This black onyx ring with small diamond is white gold from the art deco period.
Buying authentic antique gold jewelry can be tricky. There are many reproductions of old pieces that can be easily purchased. If an authentic old piece of gold jewelry is desired, then some research is required. A working knowledge of period and design is important when buying old gold jewelry. Old gold jewelry can be found almost anywhere: in expensive department stores, flee markets, antique shows, estate sales and secondhand stores. To make wise purchases of old gold jewelry it is necessary to become a savvy amateur jewelry historian.
Instructions
1. Visit the arts and crafts section of any library or bookstore to read books about the history of jewelry, such as "The Illustrated Guide to Jewelry Appraising," by Anna M. Miller. Study some of the most popular eras, such as aesthetic, Victorian, Edwardian, art nouveau, art deco and modern. Arm yourself with information about the development of brooch backs, earring backs, and bracelet and necklace latches, which have all changed from one era to the next, to determine if a piece of jewelry has been altered or repaired.
2. Buy from a reputable source so you can feel comfortable about the identification of the gold piece. Visit your local stores that sell antique gold jewelry and watch how the sellers do business with their customers. Make several visits to a seller's store to build a confident relationship. If you are buying online, check the seller's feedback and selling score.
3. Ask the seller questions and then check his responses by looking up his answers either in books or online. Ask about the manufacturing of the piece and quality or grade of the stone (if there is one). Have the seller assess the design for balance and provide a circa date. A piece of old gold jewelry can be altered by adding pieces to old pieces of jewelry, so an experienced eye can see if the balance of the design is not right. Talk to the seller about the design and, specifically, the balance reveals to you how much the seller actually knows.
4. Examine the the jewelry for condition by looking with the loop at the details of the piece. Look for any weak or thin spots where there have been a lot of wear. Examine the back of a ring, the clasp of a chain or the bail of a pendant for natural wear. It is important to look for these areas because the piece could break on you. Also, if a repair is noticeable then it is not a good repair and will most likely not hold.
5. Verify the piece's authenticity by using the loop to look for any makers' marks and hallmarks. The hallmark is the amount of gold used, and the makers' mark is who made the piece. There are many books that can help you look these marks up, such as "The Collector's Dictionary of Gold and Silver," by Michael Clayton. The hallmark will be noted by a number. For example 14k and 375 are indications of how many parts of gold are used in the piece. The makers mark is usually a name, letter or symbol.
6. Ask the seller for a receipt that describes what the item is, what it is made of and when it was made. Check the information you have been given by taking the piece to another jewelry seller to ask him what he thinks of it. If you find that the information you've been given is incorrect and you no longer want to own the piece as a result of this, return the item back to the seller and ask for a refund.
