Here's What You Need To Know Before You Sell Vintage Jewelry

Have you been toying with the idea of selling your vintage jewelry collection? You may unknowingly have a goldmine in your jewelry box and if you’re looking for some extra money — it might be a great option for you.

I was tempted to sell jewelry I’ve had for years to earn a little cash but I was concerned about getting “ripped off”.

That was until I did some digging around and after sorting through all of the information I could find, I’m sharing the 4 things I learned that you need to know before you sell vintage jewelry.

#1 – The Difference Between Vintage & Antique Jewelry

The confusion largely lies in the fact that there are alternate definitions for each term and that there are many pieces of rare jewelry that could easily fall into either category if not for a few years’ difference in age.

For a piece of fine jewelry to be considered vintage, it has to be at least 20 to 30 years old, so anything from the 1980’s and earlier.

Antique jewelry is any piece of jewelry that is about 100 years old or older. Many pieces from the 1920’s are now considered antique, especially those made in the earlier part of the decade.

So, now that you know the difference, how do you know the value of your vintage jewelry? Get it appraised!

#2 – How To Appraise Your Collection

A jewelry collection should be appraised for many reasons.

If your collection is vintage and includes rare pieces from highly revered designers or eras, it could be far more valuable than you think.

An experienced appraiser can provide you with a detailed appraisal of your collection and each piece in it. You’ll learn which pieces are most valuable and which items are not.

You’ll be able to ask questions about the pieces that have puzzled you or about any other concern you may have before you sell.

TIP: Here’s how to find a certified jewelry appraiser in your area

#3 – The Best Place To Sell Vintage Jewelry

Even with an appraisal, it’s a good idea to conduct some research of your own before settling on a price.

Here are some questions you need to ask before considering how to sell vintage jewelry:

What is the going market value for precious metals?
Where is the best place to sell your jewelry?
Should you sell some items separately rather than the entire collection to one buyer?
Is going through a professional auction house is ideal for you?

By answering these questions and doing the research you’re going to be more successful. You’ll find information about appraisers as well as where to sell vintage jewelry.

I make a habit of reading reviews online — especially when I’m considering using a new service. When researching where and how to sell your vintage collection be sure to read the reviews.

You may find that selling each piece yourself on auction sites like eBay provides you with the best opportunity to make a great deal or you may consider sites like I Do Now I Don’t.

#4 – How to Market Your Vintage Jewelry

Once you decide where to sell your jewelry, you’ll need to carefully photograph and document each piece, particularly if you are selling your jewels yourself.

If you go through an auction house (a company that runs auctions), they’ll provide photographing services, but auction-related fees can be quite costly. You’ll also want to be sure to properly clean and shine your pieces.

TIP: If you sell vintage jewelry on an online auction site, you have the option to set a reserve price for your collection or each jewel you sell.

Whether you list your item on eBay or consign it to an antique dealer who sells online, you’ll want to market the piece as best as you can.

Here are 3 things you need to do when marketing your jewelry piece or collection:

Be detailed about its construction.
Describe it’s condition.
Provide information given to you by the appraiser.

Buyers will want to have as much information about the jewel in question as possible in order to make a purchase decision.

Selling your jewelry can be lucrative, but it’s important to take all necessary steps to achieve a good sale.

Certainly, you may wish to consider how much you’ve invested in the collection in order to make a profit when it comes to sale time.

More Resources For Selling Vintage Jewelry

In addition to the links I’ve included above, here are some additional resources to help you sell your vintage jewelry collection:

About Aimee

I'm a health nut, a frugal mom, a dog lover, a DIYer, and a gadget girl. Personally, as a post-divorce, working single mom on a budget I have a lot of experiences that I enjoy sharing so others can learn from the things I wish I knew earlier! Professionally, I've worked full-time in a variety of marketing, sales, and editing jobs. You can always find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as Managing Editor at The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites).

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