Tips for Collecting Designer and Luxury Jewellery
Being a kid you must have always adored your mother wearing her best jewellery. At some point, you must have even tried it in front of the mirror in the desire of looking as beautiful as your mom. Wearing those little butterfly clips turned into diamond studs eventually. Time flies, but our love for jewellery is constant.
Well, everyone has a personal opinion about buying a particular set of jewellery, but there are some basic rules associated with collecting vintage, antique and modern jewellery items. Investing a good amount in jewellery requires a good knowledge of jewellery.
Owning everyday jewellery is completely different from collecting a piece of classic jewellery Item. It requires a good sense of styling and a fair amount of knowledge about a particular jewellery item you are going to buy.
If you are new in this field it’s better to start collecting small rotational jewellery items like studs, small hoops, medium-sized teardrop earrings, minimalist necklaces, pendants and signet rings. Gradually you will learn about the jewellery options and its purchasing rules.
So as for now, scroll down for basic tips for collecting designer and luxury jewellery.
1. Know The Difference Between Designer and Luxury Jewellery:
While for most people both the words designer and luxury seem similar whereas these words are way too different from each other. In the fashion world, designer jewellery has a lot of say. Most fashion houses work in collaboration with jewellery designers for their new fashion launches. These jewellery items are even available for discounts at the end of the season. These jewellery designs may or may not be available or even in trend after some time.
And in contrast, luxury jewellery houses are known for their specific jewellery designs. These luxury jewellery items are curated with a basic idea for centuries. Moreover, luxury jewellery houses may be known for a particular style or jewellery item. These jewellery staples may take a lot of time in manufacturing.
2. Invest in Proper Storage Case:
As you finally get your luxury or classic jewellery, it’s necessary to handle these highly-priced jewels with utmost care. Of course, your jewellery is designed to stand the damages caused due to water, air and day to day usage, but still storing them properly saves from tangling, breakage and other frictional damages. Always invest in high-quality leather pouches with sections to store every jewellery item separately. These boxes or pouches are easy to store and travel with. The fabric-lined boxes or leather pouches are favourable for rotational wearing jewellery. For luxury jewellery, you may need to apply for a safety deposit box or install a high-security safe at your home.
3. Refining Your Style:
Shopping jewellery frequently will gradually make you a pro at buying the best pieces.
It helps you to understand your inclination towards a particular metal, gemstone or designer. While balancing out your collection make sure to invest in a particular metal that you feel more associated with for a particular period. This will help you to collect the best of the items available in that particular metal. Likewise, move to the next metal of your choice and collect the best of the trends of that time. As we earlier discussed, your choices may always differ, try to invest in classic jewellery items first. These timeless pieces, like signet rings, necklaces, pendants, bracelets etc. are true gems to be treasured forever. Moreover, this kind of jewellery never goes out of fashion.
4. Astute Investments:
As you collected the jewellery from history, it’s time to have a look over some gemstones that go hand in hand with every outfit. For instance, invest in diamonds. These undeniably beautiful and most priced gemstones work as a true asset. These talk about your choice and status a lot. You can invest from vintage to modern luxury jewellery items depending entirely on your budget. Make your investment more with brains and less with hearts.
5. Beware Of Outdated Certificate Of Authenticity:
Making a big investment without asking for an authenticity certificate may land you into big-time trouble. Purchasing without having any legit paperwork is not a smart move at all. You must always ask your dealer or retailer for a certificate stamped by GIA. The jewellery approved by GIA directly complies with the authenticity of the gemstones used in a particular jewellery item. These certifications have complete detail about the origin and quality of the gemstones. Another thing to notice in your certificate is the date of issue. These certificates must not be any older than two years.
6. Start Searching For Your Style:
Collecting fine jewellery is not an easy task. It takes years of experience to choose the correct item that suits your style. To figure out your style, you must explore more and more through any possible media. Flip over the jewellery magazines, read blogs, search catalogues, decide your budget and categorise jewellery items that appeal to you the most. The process may feel frustrating and confusing. But once you finally get to know your style, the whole process will start making sense.
7. Do A little Research:
The jewellery world is quite a vast subject to explore. Once you decide your style, it’s time to learn the basic terminology for the items you like. For example, if you like diamonds, you must learn about the cuts, facets and colours of diamonds. While looking for vintage jewellery you must have a thorough knowledge of its origin, era, manufacturing technique and all other necessary information associated with it. All this information is necessary to understand the pricing and quality of the designer or luxury jewellery.
8. Be Patient:
You may feel anxious, impatient, confused, frustrated and all of it while building a collection. Don’t stress, to make an outstanding collection, you will need a lot of patience. A remarkable collection needs to grow with time. It takes a lifetime to choose the best of all. So be gentle with yourself and choose wisely and choose the jewellery that you feel most connected with. These jewellery items must hold your emotions too, otherwise, these are just a piece of metal and stone.
9. Appraise And Insure Your Pieces:
Never ever make a mistake of not insuring your luxury or designer jewellery. These jewellery items always need a good amount to buy. So losing them at any point may cost you a lot. It’s wise and smart to get each piece insured at the time of purchase. Make sure you get every part of your jewellery covered under the policy you are opting for. There are several online companies which provide these services.
Thank you Anna & Hannah Alkadi for the amazing images we used.
