Early indicators point to the antique costume jewelry business being one of the fastest-growing industry segments. Both male and female public figures in the entertainment and political industries often wear exquisite pieces of vintage jewelry. It is now easier than ever to find high-quality, pre-owned vintage costume jewelry at any price point. Collectors may find a wide variety of high-quality vintage costume jewelry at any one of the many multi-vendor antique and vintage markets, auctions, festivals, and, of course, online listings.
Antique costume jewelry collection should be a fulfilling hobby with plenty of opportunities for fun and excitement. However, for novice collectors, the process is often more of a challenge than a thrill. There are a few things you should think about before making your first purchase. Both market-found bargains and expensive designer creations need the same careful thought.
Keep in mind that many items of vintage costume jewelry will display evident signs of wear and tear owing to their age before you go out and buy your first piece. Wear and tear is to be expected and accepted, but damage of any kind is not.
It’s easy to fall in love with a piece of jewelry just because it’s sitting in a showcase, without giving any thought to the chance that it may have flaws. Knowledge of what qualities to look for will be the single most important factor in your decision-making process leading up to this purchase.
Don’t be shy about asking for further information or clarification.
The first step in becoming a self-assured collector of antique costume jewelry is developing a trustworthy connection with a dealer in whom you have confidence and admiration. So, make sure the person you’re buying from knows what they’re selling by engaging in conversation and asking pertinent questions.
Choosing the Right Vendor
A reliable vendor should have no problem telling you how old an item is, what materials were used, how it was put together, and who the manufacturer or designer was.
A dealer who says, “It’s blue glass in a metal setting,” in response to a customer’s inquiry regarding the item’s construction components is not the sort of person you want to do business with. You should say something like, “The stones are Austrian crystal, the setting is rhodium plate, and the time period in question is the 1940s” in answer. If you’re just starting out as a collector, you may not know all the ins and outs of what goes into establishing a fair price. When you’re shopping for an item, it’s important that the seller knows the going rate, since if they don’t, they’ll likely try to charge you more than you’re willing to pay.
A reputable and trustworthy dealer will have extensive knowledge of the items they provide and will be happy to share that knowledge with potential customers.
Once you’ve found a dealer you can trust, you can focus on the nuts and bolts of jewelry collecting rather than worrying about who to trust.
Examination of the Quality
Like the manufacturing of any other lasting good, the creation of costume jewelry has lasted aeons and included many manufacturers. This suggests that there is a wide variety in quality not just among the companies that produced them but also among the suppliers used by those businesses.
