WEST SEATTLE COINS

The Secret to Finding Great Deals on Fine Jewelry

Apr 15, 2013, 11:56 AM | Updated: 12:11 pm

Were you left uninspired by the latest necklaces you saw at your local boutiques? Are you looking for something different, something with a bit more character? Well, West Seattle Coins and Bellevue Rare Coins have an outstanding collection of heirloom and contemporary jewelry—handpicked from the items we’ve purchased locally or from jewelers across the country. In addition, many items are rare or one-of-a-kind pieces that come from the huge estate liquidations we’ve handled for over 30 years.

Estate jewelry is particularly interesting because it sells at a significant discount to retail. But before you break out your checkbook for some vintage earrings, a unique bracelet or an antique diamond ring, check out our answers to some of the most common questions we get asked about estate jewelry.

What is estate jewelry?
It’s pretty simple. Estate jewelry is any necklace, ring, brooch, pendant, or other piece of jewelry that has been previously owned and sold as part of an estate liquidation. Estate jewelry can be vintage earrings from the turn of the century or a diamond ring that was just purchased a few years ago. Whatever piece of estate jewelry you’re interested in, though, you can be sure you’ll pay a lot less than you would if you were buying it new.

How is estate jewelry evaluated?
Times have changed since a master silversmith crafted that Edwardian brooch. Fashions have evolved since a Hollywood housewife first purchased that 1950s diamond clasp. Some things, however, stay the same. The experts at West Seattle Coins and Bellevue Rare coins can evaluate the purity and quality of the gold or silver in any piece of jewelry. We also staff G.I.A.-accredited professionals to judge the precious stones. And finally, we assess the intrinsic value of the piece based on today’s market.

What are some things to look for in estate jewelry?
As you’re examining pieces of estate jewelry—especially some of the older brooches, rings and necklaces—you’ll notice that they don’t look like what’s popular today. For many, that’s part of the charm. When you clasp that 1920s bracelet around your wrist, you may feel just like an elegant flapper about to stop by a speakeasy before hitting the city’s new jazz club to dance the night away. A few things to consider when you’re buying vintage jewelry:

1. Diamonds were cut differently back then, so the same stone might not reflect as much light or seem as brilliant. On the upside, cuts such as the rose cut are now in higher demand from jewelers who want to repair some of those old rings. So even if you’re not in love with the look of the stone, it could be a good investment.

2. Those earrings might be hiding a secret. Sterling silver used to be backed with a thin layer of yellow gold, so be sure to ask, because it might be the reason the earrings are more expensive.

What’s the most important thing to understand about estate jewelry?
Well, that’s easy: you should buy the piece that catches your eye. It’s good to have all the information in the world—and that’s where West Seattle Coins and Bellevue Rare Coins can help—but after you’ve got the facts, just follow your heart.

Browse our collection of fine jewelry at West Seattle Coins and Bellevue Rare Coins. Our largest selection by far is at our Bellevue location, with new items arriving every week. So when you visit, you’ll be sure of two things: You’ll always find something new, and there’ll always be some great deals on gorgeous jewelry.

West Seattle Coins and Bellevue Rare Coins specializes in gold buying and dealing in rare coins. We are a family-owned business that was first established in 1979 and is now located in West Seattle, Bellevue and Lynnwood. We also buy and sell gold, silver, diamonds, currency and jewelry. Visit us first for a free evaluation.

Did you like this post? Share it with your friends or like it on Facebook.

West Seattle Coins

No Author

Bellevue Rare Coins Buys One-Cent Coin for $20,000

Back in the 1790s, the United States was quite a different place. George Washington gave the country’s first State of the Union address. Thomas Jefferson was in charge of the first U.S. Census, which asked a total of six questions. The largest urban area was New York City, with a population of just over 33,000 […]

11 years ago

No Author

Gold and Silver Coins Found Buried Under a House

The doors to the Bellevue store opened and in walked a family — mother, father and three children — absolutely covered in dirt. "Even their car was dusty," says Adam Richey of West Seattle Coins and Bellevue Rare Coins. "They walked in with these filthy paint buckets in their hands, all of them giddy and grinning."

11 years ago

No Author

Why It’s Still a Great Time to Sell Your Gold

If you're considering selling your gold, it's not too late. The price of gold remains historically high. Back in 2001, gold was trading at just more than $250 an ounce. In September 2011, an ounce of the world's favorite precious metal was fetching nearly $1,900. It's been an incredible ride for gold investors over the last decade or so, but fluctuations in the price of gold are nothing new.

12 years ago

No Author

Buying Gold and Selling Gold? The Answers to Common Questions

At West Seattle Coins and Bellevue Rare Coins, our business is buying gold and selling gold, as well as rare coins, silver, jewelry and antiques. Every day, people come in to one of our three locations with questions about how to start investing in precious metals—or how to turn the valuables they have into cold, hard cash.

12 years ago

No Author

Theodore Roosevelt and the Renaissance of American Coinage

Back in December 1904, three years after he took office, Theodore Roosevelt sent a famous letter to Treasury Secretary Leslie Shaw that ushered in a new age of American coinage.

12 years ago

No Author

The Curse of the Mountain of Light

There are some who believe the diamond we now call Koh-i-Noor (Mountain of Light) has been around for more than 5,000 years. Although there's no proof of that, we can trace the enthralling history of this magnificent stone for certain from the 14th century. It was then that the first mention of its curse appeared in a Hindu text: "He who owns this diamond will own the world, but will also know all its misfortunes. Only God, or a woman, can wear it with impunity."

12 years ago

The Secret to Finding Great Deals on Fine Jewelry