Estate Jewelry: Sentimental. Unique. Collectible.

Unique estate jewelry can have a deep connection to sentimentality because it has the power to transport the wearer with its meaningful origins when compared to more modern jewelry that’s often driven by trend alone. Each estate piece is a wearable work of art; a time capsule that evokes strong feelings and vivid memories – whether through reminiscing on favorite places from the past, calling to mind unforgettable milestones from one’s life, reflecting on family traditions or honoring the chapters of a love story.

Jewelers and collectors spend a great deal of time and energy tracking down unique jewelry. Then one day, a customer recognizes the style of an antique piece of jewelry and attributes it to her own memories or the stories she’s been told. She knows it’s from the Old World and it instantly reminds her of her great-grandmother, who always wore a brooch on special occasions. Perhaps, it’s a cut diamond vintage engagement ring that looks just like the one that belonged to her beloved aunt, specially designed for the cherished moment when she said, "Yes!" Or a Valentine’s Day present, an antique heart-shaped 18kt gold promise ring that a soldier might have given his sweetheart before he left to travel overseas, never to return.

Sentimental jewelry is something to hold dear. It honors relationships with pieces that hold secrets and tell stories of joy, like a wonderful locket necklace with photos of loved ones inside, or sometimes sorrow, like a mourning pin. Some wearers can "read" the energy of an antique wedding band or an Edwardian brooch. Words can barely describe the feeling, but the owner is conscious of its roots and now has the opportunity to treasure such a piece and add to its storied history with memories of their own. 

Whenever you browse for vintage or antique jewelry, discovering and choosing the right piece is a fascinating and rewarding challenge. Let’s say you lay eyes on a pair of vintage rose gold earrings and a tidal wave of emotions hits your inner core, where you instantly make a connection to a family member, an important time in your life or a memory from years gone by.

Because of this evocative quality, unique estate jewelry is well worth collecting. Since artisans crafted antique and vintage pieces during periods where symbolism was often used in art, every flower, leaf, gemstone and color could hold a special meaning that the artist intended to convey to the wearer. 

To own such sentimental items is a fulfilling experience, whether you hold these cherished pieces as keepsakes or wear them on special occasions. Moreover, if you know the history of the piece, adding it to an outfit makes the item all the more endearing. Your style begins to tell a story – a sapphire necklace and matching earrings suddenly come alive as something more and make a very special, singular statement. 

Estate Jewelry: Individual Style and Distinction

When we think back to the woman who loves wearing vintage dresses to attend a Broadway show, we make a natural connection to the singular, distinct designs found in estate jewelry and how well-suited they would be to her style. Her friends and family likely know her taste, so when they see a piece of heirloom jewelry while shopping, they’ll almost certainly think of her and consider how much she’d like it. Perhaps they’d even purchase it for her as a special gift.

But how else does one select a piece of estate jewelry? Some collectors start by selecting the type of metal they like best, such as silver, gold or platinum - which are all commonly used in vintage jewelry. Platinum is more expensive, gold can be slightly less and silver is the most affordable, though it does require regular care to remain bright and beautiful. For those on a budget, gold-plating is a common technique that gives the appearance of gold over a base metal for a much lower price. 

Another way to start your search is by choosing a piece from a historical period that interests you. If Retro or Modern eras are your forte, you’ll have an easier time finding unique estate jewelry. The oldest items originate from the Victorian, Edwardian and Art Nouveau eras, which prove to be harder to find, and thus, more expensive. 

Perhaps you don’t have any specific preferences. That’s fine, too! You can simply shop and browse until something strikes your fancy, like a pair of wedding bands that give you an instant feeling of warm sentimentality when you think of how perfect they’d be for your upcoming wedding. 

Even when starting with a blank canvas, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how many connections you’re still able to make with so many beautiful pieces. As you continue your search, here are a few eras that merit consideration:

• Eye-catching designs from the Art Deco or Art Nouveau eras that integrate beautiful cultural elements and motifs from Asia or the Middle East. 
• Somber, sophisticated pieces from older eras, like a Victorian-era mourning pin, can add a quiet elegance to an understated outfit or a formal evening gown.
• If whimsical or big, flashy jewelry is what you love, consider browsing through Retro-era items that convey the spirit of Old Hollywood movie stars who often wore dazzling accessories. 
• Those who like colorful pieces that express individuality and a carefree style should look to the Modern era where they may find beautiful brooches and pendants of birds with emerald eyes or butterflies with sapphire wings.

Pro Tip: Since heirloom jewelry is pre-owned and pre-loved, it could have a scratch or minor damage, so you should always check over the item carefully to decide if you can look past its imperfections, or would prefer to inquire about the cost of repair, before making a purchase. While a few scratches should not stop you from passing up a special, sentimental piece, you should always be aware of the item’s condition to make an informed decision. 

How Ross-Simons Selects Estate Jewelry

Curating the Ross-Simons Estate Collection requires a tremendous amount of time and care. Our expert buyers look through thousands upon thousands of pieces, scrutinizing every item, and selecting only the very best to present to our customers. On their buying trips, they carefully inspect the condition of each piece of estate jewelry to ensure they are pristine, without flaws or chips.

