Tips for Shopping for Antique Jewelry

Antique jewelry shopping can be quite a bit of fun, but when you walk away with your treasures, you ultimately want to be happy with your purchases. Here are some quick tips to ensure that you are not only happy with your purchases, but you also don’t pay more than you truly want to:

1. Do not turn away from a piece just because the price tag is too high. Most sellers will drop their price all the way down to 50% of the tag price. Also, if you find several pieces from the same seller, you can even negotiate a “bundle” price.

2. Spend time inspecting items that you are interested in very closely. While many sellers know exactly what they are selling and are honest about their jewelry, you will also come across sellers who are not honest or who do not know their pieces. Knowing your jewelry can save you from sellers who claim that pieces are real diamonds or gold, but are not.

3. Come to the table with cash. Yes, most antique sellers accept checks and debit/credit, but every time a seller swipes a debit or credit card, they pay a fee and a lot of people may not take checks anymore. Telling people you plan to pay with cash may also be a good negotiating tool, as well.

4. Plan out your shopping. As you spend more and more time antique shopping, you will find the small places that are jewelry treasures. Take time to visit the small, mom and pop stores that are nearly hidden. You will be surprised what kind of treasures you will find in these little holes in the walls!