Funny Stuff is all around

Many people who shop for personalized jewelry often stick to buying necklaces as gifts. Do not worry if you are not a necklace person, there are also rings bracelets, anklets key chains and cuff links available that are popular with older women. Variety is a plus these days. Accent your wife’s, sibling’s, or friend’s jewelry with the birthstone crystal representing the month her child was born. Also, the names birthdates and messages can be engraved personally into the jewelry. Especially popular are the designs that offer baby feet as charms or have baby feet engraved into the piece. The best personalized mommy jewelry comes in either gold silver and /or sterling, although some copper is available.

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There is just something about jewelry that catches and holds the attention of the human eye. Sometimes it’s the exquisite beauty and fire of a finely cut diamond. For others it may be the smooth and deep white gloss of a strand of pearls.

Then there is the age factor - many people love the history that radiates through antique jewelry.

Buying antique jewelry can be a great way to obtain high-quality stones and pieces that are dazzling, rare and hard-to-find in contemporary retailers. You can also find great deals, though buyers should be wary of any deal that seems too good to be true.

In this article, we’ll cover the basics on how to protect yourself when purchasing antique jewelry and what to look for in a good piece. So, if you want to learn more about antique jewelry shopping, keep reading.

So, is it antique or vintage?

There’s actually a distinction between vintage pieces and antique pieces. Typically, a vintage piece of jewelry may be about 30 to 70 years old, while an antique piece could be hundreds or thousands of years old (in which case it should be in a museum).

What are the most popular antique jewelry pieces?

Most dealers offer a range of antique pieces, but collectors tend to prize pieces from the Victorian era and the Art Deco period of the early twentieth century. Jewelry from the Victorian period (1837-1901) tends to exude grace and history, while still exhibiting modern craftsmanship and quality. Pieces from earlier periods tend to be cruder and the stones of a lower grade, which is why jewelry collectors focus on the Victorian age.

Meanwhile, the antique jewelry from the Art Deco design era (1920-1930) attracts a lot of attention thanks to its unique shapes and overall style. Because of the industrial aesthetic, these pieces are distinct and highly valued amongst collectors.

What about modern “antiques?” What are they?

Because these styles are so popular, many jewelers are carrying pieces that look like antiques, but are actually made today. They’re not original Victorian brooches or Art Deco bracelets, but they’re made to look like it. These can be a great option for someone who wants the wearability and durability of a modern piece, but the look and style of an antique.

If I’m buying an antique, how can I be sure it’s real?

Always get every aspect of the piece in writing from the retailer, including the stone carats and quality. Then, have the piece appraised by an independent appraiser. If it doesn’t match the description given to you by the retailer, return the item for a full refund or ask to renegotiate the purchase price.

To prevent potential fraud or misrepresentation problems, always deal with reputable and respected dealers who offer a clear and easy-to-understand return policy.

Jewelry stores provide us with a service that can be found only in a few places. These places will have a selection of different jewelry that you can buy. The price range for all of these will be different according to the type of jewelry that you are looking to buy. Since people love to wear jewelry there are many of these jewelry stores to be found in various locations.

This will make things easier for you when you are thinking of buying pieces of jewelry. For the person who loves wearing elegant creations made from gold or silver, the quality jewelry stores should have a selection that will appeal to you. You will be able to see various styles of jewelry that may be designed from different periods of time. This varied style period of design will let you see if you would like to have an antique pendent that has been set in a modern and antique mixed setting.

The number of different jewelry stores also means that you can choose to buy jewelry that can be of an artistic nature, rap style or Hip Hop jewelry, ethnic looking jewelry, classic jewelry and many others. With all of these jewelry stores you will need to see the prices for the different pieces of jewelry that is in these stores.

You can find these jewelry stores in the high street, various malls and even on the internet. Regardless of where you are buying your jewelry from you might want to look into more than one store. This will give you a wider selection of jewelry that you can choose from. You will need to take some time in choosing your jewelry otherwise you may end up with jewelry pieces that you can’t use.

Besides the regular jewelry stores you can also find jewelry stores that sell mainly costume jewelry. While these jewelry pieces don’t have the same high quality as their normal cousins you can still find a great selection of costume jewelry that you can wear anywhere. These costume jewelry stores will have affordable prices for you. This means that you can buy various pieces of jewelry without having to worry about getting a large bill.

What’s more you can find elegant looking costume jewelry from certain costume jewelry stores that you can mix in with your normal jewelry. This mix and match ability is possible due to the fact that you can find lots of different jewelry stores. All of these jewelry stores will have a selection that will have you marching in just to see what you can buy.

Appraising jewelry goes beyond determining its value - it refers to its quality, color, condition and aesthetic beauty. Because jewelry can be so valuable, it is important to have high-end pieces appraised by an independent, qualified gemologist and appraiser.

However, it is possible to do a quick home appraisal or a mental overview in your mind when looking at a piece for sale at a bazaar or local antique market.

While appraisal of diamonds or any other jewelry isn’t easy, you can give any piece of jewelry the once-over to get an idea of its authenticity and possible value. To learn some great tips that will help you appraise your jewelry simply and easily, keep reading.

Ask to See the Original Purchase Receipt

If you’ve purchased the item yourself, you should have the receipt stored in a safe place, like your family files or a safety deposit box. Knowing the original purchase value can be a great gauge for inferring a piece’s modern-day value.

Check Online for Similar Pieces

If you know you’re dealing with a 6.5 millimeter diamond that’s approximately one carat set in a simple gold band, you can get a rough idea of the pricing. Of course, this can vary wildly depending on the stone’s cut, color and clarity, but it’s a start.

Track the History of the Jewelry

If you’re dealing with a necklace discovered in a trunk in the attic, try to find out which family member acquired it and from where. Knowing and understanding the history of the piece can help you or a professional appraiser get a clearer picture of the item’s value as an antique. Also, if you’re purchasing the item, say at a yard sale, don’t hesitate to ask the seller about the piece’s history.

Get a Good Idea of the Stones and Materials

Try to identify the materials used in your particular piece of jewelry. Is it gold, silver or tin? Are those diamonds or glass? Are you looking at pearls or imitations? Knowing the gemstones and metals used in a piece’s construction can help you get a better grip on its value.

Learn to Identify a Fake

For example, a flawless emerald is sure to be a fake along with a flawless and perfectly round pearl. A diamond with no internal flaw is probably an imitation as well. If you’re not sure, always have an item tested by an independent and qualified gemologist and appraiser.

Consider its Weight

Typically, the heavier a piece, the more it is worth, but this doesn’t always hold true. Fine and light pieces that use exceptional stones can sometimes be worth substantially more than their heavier, yet lower-quality counterparts.

When our oldest son, Maverick, was born, I wanted to give the grandmothers something special since he was the first grandchild. My aunt told me about inspirational bracelets. I had his name, birthdate, and “An Angel From Heaven” inscribed on the inside of the bracelets. Since then, myself and my sister have had three more children, and just added their names to the bracelets, and my brother in law even made one for his mother. I’ve started a really cool tradition in my family, and I hope it continues on for generations.