Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About Estate Jewelry

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Looking for something totally one-of-a-kind to add to your collection? We feel you – as far as we’re concerned, there is nothing more gratifying that stumbling upon a once-in-a-lifetime brooch that will never be found in a department store setting. The thrill of the hunt. We’re jonesing for a fix right now, just thinking about it.

When it comes to making sure you’re getting your money’s worth, it pays to be literate in the lingo of buying jewelry second-hand. Your education begins today. Ever heard of something called “estate jewelry”?

What Does the Term “Estate Jewelry” Even Mean, Anyway?

Labeling a piece of jewelry as antique or with other similar classifiers helps describe the age of the piece and determine its value to some extent (antique jewelry is anything over a century old, and those middling in between that threshold and the present are considered vintage).

While words like “vintage” will usually indicate a fairly specific aspect of the jewelry in question (namely, the age), “estate jewelry” is a broader category – it simply means that the jewelry has already had at least one owner in its life. Fun fact: if a piece of jewelry is not sold new, it can accurately be described as an estate piece.

More commonly, the moniker estate jewelry is used to identify jewelry that was once part of the collection of somebody why has passed. You’ve more than likely seen flyers advertising estate sales around your neighborhood from time to time – many of these sales will include plenty of sparkly goodies, just ripe for the buying.

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Estate Jewelry at Smyth Jewelers

Here at Smyth, we help you take the “flea” out of “flea market” – our carefully curated selection of pre-owned engagement rings, watches, and fashion jewelry give you a refreshing respite from the usual suspects, allowing you to find something unlike anything you own, right from the comfort of our shops.

Buying estate jewelry is one of our favorite ways to make every penny count without compromising on quality or style. Our prices are highly competitive, making unforgettable pieces affordable on even the tightest budget.

This month, we’re hosting three estate jewelry shows featuring stunning hand-crafted pieces from different eras. Shop for one-of-a-kind Georgian, Victorian, Art Deco styles, as well as an extended selection of Old European, rose cut, and Old Mine cut diamonds at our showrooms in Timonium, Annapolis, and Ellicott City!

And if you’re more of a luxury watch aficionado, stop by and explore pre-owned watches from brands like Rolex, Cartier, and Patek Philippe too.

Stop by our showrooms during these dates and treat yourself to a pre-loved piece with a story to tell:

  • Annapolis Town Centre: July 20-23, 2019
  • Ellicott City Turf Valley: July 24-25, 2019
  • Timonium: July 26-27, 2019

Come See What All of the Fuss is About at Smyth Jewelers

In addition to our extensive catalogue of estate jewelry, we also extend many other services to our clientele – including appraisal services, allowing your well-loved favorites to join our collection themselves when the time has come to part ways. This is to say nothing of our selection of brand-name, brand-new engagement rings, wedding bands, and luxury watches we always have in stock.

For additional information on estate jewelry and everything else we offer, you can reach out to us online to learn more.

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