The “out with the old, in with the new” mentality isn’t always the case when it comes to jewelry. Choosing your jewelry has always been a matter of preference and taste. Whether you like modern looking jewelry or not, there is always a special place in people’s hearts about owning vintage or heirloom jewelry; It’s a memorable piece of history and sentimental value at your fingertips. These beautiful pieces symbolize the development and growth of the art of jewelry making and have shaped the current trends and jewelry that we have today.
Why buy vintage jewelry?
1. Value for money
Everyone loves to save money. This is one of the most popular reasons people buy vintage or second-hand jewelry; gives you good value for your money. This is especially true for contemporary pieces that are still in production today or pieces that we have in abundance on the market. Real estate jewelry is advantageously priced compared to retail purchase. Since it is a second-hand piece and has been previously used or used, the price sometimes depreciates substantially. If you don’t mind a few scratches here and there to save money, then second hand jewelry is definitely for you. Also, many used parts are still in mint and excellent condition. Finding those parts can really be a bargain!
2. Unique and exclusive
Jewelry has been around for centuries. Each era has its own unique craftsmanship and exclusive design that caters to the tastes and preferences of many people. With the absence of cutting edge technology in the past, each piece was intricately handcrafted using old world techniques and hundreds of hours. No piece looks and is made exactly the same. Some of these techniques are no longer used and have shaped the way jewelers make jewelry today. Uniqueness and rarity also increase the value of vintage pieces over time.
Unlike buying new and trendy pieces today, you can tailor your ring to the most specific criteria possible. From carat weight, color, clarity, design, chart ratio, millimeter stem size, etc., a trusted jeweler can work with you and personalize a ring designed by you to the letter. . With real estate pieces, what you see is often what you get. You will need a lot of time going from one website to another or from one store to another to find a piece that really appeals to you. This is actually the thrill of buying vintage jewelry. Some people attribute the finding and purchase of heirloom jewelry as memories of the experience of finding that specific piece.
3. Outstanding quality
Vintage jewelry exhibits exceptional quality because it has stood the test of time. Jewelry is an investment that almost everyone develops an attachment to and takes very good care of. This is why most vintage jewelry is still in very good condition and wearable. You will be amazed at how immaculate and well cared for some of the very old pieces we have in our collection. Due to their high standards of quality and reputation, many jewelers like Roman Malakov sell fine goods and jewelry that are durable and will last you for many generations to come (with proper love and care, of course).
4. History at your fingertips
As I said before, people develop certain attachments to jewelry because it symbolizes special relationships and memorable experiences in their lives. Each antique piece has its own place in history, and essentially you are a part of that history. That’s something new jewelry just doesn’t have. They become symbols of earlier times and the trade they held during those times. Were it not for the preservation and value of pre-owned jewelry, the distinctive and creative design of each era would not have been appreciated by current and future generations.
buy old jewelry
1. Buy from a trusted jeweler
With today’s technology, finding a trusted jeweler is just an app or click away. Take a look at jewelry stores near your location; Be sure to look at their reviews, policies, customer experiences (eg yelp, google reviews), knowledge, etc. Unfortunately, there are stores that intentionally or unintentionally trick their customers into buying inauthentic vintage parts. That’s why it’s incredibly important to do your due diligence with the seller when buying jewelry in general. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Make sure they answer your questions honestly and transparently. If you’re buying vintage jewelry online, make sure the seller has multiple pictures of the piece and has a well-written description of the piece. If not, ask for more photos or information. Jewelers will most likely send more photos showing the condition of the item and being transparent with their customers. Confidence is one of the bases of buying jewelry.
2. Evaluate the condition of the item
Most jewelers do not restore or polish antique jewelry to preserve the authenticity and antique feel of the pieces. As this is a pre-owned piece with years of use, it should show signs of wear (eg scratches, teeth, etc.). Small signs of wear are ideal; but be sure to check for cracks in the metal or chips in the stones. If it looks new, ask if it has been refinished. If you’re shopping online, be sure to see multiple views of the piece and research the jeweler’s return policy.
In the past, jewelers used to sign their piece and leave marks with their initials or a small symbol. Be sure to check it out as it’s a good sign of authenticity. This is especially true for pre-owned brand name pieces like Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Chopard, etc. These brand name jewelry companies always mark and sign their piece. If you’re buying brand-name used jewelry, ask if they have the original box and papers. If they have certificates of authenticity, make sure the number on the certificates matches the number stamped on the piece.
3. Research and price verification
Looks are deceiving. That’s why even doing a little research goes a long way. Research diamond prices, what styles appeal to you, how much they typically cost, etc. Not only will you be more confident with antique jewelry purchases, but it will also take less time and make it much easier for you to go from store to store. The more information you have, the more likely you are to get an authentic part and negotiate for a reasonable price.
Since vintage or vintage jewelry is one of a kind, be careful when selling vintage pieces in bulk. If a seller advertises that he has more than 1 of the same piece, be careful. They may have made antique looking pieces and are not genuine antiques. Be especially mindful of your use of words; an example of this is “old style” or “old look”. They usually signify newly made jewelry that has old designs.
Also, vintage jewelry has too much history and value to be sold cheap. If you see an antique piece selling for a mind-boggling price (say, a 1-carat antique diamond ring for $20-$100), think twice. Like I said before, without the technology we have now, it often takes hundreds of hours for previous generation jewelers to hand craft and produce a stunning and one of a kind piece. It takes precision, knowledge and experience of the trade to create a piece that will last for generations. All this work doesn’t cost just a couple of bucks (unless the seller is clueless). This is where research comes in. Verifying and validating the information and description of a piece (eg, price of diamonds/gemstones, price of similar pieces, weight of gold, size of stones, etc.) to ascertain its intrinsic value is critically important to know its authenticity. If the price deviates or varies greatly from other similar pieces, think twice.
In conclusion
You can find and buy vintage and antique jewelry almost everywhere; either online or in physical stores. Shopping smart is always the most important thing when buying jewelry (vintage or not). But if you’re looking to buy authentic antiques, differentiating the real thing from the fake will ensure you get the right price for the right item. Research is key.