When you decide you want antique or estate jewelry, you are making a decision to get a piece that holds history and a story. Antique and estate jewelry shopping is a unique experience compared to shopping for new or mass-produced jewelry because there are more questions you need to ask before purchasing the perfect piece. Check out this guide on how to buy antique and estate jewelry before you set out to find your piece.

Learn the terminology

Before shopping around for antique and estate jewelry, learn the different terminology you’ll need to know to hold your own in conversations with experienced dealers. Estate jewelry is simply jewelry that was previously owned, meaning secondhand and less than 50 years old. Antique jewelry is 100 years old or older. Decide if you’re looking for exclusively antique items or if you’re open to any piece of estate jewelry.

Ask about the pieces you’re interested in

Talk to your jewelry dealer. Ask them about how they came to acquire the piece, or pieces, that you’re interested in. Don’t be afraid to inquire about a piece’s history—most dealers will be excited to share this information with you, if it is available for the piece. Learning more about a piece can help you to feel more confident in what you’re purchasing.

Buy what you like

Even if you had your heart set on an antique piece, but you come across a piece of estate jewelry that you fall in love with, don’t let the lack of antique status hold you back. At the end of the day, if you buy what you like, then you’ll be happy with the purchase. No matter the reason for purchasing, whether for personal use, a gift, or to collect, if you’re enthusiastic about it, others will be too. There are many pieces of fine estate jewelry to choose from, and if you keep them long enough or pass them down to younger generations, your estate jewelry will reach that antique milestone someday.

Contact Solvang Antiques today for more information on our collection of estate and antique jewelry. We have an extensive collection available for purchase online.