What is Estate Jewelry?

The term “estate jewelry” is more commonly used by jewelers, antique dealers, and auctioneers than among consumers. You have to admit it sounds much nicer than secondhand jewelry which is what estate jewelry is.

It is easy to assume that estate jewelry is something passed down, inherited, or left in a will because that is the most common usage of the word estate, but in this case, there is no connection at all.

The term covers all previously owned jewelry and by its very nature, it is usually antique or vintage. It doesn’t however preclude modern jewelry. the secondhand market covers any piece of jewelry regardless of age if it has been pre-owned.

The idea of estate jewelry is very attractive. It is the opportunity to acquire pieces that are very different from current and trendy items on sale. If you are thinking of acquiring estate jewelry it pays to understand the terms associated with it - antique and vintage.

What is Antique Jewelry?

The terms antique, vintage, and retro are not strictly interchangeable. Of all, antique has the tightest meaning. Anything described as antique must be at least 100 years old.

This means that a piece of estate jewelry made in historical periods like the Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian eras and aesthetic periods like the art nouveau era and the arts and crafts movement are all going to be classed as antique.

One of the most popular eras for jewelry design is the art deco period. At this time (2022), some art deco jewelry is antique while others are not. The art deco era stretched from the 1920s into the late 1930s so anything art deco made before 1922 is antique but anything after is going to be considered vintage.

What is Vintage Jewelry?

Vintage simply means old. However, it is generally accepted that for something to be able to be described as a vintage piece, it should be at least 20 years old. On this premise, therefore, something described as vintage estate jewelry is between 20 and 99 years old.

What about another term associated with age - retro? Retro doesn’t necessarily refer to something that has a previous owner - it can be brand new. Something retro refers back to a previous time, art form, trend, or lifestyle. It might be an imitation or a conscious derivative. Generally, it is used to describe the couple of decades that are 20-30 before the current decade. So in the 2020s, the 60s and 70s are retro.

Items of jewelry can be retro and vintage but not antique and retro nor antique and vintage.

The overriding thing to remember with all these definitions is that any second-hand jewelry, regardless of age, and whether the previous owner is alive or deceased is considered estate jewelry.

Reasons to Buy Estate Jewelry

You can walk into or past any jewelry store and see a fabulous array of fine jewelry, in yellow and white gold, with and without gemstones, everything from diamond rings to pearl and onyx earrings. So, why should you buy a piece of estate jewelry?

Price and value

The mere fact that a piece of estate jewelry is second-hand means it is going to be cheaper than the equivalent new piece. The gold weight and carat size in a vintage diamond engagement ring, for example, is going to be cheaper dollar for dollar in a previously owned piece.

When buying pre-owned jewelry your budget goes a bit further. Typically, when buying from reputable dealers, you can expect prices of estate jewelry to be 20 to 40 percent less than newly manufactured pieces.

More Choice in Some Items

Like anything, jewelry fashions come and go. Things that are now out of fashion are made in fewer quantities than trendy pieces so if you have your heart set on something particular, you will probably find there is a much greater choice in estate jewelry than in newly manufactured pieces.

For example, if you want a brooch to put on a lapel as a finishing touch or you want a cameo ring, you will find more in antique pieces than in modern pieces. Modern versions are available, but as they were much more fashionable in previous decades, you’ll get a lot more range and choice in pre-owned jewelry.

Exceptional Quality

If you are investing in a piece of fine jewelry, you expect quality. An antique piece in good condition is a good bet because you know it has stood the test of time. It doesn’t mean that a vintage engagement ring is better quality than a new one, but you shouldn’t have any concerns about the craftsmanship.

A Piece of History

It may be a bit romantic in these days of fast and instant satisfaction consumerism but isn’t there something a little bit magical about owning a piece of history? There’s the nostalgic element in that antique jewelry was most often handcrafted by artisans with techniques and skills that may have completely disappeared. Then there’s the sentimental element in knowing that the jewelry has a past and a story.

An Environmentally Friendly Choice

If you are concerned about the Earth’s resources, buying secondhand is always going to be the ethical choice. Every little bit goes a long way so by not buying new, you can enjoy that you are contributing to less mining, less use of resources like forests, fuel, and water, reduce pollution, and less waste.

A Statement of Personal Style

While everyone else might love to open that iconic blue Tiffany & Co box, you want something unique. You want a piece of jewelry that is a statement of your personal style more than any mass-produced piece can do. You are much more likely to find something that no one else has when you buy second-hand jewelry.

It’s always fun to browse jewelry but there’s a little bit of extra frisson if you want to buy estate jewelry. Whether you want something as a family heirloom or a conversation piece, there’s a great deal of pleasure in owning an antique piece of jewelry.

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