Use age, style, and how well the pieces are made to appraise vintage jewelry.
There is a story behind vintage jewelry. Every piece, no matter if it’s an heirloom or an Art Deco ring, can be special because it preserves sentimental and financial worth. What separates costume sparkle from actual treasure, though? We find the answer when we know what to watch for.
Did you inherit a piece or find an old gem at a vintage store? Worry not; here are six simple tricks that tell you how to figure out its actual value.
1. Ready Craftsmen
Handcrafted care was given to create the jewelry of earlier times. Study minor indications of quality, such as milgrain around the stone, a handmade gemstone, or delicate filigree details. Currently made machines likely won’t achieve the same artistic effect.
2. Investigate to find the name of the jeweler or jeweler symbols.
Often, important vintage jewelry has tiny marks that say what metal it is, like 14K or 18K, and also the maker’s name. From these marks, we can guess where and by whom a piece was created and roughly when. Investigating these marks can make a big difference to the worth of the item.
3. Review the Age before doing anything else.
Most old pieces are likely to be rare. There is a great interest in Victorian (1837–1901), Edwardian (1901–1915), and Art Deco (1920s–1930s) jewels. How old a garment is can usually be understood using its design, the materials, and the way it wears.
4. Look into the Gemstones.
Is the gem you have natural, made in a lab, or just an imitation? If the shapes are cut by hand, natural gemstones tend to be worth more, but anything consistent with this may be artificial. Using a jeweler’s loupe allows you to check for inconsistencies and bubbles that may show the item is not genuine.
5. Consider the company name and logo when you are looking for something.
Classic jewels by Cartier, Tiffany & Co., or Van Cleef & Arpels may be valued at a great deal and often more if they are from a restricted collection and kept in their original boxes and with their documents.
6. Have a Professional Value Your Property
If you’re not sure, ask a qualified jewelry appraiser for advice. To estimate the value of your stone, they’ll consider the metal content, how the piece is built, whether the gems are genuine, and the history of how they came to be appraised.
Conclusion
Assessing the worth of vintage jewelry is much like taking apart a treasure chest to see what’s inside. If you are getting ready to sell, insure, or admire your car, knowing these details will help you do it justly.
FAQs
1. How do I know if my vintage gold or silver jewelry is actual gold or silver?
You should spot stamps that read “14K,” “18K,” or “925.” Real gold or sterling silver can be seen in these. If you don’t know, a jeweler can examine the metal for you.
2. Do all vintage pieces of jewelry have value?
Not necessarily. Besides being aged, what you pay depends on the materials, condition, brand name, and how rare the watch is. Some costume jewelry may be special to the owner, yet it often isn’t worth a lot when resold.