Our buyers strive to acquire unique sentimental jewelry and are excited when they find the perfect selections to add to our exceptional assortment. That means our customers get fantastic value for something special, such as a vintage engagement ring, estate diamond earrings or a Victorian brooch. 

Here are the criteria for estate jewelry to grab our attention:

Uniqueness: We look for one-of-a-kind statements and out-of-production pieces that have endured decades of beloved wear and remain in good condition. It could be a gorgeous 1980s white and yellow diamond cocktail ring, a 1960s vintage 18kt yellow gold wide-link bracelet or a 1970s turquoise diamond drop necklace. Overall, a compelling item you wouldn’t come across every day.

Quality: Sometimes our buyers find beautiful pieces, but do not feel comfortable buying them because they are not in good enough condition and there just isn’t enough wear left to them. Even if a small gem has fallen out of a necklace, it is still a deal-breaker, since matching up vintage diamonds and gems for replacements is very challenging without detracting from the authentic look of the piece. Therefore, if we do not have the proper resources to restore the piece without changing its true essence, it does not go into our inventory. Simply put, these items are not up to the high standards we have in place to provide our customers with the very best selection.

Value: Estate jewelry holds excellent value when you consider the increased manufacturing and material costs over the years, which lead to higher prices on newer items. Since that factor does not impact older estate items, we can offer our customers beautiful, high-quality and one-of-a-kind jewelry at an excellent price. For example, a 1970s gold necklace in pristine condition would likely cost less than the same bracelet in 2011. Plus, the vintage 1970s bracelet has the benefit of having a rich storied history that will be loved and appreciated by the right owner.

How to Wear and Style Estate Jewelry

For fashion and jewelry lovers, there’s a certain excitement that comes with finding a sentimental piece of estate jewelry, knowing they now have the chance to pair it with the perfect outfit. When you know how to style vintage or antique jewelry, it can add flair to your everyday dress, enhance your formal wear and generally elevate your overall appearance. 

Pro Tip:For an authentic look, try to only wear jewelry from one era at a time. Mixing different periods or designs might draw attention or detract from the vintage aesthetic – which is perfectly fine if you lean towards an eclectic style. 

Here are some more tips and tricks to help you execute your desired look:

Bracelets: Bracelets are best showcased with short sleeve, sleeveless or rolled-sleeve shirts. Wear them solo for all the attention or layered up the arm in any combination of metal colors for a little tonal variety. Three bangles make a great starter stack that can grow as you acquire more vintage bracelets. Play with textures and sizes, like pairing chunky links and chains with smooth and slender polished bangles or colorful gemstone styles. 

Rings: For the traditional look, wear engagement and wedding rings on the left ring finger. Bold Retro rings will stand out on the middle finger, index finger or thumb. Don’t forget to have some fun with stacking if the styles lend themselves to it.

Necklaces: The neckline of your outfit can help determine the type of necklace that will look best. Longer or multiple-strand necklaces are ideal for deep, plunging necklines, while a sweetheart neckline goes well with shorter strands like chokers. Unsure? A small pendant necklace should pair well with almost any neckline. 

You can also experiment with layering, mixing and doubling necklaces for a unique look with an elongating effect. Shorter necklaces can balance out longer strands, bringing a lovely focus to your face without weighing you down. Gemstone, gold and pearl combinations almost always look great with a solid color blouse, little black dress or classic white tank top. 

Earrings: Pay attention to the shape, length and color of earrings to see if they’ll blend with a particular outfit or hairdo. Wear larger and longer earrings with shorter, combed-back or twisted-up hair. Simpler studs and short earrings are better for long, flowing hairstyles.

Combining Metals: Feel free to mix platinum, gold, silver and other metals to create unique jewelry combinations. Wear different metal bracelets or a handful of small rings on the same or different fingers. Since they can be fragile, treat older pieces carefully when wearing different metals, which could rub against each other and cause scratches or knock gemstones loose. 

Consider Your Wardrobe:When wearing high-end jewelry, try to match it with an outfit of the same quality and style if a polished, cohesive look is your goal. Focus on necklines and sleeves while considering the clothing’s material and how it may or may not get caught on certain accessories. Glittering dresses and embellished outfits are often bold enough and only require understated jewelry, while simpler, solid color and black outfits are the perfect canvas for layering on your high-end accessories. You can select simple blouses or gowns as your starting point for a refined look with heirloom jewelry.

Repurposing Pieces: Have you ever been gifted a piece of estate jewelry from a family member – perhaps an heirloom that you inherited – that was not quite your style, but you still wanted to keep it for sentimental reasons? Or maybe you came across a vintage pearl necklace in a shop that you would have absolutely loved if it was just a little bit shorter. If this sounds familiar, you might consider repurposing these pieces and converting them into something new. You can start this process by getting in touch with an estate expert at a jewelry store and sharing your vision for a particular piece. This is a great way to keep special items that are still practical and wearable. You may be surprised by the possibilities!

Sizing, length adjustments and other modifications are possible on many of our Estate collection items at Ross-Simons. To inquire, call 800-835-1340 before making your purchase if you would like any changes made to a piece.