Appraising Costume Jewelry

[MissTaken]

I have some old costume jewelry in good shape.

Does anyone know any good on line resources that would help me to know what to ask?

 

[Briantc]

auction sales

I work for a auction service and my boss appraises for the people maybe someone in youre area will do the same. We are in Northern Michigan and cover all over Mi,

 

[Weird Harold]

I have some old costume jewelry in good shape.

How Old? Old enough to be "collectible" or Antique?

If it falls into either of those categories, you should be able to find something via google.com. Otherwise, you'll probably just have to search eBay and other auction sites for similar pieces.

 

[MissTaken]

How would you define antique?

Some of it is at least 50 years old, if not 75 and in great condition.

 

[Weird Harold]

How would you define antique?

Some of it is at least 50 years old, if not 75 and in great condition.

That would at least put it in the collectible category. I'm not sure exactly where the age line for "antique" jewelry is, but yours probably qualifies. (Furniture has to be 100, and cars only have to be 25 to be "antiques")

Provenance -- who previously owned it, where it was originally purchased, what famous villian stole it, etc -- can increase the value of the pieces too. If you have pictures of people wearing this jewelry that can help date it and provide some provenance, take those with you when you go to get it appraised.

One other place you can get some idea of the value is a pawn shop. It won't be the most accurate appraisal you can get, but it's a starting place.

PS: I checked google.com:

Searched the web for "Costume jewelry" collectible. Results 1 - 10 of about 20,300

Just one of those sites: http://www.forgotten-romance.com/

Prices on the first page of "new items" range from $24 to $535.

 

[MissTaken]

Thank you, Wierd Harold!

You sure do have lots of answers!


A great thing since I am usually so


Misstaken!

 

[NiteRidder]

I have some old costume jewelry in good shape.

Does anyone know any good on line resources that would help me to know what to ask?

If you have photos of it I can tell you something about it. Have been selling the stuff for about 35 years in a fairly serious manner.

Do about 100 smalls a week now and have always done a fair amount of costume. (Ebay and Shops )

NiteRidder

 

[MissTaken]

Wow! That would be great!

I have spent hours on the net and at the library and am getting totally confused.

I do think I have a few pieces that are slightly more than junk.