The Vintage Jewelry Buyer's Guide

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• Everyone wants vintage these days. But not
  everyone knows how to wear vintage with style.
• Vintage jewelry is one thing.
• Vintage designer jewelry is
• another thing entirely.
• From Versace to Givenchy
• the best brands hold their value, no matter
  where theyve been or who has owned them.
• Tip Do a little research beforehand to find the
  most sought-after brands from any decade or era.

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• Look Around
• Vintage jewelry is everywhere
• these days.
• So are vintage-style copies and knock-offs.
• Want to Stand Out?
• Learn to distinguish the fakes
• from the genuine articles.
• Fortunately, you dont have to be an expert gold,
  silver and diamond buyer to know what to look for
  when shopping vintage.
• With that in mind, here are a few tips
• for finding real vintage designer jewelry.

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• Check the Markings
• When shopping for quality vintage pawn shop
  jewelry, check for markings that identify the
  brand or artist.
• Look for

Know Your History
Logos Signatures Made in locations

• Logos change. Signatures evolve. Styles come and
  go.
• The more you know about the history of a brand,
  the less chance youll have of getting ripped off.

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• Beware of Serious Damage
• The rarest piece made by the most renowned brand
  wont hold its value if its damaged.
• Check for scuffs, burns, chips, scratches, or
  other noticeable signs of wear and tear.
• Beware of Perfection
• That being said, real vintage jewelry has
  character.
• If a piece looks as good as new, it probably is.
• Look for signs of age, such as minor scuffs,
  slight tarnish, and a nice patina.

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• Dont Be Afraid to Ask for Help
• An expert can tell you what to look for and what
  to avoid.
• If you buy gold and silver jewelry at a pawn
  shop, you may also be able to ask for documents
  that prove the authenticity and/or age of a
  piece.
• Do Your Own Research
• You can always verify their claims by doing your
  own research.
• Start by searching online. You can also take a
  picture and get a second opinion.
• Better to be certain than be left
• with a dud.

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• Hunters Beware!
• You can find vintage jewelry at estate sales and
  flea markets, but that doesnt mean you should.
• Finding an authentic designer piece at a one-off
  sale can be like trying to find a very small
  needle in a very large haystack.
• Theres also no way to verify
• authenticity.
• In other words, that priceless heirloom may
  actually be nothing more than a piece of cheap
  vintage jewelry!

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• Pawn Shops Give You More
• More Options
• Pawn shops typically have a much larger selection
  of vintage fine jewelry.
• More Guarantees
• They also employ experts whose job it is to
  appraise the value of every piece of jewelry
  bought and sold.
• More Peace of Mind
• It helps to do business with pawnbrokers that
  have a reputation for quality, respectability,
  and fairness.

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• It depends on the dealer.
• In that way, buying vintage jewelry on Etsy or
  eBay is no different than brick-and-mortar
  shopping.
• You still have to find an online store with a
  reputation for excellence.
• Warning!
• Its harder to check for authenticity
• when browsing online.
• Tip The best online dealers also have
  well-established brick-and-mortar stores. Have a
  question? Not happy with your purchase? You can
  always drop by the store to talk to a real person.

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• GEM Pawnbrokers has
• More than 70 years of experience
• Over 20 locations throughout the New York area
• GIA certification
• An expert staff that knows how to accurately
  appraise jewelry
• Searching for vintage jewelry at pawn shops near
  me?
• Visit your nearest New York store to find
  authentic designer jewelry from
• every decade!
• Want to find the best place to buy vintage
  jewelry online?
• Buy incredible jewelry with a click or a swipe
  from our eBay shop!