| During my last trip to a flea market, my friend Karen | | | | Many new collectors ask this question. There is no |
| asked me what she should look for when buying any | | | | simple answer to this. I can share with you what I do |
| vintage costumer jewelry? | | | | and what I believe in. I believe ebay is a good source |
| I decided to help Karen and shared with her seven | | | | for finding prices of any vintage costume jewelry. I |
| tips everyone should look for when buying vintage | | | | also go to library if required. I think you can form a |
| costume jewelry. And now Karen is a seasoned | | | | local club where you can consult your peers and |
| collector of the vintage costume jewelry. | | | | seniors. You can also research on the internet. |
| I know what are you thinking. How can seven tips | | | | You should go to flea market and antique malls more |
| make anyone a seasoned collector? | | | | often. This will help you in understanding the key |
| You are right. Nobody can make you a seasoned | | | | factors which determine the price. |
| collector. But my seven tips can put you on the | | | | Tip#4 - |
| proper track to becoming a seasoned vintage | | | | Buy only if it's a good investment. |
| costume jewelry collector. | | | | As a good rule of thumb, you should buy only that |
| I know your time is very precious, so I am sharing | | | | vintage costume jewelry which appreciate over time. |
| only five tips here. If you like this article and need | | | | Well said, but how do I know that it will appreciate. |
| balance two tips, please go to resource box and grab | | | | Here is the secret..... |
| more than the other two tips and many other | | | | My personal favorite is that designer-signed jewelry in |
| articles by subscribing to our newsletter. | | | | a good condition, is always a good investment. If you |
| If you think that these tips are very basic. Yep, you | | | | are a new collector, you should stick to this rule. If |
| are right. I believe we can achieve more in life if we | | | | you are a seasoned one, you already know that this |
| focus on basics alone. | | | | is a sound advice. |
| Tip#1 - | | | | I think novice collectors should be very careful when |
| Never buy any vintage costume jewelry without | | | | buying hot fashionable costume jewelry. Fashion |
| physical inspection. | | | | industry is very notorious for fast changing trends. |
| I know internet merchants will kill me. Buy when you | | | | What is hot today, may decline over the time. This |
| buy from any internet source, you should examine | | | | type of jewelry will loose value if the style is not |
| the jewelry very thoroughly once you receive it. If | | | | popular anymore. Savvy collectors know these |
| you are not satisfied, immediately return it to the | | | | trends and they encash their investments in time. But |
| seller. This applies to any type of jewelry. Now you | | | | novice collectors loose in such a market. |
| will ask me what should you look for. | | | | Tip#5 - |
| I strongly recommend that you should check the | | | | Look for extras that add value |
| metal if there is any discoloring or marks or any | | | | I prefer buying vintage costume jewelry in full set |
| damage. You should check for stones if there is any | | | | instead of buying only a necklace or just earrings. I |
| wear damage or marks or clouds. You should also | | | | believe that full set of vintage costume jewelry |
| check if any stones are missing. You should check if | | | | provides a better return to my bucks. |
| stones are pronged or pasted. Jewelry with pronged | | | | I also look for vintage costume jewelry in their |
| stones is always better. | | | | original boxes. I believe this small step increases the |
| Tip#2 - | | | | value of the investment, |
| Never buy any vintage costume jewelry if it is | | | | If I am buying directly from the original seller, I also |
| beyond your budget. | | | | ask them for their anecdotal information about their |
| I am a strong believer in setting a budget for the | | | | jewelry. |
| hobby and then stick to your budget. I have seen | | | | If you want other two valuable tips, please go to |
| many novice collectors paying beyond their budget | | | | resource box and claim your second part of this |
| because they fell in love. It's all right if you are buying | | | | article. |
| as a gift for your loved ones. But if you are a | | | | Well, now it's time to go to flea markets and antique |
| vintage costume jewelry collector, you should avoid | | | | malls. But before you buy any vintage costume |
| jumping your budget unless you know that it will | | | | jewelry, don't forget to browse through above |
| appreciate fast. | | | | checklist. Last but not the least, don't forget to ask |
| Tip#3 - | | | | for discount. |
| Always do your homework before buying any | | | | I wish you success in becoming a seasoned collector |
| vintage costume jewelry. | | | | of vintage costume jewelry. |