Vintage jewelry online stores are quickly becoming the go-to option for jewelry experts and enthusiasts looking for timeless and memorable pieces to start or expand their vintage, antique and estate jewelry collections.
Currently, the market for vintage jewelry remains buoyant and the key to buying well is always high quality and a reputable source. Vintage and antique jewelry online shops with a great assortment of styles and professional customer service are always useful and fun outlets to start looking and educating yourself on different styles and designs. Besides, browsing through endless galleries with alluring jewelry pictures is a great plan for many.
Develop your eye for vintage jewelry online
Finding the right vintage jewelry pieces for your collection will depend on your budget, taste and how well you can train your eye when it comes to periods, styles, market value and the current state of the piece.
Familiarizing yourself with jewelry periods and styles is always fun. Each period has its own shapes, designs and particular craftsmanship, so start training your jewelry instinct with a little research, some incredible online jewelry galleries and a great customer service that will answer all of your questions.
For example, vintage jewelry encompasses a wide variety of stylish possibilities for the savvy shopper. Typically, this period refers to jewelry crafted from the 1940s to the 1980s and it can be easily detected by geometric, streamlined and chic designs with an emphasis on squares and sharp-edge rectangles.
Be careful with the state of the jewelry
Some vintage pieces remain in flawless state, but it’s always good to keep an eye for any type of damage that can decrease the market value of the piece. Start looking out for corroded or worn plating, cloudy rhinestones, missing or cracked stones and chipped enamel. Though scratches in gold and silver can be repaired, blisters, cracks or holes cannot be restored. Fastening should always be tested to see if it still works correctly, and avoid any pieces of jewelry with obvious soldering, because this probably means it has been repaired at some point.
Learn to spot fake vintage jewelry
Feel the weight of the jewelry and familiarize yourself with the trademark signatures and stamps of the designers. When buying a diamond, bear in mind the four Cs’ — color, cut, carat and clarity. Real diamonds do not sparkle like rainbows; their light is grey and white. Breathe over a diamond — the fog from your breath should disappear instantly. If it stays for more than two to three seconds, it’s a fake.
Pearls should be held under a bright light and checked for variations in color and iridescence. Take the pearl and rub it gently over the surface of your teeth. A natural pearl should feel slightly gritty. Also, real pearls are heavier than fake, tend to be knotted between each pearl and have sterling silver catches with safety chains.