Antique Estate Jewelry Comes of Age

Posted on 8th June 2015

in Antique Jewelry

by Alan

Antique Estate Jewelry commands a strong market for two simple reasons:

*These pieces were made with beautiful and delicate craftsmanship and owned by sometimes very prestigious figures

*To put it simply – they just aren’t making any more.

These are the two defining components of Antique (usually referring to something more than 100 years old) Estate (previously owned) Jewelry.

Because of the expertise involved and demand for such items, estate jewelry buyers are highly sought after and can be an incredible resource to help you determine the value of your jewelry, put you in contact with interested buyers – if not buy it from you directly – and even show you what’s available in terms of antique estate jewelry for sale.

Types of Antique Jewelry

Generally speaking, these items range from the early 18th century through to the early 20th century, cascading through the Georgian, Victorian (Early, Middle, Late), Edwardian and into the Art Nouveau and Deco periods.

Georgian Jewelry (1714-1837): Was beautifully handmade with precious stones, often featuring birds and leaves. This is the most sought after style of antique jewelry as much of it has been dismantled or lost over the years.

Victorian Jewelry: (Early, 1837-1855; Mid, 1856-1880; Late, 1881-1890)

This period picks up from the Gregorian style with nature inspired designs etched into gold.

The Mid Victorian era is often much darker, corresponding with the death of Prince Albert in 1861. Known as mourning jewelry, these pieces were much more sombre often featuring Jet, Onyx, and Amethyst stones.

In the Late period, the desired aesthetic begins to get much brighter with diamonds and sapphire coming back into style.

Art Deco Jewelry: (1915-1935)

This is really the last period that we can squeeze under the umbrella term “Antique” and one of the most fascinating times for art.

Art Deco was a very stylized design named after the 1925 International Exposition of Modern Industrial and Decorative Arts in Paris. These designs are often characterized by abstract patterns, geometric designs and a wide variety and combination of colors.

The Value of Antique Estate Jewelry

While it is possible to simply judge your jewelry by it’s weight and carat value, much like any antique; the age, designer and condition can make tremendous difference to it’s buying price. I always offer evaluation tips through my blog to everyone who’s interested in questions about their jewelry for over 25 years. because the last thing I want to see is a beautiful and valuable antique be melted down due to inexperience or misinformation.

If you live in the state of Florida, feel free to contact me with questions about selling your estate jewelry get the right price. I offer this service with no obligations and I can even come to your home to collect it from you. And if you’re asking yourself, “Where can I find an antique jewelry buyer near me?” Well, I can even help you locate reputable buyers in your area.