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What is Estate Jewelry?
Estate Jewelry is just a fancy way of saying it’s pre-loved. The terms Antique, Vintage and Estate are rather common in the world of jewelry, yet the three are confused and misused quite often. Below is a definition of each type of jewelry along with some of the misconceptions within the industry.
Estate Jewelry: Jewelry is considered “Estate” if the piece of jewelry in question had a previous owner. However, contrary to common belief—the previous owner of a piece of estate jewelry may often be alive. One may choose to sell their jewelry for a multitude of individual reasons. Another common misconception in the world of estate jewelry—age has nothing to do with whether or not a piece of jewelry is classified as “Estate”. Although many estate pieces on the market today may be 50, 100, even 150+ years old, age is not a determining factor when it comes to classifying estate jewelry.
Antique Jewelry: A piece of jewelry is considered “Antique” if it is over 100 years old. It is considered to be crafted to a superior level compared to modern pieces found on the market today. However, due to the scarcity and sheer age of antique jewelry by the time it can be classified as “antique”, it is often too valuable to be worn or at times even displayed.
Vintage Jewelry: On the other hand, a piece of jewelry is considered “vintage” if it is between 50 years old and 100 years old. Unlike antique jewelry, vintage pieces are often worn and displayed, as they are less likely to break. Vintage jewelry designs are also easier to incorporate into modern fashion trends to make unique statements and add some extra flair to any outfit.
Why Purchase Estate Jewelry?
Estate jewelry offers a large variety of styles to fit any personality and any budget. Savvy fashionistas know that estate jewelry can be a blessing for anyone lookin for a fabulous deal, great opportunity to purchase a Rolex, fine Swiss watch or piece of jewelry they otherwise couldn’t or wouldn’t purchase. Below are the top five reasons to buy estate:
- Estate jewelry is pre-owned and because of this, it is often sold at a deeply discounted price.
- Unlike other products, jewelry has a durability which makes it a lasting investment. Though minor repairs might be necessary over time, the precious metals and gemstones that form fine pieces of jewelry can last throughout a lifetime.
- The category of “estate” jewelry spans pieces made over the course of multiple centuries. Basically, anything pre-owned qualifies as estate. Collectors of vintage or antique items will find truly special pieces that are both wearable and fascinating as mementos from bygone years.
- Every single item of estate jewelry has a special history and provenance. Whether the piece belonged to a famous star or not, there is a history and depth to estate jewelry that brand new items do not have. Vintage pieces are often engraved with romantic messages that capture a moment of love that has been lost to time and when you wear one of these pre-owned items, you are becoming a part of a larger history.
- Vintage and antique items tend to feature very good quality and an attention to detail that is missing in many of the mass-manufactured items available in retail today. Painstaking workmanship and intricate design work mean that each piece of jewelry is a unique object of art indicative of both a specific aesthetic and the artist whose hands crafted the item. Rather than the dime-a-dozen designs that crowd the market, estate jewelry is as special and singular as its owner.
So, whether you’re looking to start a Retro collection, own a piece of history from the Victorian era or just find that perfect Cartier Panther you’ve been dreaming of, estate jewelry is the ideal way to improve your jewelry box – without breaking the bank.