Estate Jewelry Buying Guide

While the term "estate jewelry" often conjures up thoughts of antique gems and styles of the past, it actually indicates any jewelry that has been previously owned, regardless of when it was created. When purchasing estate jewelry it is important to understand this distinction and to know what to look for.

Buying estate jewelry offers jewelry aficionados the opportunity to find one-of-a-kind, unique pieces that fit their style at more affordable prices than new purchases, and often promises a higher quality of detail, sophistication, and workmanship.  

The most important aspects of purchasing estate jewelry include a GIA evaluation, an understanding of the history of jewelry, and instructions on how to care for your purchase to keep it looking great.

GIA Certification

At LM Estate Jewelry we pride ourselves in educating our clients by providing clear documentation of select purchases in the form of a certificate from the Gemological Institute of America. This GIA Certification  provides detailed specifics of each aspect of the jewelry as well as an estimated replacement value. This not only gives our clients the knowledge they need to make a sound purchase but also can be used for insurance purposes. Please click here to learn more about how we have each select piece evaluated by a GIA professional. Please note that only select pieces include GIA certificates. Listings labeled with "GIA certified" include this documentation.

Jewelry Eras

Estate jewelry can be classified into several categories based on its age and the time it was crafted. Style, availability of metals and gems, as well as technology all influence the wide variety of estate jewelry on the market today. To learn more about the various eras of jewelry, please click here.

Jewelry Care

As with any investment, caring for your jewelry is imperative to maintaining its beauty and value. Please click here to view our tips for keeping your estate pieces looking their best.