Buying Antique Jewellery: Wisdom from Knowledgeable Insiders – Part One

Antique jewellery casts a spell that is increasingly irresistible to jewellery lovers. A Victorian diamond ring that holds secrets of courtships long past; an Art Deco bracelet that gleams with the glamour of another age. The history, the stories, the sense of continuity—all add layers of meaning to their beauty. Yet behind the romance lies a reality every collector, whether first-time buyer or connoisseur, must face: the market is as rich with pitfalls as it is with opportunity.

To help navigate this landscape, I've spoken to leading antique dealers and distilled their advice into two parts. This first instalment focuses on knowledge, vigilance and avoiding mistakes: the practical dos and don'ts that protect you from costly missteps. In part two, we'll move beyond caution to explore the pleasures of collecting and how to build a collection that is guided by instinct and joy.