How To Spot That Authentic Antique Jewelry: 3 Tips That Work

Antiquing refers to the pastime of finding the most treasured items in an unexpected place. Among them, those who hunt for antique jewelry are especially known for their knack for spotting unexpected gems. Such people will go to lengths to hide their favorite hunting spots or tactics to find the best deals from an antique and vintage jewelry store. If you are new to this pastime, here are 3 tips that really work.

Look At The Jewelry Thoroughly

When going through an antique jewelry hunt, don’t give a cursory look at the piece. Make sure you check the item thoroughly before you start talking to the seller. The most important thing about such a piece is the expert finish and there will be signs of wear and tear in it if it is authentic. So, use a loupe to check at the prongs, findings, and the stamps. If the jewelry has gems, make sure there are no cracks in it. The same goes for enamel jewelry as such defects are hard to repair. Also, try out the jewelry to see if it sits properly and is comfortable to wear. If not, but you still like it, then you can bargain at that point with the seller.

Antique Jewelry Should Look “Old”

When you are looking at antique or vintage jewelry, it is given that it will look “old”. If the seller claims it is antique and yet there is no sign of wear, then that probably is not as old as claimed. As for people faking it, it is best to look at prongs, as suggested in the previous point. Old jewelry will have prongs that will have signs of wear. Another great way to judge is by trying to see the weight and size of the piece. Generally, antique jewelry is often small and lighter in size because people had smaller stature. For example, cuffs will be smaller than now as people were thinner. However, rings were often heavier than now as they were worn over heavy gloves.

Buy Only When You Like A Piece As said before, antiquing is often a passion and hobby with people and if you are into buying antique jewelry, don’t buy just for buying sake. The seller at your antique and vintage jewelry store will hype up about his or her pieces; but if you don’t like it personally, don’t buy it even when it comes with a great deal. You will then not use it, and if you plan to sell it, how can you show enthusiasm about it to the seller when you don’t like it yourself!