Antique Jewellery

Not only is antique jewellery a wonderful way to gain a unique and classic look, but you also  have the joy of knowing that you are wearing a miniature work of art!  Antique jewellery can also be a viable investment, as quality pieces are only going to go up in value.  Magnificent pieces get handed down through the generations and when, or if, they come on the market can command truly awe inspiring amounts of money.

Because there are many different types of antique jewellery, collectors tend to build their collections around a specific era or theme.

Designer

One way to collect is by specific designer.  Although this will not be cheap, you can be guaranteed of a high quality collection which should substantially increase in value over the years.  Quality designers are the likes of Cartier, Tiffany or Lalique.

Gemstones

The colours of the various gemstones are one of the reasons many people fall in love with antique jewellery.  From the sparkle of diamonds, greens of emeralds to the blood red of rubies, precious stones can both fascinate and bewitch.  Of course, there are also slightly less expensive options which are nonetheless just as striking; these include amethyst and peridot, to name but two.

Era

Depending on which era a piece of jewellery was made it will exhibit certain designs and fashions of the time.  Choose from the feminine aspects of Georgian jewellery, or perhaps the romantic influence so commonly seen in that of the Victorian times.  Jewellery from the Art Nouveau period is influenced by nature, with butterflies and flowers embellished by opaque and translucent gemstones.

Other ways of collecting jewellery include basing your purchases around a theme.  This could be anything you choose, such as animals, hearts, bows or anything else which you find a pleasure to wear.

One of the most important things when looking to purchase antique jewellery is to always buy what you like.  If a piece is pleasing to you, then you can be sure it will be to other people as well.  Always try to buy the best you can afford; remember that gemstones such as diamonds come in different qualities.  Also, the metal in which they are set will also have an impact on the value.

Try to buy pieces which are in near perfect condition.  Of course, one of the thrills of buying antique jewellery is that it has been used and loved over the years.  This means it is rare to find pieces in showroom condition - indeed it would be suspicious if they were!  But always ensure that there are no stones missing; sometimes this can be a little difficult to spot at first with very intricate designs.  Invest in a small eye glass (or jewellers loupe) so you can inspect your prospective purchase carefully.

Because most pieces will be set into precious metals, it is wise to learn a little about silver and gold hallmarks.  These will allow you to accurately date jewellery and ensure that you are purchasing exactly what you think you are.  There are some occasions where precious metals do not carry hallmarks, but this is best left to the experts.

For whatever reason you decide to invest in antique jewellery, you can be assured of an exciting search combined with intense satisfaction of wearing and showing off your jewellery.