The Definitive Guide To Antique Jewelry...Courtesy of Adolf Jewelers

Collectors and fashionistas alike rejoice in finding a truly special, one-of-a-kind piece of antique or vintage jewelry. Whether you run across an ornate Victorian treasure, a spare Colonial item, or a funky art-deco piece, this wearable art brings individuality to any outfit. As a gift, vintage and antique jewelry is incomparable, as it shows thought and personality. Or, if you simply collect beautiful items, antique jewelry has a value beyond mass-produced modern pieces, thanks to both the rarity of such pieces, and the craftsmanship involved in the design and construction. The value of antique jewelry has only to appreciate over time.
There are plenty of places to go if you're hunting for antique jewelry. Estate sales are definitely your best bet, although auctions, antique malls, yard sales, and vintage clothing boutiques can also be good places to look. If you are looking for a particular style, then you might have more luck looking online at auction and sales sites like e-bay and Etsy give you the ability to really narrow and refine your search.
Of course, if you are an avid collector, and have a predilection for harder to find pieces, such as those from the Georgian period, then you know what a tough thing it can be to search for new items. The volume of wars (primarily the French Revolution and American Revolution), and invasions during this time had the result of massive destruction and loss of property. That said, if you happen to find a piece from this period, hold on to it or put it in a museum, for it is an artifact, and something special indeed.
Not since the end of the Georgian era have craftsmen designed and constructed such ornate pieces. The ornate cameos, and filigree, and the finely cut gemstones cannot be imitated. Victorian era jewelry is somewhat easier to find. This period is marked by many distinctive design styles, as Queen Victoria had a widespread influence on culture and the arts. The reign of Victoria was marked by long periods of somberness, bookended by romance and celebration, as she was married during her dominion, and spent years in mourning after her husband's death. Victorian jewelry can range from radiant gold, which marks the beginning of the era, to rather austere pieces common during the Queen's mourning, to dazzling diamonds popularized during the colonization of South Africa.
Much jewelry from the Victorian era still survives, but there is also a proliferation of reproductions, so be sure what you find is authentic by having it appraised by a professional. Check for things like signatures or maker's marks on the back of pendants or on the insides of bracelets and rings. Or, if you simply enjoy the appearance of this era's wearable art, look to reproductions as an affordable alternative. Additionally, with reproductions, you won't have the fear of losing or damaging a piece by wearing it to a special event. These affordable and beautiful pieces give you the option of wearing a stunning piece on any occasion at all.

Great Tips For Buying Vintage Jewelry Online!!

On eBay alone, you will discover that at any given moment, there are close to 75,000 pieces of vintage jewelry put up or available for sale. There are numerous sites where you will get more or less the same number of jewelry.
The definition of vintage may vary depending on which site you choose to buy this type of jewelry from. However, as long the vintage jewelry was made between 1910 and 1990, it generally qualifies to be listed as such. If the history of the jewelry in your possession goes back to earlier than 1910, then it is no longer vintage, but now qualifies to be called antique. With that said, you should expect numerous requests to prove the authenticity of your claims that the jewelry you have is vintage. Documentation is important, and you should never lose or misplace the paperwork that proves the jewelry in your possession is vintage.
Most collectors choose to buy vintage jewelry online that were made between 1940 and 1970. Since you will have to put up a photograph of the vintage jewelry online, make sure that the photo is of the best quality. If you are buying, never buy any purportedly vintage jewelry online if the photo appears to be fuzzy. A partial photograph of the jewelry is never to be trusted. If you are dealing with a reputable seller, then he/she will provide clear and unmistaken pictures of the piece of vintage jewelry in their possession. These photos must be taken from different angles to show the proper state in which the jewelry is in, to avoid any doubt.
If you wish to buy the vintage jewelry online, you should be wary of sellers who lack any clear return policy. If the seller does not have a return policy, do not buy the jewelry from them. As long as it is genuine, the seller will have no problem in including a return policy. Before you place any bid for the jewelry in question, make sure that you read all feedback from others. Look for sellers with a stellar reputation, and you will avoid falling victim to a lot of misrepresentation, misinterpretation, and outright forgery that is often the hallmark of this industry. Do what you need to do to protect yourself from losing money on worthless items.
In summary, before you invest in any vintage jewelry online, you need to teach yourself how to look for visual clues to ascertain their age. If you are talking about older brooches, then their backs must be smooth and not patterned. Anyone telling you that they have aurora borealis rhinestones that were made before 1950s, is cheating you, since they only entered the market in the mid 1950s. Copyright symbols started appearing on jewelry made from around 1955, and not any earlier. Most vintage jewelry have signs of wear and tear, especially along the clasp, not unless it was stored away in your grandparent's drawer and nobody ever wore it.