Estate Jewelry combines the excitement of gemstone and precious metals with the magic of history.  At Altobelli the stock is always turning, but generally you can find many jewelry periods represented, from Georgian to Art Nouveau to Retro and Contemporary and every period in between.  Come in and speak with our knowledgeable jewelers about our pieces and yours.  You may wish to shop or just to learn more about your own estate pieces, consider re-design to suit your style, or try your luck at selling on consignment.

Estate Jewelry refers to pre-owned jewelry.  These are not necessarily antique or period pieces.  Since they are not new, the term should alert you to the fact that pieces may not be in good condition.  We can help you inspect them with a keen eye under magnification to detect damage or peculiarities.  When you buy, dealers should still give you a guarantee, particularly with timepieces. Always ask the seller if you should be aware of anything.  Pay particular attention to the security of the stones set in a piece and learn if it requires any special handling or cleaning technique. Sometimes the piece may be sold “as is”, and it is wise to question why this is the case.

Because they are used, the items will generally be less costly than their new counterparts—a rule of thumb is at least 20% less, depending upon condition and rarity.  However, if they are antiques they are worth more than a similar new piece of jewelry.  Provenance plays a major role in added value, e.g., a brooch worn by Martha Washington would have historical importance; a brooch worn by Martha Washington featured in a famous painting would have even more.

As would be the case with buying new jewelry, be sure the merchant is knowledgeable and trustworthy.  Check with the Better Business Bureau or Consumer Protection Agency in your area to see if they have a track record of complaints. American Gem Society Jewelers is an excellent choice.  They are an elite group of gemologically trained professional jewelers who subscribe to a strict code of ethics and standards, located in cities throughout the United States and Canada.