| If you'd like to start or add to a collection of vintage | | | | the price. Look for sellers with lots of stuff other |
| costume jewelry, there are several ways to go | | | | than jewelry - if they are just cleaning out the |
| about it. There were so many styles made by many | | | | garage or attic, you may be able to find some real |
| designers, that there are lots of pieces out there just | | | | treasures, and they might let them go for a song. |
| looking for a new home - yours! | | | | Offer the price you are willing to pay. |
| 1. Estate Sales: Check the classified section of your | | | | 3. Yard sales and garage sales: Check your local |
| local newspaper for listings for estate sales. These | | | | classified ads and for listings of sales in your area. |
| are usually conducted by professionals who do this | | | | Plan your route and try to get to what look like the |
| for a living, and they pretty much know the value of | | | | best sales early. Church rummage sales and group |
| what they are selling for the heirs of an estate. | | | | fundraisers are the best - people will donate some |
| Usually the estate is that of an older person, and | | | | really good things to support their organization or |
| vintage items abound. Estate Sales are usually held on | | | | cause. And all the tables of goodies are in one place. |
| weekends, or Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Go on | | | | At yard sales always ask if they have any jewelry if |
| the first day to see if there is anything there that | | | | you don't see any...the seller might just go back into |
| you want. Sign up on the agent's e-mail list, so you'll | | | | the house and bring out a treasure. |
| be notified about future sales. If you see something | | | | 4. Thrift shops and resale shops: I have found some |
| you love, go ahead and buy it if the price seems | | | | amazing pieces of costume jewelry at thrift shops |
| reasonable. The trick to getting the best price is to | | | | such as Goodwill and the Salvation Army. Usually the |
| go on the last day of the sale, when prices are | | | | better pieces will be in a locked case, but I have |
| typically 50% off. O f course, many items will be | | | | found some very nice vintage costume jewelry in a |
| gone by then, but you can still pick up a bargain. And | | | | basket on the checkout counter. Ask about their |
| by the last day, the agent may be willing to | | | | specials - some have 50% off on Wednesdays, for |
| negotiate the price. | | | | example - another has 30% for Seniors on |
| 2. Flea Markets and Swap Meets: Sometimes vintage | | | | Wednesdays. (Guess which day is my shopping day!) |
| costume jewelry shows up here, but be aware that | | | | Always bring a jeweler's loupe or small magnifying |
| many sellers are professional dealers and their prices | | | | glass with you to carefully examine every piece of |
| will reflect their retail prices, or perhaps a bit less. If | | | | jewelry. Go out early and often, and you will be |
| you see something you love, be willing to negotiate | | | | amazed at what you will find. |