Many collectors and designers around the globe are fascinated with estate jewelry because certain pieces can be extremely rare and difficult to acquire. A jewelry retail employee from Ashland, Michigan, was caught by surprise when she realized how valuable particular pieces were after purchasing them in her antique shop.
According to the Times-Gazette, Carol Sommers, an employee at an antique jewelry store downtown, took several furniture and jewelry pieces to the Ashland County Historical Society to identify and value them at an annual open house event. Sommers was most impressed by an 18-karat gold cocktail ring with an aquamarine centerpiece. Alice Fetzer, the expert who identified jewelry at the annual event, dated this piece back to the 1920s because of its crown mounting, which was a trademark during this time frame. The overall value of the piece was estimated to be $300, but its historical relevance made it truly unique.
If you're hoping to learn more about antique jewelry items that have been passed down from generation to generation, you might want to take advantage of open house appraisal events.
