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 -
Military Helmets Collectibles -> Militaria Collecting military helmets is an interesting hobby, and one usually enjoyed by military history or war history buffs. The huge variety of helmets available makes it a colorful hobby and one that’s difficult to get bored with. And the affordability of many antique military helmets makes it...... -
Cash Registers Collectibles -> Banks-Registers-and-Vending Some of us remember going into the local Mom & Pop shop and having our penny candy rang up on a tall brass cash register. Some of us have seen such registers in dime stores or in antique stores. There are many things to be appreciated about...... -
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...... -
Bakelite Collectibles -> Vintage-Retro-Mid-Century -> Bakelite Most of us have heard the term Bakelite, even if we’re not entirely sure what it means. When we think of Bakelite we often think of plastic, as they seem to go hand in hand. But Bakelite is a type of plastic, most often used...... -
Finding Collectibles Online Everybody has some kind of special item that has been in the family for as long as anyone can remember. It might be a vase, an antique jar or some other special collectible. As far as we can tell, its been handed down from one generation to the next, and......
Related Websites - The Perfect Pet Urn For Your Pets Ashes by Pete Stone The perfect pet urn is one that reflects the personality of your pet. You can often find them at your local veterinarian or a pet funeral home but you will pay top dollar. Consider making your purchase online which will often include a much larger selection to......
- OK, if I had a little extra green to spend on a car ... ... I'd consider buying Maynard Ferguson's 1994 Cadillac DeVille.Normally I'm not a car aficionado but I used to play jazz trumpet a lot more than I do now and Maynard Ferguson was one of my favorites to listen to. Ferguson died last year and parts of his estate are being......
- The Pen Is Mightier Than The Sword Guest Post By Michel Fortin Words are powerful. They are the crux of our existence as copywriters. And your choice of words is crucial in getting the results you seek, whether you’re a copywriter or not, and be it in business or in your personal life. To compel others to......
- Read Why People Wear Jewelry As far as we know, people have been wearing Jewellery for, well, as long as there have been people! So why do they do it ? There are actually several reasons. Which is probably why it's so universal. Jewellery - the American (Jewelry) and British English (Jewellery) spelling are different......
-
Where and How to Buy Antique Furniture Unless you are shopping around in a museum, it may be difficult to buy antique furniture dated before the 16th century. Collectors are generally only able to obtain pieces of furniture from the 1485 to 1600 Tudor Period and onwards, and even the furniture selection from this period is relatively......
