All posts in Estate Jewelry

If you're interested in expanding your collection of antique jewelry, there's no better place to do so than at an auction. These events are dedicated to placing valuables on sale to the public, many of which can no longer be found through traditional vendors.

One sale that recently drew jewelry buyers from near and far was the Fall Antiques, Fine Art & Collectibles Auction hosted by Professional Appraisers and Liquidators, according to LiveAuctioneers.com. At the event which was held on October 27, there were 500 lots of valuables for bidders to explore.

"October always brings our best auction," owner Charles Fudge told the news source. "We spend the Spring and Summer scouring the East Coast, from Maine to Florida, looking for estates, collections and special pieces to present in our Fall Antiques, Fine Art & Collectibles Auction, which is held on the last Saturday of October each year."

Those who want to find everything from brooches to necklaces that are no longer in production can try their luck at auctions where they have the opportunity to name their own price. Online and phone bidding is also making it easier for people to expand their collections from afar.

Jewelry buyers who are interested in everything from rubies to larger-than-life diamonds know that there's no better place to find timeless gems than at auctions. At sales hosted by firms and auction houses, individuals have the chance to bid on valuables that can no longer be found on the market.

One auction that is garnering attention is the Government Auction sale slated for September 30. The 1,266-item lot has everything from luxury watches to gold necklaces, all of which are expected to go quickly. Live online bidding will be open to the public for those who can't make it to the event, according to LiveAuctioneers.com.

A ruby and sapphire necklace tops the list of highlights at the event with a weight of more than 161 carats. Bidding on the item will start at $2, meaning buyers can expect stiff competition as everyone vies for the prize.

Whether you're interested in vintage brooches or cocktail rings, Skinner Inc. states that it's important to leave your fear at the door heading into an auction. Being adventurous and buying to suit your taste can help you make prime purchases.

Elizabeth Taylor's fine jewelry collection is scheduled to be auctioned at Christie's New York auction house on December 13 and 14. The collection features iconic antique and vintage jewelry worth an estimated $30 million, most of which were given to Taylor by her husbands.

According to Gather.com, rumor has it that David Beckham is planning to purchase the jewels for his wife, Victoria Beckham. He is reportedly prepared to pay 2.9 million pounds for the collection of jewelry, which would not only make Victoria happy, but would add to their personal wealth.

Ever since David and Victoria welcomed their fourth child, Harper, David has reportedly felt closer to his wife and wants to demonstrate his love by giving her the most impressive jewelry collection possible. Lucky for her!

The proceeds from the auction are being given to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, which makes the sale even more special. While Beckham may eventually be outbid, there's no question the famous baubles would make a wonderful lifelong gift.

Anyone who knows Liz Taylor is familiar with her love of fine jewelry. Her collection will be auctioned by Christie's in New York on December 13 and 14 – good news for enthusiasts looking to add to their vintage collections!

Worth approximately $30 million, the entire iconic collection is up for grabs, USA Today reports. That includes the Elizabeth Taylor Diamond, which is a 33-carat, D color, VS1 clarity stone estimated to be worth around $3 million dollars. The diamond ring was a gift from her husband, Richard Burton.

Also for sale is an antique Cartier pearl, ruby and diamond necklace called La Peregrina, a vintage Bulgari necklace and pennant, the Prince of Wales Brooch and the Taj Mahal Diamond, among other items. If you're looking to purchase a statement piece, something will certainly tickle your fancy.

Taylor's tiara, which was given to her by her third husband, Mike Todd, is also for sale. She wrote in her memoir, My Love Affair With Jewelry, that he gave it to her because he thought of her as his queen, according to USA Today. Each piece was dear to her – she wrote that she hoped the estate jewelry collection would be auctioned off to good homes upon her death.

The price of gold is at an all-time high, which means that dealers who buy fine estate jewelry are experiencing a rise in business.

Estate necklaces, vintage cocktail rings, bracelets and other unique fine jewelry are going for about twice what they were worth three years ago, Tobina Kahn, vice-president of House of Kahn Estate Jewelers told the Chicago Sun-Times. Young individuals who were left gold antique jewelry are just itching to sell the pieces to make extra cash.

If you want to cash in on the price of gold with a piece of antique jewelry you don't think you'd ever wear, be sure to sell to a reputable dealer who will give you the amount that it's really worth. Get more than one appraisal before you decide to sell. Be wary of selling to dealers who are planning to melt down the gold, especially if it's a vintage piece from a Tiffany & Co. or Cartier collection.

If you're planning to sell a gold diamond engagement ring, make sure you get the diamond separately appraised if it's big enough. Otherwise, you may want to hold on to your fine gold jewelry. Who knows, the price could continue to climb in the future!

Did you go above and beyond your goal at work this month? Or perhaps you did something that gained widespread recognition. If you have extra cash to spare, why not treat yourself to a gorgeous estate jewelry piece that you can proudly showcase to represent your recent achievements?

When we were kids, doing something good meant getting an extra scoop of ice cream or a pick at the toy store. These days, it's up to us to reward ourselves when we do something great! An estate cocktail ring is a great choice to remind you that you are a strong independent individual capable of anything. You can also opt for an estate bracelet with sparkly gems or a versatile pair of estate earrings that can accentuate anything in your wardrobe.

The great thing about getting your own estate jewelry is that you get to choose the style and look that you prefer. At the same time, purchasing a special present for yourself is gratifying when you use resources that you know you've earned.
 

Imagine the fine intricate details in a snowflake or the delicate threading of lace – filigree has the same concept, but done in metal.

Filigree is normally found in estate jewelry as ornamental designs, and is characterized by its highly complex metalwork whether in rings, necklaces or brooches. According to John S. Brana, the word itself is derived from the Latin word "filum," meaning thread, describing what the soldered metals look like.

The technique started in the 1600s, according to the news source, found mostly in Asian, Greek and Roman jewelry. At the turn of the century, the motif became even more popular, used during the Art Nouveau period as abstract floral and plant designs. The craft became useful in holding gemstones in a creative way and was also a great addition as an intricate border on different baubles.

By the 1920s, the use of platinum metal with the filigree concept became the archetype for the Art Deco era. What was once delicate floral and wispy arrangements turned into geometric and bold patterns, assisting in a period that was characterized not only by the filigree but also by bold uses of color.