Buying a piece of second hand jewellery can be a great investment. Second hand jewellery is often sold for a third or half of the price of the item if it were to be bought new.
The second hand market is growing in popularity as more people find that the price of buying new precious metal and gem set jewellery is rising beyond their budgets. Choosing a second hand item can give you the opportunity to buy exactly what you want without having to compromise.
There are a number of things to consider before you purchase an item of second hand jewellery. The first is to consider the reputation of the establishment you are buying from. You need to know that they are both trustworthy and knowledgeable. There are a number of indicators that can help you to make an informed decision. The first is to see if the company are registered with any industry trade bodies. For example Find Jewellery is a trading name of R.J. Morris Jewellers, we are members of the National Association of Goldsmiths which have regulations governing sales and a strict code of conduct.
Secondly you should enquire about the qualifications of the member of staff responsible for selecting the second hand items. There should be a highly qualified individual with the ability to gauge the value and quality of goods independently. One of the most internationally respected organisations is The Gemmological Association of Great Britain also known as Gem-A. One of our members of staff is a Fellow of this association and also has their diamond certification. These highly regarded qualifications enable her to accurately and astutely analyse the value of jewellery.
The next thing to do is to have a good look around and see the different things that are on offer. Part of the excitement of buying second hand jewellery is that you never know what you might find. You will be amazed by the range of second hand jewellery available. All ages and styles turn up in second hand jewellery collections; from antique to vintage and modern.
Never be afraid to ask for retailers expert advice. They should be able to help you make an informed decision about your purchase. For example some items are not suitable for every day wear such as our 9ct rose gold charm bracelet. The links of the bracelet are hollow and would be likely to sustain damage if worn on a daily basis. It has been designed for special occasion wear. On the other hand some pieces are perfectly suited to every day wear including our rub over set second hand diamond ring. The style of the setting secures the stone and mimises the risk of any damage. A responsible jeweller should be happy to discuss the merits and failings of different styles and types of second hand jewellery, in fact it is a key part of their job.
The term antique normally refers to items that are more than 100 years old. Often antique jewellery is not suitable for everyday wear, it was made in a time when people had it for ‘Sunday Best’ and would not wear it the rest of the time. If you are buying antique jewellery ask about the condition of the stone settings and any places where there could be wear; on a ring band or by a clasp. The term vintage has a number of different connotations, check with the jeweller. The term vintage jewellery can mean ‘in the style of’ an age or it can mean ‘from’ an age. As the word is frequently used in both ways it can be confusing so it is normally worth asking.
Modern Second Hand Jewellery
A lot of modern second hand jewellery is almost as good as new. Today people tend to expect a lot more their jewellery so designers have developed new styles that allow for maximum durability. When it comes to diamond rings that are to be worn everyday you need to consider the way that the stones are set. A rub over setting is probably the most secure, if you want a claw set stone then go for more rather than less claws. Four claw settings are particularly delicate, for if one claw breaks the stone is likely to fall out and be lost completely.
If you are interested in any of our second hand jewellery phone us up and have a chat about it. We try to create accurate informative descriptions but of course they cannot cover every variable and may not answer all of the questions that you have. We also have a returns policy so if the item is not as you expected you can return it to us and we will give you a full refund as long as it is received in the condition it was sent to you.
Please browse our collection of second hand jewellery and do come back to check up on new items as the stock will be regularly added too.
Mothers’ Day is fast approaching, this year it falls on the 3rd April 2011. Around this time we get lots of enquiries about what jewellery makes a good Mother’s Day present. Every woman has their own style which is why we sell a diverse mix of contemporary and traditional jewellery. From 
