Top Tips for Buying Antique Jewellery
01-07-2016
Along with that, antique, vintage and estate jewellery pieces each hold their own intrinsic value and historical story, making them something which you can pass down through your family for generations. But, choosing a piece of antique or vintage jewellery is no easy task. If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to choosing the right one, this handy guide should help you.
London street style images by Sherion Mullings and JoJo Iles
Doing Your Research
With so many different options on the market today for antique and vintage jewellery, it’s important to know what to look for and be able to understand the history behind each jewellery piece where possible. When shopping for antique jewellery at stores such as Berganza Hatton Garden, don’t be afraid to ask for details about the history of each piece and about its background. If you’re already sure of the era that you’d like to buy jewellery from, you can also do some of your own research online prior to shopping for a piece.
Study the Details
When purchasing any piece of vintage or antique jewellery, it’s crucial that you pay attention and carefully evaluate the condition of any items which you consider. You should always be sure to check for any flaws; such as chips or cracks in the enamel or stone. You should also keep an eye out for issues such as discoloration, corrosion, bumps, or holes in the surface of any gold, platinum or silver pieces. Whenever possible, antique or vintage jewellery pieces should be purchased in the best condition possible in order to ensure that they retain their value for years to come. Above all, when studying pieces of antique or vintage jewellery to purchase, it’s also important that you decide whether or not you like it enough to enjoy wearing it. If you don’t love it, don’t buy it – there are many other alternative pieces out there to choose from.
Caring for Your Jewellery
Once you have bought a piece of antique or vintage jewellery, you will need to be aware of how to clean and care for it to ensure that it is kept in the best possible condition for as long as possible. All vintage, antique and estate jewellery should be stored and handled with the proper care to ensure that it retains its value and good condition. When wearing your jewellery, it’s important to consider its condition, and avoid activities such as cleaning, gardening, exercising and bathing to make sure that no damage comes to the piece when you are wearing it. Ensure that you research how to best look after your specific piece, and have it checked every few months to ensure it is retaining its condition.
With so many antique jewellery items to choose from, it’s important to know how to make the right choice for you.
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