Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Antique Lockets - Jewelry Antiques Are a Must-Have

Lockets were initially created centuries ago, and were used to carry poisons, powders, keepsakes, ashes, hair, good luck charms, and pictures. Today, lockets are all created with the intent of putting pictures inside, but it wasn't always that way. Lockets became especially popular in the Victorian era because they were such a beautiful, decorative piece of jewellery.

Into the 20th century, as manufacturing processes improved, lockets started being mass-produced and were not nearly as coveted as they were when they were intricately made by hand in the past. Antique lockets were ornate, decorative, and often designed with the wearer in mind. Today's lockets are not created with the same personal touches, but they still make a nice addition to any collection.

Antique lockets could be in good condition, but some will not be as presentable as others. It will be up to you to determine the condition of an item and whether it is valued accordingly before your purchase. You need to take the time to research the locket, find out when it was made, whether the imperfections are normal age or serious issues, and other elements that will affect your final purchasing decision.

You should always make sure that you get a certificate of authenticity with your antique lockets, as well, because you need to have proof that they really are valuable. Not all antique items have value, including lockets, so doing your research is important.

There are plenty of different places that you can find antique lockets, including in pawn shops, antique stores, jewellery stores, and even online. There is no shortage of options for you to choose from, regardless of whether you have something in mind or if you are just exploring to see what is out there.

As long as you take the time to check out items and ensure that they truly have the value that the price claims, you will be making a fine investment. A few great places to look for lockets and other antique jewellery are thrift stores, estate or garage sales, and flea markets.

Here, you can often find gems that are not seen as antiques but old jewellery, and get something that is quite valuable for a very low price. This isn't always the case, though, so you need to double check before you buy.

Antique lockets and other jewellery are among the most collectible antiques in the market today. These ornate pieces were once worn by someone in history, and they carry a lot of significance and value. Each locket tells a tale that is unique, allowing you to add some great pieces to your collection no matter what you might be looking for.

Take the time to learn some inside secrets to buying jewellery and antique locket pieces that will help you get the best deals. There are plenty of things that you need to know that experts won't tell you, and it's up to you to educate yourself to make the best buying decisions when you are shopping for antiques.