Five Great Reasons to Buy Antique Fine Jewelry

Five Great Reasons to Buy Antique Fine Jewelry<br /><br />Photo Victoria and Albert Museum, London<br /><br />Although it often conjures up images of diamond tiaras and watch fobs, much antique jewelry is actually quite wearable. The more delicate settings, smaller stones, and older methods of faceting rose cut, old mine cut which produce more of a subtle sparkle than a fiery flash can make a piece appropriate for even the most conservative office or the most casual of clothes. Plenty of high quality antique pieces cost less than $1,000; more serious pieces run in the mid to upper four figures. Whatever the price, an antique item is likely to be less than a comparable contemporary article. For example, an Edwardian engagement ring, with a diamond band and a 1.5 carat center stone can be had for $9,500. Try finding that at a high end jeweler, where comparable rings start around $20,000. You also get more bang for the jewelry buck: the quality and workmanship of the earlier pieces is, dollar for dollar, a better value, says Joyce Jonas, president emeritus of the American Society of Jewelry Historians and an Antiques Roadshow appraiser.<br /><br />Much of that workmanship displayed in the highly detailed designs of antique jewelry is a vanished art. In this era of mass market production, very few jewelers do hand finishing anymore. Along with the craftsmanship, many of the materials are unique too. Antique pieces contain gems and stones or materials that, due to scarcity, are almost impossible to find in modern pieces: jet, red coral, tortoiseshell, and Burmese rubies with their unique, pinkish red brightness.<br /><br />Photo Victoria and Albert Museum, London<br /><br />Older pieces cost less, yet they often worth more. With contemporary jewelry, a piece worth correlates to its break up value that is, the quality of the gemstones and amount of precious metal used. But with an antique, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Because of its rarity and craftsmanship, has a resale value a premium over its materials, says Stephen Nelson of the New York City antique jewelry and silver store Nelson Nelson. in effect, you getting more for your money when you walk out of the store with an antique piece. And, if kept in good condition, it appreciate even more over time.