How To Value Jewelry: Is It Valuable or Is It Costume Jew... (2024)

FAQs

How To Value Jewelry: Is It Valuable or Is It Costume Jew...? ›

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While costume jewellery isn't valued the same and might not share the same intrinsic value as traditional fine jewellery, fashion pieces can still be sold for a cash injection. This could mean that any art nouveau, vintage rhinestone, art deco pieces or rare glass items you have at home could be worth something!

If you've inherited potentially valuable jewelry, one of your priorities should be having it appraised. To find an appraiser, contact one or more of the significant associations that require their members to meet specific standards and adhere to a code of ethics.

Fine jewellery has a story, a reputation, a crafter, and love behind it. It's been created by a master jeweller and designed to be kept for generations to come. Costume jewellery is made en-masse to satisfy a trend or complement an outfit. It's often made from cheaper, synthetic materials such as cubic zirconia.

Unfortunately, costume jewelry or pieces made from cheaper base metals are not usually valuable. So while these can be recycled and melted down into new pieces, jewelers may not take them, as they are not worth much. However, your local municipal recycler may actually accept them!

One such piece to look for is Art Deco jewelry from the 1920s or 1930s. “Pieces from this era, especially those with geometrical designs and vibrant gemstones, can fetch high prices,” said Claver. “For example, an authentic Art Deco diamond bracelet might sell for several thousand dollars.”

In jewellery trade terms, 'vintage' describes a piece that was made between 50 and 100 years ago. So at the time of writing, all jewellery produced between 1920 and 1970 is technically 'vintage'. From the AJC collections, our Art Deco, Retro and Mid-Century jewellery all falls under the vintage bracket.

A certified appraiser will be able to provide the value of the piece as well. Of course, buying pieces from a reputable jeweler is one way to ensure quality, high-end pieces.

How to appraise jewelry yourself? ›

Examine the Construction. How a piece is made is the ultimate sign of value and quality. Look for clear details, well-decorated elements, sharp lines, crisp figures, even prongs, strong settings, sparkling faux stones, glass, or other high-end materials to value costume jewelry.

We're here to fill you in on a little trade secret: costume jewelry actually has resale value, as long as the seller knows how to identify the right pieces. Now, like anything in the fashion industry, styles come and go. The same is true for costume jewelry.

Gold plated - Lowest price jewelry is always made from a base metal or brass and then the manufacturer usually puts one or two coats of plating over it. The flash of the plating actually has very little gold in it.

Examine the Construction. How a piece is made is the ultimate sign of value and quality. Look for clear details, well-decorated elements, sharp lines, crisp figures, even prongs, strong settings, sparkling faux stones, glass, or other high-end materials to value costume jewelry.

Vintage pieces may show slight signs of tarnish, scratches, or fading, which can add to their charm and authenticity. Style and Design Elements: Pay attention to the overall style and design elements of the jewelry. Look for specific motifs, patterns, and shapes that are indicative of certain eras or designers.

For a piece of jewelry to be considered antique, it must be at least 100 years old, whereas anything over 40 years old is considered vintage. Antique- and vintage-style reproductions merely take inspiration from the silhouettes, colors, and materials of jewelry pieces from bygone years.