Remember your love for the dazzling earrings, diamond watches, or a stunning ring you once used to wear? It might be the case that those pieces have lost their appeal. Maybe the trends have changed, and you don’t want to wear those pieces again. What to do in this case?
If the pieces are vintage, Voila! You have got an opportunity to make money. But you might be wondering how to determine the value of vintage jewelry. Here we have come up with the factors to determine the same.
What is Vintage Jewelry?
Vintage jewelry is pieces that are 50-100 years old. Sometimes, certain eras present you with distinct styles that could also be referred to as vintage, even if those pieces are not fifty years old. For instance – Jewelry from the 1980s appealed to the mass audience to a large extent due to the recent style renaissance of that Era. That is why pieces from that Era were accepted as vintage.
Sometimes, “Vintage” term is used to describe the style of jewelry. It goes well with modern clothes and creates a great topic of talking. Tiffany, Cartier, Harry Winston, and many more are some of the best-known vintage designers of all time. The Art Deco era from 1915-1935, the Retro Era from 1935-1950, and the Modern Era from 1950-the 1980s are examples of the “Vintage” times.
Difference between antique jewelry and vintage jewelry
Antique Jewelry – What comes to your mind when you think about the word “antique”? Something from the age-old Era, right? Likewise, antique jewelry is pieces more than 100 years old. It is quite challenging to find genuine antique pieces. And this is the reason they are considered extremely valuable. The antique pieces include intricate craftsmanship and unique designs. Examples of antique jewelry eras are the Art Nouveau era (1890-1910) and The Gregorian Era (1714-1837). These are often the bygone eras.
Vintage jewelry – As discussed, vintage jewelry is generally older than antique one. Vintage jewelry pieces come from more recent eras as compared to antique jewelry and may have the power to represent changing trends and styles of the time.
How to determine the worth of vintage jewelry?
Vintage pieces are actually worth a lot of money. But how do you know that the piece you have is truly vintage? Here are some factors that will help you determine the vintage jewelry value.
Check the hallmark – The first thing when it comes to know the value of vintage jewelry is to look for the hallmark. Many jewelry pieces have a small manufacturer’s or designer’s mark, like a logo or a few letters. This mark can speak volumes about the jewelry. The hallmark is the identity of the brand or manufacturer. And if you know who is behind making such wonderful pieces, you will be able to have an idea of vintage jewelry value.
Some marks also indicate the country of origin or the year in which the jewelry was made. Besides, there could also be a small number marked indicating the metal content in it. For instance – a silver having “925” written on it means it is mostly silver but includes a small amount of copper too.
Weight of the jewelry – Real metals like gold and silver weigh more in comparison to brass and pewter. To know “How Much is My Jewelry Worth,” pick the jewelry piece and weigh it. It is a general rule for all the pieces. But it becomes necessary in the case of bangles, chains, and necklaces. For example – If you pick up a chain of gold but find it very light, it could be fake or hollow gold.
Pay attention to the prongs – Always inspect the prongs. High-quality jewelry pieces use supreme-quality of prongs. But in some jewelry pieces, fake gems or stones are simply glued in. Good quality jewels have small prongs that hold each and every stone tightly not to damage them in any way.
The place of origin – The answer to “How to price vintage jewelry” is also determined by its place of origin. If you buy vintage pieces from credible and authentic shops, you don’t have to worry about their value. And if you take them to professional jewelers for appraisal, you will get the best price.
Stone setting – The stone setting is yet another factor that impacts the worth of vintage jewelry. The setting of gemstones affects the overall appearance, durability, and value of the pieces. Some types of settings are bezel setting, pave setting, and prong setting, to name a few. Every setting comes with its own look and requires different levels of craftsmanship. High-quality stone settings mean an increase in the value of vintage jewelry. Furthermore, if the gemstones have high clarity, cut, and color, the jewelry will be more valuable.
How much is my vintage jewelry worth?
Knowing the true value of vintage jewelry is quite a taxing task and can take a long time. But we have tried to give you answers to “How to tell if vintage jewelry is valuable” through the above-mentioned points. And do you know what the best part is? Getting the value of your jewelry determined has become all easy with the expert staff at DJP Diamonds, who promise to give you the best price for your priceless pieces.
Contact us for more information, and let us get the chance to serve you.
