There are so many reasons people adore antique jewelry. Some are attracted to its rich history while others keep it because of its sentimental value. Whatever your reason may be, it is essential to carefully think of it before you buy estate jewelry in Utah. If you love antique pieces, here are a couple of tips to help you get the best deals.
Carefully examine the jewelry from all angles.
You need to look at every side of the jewelry from all angles. A piece of ideal antique jewelry should not have any signs of wear. You also need to check the stamp, findings and even the prongs. On the other hand, it is also crucial to check if the gemstones have chips or cracks in the enamel. Bear in mind that any of these damages are quite challenging to repair, which drastically affects the jewelry’s value.
Check the seller.
When buying antique jewelry from online sites, the first thing that you need to do is to check the seller as well as the other items that he is selling. If a seller has 10 identical items on sale, it is best to assume that they are only replicas of an original piece of jewelry. Most estate pieces are unique, which is why ordering them in bulk is not possible.
You also need to check what other buyers have said about the other items that he is selling. If he has sold any estate pieces before, it is best to check the feedback section. Doing so will give you an idea of how he deals with his customers and how satisfied customers were with his items.
Learn to ask the right questions.
Ask a few questions about the piece once you get in touch with the seller. This will help give you an idea of whether the item is fake or not. One thing that you might want to ask is how the seller came across such an estate piece. If it sounds that viable, then there is a chance that it might be true. A legitimate seller can provide some valuable information on how he came across the piece as well as the other information to help gauge its condition.
Find the “patina.”
Patina is the word that most dealers use for the sheen that an estate piece develops over several years of use. While dealers can restore the jewelry that they sell, most usually sell the pieces as is so they will not damage the metals in the jewelry. In short, you need to look for any signs of wear. If a piece looks brand new, ask the dealer if he managed to restore the piece. Otherwise, there is a high likelihood that the piece is fake.
These are only a few of the things that you need to remember when buying an estate or antique piece of jewelry. It is best to purchase these items from a trusted seller near your area to guarantee their value and authenticity.
