Shopping for Valentine's Day? Try estate jewellery

OTTAWA – Anne Wallner carefully removes a platinum-and-diamond clip made by Cartier from a cabinet in her jewellery store. Often worn in pairs, she only has one of the handmade, mid-century pieces for sale. With more than seven carats of diamonds, including a 1.25-carat centre stone, the price tag is $28,000. “A comparable piece new would be more in the neighbourhood of $50,000,” says Wallner, the owner of Alyea’s Jewellers in Ottawa. That’s the appeal of shopping for estate jewellery. “Estate jewellery is generally priced 40, 50, even 60 per cent lower than a comparable new piece,” she says. Rework old jewellery to make stylish pieces for less » But it can offer more for those seeking a distinctive bauble as Valentine’s Day approaches. Collectors looking for authentic period pieces hunt estate sales, and those looking to minimize their environmental footprint may also want to take a look. “Certainly today the fact that this is, in a sense recycled goods, so has very low environmental impact, is very appealing, particularly to younger people,” Wallner says. Estate jewellery is jewellery that has been owned by someone else previously. It may be just a few years old or could be an antique piece that’s more than 100 years old with a fascinating provenance. When examining a piece of estate jewellery, it’s important to consider the quality of the materials including the metals, the gemstones and workmanship. You should be sure that the clasps work, the gems aren’t wiggling and that the claws holding them in position are in good condition. “Those claws that are holding the stones in place will actually wear down and then stones can become loose, so you want to make sure that the stones aren’t loose,” says Lee Rock, a gemologist, certified diamond grader and registered master valuer. Rock, who also teaches diamond grading and jewellery appraisal at George Brown College in Toronto, says if it’s an antique piece, potential buyers need to know the circa date, when it was produced and find out if it comes with its original box. Sweetheart deals » “The value almost doubles on antique jewellery if it comes with the original box,” she says. Hallmarks stamped on a piece will show the type of gold or silver used, while a trademark will show the manufacturer, but not every piece will have them. Diamonds may be laser-inscribed with a traceable identification number. Rock says jewellery made in Canada could include both a hallmark and a trademark, or neither. “Both are legal,” she said, noting that small independent jewellers may not have a registered trademark. Donna Hawrelko, president of the Canadian Gemmological Association and a gemology instructor at Vancouver Community College, advises people to ask the shop if you can have the piece appraised independently. “If it does not appraise out at what the store is selling it for or more, then you want the option to bring it back,” she said. If the store doesn’t agree to allow you to have the item appraised before you buy it or to return the piece after purchasing it, Hawrelko says to consider bringing an appraiser to the store with you if it’s something you still want to buy “especially if you’re spending thousands of dollars on a piece,” Hawrelko said. “It is worth your while to spend maybe $100 or $150 to have an appraiser come in and make sure it is what it says,” she said. Shopping for estate jewellery means that choices might be limited by more than just the amount of money potential buyers want to spend. Finding the right piece that fits your taste — or that of your Valentine — might be more difficult. But with a little luck and patience, it’s possible to find a beautiful piece with the added bonus of a history. Hawrelko owns a combination of estate and contemporary pieces of jewellery, but she says she prefers the estate items. “I’m personally an art deco fan, so I like the designs of the period,” she said. “That kind of jewellery appeals to me, so I love when I see those kinds of pieces.”

Comments Cancel reply

MoneyFlex

Underconsumption core: How to stop spending money

One key to underconsumption core is to stop spending money. Here’s how.

Underconsumption core: How to stop spending money

Upcycling influencer Refashionista Sheri

My MoneySense

Sheri Pavlovic shows how to rediscover the hottest fashion in your own closet

Under her web persona, Refashionista Sheri, the influencer offers tips and hacks for cheap and sustainable style.

Sheri Pavlovic shows how to rediscover the hottest fashion in your own closet

Save

Save money, save the planet: Our favourite products and strategies for eco-friendly living

MoneySense celebrates Earth Day by sharing our editors’ top tips for reducing waste, saving money and shrinking our environmental...

Save money, save the planet: Our favourite products and strategies for eco-friendly living

My MoneySense

Saving on purchases and for emergency funds, Canada’s extreme couponer shares her secrets

Kathleen Cassidy is a savvy shopper, and her thousands of followers know it. With MoneySense, though, she talks about...

Saving on purchases and for emergency funds, Canada’s extreme couponer shares her secrets

Canadian de-influencer Jennifer Wang is pictured in front of fall foliage.

Shopping

What do de-influencers really do?

This de-influencer wants to help Canadians shop smarter and more sustainably. Read our Q&A to learn more about her...

What do de-influencers really do?

Writer and editor Bryan Borzykowski and certified financial planner Julie Shipley-Strickland

My MoneySense

The best money advice from two of the best in the biz

Planner Julie Shipley-Strickland and editor and writer Bryan Borzykowski get personal about money—the good and the bad.

The best money advice from two of the best in the biz

A long table of wedding guests with a glass of champagne raised to toast the couple

Spend

What does the average wedding cost in Canada?

Spoiler: The average wedding costs between $22,000 and $30,000. But many Canadians would rather do other things with that...

What does the average wedding cost in Canada?

Strategic Shopper

How to make money selling stuff online

Tired of clutter? Need some cash? Here are eight Canadian resale sites that can help you turn your stuff...

How to make money selling stuff online

Canadian entrepreneur and Dragon's Den judge Wes Hall sits on a stool against a grey background, smiling.

My MoneySense

Wes Hall explains the biggest money myth and the value of a well-tailored suit

Canadian entrepreneur and Dragons’ Den star Wes Hall talks about his investing lessons and the things he values the...

Wes Hall explains the biggest money myth and the value of a well-tailored suit

Bollywed's father and son duo Chandan and Kuki Singh.

My MoneySense

Bollywed’s Kuki and Chandan Singh on making it in Canada—and on TV

Money comes up a lot in an intergenerationally run business led by this father-son duo. Find out what they...

Bollywed’s Kuki and Chandan Singh on making it in Canada—and on TV

Shopping for Valentine’s Day? Try estate jewellery

Comments Cancel reply

Related Articles

Underconsumption core: How to stop spending money

Sheri Pavlovic shows how to rediscover the hottest fashion in your own closet

Save money, save the planet: Our favourite products and strategies for eco-friendly living

Saving on purchases and for emergency funds, Canada’s extreme couponer shares her secrets

What do de-influencers really do?

The best money advice from two of the best in the biz

What does the average wedding cost in Canada?

How to make money selling stuff online

Wes Hall explains the biggest money myth and the value of a well-tailored suit

Bollywed’s Kuki and Chandan Singh on making it in Canada—and on TV