Things to keep in mind while acquiring vintage jewellery

From choosing jewellery a well-informed source to checking the certification and time period, these tips go a long way in adding a prized possession to your collection.

The jewellery auction market in India is maturing, and all the credit goes to the enthusiasts, who are following the happenings at auctions and are also bettering their knowledge about the domain. Therefore, my first advice would be to acquire vintage jewellery from an auction.

Choose a genuine and well-informed source. An auction house acquisition proves to be exciting as well as completely transparent, and the presented lots’ legitimacy is seconded by the auction house, since they undertake research and adhere to due diligence protocols.

Jewellery consigned at auctions is appraised and carefully selected by experts and one knows that the jewellery is genuine.

Certification of stones

Another important aspect that one should follow up about is the certification of the stones they intend to acquire. Certification not only cements the value proposition of coloured stones such as rubies, emeralds and blue sapphires; but also sheds light about the weight, that is the carat value of the stones, as well as information regarding the place of origin and its clarity efficacy. Therefore, I advise to consider certification as an important parameter.

Time period of the jewellery

Vintage Indian Jewellery & Art Deco Jewellery from the 1920s to 1930s should definitely be part of one’s collection. It would be an understatement to merely quote that vintage jewellery has a charm that no modern or new jewellery contains; because in all actuality, apart from the visual appeal, factors such as the designs, the manufacturing techniques, as well as the execution cannot be exercised in the present. Art Deco period jewellery can be identified by its geometric and symmetric flow of design. In my opinion the period was indeed one of the most important movements from our recent past.

Marked jewellery

Vintage jewellery which bear a signature of the maker always do very well in auctions, and in particular Art Deco signed pieces have fared very well. Creations by European masons, as well as famed jewellers have also garnered attention at our auctions. As a matter of fact, in our upcoming auction slated to take place in the month of April, there will feature signed pieces by Piaget, Tiffany, Collingwood Jewellers Ltd., London, Chimanlal Manchand & Co., Gazdar Jewellers and Narotamdas Bhau.

Provenance

The provenance most definitely adds value to the lot. Collectors love to gain insight about the original owner of the jewellery and about the history associated with it. It’s like time travelling to another era and adds a charm to the acquisition.