Sports Memorabilia -> Fantasy, Mythical and Magical -> Jewelry
Antique jewelry is a wonderful collectible that is not only valuable, but also very beautiful. Whether you are a fan of precious stones, interesting settings or you just have a love of everything vintage, buying antique jewelry is a lot of fun and there are many pieces out there that are beyond compare. When you’re looking for antique jewelry there are a few things you need to keep in mind to make sure that you are getting the most out of your money.
Is the piece authentic?
If someone is trying to sell you an “authentic” ruby ring with a stone the size of an egg, and they are claiming it is real, it is vital to check. As an example, many “ruby” rings from the Middle Ages were actually made of glass, while others are the much more valuable spinel stone. It is important to have an independent jeweler or laboratory examine the stone, especially if it is a very expensive piece. Always err on the side of caution and make sure that you are dealing with a seller that you can trust.
What is the condition of the piece?
Some antique jewelry pieces can be restored, but there will be a few that are beyond repair. Take a hard look at the piece and see if it’s overly tarnished, cracked, missing stones or otherwise imperfect. If it is, the value of the piece will be greatly diminished. Unless you truly love the jewelry and you’re not buying as a collector, it is best to go with one that is in near perfect condition.
Know your Stones
While you don’t need to go to gemology school, it is a good idea to know a little bit about gem stones if you are interested in antique jewelry. There are many similar stones out there and the value can drop greatly from one to the other. For example, a white spinel looks like a very beautiful diamond, but it is not worth as much. It is also important to know when you are dealing with fakes, as well as stones that have been treated. Many amethysts, rubies, and emeralds are heat treated in order to achieve the desired depth of color. While this makes the piece look better, it does not add value.
Shop in the right places
If you’re looking for great deals on antique jewelry, estate auctions are a great place to start. You’ll have access to art deco pieces that are very rare, as well as many unique pieces that may have been custom made. Pawn shops will occasionally have some antique jewelry, but the prices may be over-inflated and the pieces may not be authentic. Online auctions are a great solution when you’re shopping for jewelry and they provide access to pieces that would otherwise be very hard to find.
No matter what kind of antique jewelry you’re interested in, browsing through online auction stores is like visiting the world’s best candy store, full of surprises.
Originally posted 2008-10-06 05:00:02. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
Antique Tools Collectibles -> Tools, Hardware and Locks -> Tools The market for antique tools is growing as many collectors seek a return to when times were simpler. The nostalgia value of old tools is great, but there are many antique tools that are actually quite valuable on their own. Whether you...... -
Antique Vintage Plastic Collectibles There seems to be a market these days for every type of vintage collectibles under the sun, and Bakelite and antique plastic jewelry vintage collectibles are certainly no exception. These vintage jewelry collectibles include antique and vintage jewelry made from Bakelite as well as from vintage types of plastic include...... -
Gramophones Collectibles -> Radio, Phonograph, TV, Phone Collectibles Gramophones are a truly unique collectible and when they are in good condition, they offer not only enhanced value, but you may actually be able to use it. When you are shopping for a gramophone, there are a few things that you need...... - Casino Chips Collectables -> Casino -> Chips Casino chips, also known as casino tokens or checks, are the small round pieces that are similar to coins but only used as money inside casinos. They're usually made from molded plastic, clay or metal are are used at the table games inside a casino,......
- Collectible Bottles Collectibles -> Bottles and Insulators -> Bottles-> Antique (Pre-1930) One of the most unique forms of collectibles are bottles and you’d be surprised at just how many you can find. Ranging from antiques that were produced in the 1900’s, to ones that are just rolling off the assembly line right......
Related Websites - French Antiques Antiquess -> Antiquities -> Neolithic, Paleolithic Although the first thing that springs to mind in many people when the term French antiques is mentioned is Louis XVI furniture, there are numerous antiquities from this region that are incredibly valuable. France was the site of some of the first Paleolithic peoples......
-
Identifying Authentic Memorabilia One of the most important aspects of collecting any type of memorabilia is the ability to determine what memorabilia is authentic memorabilia and what is not. This is especially vitally important when it comes to autographed memorabilia in a variety of different arenas such as sports star memorabilia and movie...... - Ceramic Piggy Banks Antiques -> Decorative Arts -> Ceramics, Porcelain Ceramic piggy banks have an interesting history. Why pigs, exactly, and not bank shapes or a tiny safe? Apparently, we use pigs because of language, and a simple mistake. The word “pygg” was an old English word for an orange clay commonly used......
- Antique Postage Stamps Stamps -> Worldwide -> Postal History When it comes to collecting stamps, most collectors dream of being able to find the perfect antique postage stamps. By far, these are usually the ones that are the most valuable and in many cases, they are the most visually interesting. If you are......
- Antique Chinese Parrot Antiques -> Asian -> Chinese If you are interested in a unique Asian collectible that is sure to get plenty of discussions going, antique Chinese parrots are an excellent choice. These delightful decorative collectibles come in many different shapes and styles and many are vibrantly colored and well designed. Most......
