My partner Beverly Markland of Clayton Antiques, will be set up all weekend (March 29-30, 2008) at the Atlantique City Antique Show. If you are headed there, please stop by and say hello and see lots of our jewels in person!
I was searching the internet this morning looking for interesting articles to post in this blog and found this good basic outline on how to buy antique jewelry. If you are buying expensive pieces for your collection or for resale - it is important to know exactly what you are investing in!
At PerfectJewels.net we have a 100% satisfaction guarantee on every piece of jewelry we sell. Our descriptions are certified to be accurate - we want our customers to be thrilled with the items they buy from us and to become happy, repeat customers! Whether you are a first time buyer or an experienced antique jewelry shopper, we guarantee your buying experience with us to be personal, fun, safe and uncomplicated.
Buying Antique Jewelry Guide
By Jared Adams
Buying antique jewelry can be a great way to obtain high-quality stones and pieces that are dazzling, rare and hard-to-find in contemporary retailers. You can also find great deals, though buyers should be wary of any deal that seems too good to be true.
In this article, we'll cover the basics on how to protect yourself when purchasing antique jewelry and what to look for in a good piece. So, if you want to learn more about antique jewelry shopping, keep reading.
So, is it antique or vintage?
There's actually a distinction between vintage pieces and antique pieces. Typically, a vintage piece of jewelry may be about 30 to 70 years old, while an antique piece could be hundreds or thousands of years old (in which case it should be in a museum).
What are the most popular antique jewelry pieces?
Most dealers offer a range of antique pieces, but collectors tend to prize pieces from the Victorian era and the Art Deco period of the early twentieth century. Jewelry from the Victorian period (1837-1901) tends to exude grace and history, while still exhibiting modern craftsmanship and quality. Pieces from earlier periods tend to be cruder and the stones of a lower grade, which is why jewelry collectors focus on the Victorian age.
Meanwhile, the antique jewelry from the Art Deco design era (1920-1930) attracts a lot of attention thanks to its unique shapes and overall style. Because of the industrial aesthetic, these pieces are distinct and highly valued amongst collectors.
What about modern "antiques?" What are they?
Because these styles are so popular, many jewelers are carrying pieces that look like antiques, but are actually made today. They're not original Victorian brooches or Art Deco bracelets, but they're made to look like it. These can be a great option for someone who wants the wearability and durability of a modern piece, but the look and style of an antique.
If I'm buying an antique, how can I be sure it's real?
Always get every aspect of the piece in writing from the retailer, including the stone carats and quality. Then, have the piece appraised by an independent appraiser. If it doesn't match the description given to you by the retailer, return the item for a full refund or ask to renegotiate the purchase price.
To prevent potential fraud or misrepresentation problems, always deal with reputable and respected dealers who offer a clear and easy-to-understand return policy.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jared_Adams
I thought I would occassionally share photos of some of my favorite antique jewelry pieces that we have sold. Some of these were really hard to let go of, but I know they have found good homes.
This is a Georgian era enameled mourning brooch framed in gold. It is just exquisite - done in beautiful, soft blues, greens and pinks. The scene depicted is so sad - a pair of doves, one dead on the ground, the other looking down from a tree branch. The banner above reads "Je pleure sa mort" - French for "I mourn his death". It is especially poignant because doves mate for life.
Death was all too common in the 19th century, and mourning jewelry will be the topic for a later blog.
One of the things I really enjoy about the antique jewelry business is researching some of the pieces we get. Whether it is a mark I have not seen before, an unusual design or motif or a piece that has been personalized, I always try to find out as much as I can about each item and sometimes it is just fascinating! Our latest update contains just such a piece - a wonderful antique signed Tiffany & Co. 14K gold locket, engraved with the name "Margaret Lynch Conger", as a well as the monogram "CRC" and a series of dates August 3, 1867, Jan.1, 1872 and Oct. 4th, 1876. It also holds a curled lock of chestnut hair under a crystal.
So – who was Margaret Lynch Conger? I Google’d the name and really only came up with two possibles – in the first result, the name shows up in historical papers held by the New York Public Library. A Margaret Lynch Conger was the daughter-in-law of Abraham Bogart Conger (1814-1887), who evidently had quite the history and was, in addition to other things, a New York state senator. She was married to his son, Clarence R. Conger, which would fit the CRC monogram. It is an interesting read, and can be found HERE.
The other hit is for an author by the same name, her bibliography can be found HERE.
I don’t think this is the same person, because I also found an obituary for the first one dated Friday, March 29, 1912, making it unlikely to be the author, as two of the books listed are from the 1920’s. Maybe her daughter? So then I Google’d Margaret L. Conger – and SHE was a suffragette from Albany, according to a story HERE in the New York Times archives. She also showed up in the 1930 New York Blue Book, as did a Clarence C. Conger the Third, but at separate addresses, so maybe that was her brother? So there you go, probably more information than you wanted to know, but I always find it fascinating when I can at least attempt to find the provenance of a piece!
Here are some pictures of the locket in question -
