Antique jewelry has decades of history and mystery embedded in it, which is why it’s such a thrilling buy for most people. Each piece can have its own story that spans multiple wearers and countries.
When you’re looking to buy Victorian Hearts online or finding exquisite antique jewelry to add to your collection, you need to know the essential factors that can ensure its suitability for you. Don’t spend hours scouring for different types of antique jewelry when you don’t know what you’re looking for in the first place.
Determine its Value
The quality and history of an antique piece become crucial when you’re considering its future and current value. Most antique pieces are an investment to begin with, so you should consider what you’ll be getting for them in the future if you decide to resell them.
Many pieces come with authentication certifications that enable you to figure out what the value is. The quality needs to be durable enough to be worn by you and remain in good shape after years of use.
You can also find hallmark signs or purity marks on many old jewelry pieces. This can not only authenticate the value of the jewelry but make it more valuable. When you buy Victorian Hearts online, you can find that many of them come with maker’s marks as well.
Find Your Ideal Style
Before you begin your foray into antique jewelry, you should determine what period of jewelry you prefer the most. Have a look through the jewelry used during different periods, like the Victorian Era, Art Noveau period, Edwardian period, and so on.
You can also look for precious stones and designers whose jewelry you prefer. Whether you’re partial to Oscar Heyman or Cartier antique jewelry, you’ll find only one-of-a-kind antique pieces, so knowing what to look for can enable you to get those pieces before others.
Purity and Clarity
Counterfeit jewelry is dominant, especially when it comes to antique and vintage jewelry. You can be easily fooled by new jewelry that has been modeled to look exactly like older counterparts.
To ensure you’re not scammed of your money, find authenticity certification from certified gemologists for any antique jewelry you plan to buy.
If you’re buying online, look for clear photos of the product online. Whether it’s an emerald beaded necklace or an amethyst ring, there should be at least five to six product photos to help you get an idea of what you’re buying. Ensure that there is a return policy in place as well from the website you’re buying from.
Condition
While many antique pieces look exquisite, wearing them can be another problem altogether. Some pieces are too delicate to be worn casually, while others are prone to breakage or damage.
When you’re buying an antique jewelry piece, ensure that it’s in a wearable condition and won’t require constant maintenance. If the jewelry is considered rare or hard to find, you might have to accept a little damage or wear and tear, but other than that, you should look for good-quality antique jewelry.
Keep in mind that the more damaged the antique jewelry is, the harder it will be to sell in the future, as damage can considerably lessen the value of the jewelry.
Wearability
When you’ve found your ideal style of antique jewelry to buy, you also need to keep in mind that it should be a piece you will be getting good wear out of. There’s no point buying an emerald beaded necklace that you’re only going to keep for show.
Before you end up buying an antique piece, think about what occasion and what kind of outfits you can wear it with. Don’t be unsure of the jewelry before you buy it, as it’ll make you hesitant to wear it regularly later.
Design and Craftsmanship
While most antique jewelry is intricately made and hand-crafted, you can come across pieces with many flaws or design imperfections. Hand-crafted jewelry is made keeping in mind the overall visual appearance of the piece. You should still check the craftsmanship of the piece before purchase.
Many antique pieces have one-of-a-kind designs and craftsmanship, so it’s advisable to buy them right away if you like them. Specific designers also have signature designs and habits repeated over many pieces, so you could find one designer to stick to when looking for antique jewelry.
With the help of this guide, make informed choices when it comes to investing in antique jewelry for your collection without any hiccups.