Bitz of Glitz.com

There are three different groups of people who buy vintage jewelry - those who buy for investment, those who buy to wear, and those who buy to resell. Since those who buy for investment and resale already know the ropes, I'm going to address those who buy jewelry to wear.

Buy what you love and what you'll be comfortable wearing. No sense in spending good money on something you'll feel stiff and ill at ease in. If you're not sure what you'd feel good wearing, go to a brick and mortar store and try things on. See what looks and feels good on you. You might surprise yourself at looking and feeling good in a style you never considered before!

Measure, measure, measure!! I can't stress that enough. Know what length necklace and bracelet you can wear, know your ring size, know just how long of an earring you are comfortable with.

When shopping garage sales, flea markets, estate sales and antique shows, be prepared with the proper equipment. A small retractable measuring tape and a loupe or magnifying glass will allow you to measure the jewelry you are interested in and examine it closely for defects. Look for missing stones, dead stones, corrosion of the metal, peeling pearls. Check the clasps to make sure they are working properly. Ask questions! Don't be embarrassed to make a thorough check or to ask the dealer any questions - most are thrilled to share their knowledge and enjoy talking about their jewelry. If the price is higher than you are ready to pay, it doesn't hurt to ask the seller: "Is this your best price?"

When buying online, read the description thoroughly. Note the measurements. If necessary, make a rough sketch of the dimensions. That way, there are no surprises - the jewelry will not be much bigger than you thought or much smaller. Sometimes things photograph a different color than they really are. The dealer will usually note this in the description. Believe the dealer - not the photo! Any flaws should also be listed in the description. Be sure you can live with them. Email any questions you have. Again, it is okay to ask the dealer: "Is this your best price?"

Whether in person or online, if you find a piece of jewelry you are interested in but it has a flaw, should you buy it? What is a fair price to pay for a piece that is missing a stone or has peeled pearls? This is very subjective. My own opinion is that if I love a piece of jewelry and the missing or damaged piece looks easy to replace, I will buy it. If the stones or pearls are glued in, they can usually be popped out and replacements glued in with Hypo tube Cement or E6000 glue. Stones and pearls in prongs are a little more complicated, but can be done by someone handy and crafty. Keep in mind that if you ever intend to resell the jewelry, your replacements will need to be disclosed to potential buyers. It may also affect the value. Some stones, like art glass and specialty stones, will be very, very difficult to find a replacement for. Jewelry with flaws will almost always be priced lower. If the price still seems high to you, ask the dealer why. It may be that the jewelry is signed by a designer who is avidly collected and even flawed jewelry will command a high price. The bottom line is, will this piece of jewelry be wearable?

Sometimes you will find the same piece of jewelry on several different websites, all for different prices. Read the descriptions carefully. If you still aren't 100% sure about the condition of the jewelry, email the dealer and ask. Once you have all the details, you can make an informed decision.

Sometimes you will find the same piece of jewelry on several different websites and some will be signed and some won't. This happens. Not all jewelry was signed. You will have to decide how important the signature is to you. Keep in mind that a signed piece is generally worth more than an unsigned piece of the exact same design.

Remember that you are buying VINTAGE jewelry. It will not look "brand new". Even if it is described as "pristine" or "in mint condition" it may not look brand new. There may be some age darkening of the metal components. There may be some storage wear on the back side. Aged jewelry has its own kind of beauty. Often the quality will be superior and the patina gives a wonderful mellow glow.

Welcome to the world of vintage jewelry addicts! We can never have enough! There is always another piece we just have to have! There's a jewel out there for every taste and every pocketbook. Have fun with it!