A guide to buying vintage jewelry online

glamourkitten offers the finest range of vintage and couture jewels and accessories.

Our customers appreciate the care with which we select our treasures for their beauty, originality, and in many cases, rarity. They also appreciate the care and honesty with which we catalogue our vintage and more contemporary jewelery.

We are careful to note any wear, aging or damage, and pride ourselves on dating and describing knowledgably. When buying vintage jewelry online, you might find the following guide useful.

Original versus revival

Everyone would like to own and wear stylish deco jewelry, or precious Victorian cameos, and they make great investments. Good style however never goes out of fashion, and classic designs are often repeated decades later. Deco designs were hugely fashionable in the sixties, and today forties jewelery and the eighties designs that were inspired by it are just as poplular.

This means that while you are saving for that perfect Bakelite bangle, you can buy a disco era copy to wear right now. It does however also mean that less than scupulous dealers and those who are new to trading can mistake the newer copies for the originals.

When buying, be careful to note the difference - say between Deco and 'deco style' - and if its not clear on their website - ask.

Condition

We just love it when a big rhinestone parure falls through a gap in time and lands in perfect unworn condition. Sadly age and wear may dull metalwork and rhinestones can become cloudy or spotted. For some collectors peices this can spell ruin but for others it can just add to the charm and sense of history.

It's up to you to decide what fits your look, but it pays to look carefully at photos, especially of the reverse, which can often show the worst wear. If photos are indisctinct, or the description does not mention the condition, reputable dealers will be more than happy to clarify this before you place your order.

Along with many others in the antiques and vintage trade, we use the following scale when describing our treasures:

Mint: as it was when it was made and retailed - no signs of wear or age.

Near mint: very minor signs of wear or age, such as near invisible scratches or patination of the metal

Very good condtion: perfect to the naked eye, may be minor damage to the reverse

Good condition: Clear signs of wear or age, perhasp darkened stones or wear around clasps

Fair condition: Visible damage, but still very wearble and probably quite charming



glamourkitten hopes you enjoy buying vintage jewelry online!