If you’re in the market for a truly special and unique piece of jewelry, then you should consider estate jewelry. Estate or antique pieces are far more unique than anything that you will find at a local jewelry store. These special pieces have stood the test of time and can continue to be passed down for many generations to come. However, before you set out to purchase an estate piece, it’s important to know what to look for in estate jewelry. Having a little knowledge about antique pieces ahead of time will help you in your purchasing decision.
Choosing the Right Seller
You can buy antique jewelry form many different places including at estate sales or via an online auction. However, it’s best that you work with a reputable seller who is trained in handling pre-owned jewelry. Because it’s difficult to find two antique pieces that are alike, a seller must be trained in identifying important information about a piece such as its age and maker. On top of that, they should be able to tell you other important information about a piece such as what type of metal it’s made out of and what type of. Unfortunately, there are many fake pieces of estate jewelry out there, so it’s important to work with a seller who is trained in identifying authentic pieces properly.
What to Look for in Estate Pieces
As with other jewelry pieces, you can examine an estate piece yourself for clues about its history. In the past, jewelers would stamp pieces with a unique maker’s mark. If you find a maker’s mark on a piece of estate jewelry you’re thinking of purchasing, you can easily do some research into the maker’s history and how much their other pieces have sold for.
Another indicator of a piece’s age could be patina. Over time, many metals will naturally develop a brownish film over them from exposure to oxygen. Very noticeable patina could suggest that a piece is, in fact, an antique and not a modern replica.
More than anything, you want to find an estate piece that speaks to your unique tastes. While it’s true that older jewelry can be very valuable, the most important thing is that it is a piece that makes you happy. Estate jewelry can be a wonderful investment that you can pass down to future generations. Because of its rich history, an estate piece also makes a great gift to someone special. While there are plenty of beautiful mass-produced jewelry pieces on the market, antique pieces offer a little extra something special.
At Las Vegas Pawn, we are the area’s most trusted pre-owned jeweler sellers. Our team members deal with antique pieces on a regular basis. We can help you find a piece of estate jewelry that is perfect for you or your loved one. In addition, to find jewelry, we carry a wide range of other products in our shop including electronics. The next time you’re in the market for a gift or something special for yourself, pay us a visit.