- Purchase a 10-power magnification jeweler's loupe. Jewelers suggests a triplet loupe (with three lenses) for the best clarity. Place your elbows on a firm surface to keep your hands steady while examining your jewelry. Turn the jewelry, not the loupe, as you examine the piece. Use your jeweler's loupe to look for signs of repairs by finding places where seams or replacement metals are visible.
- Use your loupe to look for any marks on the jewelry. Find books that identify hallmarks at the library or bookstore and research the markings on jewelry you want to identify.
- Try to find pictures or descriptions of the piece in the historical record by searching insurance files. Search for owners or close relatives of each individual who owned the piece for verification of its authenticity. Look for changes in stones and components; this can affect the value and authenticity of the piece.
- Become an expert in jewelry from your chosen time period. Develop an understanding of common styles and prevalent designers for the period. This knowledge will help you recognize jeweler's marks as well as what to look for in identifying replicas. Create a notebook with pictures of hallmarks and period pieces to carry with you for quick reference at estate auctions and antique jewelry stores.
Tips to Identify Antique Jewelry
There are certain indicators you can look for to help you identify a piece of antique jewelry, allowing you to get started on your research of the piece's history.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comments:
Excellent jewelry blog!
http://all4payday.com
Post a Comment