Choosing Beautiful Jewelry

How To Choose Vintage Jewelry

25 May 2021

Bertha Garza

Are you new to the world of vintage jewelry? Before you buy your first bauble, take a look at what you should know about investing in antique accents.

Choose Your Style Over a Trend

Trends come and go, but your own personal style is forever. Even though your style may evolve over time, it's central to who you are. While you might eventually grow into a trendy piece that doesn't match your current style, you may not want to take this risk with an investment piece. Instead, choose a vintage item that fits your personality and typical wardrobe (dressy, business, or casual, depending on the specific piece).

If you want to try a trend, consider a less expensive costume or faux piece. This can save you money and let you explore different looks that may not necessarily match completely with your current style. It also allows you to experiment with different looks—minus the investment you make when you buy some types of antique pieces.

Choose Jewelry with Real Staying Power

More specifically — choose pieces with financial staying power. Antiques are investments. Like art or property, vintage pieces should maintain or gain value over time. This is another reason to consider classics or trendy types of jewelry. What is trending right now may not fit future fashions. This could leave you with pricey pieces that you don't want to wear and can't sell.

The potential value of investment antique jewelry is important to more than just the buyer. Even though you're the one who paid for the piece right now, your child, grandchild, or another family member could sell the item in the future. If the jewelry doesn't hold its value, this is a losing proposition for the loved one you gift or leave the piece to.

Choose Real and Researched Pieces

Do you know the difference between a real antique and something that is so-called "vintage?" If you don't have experience with antiques, talk to a professional in the field. An appraiser or jeweler/jewelry consultant with extensive knowledge of specific historic periods (and the pieces created during them) can help you to learn more about an item you might purchase.

Verify their credentials and ask for references from real customers. General or generic reviews online aren't acceptable substitutes for detailed references from past or present clients. After you find the just-right appraiser or consultant, provide them with the information necessary to start researching the item. If the piece is real, the professional can help you to understand its history and what to expect from the current and potential market value.

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