by Theresa Nolet

I am often asked how I determine the value of costume jewellery. Well, many factors have to be taken into consideration, some of which are age, condition, wear-ability and who may want to purchase it.

Age is often the first thing I hear when people pull out that wonderful little cardboard box holding their treasures.

“It belonged to my grandmother and she was 93 when she died.” Well sometimes I have the unenviable task of telling people that their Grandma might have been 93 but the jewellery is pretty young!

Also age is not always what makes an item valuable. I can have two items in similar condition and size and the newer one can be much more valuable because it is something that people want to wear.

Take a pair of rhinestone earrings from the 1930’s that have screw back fittings. The average person does not want a screw back earring. Compare these to a pair of Sherman rhinestone earrings from the 1960’s with clip backs, which can be quite easy to sell because they are still fashionable. The newer earrings are often worth more than the older ones.

Condition of course always affects value. We have a brooch from the early 1800’s which is made of paste, a term used for early rhinestones. This brooch was well loved and shows wear. Compare this to one from the 1940’s in beautiful condition. In this case the older brooch, even with the wear, can be more valuable than the newer one in mint condition. This is because there are not a lot of brooches from this time period so the scarcity of the item overcomes the condition.

Each piece has to be judged on its own merit, but I hope you can understand what I am faced with when trying to decide the value of individual items. Want to learn more? Stop in for a visit.

Theresa Nolet owns Jardin Estate Jewelry and Antiques in Okanagan Falls, BC. For more info on what vintage jewellery is worth visit www.jardinantiques.com.