How to Find Authentic Vintage Jewelry
Finding quality vintage jewelry, and especially signed pieces, requires you to do your homework and have diligence. There are a lot of duplicates of vintage jewelry that may fool you. In particular, be aware of the use of "vintage style jewelry". While that item may be of vintage style, it is unlikely to be vintage and was probably made quite recently. Educate Yourself
First, you need to educate yourself about vintage jewelry. Visit a bookstore or library where there are likely to be several books on the subject. Read through one or two books to become familiar with the styles and markings on vintage jewelry. It is also helpful to bring along a reference book when you are shopping for vintage pieces. You can also educate yourself by visiting websites that sell vintage jewelry. Many of these sites will have useful information that will help you identify authentic pieces.
Look in a Variety of Locations
Be sure to check in thrift stores, consignment shops, estate sales, church sales, and garage sales. Estate sales can be especially lucrative since the people having the sale may not know anything about the jewelry and you might find a good bargain. Similarly, thrift stores may have some authentic vintage items at a reasonable cost. You are less likely to find reasonably priced vintage items at consignment shops, but it is worth a look. Antique stores will have vintage items, but often at high prices. Before buying, make sure you have an idea about the value of the item (ie: look in your reference books, or do an internet search). Is the Piece Signed?
If you are looking for signed pieces, it is very important to know how the famous designers typically sign their items. Many times the designer will have a known location and style of signature.Determine the Type of Metal
Look for a mark indicating the content of the metal. Sterling silver should have .925 or .926 and fine silver will have .999 stamped on the piece. Gold will have either 14K, 18K, or 22K stamped somewhere on the item. Be wary of pieces that don't show any marking. While they might be real gold or silver, they may also be a base metal such as nickel.