A piece of antique jewellery uk is a one-of-a-kind treasure that has been loved and cherished for a century or more. These pieces were created by master craftsmen using the finest materials available to them, which makes them perfect heirlooms to pass on to future generations. Unlike modern mass-manufactured jewellery, these antique gems possess a unique style and quality that is unparalleled by any other piece of jewellery in the world. Whether you’re looking for an antique engagement ring or a pair of vintage earrings, Lillicoco curates a wide variety of antique jewellery from different eras to suit all tastes.

Aside from the design and craftsmanship of a piece, the age and historical significance of an antique can significantly influence its value. Generally speaking, pieces that are older will have higher prices than those that are newer. In addition, the type of materials and gemstones used can also have a big impact on pricing. For example, diamonds were much harder to come by in the past when they were reserved for royalty and the ultra-wealthy, so this made them more valuable.

Hallmarks are another important factor in determining the value of antique jewellery. Historically, jewellers would mark their work with symbols or letters that denoted the assay office, metal type and fineness, date, and maker. However, since hallmarking was not a required practice until 1972, many antique and vintage pieces of jewellery are unmarked. Luckily, there are a number of websites that can help you ‘translate’ the markings on a piece to determine its age.

Other factors that can affect the price of antique jewellery are market trends and demand. Certain eras with distinctive styles may become more popular over time, which can boost or lower their value. This is why it’s always best to consult experts or appraisers when selling a piece of jewellery to make sure that it’s authentic and has a strong market history.

If you have a damaged or broken piece of antique jewellery that you want to sell, you can take it to a pawnshop. The pawnshop will test the jewellery to make sure that it’s genuine, and then resell it at a discounted rate. If you’re selling an expensive piece of jewellery, this is a good way to make some extra cash.

Buying or selling antique jewellery can be an exciting experience, especially if you have the right knowledge to guide you. While it’s true that most people buy or sell antique jewellery for the love of it, it’s also possible to turn your jewellery collection into a solid investment. Read on to learn more about the basics of investing in antique jewellery and how to choose the right pieces for your portfolio.

Buying Antique Jewellery in the UK

When buying antique jewellery it is important to buy from a reputable dealer. Those involved in the business know that it takes years of handling to become an expert and they are very happy to share their knowledge with you. The details of the piece you are purchasing, its gold purity and carat weight, the gemstones used and its size are all very important, as is the information about how it was made.

In the UK, antique jewellery is defined as any item more than 100 years old. However, it is also possible to find jewellery that is much older than this. In this case, it is a good idea to have an appraisal done by a professional, in order to ensure that the piece is genuine.

An appraisal can determine the age, gold fineness and the authenticity of the piece. It can also help you to establish a reasonable selling price. This is especially important for pieces that are more rare or difficult to find.

Another great way to verify the authenticity of a piece of antique jewellery is to look for hallmarks. However, this is not always easy as British jewellery marking wasn’t compulsory until 1972. Luckily, there are websites that can help you ‘translate’ the hallmarks and identify the assay office, metal type and fineness, date and maker of your jewellery.

It is also a good idea to do some research on the current market, to establish a competitive asking price. This can also help you to find a buyer more quickly. When selling antique jewellery, it is also a good idea to present your items well and use high-quality photographs to maximise their potential.