Vintage Estate Diamonds
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, and diamonds range from .25 carats and upward. Many Edwardian jewelry pieces come in platinum, and they 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 piece of estate jewelry doesn't need to be that old to be valuable. You'll find beautiful and valuable pieces from the 1960s to the 1990s as well.
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 and pins, rings or pendants in platinum. An estate platinum engagement ring 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 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-shape 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 particularly common in engagement rings. The smaller diamonds in the halo reflect light on the main diamond or gemstone, making it look even more beautiful.