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Antique or Vintage? Know The Difference When You Sell Estate Jewelry Online

Over time, terms which once had very specific definitions often become used interchangeably, particularly when those terms can have very different meanings in different contexts. For example, a 1970 Mustang is considered an antique car. A radio from 1970 is just an old radio (or more likely, just trash).

In the jewelry world, terms like antique and vintage aren’t throwaway words. They are used to define pieces from carefully-defined time periods. However, many people use the words to describe jewelry generically; that can be a big problem when you’re dealing with estate jewelry – another phrase which also has a specific definition.

For now, let’s just say that you have some “old jewelry” that you want to sell. Here’s an easy guide on categorizing it properly before trying to find a buyer, followed by a look at how you can sell estate jewelry online (oops, we mean sell old jewelry online) and make the most money from it.

Defining “Old” Jewelry

So you have some old jewelry. Maybe your great-aunt Gertrude left it to you, perhaps it’s stuff you’ve been accumulating for years but don’t wear anymore, or it could be valuable jewelry you received as a gift or found at an antique shop. In any case, you’re interested in finding out what it would be worth if you sold it. Here’s how to classify it, so you can tell a potential buyer what you’ve got.

• Estate Jewelry: This is a commonly-used phrase, and most people think it means jewelry which has been inherited from a deceased person’s estate. That’s where the term originated, but it is now simply used to define pieces which have been previously owned, no matter where they came from; another common term for this jewelry is “second-hand.” However, when most in the industry talk about estate jewelry, they’re not talking about old necklaces from the mall or tiny diamond earrings, even if they’re second-hand. The term “estate” is primarily used to describe previously-owned jewelry which has significant value, often because it is vintage or antique.
• Vintage Jewelry: Generally speaking, this is jewelry that is at least 25 years old. (Some define the time period as 20 years, some define it as 30 years.) Again, we’re talking about fine jewelry and not a small ruby ring from Sears; but if you’ve just celebrated your 50th wedding anniversary and have a beautiful diamond engagement ring – congratulations! You own a vintage piece!
• Antique Jewelry: This is jewelry which holds definite value and is at least 100 years old. Fine antique jewelry is very much in demand, with pieces from several well-defined periods worth a lot of money. Some of the most sought-after and magnificent antique pieces are Victorian jewelry (from around 1830–1900), and both Art Nouveau and Edwardian jewelry (from around 1900-1915). Vintage pieces of stylized Art Deco jewelry (1915-1935) and some bold Retro jewelry (1945-1960) also can bring high prices.

When you sell estate jewelry online, always use the most desirable term to describe your pieces. For example, an elaborate Edwardian pendant featuring diamonds and rubies is certainly both estate jewelry and vintage jewelry, but it’s also antique jewelry and that’s how it should be described – in the same way that you would describe your brand-new state-of-the-art television as a “3D TV” and not simply as a “big screen TV ” or just “a TV.”

Why Sell Estate Jewelry Online?

In a way, it may seem counter-intuitive to sell estate jewelry online; your first thought might be to find a local expert to appraise and buy your estate diamonds or vintage jewelry. There are two reasons, though, why that’s not usually the best approach.

First, true experts on antique, vintage and estate jewelry are hard to find. A jeweler, and certainly an experienced antique dealer, may recognize that a piece has worth. That doesn’t mean they’ll have the expertise to properly evaluate Edwardian necklaces, Art Deco rings or valuable, old mine cut diamonds, and assign them their true value. You may end up with an appraisal well below the true market value of the jewelry.

Second, people who buy estate jewelry don’t base their offers solely on the value of a piece. They also have to consider how easy it will be for them to sell the jewelry, since it doesn’t make business sense to pay a lot of money for something which might just sit in their display case for several years.

The best way to find expert appraisers who can do justice to your vintage or antique jewelry and diamonds, and the best way to get top dollar for your pieces, is to sell your estate jewelry online. The appraisers will have plenty of experience handling and valuing old and valuable pieces, and the companies offering to buy your jewelry will have clients waiting to purchase it. It’s a win-win for everyone.

Why Dimorras Is The Right Choice

A lot of companies have sprung up over the last few years, promising to buy estate jewelry for big money. Some are reputable, many are not.

When you’re going to trust an online estate jewelry buyer with your prized possessions, what’s most important are the qualifications, reputation and clientele of the company you choose. We believe you’ll find that Dimorras is the right choice.

Our knowledgeable staff located throughout the world has nearly half-a-century of combined experience evaluating and appraising antique, vintage and estate pieces. Victorian and Edwardian jewelry isn’t foreign to us; in fact, we deal with it regularly, so we can value those exquisite pieces with total confidence. We won’t be stumped when appraising an Art Deco ring or old European cut diamonds – we’ll know exactly what they are and what they’re worth. We’re proud of our staff’s qualifications, abilities and reputation.

And as the recognized #1 buyer of estate jewelry in the world, we have a clientele just waiting to purchase the special pieces that we acquire. That allows us to offer you the highest prices available anywhere when you sell your estate jewelry online to us.

We make the process of selling your estate jewelry as easy as possible. Just call us or fill out our online form with all the details of your collection (including photos, if you have them) and we’ll be back to you within one day with a preliminary estimate. We’ll then pay to have your jewelry insured and shipped so we can do a full appraisal, get the information and an offer to you quickly, and if it meets your approval you’ll have cash in your hands immediately.

Now that you know the difference between antique, vintage and estate jewelry, and you know that Dimorras is the most trusted buyer of estate diamonds and jewelry – paying the highest prices anywhere – the rest is up to you. We want to buy your estate jewelry, your old mine cut and European cut diamonds, and especially your vintage and antique pieces. And we’ll pay more than anyone else for them. Contact us today to get started.