Estate Jewellery

 What is Estate Jewellery

Basically, estate jewellery is 2nd hand/used/pre-owned, irrespective of whether the previous owner is alive or not. Most times though, estate jewellery becomes available from a deceased estate, from the collection of the person who has passed away. 

For instance, some great pieces of estate jewellery came from the collections of decease people like the Duchess of Windsor and Elizabeth Taylor. However, many stunning pieces came from the collections of Ellen Barkin, Princess Salimah Aga Khan, and Lily Safra, all of which were sold during their lifetimes.

How does estate jewellery differ from antique and vintage jewellery?

The term “antique” refers to the age of a piece of jewellery. It must be 100 years old or more, so, at the moment, jewellery made before 1916 will be classed as an antique. “Vintage” on the other hand refers to the era in which the piece was made, such as Art Deco, Retro, Edwardian, or even modern-day.

The main thing to remember is that antique jewellery must be at least 100 years old, that vintage pieces refer to a certain era, but most importantly, that they can all be estate jewellery!

When buying estate jewellery, how can you tell if an item is genuine?

Unless you are a serious collector, work in the field, or are a qualified gemmologist, it will be exceptionally difficult for you to determine the authenticity of a piece of jewellery. It’s easy for those in the know because they know exactly what to look for in the line of workmanship, quality of the material, signatures, and so forth. Unfortunately, as with most things in life, there are also those untrustworthy individuals dealing in so-called estate jewellery, who will happily charge you a fortune for a piece of jewellery that is not genuine.

Factors that indicate the authenticity of estate jewellery include:

·       the quality of the materials used to make the piece

·       the specifics of the design and workmanship

·       the rarity of the piece.

There are several places on the market where incredible, one-of-a-kind estate jewellery can be bought, including:

·       major auction houses

·       reputable, trustworthy private dealers

·       well-known online sources

·       retailers that specialise in estate jewellery

No matter where, or who you buy from, the seller must be willing to provide detailed information about the piece and give you a guarantee regarding its authenticity and price.

Is it a good idea to buy estate jewellery as an investment?

Although many people believe that they should buy estate jewellery as an investment, several experts disagree. According to them, the piece you buy should be something that you love, that will give you an enormous amount of pleasure every time you wear it. If at some point in the future, you decide to sell the piece and are fortunate to make a profit through the sale, then that will be an unforeseen bonus for you. 

 

How can you make sure that a seller is trustworthy and won’t rip you off?

It’s easy if you’re dealing with well-known jewellery houses such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Harry Winston, Tiffany & Co., David Webb, and Bulgari, who have outstanding reputations. However, it is vital to do some research if you’re dealing with sellers in the secondary market. Go on the Internet and check what the experiences of other people have been like with various dealers, auction houses, and so forth. Referrals from family and friends too, will make it easier for you to find trustworthy sellers of estate jewellery.

Is it essential for an estate piece to have a famous name behind it to make it valuable?

Although well-known and famous names are important and do undoubtedly affect the value of a piece, it is not always essential. There is the assumption that because the piece has a famous name behind it, the craftsmanship and quality are exceptional. However, there are many stunning pieces that are not always signed. This is because many great jewellery houses in those days, had small specialty shops making jewellery for them, and for some reason, had pieces going into their inventory without the retailer’s signature.

Experienced jewellers can frequently tell who the maker of a piece is, simply because of the style, quality, design, and specific stones used in the piece. The price of a piece can be affected if there is no signature present, but they can still have enormous value simply because of their gemmological value and aesthetic appeal.

How is estate jewellery priced and how do I know that it is a reasonable price?

There is a science and art to pricing estate jewellery so there are several factors that must be taken into consideration, one of the most important being the material. First and foremost, is whether the piece is costume or fine, and if fine, how is the quality of the stones and/or the material, the manufacture and design, and the workmanship?

The condition of the piece is also taken into consideration, as well as its origin. All these factors are combined, and the experts then compare this information to other similar pieces and how they are priced with competitors or the prices they have achieved at auctions.

Reputable dealers also monitor the results of sales at Sotheby’s and Christie's, to make sure that they offer their estate jewellery at fair prices.

How can I be sure that buying estate jewellery online is safe and effective?

Many people prefer shopping for estate jewellery from online sources, rather than a traditional jewellery shop. They find it way more comfortable than walking into a traditional store and be approached by an overeager salesperson wearing white gloves, who then shows them pieces one by one, but with details and prices hidden from view.

Online sources, however, usually want consumers to know as much as possible, so they provide as much information, to make their shopping experience as easy and comfortable as possible. Apart from the detailed description and gemmological details, online sources also provide carat weights, condition of the piece, manufacture dates, as well as any relevant GIA certification.

Most reputable online sources provide clear and detailed photographs of the jewellery they are offering. Some even take it a step further, by posting videos of models wearing the pieces, so clients can see the fit, look, and sparkle of the piece.

A reputable online source will also guarantee the piece you are interested in buying, and in the rare event that you are not satisfied with the piece, be quite happy for you to return the piece and get your money back.

What should I do to my Estate Jewellery before I start wearing it?

You should not have to do anything before wearing the estate jewellery you have bought, because any reputable dealer or auction house would already have checked and cleaned it in readiness to be worn. However, it is a good idea to check that clasps are secure and shake the piece gently next to your ear, to hear if any gems are loose. If you feel that the piece could do with a good clean, then get a good reputable jeweller to do a professional job for you. Otherwise, all jewellery is made sturdy and long-lasting, and if they are estate pieces, they actually improve over the years! 

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