The world of jewelry can be confusing, as it is often times hard to spot the difference between how inexpensive or expensive an item is. Years of experience makes it easy for our jewelry buyers in Chicago to immediately recognize the worth of your items, but if you’re trying to dispose and sell jewelry that you no longer wear, or you found what you may think is a potential treasure at a garage sale or flea market and you aren’t sure what it is the best way is to bring it in to the expert & professional jewelry buyers in Chicago at Chicago Gold Gallery.
Fine Jewelry
Top-tier, fine jewelry is obviously and undoubtedly worth the most amount of money. It can be antique, vintage or modern. There are many erroneous methods and theories on how to determine if your jewelry is gold or silver, like If you wear a piece of jewelry at all times, never taking it off even to shower, and it doesn’t tarnish, it is likely fine jewelry, these fallacies and myths cannot always be trusted ways of determining so the best way is to bring it in for us to evaluate. By following these misconceptions you may throw out or give away an item that may be very valuable.
Semi-Fine Jewelry
Some costume jewelry can be considered semi-fine jewelry and is another type class of jewelry that has been prevalent in the marketplace since the 1800’s These pieces are usually gold filled which is the best of the costume jewelry rather than plated in gold or gold vermeil that are usually plated base metal or heavy gold electroplated. Pieces of costume jewelry like gold filled and over sterling silver, are something that would be considered better costume jewelry. The manufacturer and signature determine costume jewelry’s value as well as the period and look of the piece.
Lowest Tier Costume Jewelry
Gold plated Costume Jewelry would be the lowest tier of non-gold or silver costume jewelry. These are usual types found in flea markets, garage sales and thrift shops. Antique & Vintage Costume jewelry, can be valuable if it has the right look, maker/manufacturer, stamp and signature.
Wondering what your jewelry is worth? Contact our jewelry buyers in Chicago at the Chicago Gold Gallery to get started!