Diamond Estate Jewelry

Diamond Estate Rings, Pendants, and Brooches

Diamond estate jewelry is a gift that lasts for a lifetime. A piece of estate jewelry has already had a previous owner, and part of its value is the patina or gently worn look. Estate diamond jewelry can be very valuable, especially if it's a piece from the Art Deco, Edwardian, or Art Nouveau era. Diamonds were popular stones in all three periods, ranging from .25 carats upward. Many Edwardian jewelry pieces come in platinum and feature intricate decorations, white diamonds, and pearls. Art Nouveau pieces feature pastel enamels, nature‑inspired decorations, and colored gemstones. Jewelers from the Art Nouveau era frequently took inspiration from Asia. However, a part of diamond estate jewelry doesn't need to be that old to be valuable. You'll also find beautiful and valuable pieces from the 1960s to the 1990s.

Precious Metals, Gemstones, and Diamond Cuts

The most common precious metal for estate jewelry is 14kt yellow gold. This metal has a timeless appeal. However, you'll also find antique brooches, pins, rings, or pendants in platinum. An estate platinum or diamond engagement ring is a beautiful choice, and you get a unique piece. Other than cut diamonds, ancient jewelry can feature cultured pearls and colored gemstones. You'll find many diamond estate jewelry pieces with sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and many other beautiful stones.

As for the diamond cuts, one of the most popular is the Asscher cut. It has a square shape and cut‑off corners for extra brilliance. You'll also find a lot of pear‑shaped diamonds. This shape was widely used in the past because its faceting creates a lot of brilliance. Round and oval diamonds often feature a halo setting of smaller diamonds. The halo setting is prevalent in engagement rings. The smaller diamonds in the halo reflect light on the central diamond or gemstone, making it look even more beautiful.