Comments on: Vintage Jewelry and “Oops”

By: Gail

Gail — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:46:13 +0000

Hi Marjolijn — thanks for the question! When it comes to costume jewelry, some collectors value the piece in its original condition, which includes patina and possibly some weak spots.

I think it’s certainly legitimate to fix a piece of jewelry so it’s “like new”. Replacing small chatons that have fallen out is a great example. And if you have replaced them with vintage chatons that are an exact match, and your resetting/glueing job is perfect, I don’t see a need to mention it.

However, if it was a main stone (especially if it was large and/or unusual), then that is something to let the buyer know.

Similarly, if you have made a repair, it’s only fair to let the buyer know. In most cases, they will be happy. But if someone is really hoping for an old, unaltered piece, it’s something they need to know.

So the best policy is to let the buyer know if you have made any repairs, excellent or not.

Hope this helps!

Gail

By: Marjolijn

Marjolijn — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:05:10 +0000

I was wondering – beeing a starter collector and reseller – whether it ’s aloud to repair jewelry and resell the piece later with a good to excellent condition or not. I mean what do I have to say to somebody who is interested and what not? When I do not see any difference, can I I still sell it as having an exellent condition? What do you think? Thank you,
Marjolijn

By: Gail

Gail — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:14:55 +0000

Yes, I can’t count the pieces of jewelry I tossed because a stone had fallen out, or a pearl come off. We probably all have had that happen at some point or another.

But knowing what you do now, you can keep an eye out for other jewelry with missing pieces that match something you have, and be used for repairs. Sometimes you can get these “repair pieces” for a tiny sum, and use thir parts to fix a piece that’s more valuable.

By: Jennie

Jennie — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:16:22 +0000

I had a different kind of vintage jewelry “oops” where I bought this vintage broach that had pearls and rhinestones. Over time I lost one of the pearls and some of the rhinestones. I didn’t bother to find matching pearls and rhinestones to replace the missing ones, although it was one of my favorite pins that I wore in the 1980’s.