Collector

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

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People that collect wine in order to age it, rather than to just drink it, should look into creating a wine cellar collection. The purpose of such a wine cellar collection is to protect the wine in the right temperature, humidity and atmosphere in order to keep the wine aging properly and to protect it from harm. There are two basic types of wine out there on the market today. One of these types of wine is the kind that you can take home and immediately drink, and the other type of wine is the kind that is meant to be a part of a wine cellar collection. This wine needs to be stored within a capable wine cellar for a few years so that it can age continuously until it has reached the peak of quality. If you are collecting high quality bottles of wine, then turning your love of wine into a wine cellar collection is a smart idea because it will allow your wine to age properly without the flavor or quality being ruined during the aging process.

All wine that you keep needs to be kept in a place that is cool and has the right level of humidity, and that is why the idea of a wine cellar collection is so advantageous. You need to make sure that your wine is never exposed to the direct sunlight ever, because if they are exposed to too much sunlight or heat, the entire wine aging process can be affected in a negative way. When you create a wine cellar collection, you are ensuring that your wine will be kept at a proper temperature and will be safe from the sunlight. What this means is that your wine cellar collection will be allowed to age properly, and when you do drink it, it will be just as delicious as it is meant to be.

Your wine cellar collection should be kept at a constant temperature, which is generally around 55 degrees Fahrenheit at all times, though the temperature adjustment is going to depend on the wine you are storing. Your wine temperature should never been fluctuating because this is going to have a negative impact on the aging of your wine cellar collection. If your wine cellar collection experiences too many fluctuations in terms of heat then your wine is going to taste different than how it is meant to taste, and then you will have wasted an investment.

There are a number of different options to consider when it comes to planning your wine cellar collection. You can buy a wine cellar from a number of different places. You can build a real wine cellar or you can purchase a wine refrigerator if you have a smaller wine cellar collection. No matter what your needs are there are wine cellar options that you can consider in order to keep your wine in the highest possible quality at all times.

Photo Credits: Aditya Bhelke

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