Jewelry isn’t only an accessory used to tie an outfit together. Many pieces can be bought or sold at high values and are excellent investments. A piece’s value depends heavily on whether it falls under the category of vintage, estate, or antique jewelry. If you’re thinking of buying or selling pieces you own, it’s helpful to understand the differences between the three.

Estate Jewelry

Most people think of these pieces as collector’s items that can only be found at estate sales. However, this terminology refers to any article that has been previously owned.

Estate is an umbrella term that encompasses both antique and estate jewelry with no specific age or style it conforms to. If you’re buying or selling any used jewelry items, it’s likely they’re considered an estate piece, but can also be further classified by another term.

Antique Jewelry

This category is the most exclusive as pieces have to be at least 100 years old. They are often the most expensive because of their rarity and are categorized more explicitly based on the era they were created, such as the Georgian, Victorian, or Edwardian Era.

These pieces are usually made of yellow gold or platinum and are adorned with high-quality gemstones. Since they were not mass-produced, many have a rich history and are highly sought after.

Vintage Jewelry

Vintage jewelry refers to pieces that were made anywhere between 20 and 100 years ago. They come in a wide variety of styles that are specific to unique points in history. Pieces designed between 1920 and 1940 are referred to as art deco, while items dating from 1945 to 1960 are classified as retro vintage.

These pieces may have been mass-produced and are commonly found in pawn shops and consignment stores. Each item likely has a distinct aesthetic that is symbolic of the era it was created.

 

If you’re looking to buy or sell jewelry, contact the experts at Collector’s Palace Coins & Jewelry in Streetsboro, OH. As one of the premier consignment shops in the area, they have a wide selection of antique and vintage jewelry that’s continuously updated to help you find the perfect piece. They offer fair prices determined by a professional appraisal for those pieces you’re looking to part with. To speak to a representative, call (330) 626-2464 or learn more about their services online.