The Benefits of Buying Vintage Jewelry
Vintage jewelry is jewelry that has been previously loved, and is now in need of a new home. There are many reasons why people sell their jewelry, from divorce or inheritance, to being suddenly in need of cash, to just wanting something different. This jewelry can be a few days old, a few years old, or a century old, and pieces over 100 years old are considered antiques. At Leo’s, we seek to pass along these valuable pieces to become someone else’s cherished heirloom.
Vintage jewelry is known for its extraordinary beauty and incredible value. These pieces may have both rarity and history that can span generations! You can find something fun from the 70s or 80s to bring back fond memories, or look for something that reminds you of jewelry your mother wore in her day. Whatever you find, you won’t see anyone else in your circle wearing the same jewelry! The vintage jewelry that you choose makes you stand out and shows your uniqueness.
Investing in vintage jewelry offers many great benefits that new jewelry can’t match. Here are just a few reasons why buying vintage jewelry is worth it.
Environmental Impact:
While a new ring sitting on your finger is exciting, the mass production of new jewelry negatively impacts the Earth. Mining for gemstones and metals is a harrowing process on the planet. It can lead to erosion, sinkholes, and can rid a whole ecosystem of its biodiversity. While many of those consequences are experienced in the long-term, we suffer short-term consequences as well. Mining pollutes our air and water with toxic chemicals. It also leaves a heavy footprint on the Earth with its extensive machinery. There is a larger push than ever to make sustainable new jewelry, but it is no easy feat.
The most efficient and cost-effective method to decrease our environmental jewelry footprint is by buying vintage jewelry. Buying vintage reduces the demand for metal and gem mining – with less demand, there is less effect on the Earth. It is currently the most eco-friendly option in the world of jewelry.
Great Value:
Vintage and antique jewelry is of excellent value. In general, you will almost always be paying less than a vintage piece’s new counterpart would cost. There are also no manufacturing fees that factor into vintage jewelry’s pricing.
If for any reason you might need to sell some jewelry for cash in the future, be aware that most new jewelry is not likely to sell for any profit. Just like a new car, new jewelry can depreciate or go down in value immediately after purchase. Vintage jewelry, on the other hand, has a chance of appreciating and becoming more valuable over time. The longer you hold onto these unique pieces, the rarer they become. Investing in vintage saves you money and you gain an asset.
Better Quality:
The idea that vintage jewelry could be of better quality than new jewelry may surprise you. But it is often true! For example, vintage pearls are almost always better quality due to the current pollution of our oceans. Buying vintage means you are more likely to find carefully handcrafted pieces of jewelry. Skilled artisans took their time with vintage pieces that led to durability. Vintage jewelry has already passed the test of time! Modern jewelry is often mass-produced and the level of care and quality put into the product is just not comparable.
At Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers, we make sure that every vintage piece is painstakingly restored to its original sparkling condition. You can rest assured that the original artisan carefully created the jewelry and that we carefully restored it.
Historical Significance:
Vintage and antique jewelry is uniquely made and also full of history and life. They are little pieces of different time periods, ranging from a decade ago to a past century. These pieces are often one-of-a-kind or, at the very least, rare. In vintage jewelry, you can discover scarcer diamond cuts such as old mine and old European. Or even unique gemstones that are not commonly found in modern jewelry.
There is a story that goes along with each vintage piece. The best part of choosing vintage is that you get to continue its legacy by adding your own story, and perhaps handing it down to your heirs to add to their stories.
Buy Vintage Jewelry San Diego
Are you interested in buying vintage jewelry in San Diego? If you like saving money, helping the environment, and preserving a little piece of history, you have to check out our jewelry store. At Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers, we have the best selection of vintage jewelry in San Diego. And our selection changes daily, so you will always see something new whenever you visit us!
Whether the pieces were originally made two days ago, two years ago, or 20 years ago, what matters is that it’s new to you. Find a unique piece of jewelry that will set you apart from the crowd at Leo Hamel’s.
Call us: 619 299 -1500
