| Some of the best places to find great vintage | | | | condition. Look for broken clasps, missing stones, |
| costume jewelry are thrift shops. You've seen the | | | | worn metal finishes, and any green material on gold |
| big stores - Goodwill, Salvation Army, Savers...and | | | | tone jewelry. The green stuff is corrosion, and it |
| then there are the charity shops run by churches and | | | | can't be cleaned off. Pass on that one. Check that |
| non-profits. All of them receive donated jewelry, and | | | | stone settings are tight, and if they aren't, be careful |
| I have found some amazing pieces in thrift shops. It | | | | with the piece - you should be able to tighten them. |
| seems to me that the larger chain shops have better | | | | If the piece is dirty you can clean it. Bring a jeweler's |
| prices than the smaller charity shops, but it really | | | | loupe or strong magnifying glass so you can examine |
| depends on who is pricing the jewelry when they put | | | | the piece closely. |
| it out for sale. Some shop employees are very savvy | | | | 2. Is the piece signed? The name on the back of a |
| about values, but some aren't and they often price | | | | pin or earring, on the clasp of a necklace or bracelet, |
| jewelry very low. Maybe they figure that if it isn't | | | | or on an earring clip is the "signature" of the designer. |
| real gold it isn't worth much. Good for us! | | | | Signed pieces can be more valuable than unsigned, |
| Thrift shop shopping has lost the stigma of being just | | | | but there are also many many "unsigned beauties" |
| junk shops or places where the down-and-out shop. | | | | out there. Look for the name, and if there is a |
| A great tip is to become friendly with the staff of | | | | copyright symbol ©, that means the piece was |
| the shops that you visit. One clerk lets me rummage | | | | made after about 1955. No symbol - you probably |
| through the jewelry bins before she prices them and | | | | have a real vintage piece. Look for the numbers 925 |
| puts them out on the floor. Another lets me know | | | | on silver jewelry - that means it's sterling silver, and if |
| when they get a large amount of jewelry donated. | | | | the price is right, you've got a steal. |
| Find out when the shop has their specials. One store | | | | 3. Price: It's hard to put a price on thrift shop jewelry |
| in my town has a 30% Senior discount on | | | | - the cheaper, the better, of course! I try not to |
| Wednesdays. Guess which day is my shopping day! | | | | spend more than $3 for a pin, bracelet, necklace or |
| Sometimes the shop management will put a large | | | | pair of earrings. You might come across something |
| amount of jewelry in a plastic bag and sell the bag | | | | really spectacular that costs more, and if you think |
| for a fixed price. If you find these, examine the bag | | | | you can profit from it, or you want it for yourself, |
| as closely as you can - you won't be allowed to open | | | | go ahead and buy it. A good rule of thumb when |
| it, and there's lots of junk in there, mostly stuff that | | | | shopping thrift shops is this: If you like it but aren't |
| didn't sell, and often lots of plastic Mardi Gras beads. I | | | | sure, set yourself a limit, say $5. If it turns out to be |
| bought these bags a few times, and it was fun | | | | not so great, you're not out that much. As |
| sorting through everything, but I wound up donating | | | | mentioned, some thrift shop employees know more |
| most of it to a nursing home for crafts projects. I | | | | about jewelry, and will price some pieces too high for |
| have found a few really nice pieces this way, but I | | | | you to sell and make a profit. But there seems to be |
| don't think it was really worth the time and trouble. | | | | quite a bit of employee turnover in these shops, so |
| Most thrift shops have a glass case where they keep | | | | the next person pricing jewelry might not be as |
| the better stuff. Ask to see pieces that interest you, | | | | knowledgeable. |
| and examine them closely. Look closely at the racks | | | | After Christmas is a good time to pick up Christmas |
| where they usually hang the cheaper stuff. I found a | | | | jewelry. Some shops will mark down holiday items to |
| sterling silver Native American belt buckle, with a | | | | get rid of them, other shops just store them away |
| turquoise stone in it and signed by the artist, hanging | | | | for next year. |
| in a zip lock bag on a rack. I bought it for $2.80 and | | | | I love shopping at thrift shops - just like Forrest |
| sold it on eBay for $52! It was badly tarnished, but I | | | | Gump's box of chocolates, you never know what |
| polished it up and it was beautiful. | | | | you're going to get. Every trip is a treasure hunt. |
| There always seem to be lots of watches in those | | | | Some days are slim pickin's, but some days are very |
| cases. Beware of copies of famous makes, and buy | | | | rewarding. Just yesterday I got 10 pieces for $15 - |
| only name brands that you recognize. Make sure the | | | | several are sterling silver, and one piece may be jade |
| band is in good condition and that there are no | | | | - I'm still not sure. |
| scratches on the crystal. The watch probably won't | | | | Be consistent in your thrift shop shopping. Try to go |
| be working, so plan to spend $5 to $7 for a battery. | | | | out every week, and find out when the shops have |
| If you're buying for resale, be sure to include the | | | | their special promotions. Most of the large chain |
| cost of a battery to see if the watch is worth | | | | shops put out new merchandise all day long, some |
| buying. You're taking a chance there - it might not | | | | other shops restock on certain days. Find out when |
| work even after a new battery is installed. | | | | those are, and get there early. |
| Whether you are buying jewelry for your own | | | | Read books about costume jewelry, and become |
| collection or for resale, there are several things to | | | | knowledgeable, so when you shop the thrift shops |
| look for when examining thrift shop jewelry. | | | | you'll be armed with information. Have fun with it, get |
| 1. Condition, condition, condition: You are going to | | | | to know the thrift shop staff, and you'll come home |
| come across all kinds of jewelry in all kinds of | | | | with some fabulous jewelry at fabulous prices. |