The other week, I was up in Adamstown, Pa., for a brief blitz of the antique malls. Always fun, although our time was really limited this time. My wife Kim’s son was getting married, and I had a plan in the back of my mind. There are several wonderful jewelry dealers who handle high quality items at very reasonable prices. From one came a lovely opal pendant that Kim will cherish as a memory of a special weekend.
During the drive back to Williamsburg, Va., we talked about antique jewelry as truly one of the best things that you can collect or buy for others. Regular readers know that I am a huge fan of antique jewelry. Antique jewelry is usually a fraction of the price of new jewelry. The quality of pieces is generally much higher than new, and it retains value far longer than new. The other week, I was in a mall in Virginia killing time while the girls got their hair done. I wandered past one of the retail jewelry stores and was shocked at the prices for 10-carat jewelry. Truly, it was marked up within an inch of itself, the quality was poor, and I suspected that most of the stones were reworked older cuts.
Of course, many people say that wearing secondhand jewelry is bad luck (says who) and tasteless (no, actually tasteful). I think that wearing antique jewelry reflects a smart buyer and wearer. It is a great gift and one that truly will not go down in value.
The trick with antique jewelry is really to determine whether the piece is a good buy or not. Fundamentally, a good buy is not about the now but about the future. In five years, will you say that it was a good buy?
So what are my suggestions?
1) Opals are always in style and worthy of collecting. Good quality fire can be easily discerned.
2) Garnets are not just for Victorians. I love garnets, and they come in a wide range of colors and cuts. Priced quite reasonably, they are definitely one to buy.
3) Diamonds are a girl’s best friend. I continue to be amazed at the high quality diamonds that are often offered for sale. And I remind folks that the majority of diamond engagement rings today are made from recycled and recut diamonds.
I also am a big advocate of men’s antique jewelry. French cuffs, are always elegant and you can wear a wide range of cufflinks, from fancy to funky to formal. And a pair of Tiffany or period gold knot cufflinks never goes out of style. Vintage watches, signet rings and money clips are all worth a hunt.
Finally, I encourage readers to not only think about jewelry for spouses but also as a gift to children. Learning to wear jewelry is something to start younger children on at the proper age. Miss Mary, my youngest, is wearing her first ring and has it on all the time as she learns about jewelry. Her first piece was a sterling silver ring from Wales dating from the turn of the century. It was under $10 on eBay and is something that she loves and wears every single day.

Peter Seibert, a native Pennsylvanian, grew up in the antiques business and remains closely tied to auction houses, collectors, and dealers. Professionally, he has served as a museum director and public historian in Pennsylvania, New Mexico, and Virginia. He holds an M.A. in American Studies from Penn State and has authored two books and numerous articles on decorative arts, interior design, and history.