The majority of people have a hobby of one form or another. Some have a stamp collection, for others it might be antiques or baseball cards that take their fancy. There are also some people who collect jewelry. Each hobbyist has something in common, they are all passionate about something that interests them. Who knows maybe they have been very astute in their collections, and in time they can prove to be valuable.
As with most collectors first you need to identify something collectible that captures your interest. There seems little point in creating a collection of something that you have absolutely no interest in, as it then becomes something of a chore. If you already have an interest then you are probably already a member of various groups and forums on the internet.
As with most things, hobbies included, there is always something new to learn. A lot of learning is obtained from books and other publications. There are some very good ones available now, Yet the best way to learn is to gain knowledge from those who have already passed where you now stand. They will have had a lifelong learning experience and will be willing to pass this on.
Try to think of the limits of your new collection, do you opt for a wide ranging collection across the genres, or will you attempt to be more focused. For most people starting out the wider approach seems to suit them best, and then as they become more experienced then can start to focus. Anything new can feel slightly intimidating, but always try to get some helpful pointers from more experienced collectors.
Your confidence will soon begin to grow, and soon you will want to put your new found knowledge to the test. You might be lucky and have an auction house close by, if not it is a good idea to try your local flea market. Some might ask why not try an antique fair, the honest answer is that these dealers can easily spot a novice. The piece you end up with would probably be very nice, but you might have been able to have saved some money.
Many people try to specialise in the pieces from the major European fashion houses. Others tend to focus on items from a specific time frame. Remember there is an awful lot to choose from out there, as people have been wearing these items for as long as there have been people who have produced them.
If you are going to focus on a particular time period, try to educate yourself as much as possible. Find out how things were made, and also how they were fastened. When looking at a piece look out for any signs that it has been repaired, and for any maker's marks, see if they look genuine. Bear in mind that quite often the design was repeated but with different materials to appeal to the different markets of that era.
One area that is growing in popularity, especially with the younger collectors are the fun items. Others try to focus on commemorative items. Whatever you opt for you will not have a dull moment when you collect jewelry, just think you are actually collecting small pieces of history.
As with most collectors first you need to identify something collectible that captures your interest. There seems little point in creating a collection of something that you have absolutely no interest in, as it then becomes something of a chore. If you already have an interest then you are probably already a member of various groups and forums on the internet.
As with most things, hobbies included, there is always something new to learn. A lot of learning is obtained from books and other publications. There are some very good ones available now, Yet the best way to learn is to gain knowledge from those who have already passed where you now stand. They will have had a lifelong learning experience and will be willing to pass this on.
Try to think of the limits of your new collection, do you opt for a wide ranging collection across the genres, or will you attempt to be more focused. For most people starting out the wider approach seems to suit them best, and then as they become more experienced then can start to focus. Anything new can feel slightly intimidating, but always try to get some helpful pointers from more experienced collectors.
Your confidence will soon begin to grow, and soon you will want to put your new found knowledge to the test. You might be lucky and have an auction house close by, if not it is a good idea to try your local flea market. Some might ask why not try an antique fair, the honest answer is that these dealers can easily spot a novice. The piece you end up with would probably be very nice, but you might have been able to have saved some money.
Many people try to specialise in the pieces from the major European fashion houses. Others tend to focus on items from a specific time frame. Remember there is an awful lot to choose from out there, as people have been wearing these items for as long as there have been people who have produced them.
If you are going to focus on a particular time period, try to educate yourself as much as possible. Find out how things were made, and also how they were fastened. When looking at a piece look out for any signs that it has been repaired, and for any maker's marks, see if they look genuine. Bear in mind that quite often the design was repeated but with different materials to appeal to the different markets of that era.
One area that is growing in popularity, especially with the younger collectors are the fun items. Others try to focus on commemorative items. Whatever you opt for you will not have a dull moment when you collect jewelry, just think you are actually collecting small pieces of history.
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