Showing posts with label Antique. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Antique. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Antique Jewelry Appraisal

Antique Jewelry Appraisal

Getting that jewelry appraisal for your antique earrings and other jewelries is very important for most smart collectors. Somehow it would seem like an antique appraiser provides that benefit equivalent to an antique certification to antique owners.

When an antique buyer go to a jewelry shop, he would usually get verbal assurance that a certain jewelry is indeed antique along with a lot of other stories to tell; however, beyond that verbal confirmation from an antique seller, how can he really tell that he's buying a fake antique?

Besides wanting confirmation that a piece of jewelry bought is antique, the following are the usual reasons for hiring an antique appraiser:
  • To learn about the age of the antique bought.
  • To learn about the antique's worth.
  • To have official documentation and ownership.
  • Your insurance premium depends on how much the antique jewelry is appraised. Somehow, you won't get that true appraisal value through verbal appraisal.

For you to reap the benefits of an antique jewelry appraisal, you have to make sure that you are hiring a reputable antique appraiser. Make sure that the appraiser is a member of the American Society of Appraisers or the International Society of Appraisers.

Buying Wholesale Antique Jewelry

Antique jewelry is typically very valuable, and purchasing such jewelry costs quite a bit of money. But then again, it is possible to buy antique jewelry wholesale as well - if you know where to look.

There are other ways to find antique jewelry at wholesale prices - or below.

Keep an eye on your newspaper for advertised estate sales and garage sales. You can literally purchase hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of antique jewelry for just a few dollars on a typical Saturday morning.

If the piece is valuable, you don't want the seller to know how valuable it is!

Even if the piece isn't worth anything, if you make jewelry, you may be able to disassemble it for the parts.

Finding antique jewelry appraisal wholesale is very exciting. In fact, spending those Saturday mornings at the yard sales and estate sales may even become addicting! Yard sales and estate sales - especially estate sales where grandchildren are not interested in their grandma's old ugly jewelry are the best sources for antique jewelry at wholesale prices - or below wholesale prices.

Keep an eye on the jewelry categories, as well as the antique or vintage categories. If the piece is very expensive, use the escrow service that is recommended by eBay.

Antique Jewelry Insurance

Antique Jewelry or old fashioned jewelry as it is often referred to is jewelry that is of a certain age usually over 70 years old.

If you are lucky enough to have been handed down or have purchased a piece of antique jewelry whether it is a necklace, ring or broach it is strongly recommended that you insure your treasured piece.

You may assume that your jewelry is covered by your home insurance however this is not always the case, quite often your home insurance will cover you if your piece of antique jewelry is stolen but it may not cover you is the is lost or damaged.

Although you will never be able to replace the sentimental value of a piece of antique jewelry it may easy your mind if you can at least replace the item should it be lost.

It is wise to read you insurance policy very carefully or contact your insurance company to ask if you are covered for this type of event.

If you current insurance policy does not cover you fully for your antique jewelry then you may be able take out additional cover however it important to know and understand the cover you are going to be paying for.

Quite often your insurance company will ask for an appraisal before they allow you to take out the insurance to cover your antique jewelry. Check if this is something you can arrange yourself or if it is something your insurance company will need to arrange.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Mexican Silver Jewelry

Mexican Silver Jewelry

Some jewelry styles are timeless and Mexican silver jewelry is one of them.

Today silver Mexican made jewelry is enjoying a revival due to the stunning and innovative designs. Today silver jewelry is one of Mexico's biggest exports.

Mexican silver jewelry designs are influenced by many things.

Mexican jewelry is unique and timeless - a good investment or great for gifts!

If you can't make it to Mexico, you can buy Mexican silver jewelry online.

Tips to Buy Mexican Silver Jewelry

Mexico is one of the countries rich in silver deposits. The Mexican silver jewelry tells a lot about the religion and mindset of Mexican people.

Mexican jewelry is rich in colors and is characterized by the expert craftsmanship.

If somebody will have a look at vintage Mexican jewelry he can see an eagle assay mark.

In earlier days silver was called fine silver jewelry owing to the fact that it was 100% pure. In order to overcome these drawbacks, sterling silver was produced.

Sterling is 925 pure silver mixed with other metals such as copper and zinc.

Usually silversmiths and professional jewelers alone are responsible for making fine silver jewelry.

On the other hand sterling, a popular silver mixture called an alloy can be used to make exciting silver jewelry. The minimum silver content is stated as 925 parts per thousand of pure silver. To mark silver content in sterling silver, the figures 925 or 92.5 is used.

There are certain tips to be followed by importers to buy sterling silver jewelry. The FTC, US Federal Trade Commission has made it mandatory that jewelry sold in the US cannot be marked as silver, solid silver, sterling silver or any other abbreviation unless it contains at least 92.5 percent pure silver.

A jewelry stamped with 'ster', 'sterling' or '925' is an indication that it is 925/1,000ths pure silver.

Silver jewelry is enjoying much popularity these days.

Check out my other guide on selling gold jewelry


Friday, October 15, 2010

Antique Jewelry Boxes

Antique Jewelry Boxes


How to Find Antique Jewelry Boxes For Jewelry Collection?
Handicraft Jewelry Boxs
Handicraft Jewelry Watch Box 6 Compartments (Black)

If you are one of the many people fascinated by antiques, you may want to think about finding an antique jewelry boxes to house your jewelry collection. Just because a jewelry box is antique doesn't necessarily mean it will cost an arm and a leg.

Online Auctions

There are many online auction sites that offer many unique things like antique jewelry boxes. Many have extremely reasonable opening bids.

If you think the price is reasonable, go ahead and bid. Be sure and bid what you think the jewelry box is worth.

At the same time, don't bid more than you think the item is worth or that you can afford.

Flea Markets

Many vendors will slash their prices. Take the time to look closely at all the items, and if you are not finding the antique jewelry boxes you long for, ask some of the vendors with similar items if they have any that they haven't unpacked yet.

Antique jewelry boxes, Caskets, Trinket Boxes

Throughout history, jewelry boxes were constructed and designed by craftsmen, one box at a time.

Jewel boxes were available in all sizes, from the smallest ring box to handkerchief and even glove sized boxes.
Jewel Cases, caskets, and trinket boxes were classified as Art Metal Wares, and were plated in gold, silver, copper or ivory. The most common base metals for jewel boxes were actually spelter or antimonial lead.

Most jewel boxes were first electroplated with copper, then finished with gold or silver. Enamel finished boxes were more lasting than gold or silver boxes.

Some boxes were lined with velvet in brighter colors. All was reflected in Jewel Boxes.

Most today associate Art Nouveau with graceful nymph-like young women, but floral motifs held a major place in the American Nouveau jewelry box world.

There were several American Art Metal manufacturers that designed and produced jewel boxes.

Gold and silver finished boxes were the most common. Also rare are souvenir jewel boxes with commemorative ceramic or photo discs. The ivory finished boxes, though somewhat later in development, remain elusive.