If you’re a lover of antique and estate horse jewelry, chances are you’ve tried your hand at being a treasure hunter. Delving deeply into flea markets, tag sales, and out of the way shops in search of that perfect piece of antique horse jewelry can be tons of fun – but be careful! It’s easy to spend tons of money on estate jewelry. You want to make sure you spend every dollar wisely. As your horse estate and antique jewelry experts, we’re sharing these buying tips with you:
Condition, Condition, Condition
Rule number one when you’re searching for estate and antique horse jewelry is check the condition. You’re looking for any defects in the appearance or the structural integrity of the piece. Missing clasps, loose links, scratched or marred surfaces, cracked or missing gemstones – all of these issues detract from the value of and your ability to enjoy the piece. Be very wary of sellers who try to assure you that having the jewelry repaired is no big deal. Reputable dealers of estate and antique horse jewelry will have the pieces repaired or restored to prime condition before they sell it.
Do Your Homework
Before you head out to buy fine Victorian horse jewelry, it helps to know what fine Victorian horse jewelry looks like! Take the time to browse collections of estate and antique horse jewelry. Look at the shape, style, and form of the jewelry from the time period you’re interested in. Familiarize yourself with the materials used to make the jewelry, the stones or gems that were in fashion, and the look and feel of the era. When you’re searching for estate and antique horse jewelry on your own, you’ll find that things aren’t always accurately labeled. You have to trust your judgment and informed opinion. It takes practice, but you can develop a shrewd and knowing ‘buyer’s eye’!
Researching estate and antique horse jewelry online can give you a good idea of what similar pieces are selling for in the marketplace; this information is handy to have when you’re deciding how much to spend on your discovery. Dealing with a reputable fine horse jeweler is a good way to ensure that the antique and estate horse jewelry you buy is genuine.
