry: How to Find Hidden Gems, Literally
- Posted on 18th June 2018
- in Antique Jewelry
- by Alan
Are you looking to find some antique jewelry pieces that are amazing to look at and have that great antique style that doesn’t seem to be around any longer? There are many different pieces out there that you could add to your collection if you know where to look for them and how to identify them.
Look for Something Different
If you’ve been to a jewelry store recently, you’ve likely noticed that almost all of the pieces look similar to jewelry you’ve seen elsewhere. Modern jewelry does tend to look pretty identical. That’s why many antique jewelry buyers look for pieces that stand out. These items are more likely to be antiques, although you do have to carefully evaluate them to make sure they’re not costume jewelry.
Check Out Estate Sales and Auctions
Auctions are a great place to find antiques, and you know that the pieces being sold there are legitimate antiques. They’ve gone through the antique jewelry appraisal process, so you know exactly what you’re buying. Estate sales can be another great place to find older pieces of jewelry.
Visit Jewelry Dealers
If you do a search for “who buys antique jewelry near me” you’ll likely find some buyers who are also sellers. You can visit these businesses and examine the jewelry they have available. Often, they have a number of vintage and antique pieces that are priced very reasonably. A lot of people want the more modern-looking items, which means antique pieces may not be as expensive as you think.
This is especially true if there’s something wrong with the setting or other minor blemish. You may be able to take the piece to an experienced jeweler and have the stones reset or the item repaired for very little cost. Just remember to have the item appraised first so that you know the gemstones are genuine and not glass or other fakes.