How Experts Shop for Antique and Vintage Jewelry Online—Plus, What You Should Know

In the olden days, you could walk into an antique store or a flea market and suddenly spy a jewelry piece that takes your breath away. Although the thrill of the hunt is always alive and well when it comes to anything antique or vintage, there’s a different type of excitement that results from finding that perfect piece online after questing after it for months or even years.

“Shopping online for vintage and antique jewelry opens the whole jewelry world to you,” says Amy Roseveare, founder of TheCuratedJewelryBox.com and TheCuratedShopper.com. “Though you may be lucky enough to have a local shop or two, many people may not have that luxury—but with the click of a mouse or a tap on the phone, you can suddenly find yourself checking out the wares of shops in cities and countries across the globe.”

“Through a word or image search, the same product may be listed on multiple platforms, allowing the shopper to see each price and get the best offer,” she says.

Whether you’re shopping luxury sites like 1stDibs, One Kings Lane, or Ruby Lane, or heading to tried-and-true marketplaces like eBay and Etsy, these forthcoming tips will have you shopping for vintage and antique jewelry like a pro in no time.

Research Sellers

“A bit of due diligence can go a long way,” Samet says. “If you are finding a piece online, do a little research into who the seller is, how long they’ve been in business, and if they specialize in that type of piece. Check for any reviews and their ratings left from previous purchasers so you know you are buying from a trusted source.”

Do Your Homework

Roseveare recommends knowing exactly what you’re looking for and becoming as knowledgeable as possible on that piece, or pieces.

“If retro bracelets are your love, then do a deep dive into them. Read about their history, look at countless photos, and if possible, try some on to see what you’re really looking at. All this education will sharpen your eye when you look at options online,” she says.

Samet adds it's important to be specific when searching for pieces online, including details such as exact stones, metals, dates, and styles. Samet says, “Be as specific as you can when searching. For example, if you know you like pieces from the Edwardian period, place that in your search parameters.”

Know the Price of Gold

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If you’re looking for the real deal beyond costume jewelry, Roseveare says it’s important to keep up to date on the cost of gold.

She says, “As you know, its price has been skyrocketing. Also realize that the cost of the gold is only part of the price of an item. Sellers also base prices on the rarity of a piece, how much they paid for it, did they have to travel to procure the piece, etc.”

Reverse the Search

Let’s say that you’ve seen something specific that you truly desire, but you don’t know where to find it. In this case, Samet suggests taking a picture of it or screenshotting it and doing a reverse image Google search.

“That search feature has come a long way since it first began, and you can also type in key words to help define and narrow the search,” she says.

Peruse in Person

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“While it may sound counterintuitive, visit antique fairs and vintage shows to develop your eye and chat with vendors to learn about the pieces,” Samet advises. “Nothing beats seeing something up close and being able to touch or hold a piece in person. That way, when you are searching online, you can have a better curation of what really speaks to you and is older and true vintage or antique.”

Recognize Stamps

It can be helpful to get to know stamps, or hallmarks, as they appear on vintage and antique jewelry pieces. For this, Roseveare highly recommends the book World Hallmarks, Volume 1, which covers Europe from the 19th to 21st centuries.

“The book is an investment, but it’s easy to use and it has helped me greatly in both buying and selling,” she says.

Know Your Sizing

Samet emphasizes the importance of knowing your sizing. She says, “Measure your neck to help with visualizing how a necklace would look specifically on you, and know your ring size. This can help avoid returns or disappointment once you get the piece.”

Ask Questions

“Always ask sellers as many questions as you need and ask for numerous photos,” Roseveare says. “As a seller, I’m always happy to take whatever photos the potential buyer wants. I’ve even hopped on FaceTime to chat with a buyer and discuss an item. It’s the next best thing to in-person shopping.”

Read the Return Policy

Roseveare notes, “Make sure you know the return policy. I hesitate to buy online when there’s no option to return. Although you’ve seen pictures and have the weight and measurements, there’s nothing like having the piece in your own hand to try. I want to be able to return the item if it doesn’t make my heart sing.”