Buying and Collecting Fine Vintage Jewelry
When buying vintage jewelry be sure to pay attention to the seller's description of the condition of the piece. The more detail the seller provides, the better. And the same is true with photographs of the item. A reputable seller will also be happy to answer your questions in detail. Be sure the seller's return policy is clearly explained. If possible, pay for your jewelry with a credit (not debit) card or Paypal or another form of payment that offers excellent buyer protection.
Typically, the condition of a piece of jewelry might be described using one of the following terms:
Mint: no flaws or wear, as new, and has original packaging or tags
Near Mint: like mint, but without original packaging or tags
Excellent: has been worn or handled and has no flaws, very close to near mint condition
Very Good: has been worn or handled and may have minor noted flaws (should be noted in the description)
Good: has general overall wear, any flaws are noted, and is wearable as purchase or is repairable
Fair: Overall wear is noted, as are flaws. With care or with repair will be useable
Poor: damaged and in need of serious repair and/or parts
The following information is available for free and can help you as you learn about buying and/or collecting fine vintage jewelry:
About Diamonds is a good place to learn the basics of diamonds, everything from how diamonds are formed to the way they are cut and sold.
Hallmarks on Gold, Silver and Platinum from the British Hallmarking Council (free PDF download; viewing requires Adobe Acrobat Reader))
Victorian Cameos by Monica Lynn Clements, New England Antiques Journal
What You Should Know About Karat Gold Jewelry - brochure published by Jewelers of America (free PDF download, viewing requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
