Frequently Asked Questions

The Vintage Jewelry Buyer purchases vintage jewelry and older jewelry collections by appointment in South Orange County. Below are answers to common questions about the types of jewelry we consider, how appointments work, and what to expect when selling a collection.

What type of jewelry do you purchase?

Our primary focus is true vintage jewelry. We look at vintage costume jewelry, vintage sterling silver jewelry, antique jewelry, inherited jewelry, older Native American jewelry, signed designer pieces, unsigned jewelry, and large mixed collections.

We may consider brooches, pins, necklaces, bracelets, rings, clip-on earrings, pendants, dress clips, matching sets, cuffs, charms, and other unusual older pieces.

Does the jewelry need to be signed?

No. We look at both signed and unsigned vintage jewelry. A maker’s name can be helpful, but it is not the only thing we consider.

Some unsigned jewelry may still be interesting because of its age, construction, color, stones, design, or overall quality. We review the complete piece rather than making a decision based only on a signature.

Do you purchase vintage costume jewelry?

Yes. Vintage costume jewelry is one of our main areas of interest. This may include older rhinestone jewelry, colorful brooches, clip-on earrings, necklaces, bracelets, beads, imitation pearls, enamel jewelry, dress clips, and coordinated sets.

Costume jewelry does not need to contain expensive materials to be worth showing us. Older design, craftsmanship, condition, and current collector interest can all be important.

Do you purchase inherited jewelry?

Yes. We regularly look at jewelry inherited from parents, grandparents, relatives, friends, trusts, and family estates.

Inherited collections are often mixed together in jewelry boxes, bags, drawers, trays, or containers. You are not expected to identify or organize every piece before contacting us.

Before an appointment, please remove any sentimental jewelry, family keepsakes, or pieces that another family member may want to keep.

How much jewelry can I bring?

We look at collections of many sizes. Some clients bring a small group of interesting pieces. Others have one hundred pieces, several hundred pieces, or thousands of pieces accumulated over many years.

We are comfortable reviewing full jewelry boxes, multiple trays, bags, dealer inventory, estate collections, and large mixed groups.

Do I need to sort the jewelry first?

No. You do not need to fully sort, research, or identify the jewelry before your appointment.

It is common for vintage pieces to be mixed with newer fashion jewelry, beads, watches, single earrings, damaged pieces, and other items. We can look through the collection and focus on the jewelry that matches our current buying interests.

If possible, keep matching earrings and jewelry sets together.

Do I need to send pictures?

Pictures are helpful, but they are not required. We understand that some clients may not know how to take or send photographs by text or email.

You may call us and provide a simple description of what you have. Tell us approximately how many boxes, trays, bags, or pieces are included and where you are located.

If you are comfortable sending pictures, several group photographs are usually enough. You do not need to photograph every piece separately.

Can I bring the jewelry to you?

Yes. You may bring your jewelry to our South Orange County location for a private appointment. All office visits must be scheduled in advance.

An office appointment may be convenient for individual pieces, several jewelry boxes, or collections that can be transported safely.

Can you come to my home?

Mobile appointments may be available for larger collections or jewelry that is difficult to transport. We may be able to visit a home, estate, office, storage location, or another suitable location.

Mobile appointment availability depends on the size and type of the collection, your location, and our schedule. Please tell us approximately how much jewelry you have when you contact us.

Do you work without an appointment?

No. We work by appointment so that we can reserve enough time for each client and collection.

Please do not bring jewelry to an office without receiving a confirmed day, time, and location. An appointment request is not confirmed until we contact you with the details.

Should I clean the jewelry before the appointment?

No. It is usually better to leave vintage jewelry in the condition in which it was found.

Strong cleaners, dips, polishing products, and glue can damage older finishes, stones, clasps, and settings. Home repairs may also make a piece more difficult to restore.

If a stone or small part has come loose, place it in a small bag and keep it with the original piece.

Do you purchase damaged jewelry?

We may consider damaged vintage jewelry. Older pieces may have missing stones, loose clasps, broken chains, bent pins, surface wear, or old repairs.

Condition affects our interest and offer, but damage does not always mean that a piece should be thrown away. We also restore certain types of vintage jewelry and may see potential in an item that needs work.

Do you purchase vintage sterling silver jewelry?

Yes. We look at select vintage sterling silver rings, bracelets, cuffs, necklaces, pendants, earrings, brooches, charms, and handmade pieces.

Please do not heavily polish older silver jewelry before showing it to us. An aged finish can be part of the appearance and character of a vintage piece.

Do you purchase Native American jewelry?

We look at select older Native American jewelry, including silver rings, cuffs, bracelets, necklaces, pendants, earrings, and other traditional or regional designs.

Our interest depends on the age, style, construction, condition, maker, and individual piece. You do not need to identify the artist or origin before contacting us.

How do you decide what to purchase?

We review the jewelry and select the pieces that fit our current buying interests. We consider age, design, condition, construction, maker, materials, quantity, collector interest, restoration needs, and expected resale potential.

We may be interested in one piece, a selected group, several trays, or an entire collection. We do not promise to purchase every item presented to us.

How do you determine an offer?

Any offer is based on our experience, judgment, current buying needs, condition, age, design, quantity, expected expenses, and resale potential.

Our offer is the amount we are personally willing to pay for the selected jewelry. It may be different from a retail asking price, insurance value, online listing price, replacement value, or auction estimate.

Do you provide formal appraisals?

Our primary purpose is purchasing jewelry. Comments made during a buying appointment reflect our opinion and judgment as a buyer.

Unless a separate written appraisal service has been specifically arranged, our review is not a certified appraisal for insurance, probate, taxes, divorce, charitable donations, or other legal purposes.

Am I required to accept an offer?

No. There is no obligation to sell. You may listen to the offer, ask which pieces are included, and decide whether you would like to proceed.

You may also remove sentimental items or pieces you are uncertain about before completing a transaction.

When will I be paid?

If we make an offer and you accept it, payment is made at the appointment for the jewelry being purchased.

Before the transaction is completed, we will make clear which pieces or groups of jewelry are included in the offer.

What happens to jewelry you do not purchase?

Any jewelry we do not purchase remains with you. Declining an item does not necessarily mean that it has no value.

A piece may be too new, outside our specialty, difficult for us to resell, or simply not something we need at that time.

How long does an appointment take?

The appointment length depends on the amount and type of jewelry. A small group may take less time, while a collection containing hundreds or thousands of pieces will require a longer appointment.

You do not need an exact piece count. A general description of the number of boxes, bags, or trays helps us reserve enough time.

What areas do you serve?

We serve South Orange County and surrounding communities by appointment. This includes Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Aliso Viejo, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Ladera Ranch, Rancho Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Dana Point, San Clemente, Newport Beach, and nearby areas.

How do I get started?

Contact us with a general description of your jewelry and approximately how much you have. Pictures are welcome but are not necessary.

You may use our appointment request page or visit our contact page. Please include your name, telephone number, location, and whether you would prefer to come to us or ask about a mobile appointment.