Estate jewelry

What defines it

Exceptional pre-owned fine jewelry, regardless of age. Estate means previously owned, not old: a platinum diamond ring from the 2000s and a signed gold chain from the 1990s both belong here, and neither is called vintage.

What to look for

Estate is judged as fine jewelry, not as an antique. We start with the maker or brand, the signature, any serial or reference number and the hallmark, and confirm they agree with each other before a name is used. Then comes condition: original finish or a piece that has been polished thin, replaced clasps, claws or links, the quality of the manufacture itself, and any service history we can document. Where a diamond or colored stone carries a laboratory certificate we photograph it, and we record whether the original box and papers came with the piece. Provenance, current desirability and collectability decide what the piece is worth today.

What it costs

Estate pieces span a wide range, from roughly $500 for pre-owned gold up to $50,000 and beyond for signed work, certified diamonds and important modern pieces.

Indicative only. Every curated vintage, antique and estate piece is one of a kind and priced on its own merits, with free insured US shipping.