Who doesn’t love a bit of sparkle. With more of us concerned about the environmental impact of our purchases buying antique jewellery is increasing in popularity. There are so many gorgeous pieces of jewellery from necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings and broaches for ladies as well as plenty of men’s jewellery. But, in order to make sure you are purchasing a genuine piece of antique jewellery you need to make sure you purchase from a reputable company like Carus Jewellery. Companies that specialise in the resale of antique jewellery are the safest option to avoid being taken advantage of.
This post will give you tips for purchasing antique jewellery and also how to look after and make repairs where necessary.
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Tips for Buying and Looking After Antique Jewellery
Why Buy Antique Jewellery?
It’s more ethical and environmentally friendly.
Antique jewellery is Vat-exempt!!! This automatically gives you a 20% saving compared to if you buy new.
This type of jewellery is often unique. It won’t have been mass-produced.
Pieces will have been handmade by skilled craftsmen making them better quality. “They don’t make things like they used to” right!
Buying antique jewellery is an investment. Modern second-hand jewellery is only worth the sum of its parts. Antique jewellery is worth more due to its uniqueness and quality of materials. The value remains the same on purchase and can increase in time.
What to Look For When Making a Purchase
When purchasing this type of jewellery it’s important to consider the following.
Purchasing from a reputable company can ensure the purchase of a genuine item.
If the price sounds like it’s too good to be true, it probably is. Research sellers to make sure you are purchasing a genuine item.
Hallmarks provide important info – production date, quality as shown on the stunning ruby and diamond ring pictured below. Not only is the craftsmanship exquisite the hallmark is clearly shown to identify it as a genuine antique piece.
Avoid pieces with stones that can damage easily such as emeralds. Unless you really love a piece, you don’t want to need to worry about replacing damaged stones.
Looking After Your Antique Jewellery
Once you have your jewellery you need to take good care of it. It makes sense to store pieces in a way that they will not be damaged by other jewellery. Therefore, simply throwing them into a decorative dish won’t do. Jewellery boxes where you can place each piece separately work well. Companies like Stackers have a great selection no matter how small or large your jewellery collection.
If the unthinkable happens and a piece of jewellery is damaged the Jewellery Doctor can help. This company can replace clasps, restring bracelets, replace stones etc. Reassuring for those investing in antique pieces.
It is advisable to have antique jewellery cleaned by professionals. Older pieces made from softer materials are more fragile and prone to damage. Although some suggest warm soapy water to clean jewellery this isn’t always advisable. Opals and pearls, for example, lose lustre if immersed in water. The threads in necklaces and bracelets may shrink and rot if exposed to water.
I hope you enjoyed reading my post Tips for Buying and Looking After Antique Jewellery.
You Might Also Like:
Tips on Choosing Jewellery As A Gift
A GUIDE TO SELECTING JEWELRY FOR YOUR WIFE
Have you considered buying antique jewellery?
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My Grandma’s engagement ring. is probably classed as this now. We actually lost and found the main stone from it! This has reminded me I need to get it fixed and cleaned. I’d love a necklace to go with it.
I’m sure you could get that repaired and also find a necklace too 🙂
We have some antique pieces in the family. I wouldn’t have known what to do with it before though.
I bet they’re lovely. They don’t make them like they used too.
My husband collects watches and has bought quite a few antique pieces. We haven’t bought any bits of antique jewellery yet though – I would love a nice bracelet.
Some antique pieces are stunning, I’m sure you’ll find something lovely.
wow i did not know that jewelly doctor can actually sort the dammaged jewelley , thank you for that – i have few pieces that could do with some magic. I love antique jewellery and knowing I can get pieces restored makes me more likely to buy more. I will need to see what is available on the Carus Jewellery site.
I’ve been looking at antique jewellery recently and there are some lovely pieces available.
I must admit antique jewellery buying does not really appeal to me but I do love a good old brooch that I can gift my mother.
I’m sure she would love an antique broach. It would make a lovely birthday gift.
There are some really good and handy tips here for sure. I can find that antique jewellery can go ‘off’ so to speak if it is not looked after xxx
It can show signs of wear and tear when worn often. I think people that buy it nowadays understanding the value of a piece are more likely to take good care of it.
Some great tips here. I love vintage jewellery but I have to say I am not exactly up on what to look out for so the above points will come in handy.
Sounds like this was a useful post for you. Hope you get to find something lovely and sparkly.
Unfortunately I don’t own any antique jewellery but i know my mum owns a few pieces she got off her mum. I think she would love another piece as a gift.
It might be an idea to see what she has and find something that might go with them Michelle.
I don’t really wear a lot of jewellery but the bits that I do have I keep in their original boxes so that they stay nice 🙂
I wish the pieces could talk, just think of all that each one could tell you
A really useful post. Thank you.
I have a box with the beads that used to comprise one of mum’s old necklaces. It is not valuable but has great sentimental value to me.
Good to know, also, that there is no VAT on antique jewellery.
Its great to know how to look after your jewellery, they get dirty without you even knowing and take some knocks in daily life!
I like antique jewellery because it has a history and not mass produced
I love antique jewellery, you can find such interesting and unique pieces.
I dont have any antique jewellery but I am going to buy a ring one day it’s always fascinating to think about who owned the ring and what it meant to someone
I love looking at antiques but prefer furniture to jewellery
Ive never owned antique jewellery but this article was really interesting read
Thanks Gemma. I hope it helps if you decide to buy some.
This is so useful as my mum is into antique jewellery so I’ll share with her. Thanks so much x
I don’t own any pieces yet but when I do I shall follow your advice!
I don’t own any antique jewelry, wish I did, I love the look, but I can’t afford to get any, but some wonderful tips
so much more detail and beauty in the old pieces
I’ve always been nervous about buying/selling antique jewlery because I don’t know much about how/who appraises it. I have a few pieces that I need to get appraised. Thanks for the insight!
I love all jewellery, especially vintage. You have shown us some amazing pieces. Thank You
I”m so glad you liked the post x