Estate Jewelry for Sale Near Baltimore, Maryland

If you’re looking for unique pieces of fine jewelry that are sure to stand out, then estate jewelry is the perfect option for you. These pieces often feature exquisite and timeless design elements that you won’t find anywhere else.

We hand-select our estate jewelry collection to ensure that our customers only have the finest selection to choose from!

estate ametrine and diamond ring

What is Estate Jewelry?

Estate jewelry is a term used to describe jewelry that has been previously owned. In many cases, estate jewelry is also considered vintage or antique, depending on the era in which it was made, but vintage and antique jewelry pieces are not considered to be estate unless they were previously owned by someone else.

The term “estate” can also refer to the estate of the person who originally owned the jewelry. You may encounter advertisements for jewelry estate sales near Baltimore, which tend to feature a large volume of items of varying quality and value.

Shopping for estate jewelry through a reputable jeweler who hand-picks their inventory is often a better way to find valuable, high-quality pieces compared to visiting jewelry estate sales on your own – though if you’re interested in browsing all that a single collection has to offer, these sales can certainly be fun outings!

Many pieces of estate jewelry available today are older, often upwards of 50 years old, but age is not necessarily a defining quality of estate pieces.

 

What is Vintage Jewelry?

For a piece to be considered vintage jewelry, it must have been made between 50 and 100 years ago. You’ll find a wide range of styles and designs in this category, including Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and Retro jewelry.

What is Antique Jewelry?

Antique jewelry is defined as a piece that is older than 100 years, for example, Edwardian or Victorian jewelry. Antique jewelry is often sought-after for its unique design elements, and it can be incredibly valuable if it has been well-maintained over the years.

estate Victorian cameo necklace


A Meaningful Approach to Buying and Selling Estate Jewelry

How Nelson Coleman Got Started Appraising and Selling Pre-Owned Pieces

Our approach to buying and selling estate jewelry was born from compassion and a desire to honor the history and value of pre-owned pieces.

Nelson Coleman, our business’ namesake, witnessed clientele bringing in their unwanted jewelry to sell it. The store paid just the material value of the pieces, then sent them to a refinery, recovering only the gemstones from those pieces. 

When Nelson Coleman took over the business, he created an antique jewelry section in the store, offering the opportunity for clientele to sell their treasured items and heirlooms in a way that respected the pieces and gave them new life. This practice was especially beneficial for refugees in the area, giving them the chance to part with their heirlooms in a fair exchange without melting them down into their components.

We carry on this tradition today, with the hope that we can extend the life of our clients’ favorite pieces in a meaningful way.


Estate Jewelry Appraisal: How to Determine the Value of Secondhand Jewelry

The value of estate jewelry is based on a number of factors, including the age, condition, and rarity of the piece, as well as current market trends. A qualified jeweler will be able to provide an estate jewelry appraisal to help you determine the value of your jewelry.

If you are looking to sell estate jewelry, Nelson Coleman has over 165 years of experience selling antique, hard-to-find, and vintage estate jewelry. Get started by filling out the form on our consignments page.

Before you bring your treasures to our store for an estate jewelry appraisal, we’ll walk you through our Jewelry Box Consultation process to get a better idea of what your collection holds.

Our Jewelry Box Consultation

Whether you’re interested in a formal appraisal for insurance or resale purposes, we can conduct a free Jewelry Box Consultation before you schedule an appraisal, where we will sit down with you to evaluate the value of your collection.

antique jewelry box with vintage pearl strand

SCHEDULE YOUR CONSULTATION NOW

Discovery

During this phase, we’ll assess your jewelry to first determine what is valuable and what is costume jewelry, giving us a better idea of what might be given a higher appraised value for insurance, consignment, or resale.

Desirability Assessment

What is considered “desirable” is often subjective, but we will assess your collection based on our expertise regarding popular trends and styles. During this phase of our consultation, we’ll provide an estimate of the value of each piece, based on three values: average retail selling price, insurance replacement value, and liquidation or wholesale value.

The more desirable a piece is at the time of appraisal, the more valuable we will consider it, as it will likely fetch a higher price compared to less desirable or less trendy pieces!

Documentation

At the end of your consultation, you’ll receive a report of our initial assessment, including a summary of the pieces you brought. We’ll document which pieces we’ve found to be rare and/or exceptional to help guide you in making decisions about getting a jewelry appraisal or selling any pieces.

SCHEDULE YOUR CONSULTATION NOW


estate diamond engagement ring

Why Buy Estate Jewelry?

There are many reasons to buy second-hand jewelry. Perhaps you are looking for a unique piece of vintage fine jewelry as a statement piece. Maybe you appreciate the history and craftsmanship that goes into older pieces. Whatever your reason, estate jewelry is a great way to add something special to your wardrobe.

Owning a Piece of History

When you purchase estate jewelry, it is important to remember that you are not just buying a piece of jewelry – you are also buying the story behind it. Each piece has its own unique history, and you can feel good about knowing that you are helping to preserve that history by purchasing estate jewelry.

gold vintage estate locket necklace

High-Quality Craftsmanship

Estate jewelry is often well-made, especially vintage and antique pieces. Made with high-quality materials and expert craftsmanship, estate jewelry can be a great investment – and typically at a lower price point than newly manufactured pieces.

Timeless Designs

With classic styles from eras like Art Deco, Edwardian, and Victorian, estate jewelry can be a great way to add timeless pieces with a lot of character to your collection.

Affordable Luxury

Estate jewelry is a great way to add luxury pieces to your wardrobe without breaking the bank. Whether you’re searching for a one-of-a-kind piece or estate designer jewelry, you can find great deals on previously owned pieces.

estate diamond halo ring


Types of Estate Jewelry

From pre-owned engagement rings and wedding rings to vintage pendants and more, estate jewelry comes in a wide range of types and styles. 

We often carry the following types of pre-owned jewelry for sale in our stores:


Where to Buy Vintage Jewelry Near Baltimore, Maryland

If you are in the market for something new and you’re looking into where to find estate jewelry, stop by Nelson Coleman Jewelers to check out our collection. We strive to provide our customers with the best selection of estate jewelry in Maryland and beyond.

Some of these pieces are only available in our store, but we are also the best place to buy vintage jewelry online.

If you find a piece of estate jewelry that you like, it’s important to act quickly. Because we only carry single samples of pre-owned pieces, when they sell, they’re gone!

Whether you are looking for a unique engagement ring or an antique necklace to add some character to your wardrobe, Nelson Coleman Jewelers has a number of unique options for you to choose from.

EXPLORE THE COLLECTION IN STORE

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