how to collect and appraise antique jewelry - cheap jewelry sets

I am often asked, "How do I start learning everything you know so that I can do what you do?
"Of course, watch the antique roadshow of PBS and play past episodes on pbs.
Organization/antiques is a good education but this is just the beginning.
If you are not only going to be an educated collector, but also to be a savvy collector, it is also important to look for other sources of knowledge.
Collecting antiques and real estate jewelry is a wonderful experience and you can usually get a better experience
In today's retail market, make jewelry at a price lower than the cost of copying it.
If that's not enough, you can wear a historical costume.
I usually tell people that the first thing you need is a passion for learning, a curious mind, knowing how to ask the right questions, good visual memory, patience and some money.
There are a lot of books dedicated to antiques and real estate jewelry, and suitable bookstores are available.
Some are generals, some are creators.
Some coffee is good. table books.
What collectors need at the beginning is a book with rich historical knowledge and corresponding images to study.
The two books I have always recommended are "get to know the jewelry of David Bennett and Daniel La massiti" and "The jewelry of Warman", 3rd edition of Christie Romero
Both books are full of valuable historical information and images, while the latter is full of prices (
This version has been a few years old, so values have changed, but it will give you a common measure of the market).
From these books, I suggest that you learn your schedule and style so that you can know what you are looking at and help you determine your reaction to antiques and real estate jewelry.
I would also recommend investing in a triple magnification magnifying glass as it will also be a valuable tool.
Start dealing with jewelry and ask questions the next step is to educate yourself in what I call "hands"On Phase.
"As the name suggests, it needs to go out in the wild and handle jewelry.
Here's where you start putting your book knowledge together with your eyes, brain and fingertips.
If you are in an area where there are auction houses that offer jewelry, it is a valuable resource as they will have a constantly changing inventory to check and ask questions.
I recommend getting along well with a jewelry expert and asking about the jewelry you are interested in, even if you may not be in the place where you are ready to buy it.
This is also the case if you regularly attend local antique shows, trade shows or flea markets: The point is where the jewelry is.
There are many knowledgeable suppliers participating in such activities.
I'll look for a couple of events, find people who have items of interest to you, and start some conversations.
Suppliers want to build relationships with their repeat customers because it is beneficial for them to take the time to answer your questions and give you guidance.
If they don't want to help, stick with it until you find someone who is willing to help.
The local jeweler is another big resource.
Some people have antique and real estate jewelry departments and are also interested in building relationships with you as clients.
The most important question you should always ask when you look at a potential purchase is: "Is it true?
"Think with your eyes, the third most important thing to do is to turn the pieces over and check the back of the pieces.
You might ask why?
If signed, you will usually find the signature here.
Also, stamp here to show the metal content.
You will also become familiar with the type of snap rings and closures that these parts should have over time, so if they are different, it will indicate that they may have been changed.
The back is also the place where most jewellers carry out repairs so that they can't be seen from the front.
When these parts are manufactured, the labor cost is low and the process level is high, so the back of a piece should reflect the same process level as the front.
There are many replicas on the market now.
The copy style is easy, but the copy process is very expensive and the cost is not high
Effective in today's market.
So think with your eyes and compare with your brain.
Don't assume from the beginning, never assume that the item you are looking at is the rarest item you have ever seen (
Probably, but only for you).
Remember, there are a lot of jewelry outside, and everyone in every era is wearing jewelry.
Humans are creatures of habit. -
We tend to wear clothes that are considered acceptable. -
So if it's a popular item for a specific period of time, that means there may be more popular items somewhere.
Along the same route, I call it a trickle"
The "downward effect" that often occurs in jewelry ".
This is high-
The end jewelry sets the style of the period, and every social class below makes similar items.
The only change is the material, but the nature of the design remains the same, so the diamond and platinum brooch can have similar glass and brass cousins from the same period.
This is a good thing because a version can be within the wallet of the collector and is still typical of this period.
There is no right or wrong way to collect, just make sure to arm yourself with knowledge and help offset any mistakes you may make.
Believe me, we 've all done it and you'll do it either without looking at a piece carefully or thinking it's not.
If you make a mistake or pay more for something, keep it in your education expenses. (
Hopefully it's still less than sending your kids to college. )