Monday, July 27, 2020

Estate Jewellery: A Guide To Sourcing And Buying

Before we delve into the topic, we feel it is important to define ‘estate jewellery’. Simply put, estate jewellery is pre-owned, in other words, used, yet the term estate jewellery can also refer to a fine jewellery collection that is either up for auction or is presented for sale by a commissioned antique dealer.

Where To Find Estate Jewellery

One of the best places to look is your local auction house, where middle-class families that are looking to raise money offer their family jewellery collection for sale, either as a single lot, or by individual pieces. It is time-consuming to attend such events, but if you have a love of fine antiques, then this will be a pleasure. You can expect to meet quite a few antique dealers at auctions, as these are a prime acquisition strategy for a dealer, and you can often pick up bargains, if you know what to look for.


Local Antique Dealers

Perhaps the most productive way to view fine estate jewellery is to forge an alliance with a local antique dealer, while an online search will reveal estate jewellery from UK's top dealers who are respected in the antique community. In the UK, antique dealers have created a digital network, which allows them all to share information about pieces for sale, and when you are looking for a specific item, the dealer can access the network and find exactly what you are looking for.


Online Resources

In order to recognise a bargain when you see one, you need to educate yourself on the various eras and styles, taking note of well-known jewellery makers, and all of the information you need is freely available online. If, for example, you have a love of pocket watches, then learn what you can online and make an alliance with a local antique dealer, who can assist you when souring time pieces.


Knowing the Market

This only comes with experience, and until you are able to value an item accurately, you are advised to turn to an antique dealer, as he or she would have the knowledge to ensure that you are not paying too much and the piece is, in fact, genuine. If you are looking to specialise in one era or period, this will help you to become knowledgeable quickly, as you can focus on this when learning. If you have some old jewellery that you wish to sell, just a quick search on Google should lead you to articles that offer tips on how to avoid getting scammed.


If you have the time, spending Sunday mornings at local car boot sales and flea markets might produce results, although don’t expect to find an Aladdin’s cave, but you might get lucky and encounter something rare and valuable. No matter how knowledgeable you are, there’s a lot of luck involved when searching for estate jewellery, and perhaps the best solution is to approach a local antique dealer, who can source any item with ease.






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