If there is one type of woman’s accessory that would never go out of fashion would be jewelry and particularly vintage jewelry. The popularity of this type of jewelry will continue to increase specially with the attached value and collectability of rare finds. Although the market is flooded with replicas and fakes, there are several ways to spot a genuine piece that would be worth collecting.
The first step to successfully spot a copy with a genuine antique jewelry is by studying its features and familiarizing with the distinctive designs, color combinations and more importantly the signatures. Vintage jewellry enthusiasts can refer to several books which can help educate and guide in finding these treasures. You should also learn the methods how the pieces were made to easily spot a replica like most vintage designers prefer setting stones than gluing.
Another obstacle for those who would like to start collecting old jewelry would be locating a reliable dealer. To those thrill-seeking fanatics will enjoy scouring the market for different possible dealers. To start off, the best possible source of would be the local antique stores. Always ask the antique dealers for some information on their items. It would also help to do some research on dealers so that you can be certain that the ones you are dealing with have impeccable reputation. Remember that there might be some scheming dealers who would try to sell you a fake for the price of an original article. If you prefer to do business online, you need to ensure that you are protected with a good return policy. For online auctions, make sure that the seller has ample positive feedbacks.
When on a hunt for precious antique jewelry, you should also keep in mind that the market would also have a lot of replicas as well. So it would be wise not to make any expensive purchases specially if you are new and with no sufficient experience in this venture. A collector should also be on the lookout for the fake pieces that were created around the same time as the original. However this could be a good option for those who simply purchases vintage jewelry just for its looks but this would not be a feasible alternative to serious collectors.
There are also some people who are selling their family heirlooms and vintage jewelry for a price. The internet has numerous sites that offer to this sort of trade giving a wide array of options to collector. Again, the buyer must be exercise extreme caution and check the reputation of the seller. You, as a collector, should not be an easy prey for unscrupulous scammers.
Collecting antique jewelry can be a very expensive hobby since these items are more costly. One factor that adds to their value is their age. Other craftsmanship details like the quality of the plating and stone settings are features worth considering as these usually add value to the piece. Ideally, the stones should be luminous and bright. Usually, jewelries with opals, diamonds and pearls are more valuable since these stones age better than others. If you are seriously investing in your collection, then you should consider purchasing pieces made of precious metals like gold, silver, brass, copper or bronze.
Finding genuine vintage jewellry can pose to be a difficult task. However the rewards are immeasurable when you do find an authentic piece. It is not only a good investment but would definitely be a good conversational item with friends who are interested in the collecting precious antique jewelries.
