restyle

Some of the biggest fun I have had with vintage is shopping for vintage jewelry. Sure, a lot of mine is costume jewelry, but the pieces are beautiful, and bonus: I am not afraid of losing them, because I haven’t doled out thousands of dollars for each piece.

If you’re thinking about doing some estate jewelry shopping of your own, here a some useful tips that have helped me along the way:

-If you’re looking for a specific piece of costume jewelry, be sure to include search for pieces both on and offline. By purchasing estate costume jewelry online you really can save a lot of money and find great deals

-Estate costume jewelry comes in a variety of qualities. Some are high quality pieces, made of materials like Swarovski crystals and sterling silver, even gold. But others can be crafted from cut glass and plate metals, which can also be beautiful, but are less valuable

-Just like with any other vintage purchase, be sure you understand the return policy. Often, sales are final with vintage items. Sometimes not, Just be sure if you think you might end up returning an item

-If you don’t know a company, be sure to research them before buying a piece

-Whether you are shopping online or at a neighborhood shop, it’s always a good idea to never buy more than you afford to lose

-Be sure to ask what a piece is made of. Some pieces may look like sterling silver, but in fact, are created with plate metals that can look a lot like the real thing

-If there is a warranty on an item–like an antique or vintage watch–be sure you fully understand the warranty before you make your purchase

The good news is, if you really fall in love with a piece, estate costume jewelry is pretty affordable, and can sometimes fool even the most discerning eye, which makes it so much fun to buy and wear.