The internet has made it easier than ever before to shop for jewelry, coins and other antiques. However, there is a dark side to this phenomenon. The internet has also made it easier for duplicitous individuals and organizations to setup fake websites which are used to scam the unsuspecting. Below are some things to be aware when shopping for jewelry or coins online.

Cleaning vintage jewelry is a process that should be done with great care, as much of this jewelry is one of a kind and costly or impossible to replace should it be broken or damaged. Below are some maintenance tips that will ensure your jewelry remains pristine for many years to come.

Jade is a type of stone which has been prized in the Far East for millennia and it appears in jewelry made in this region. It is used in China for both ceremonial purposes as well as a form of ornamentation. It usually has a green color and in recent years has become sought after by many people living in the West.

Estate jewelry can be broken down into various time periods, one of which is the Edwardian era. This consists of jewelry which was manufactured from 1901 until 1915 and the name is taken from Edward VII, the King of England. He was fond of luxury, and jewelry played an important role in the lifestyles of the English upper class during his reign.

Hallmarks make it easier to correctly determine the date of estate jewelry and who designed it. The most important hallmark to look for when buying estate jewelry is the purity mark which will reveal the amount of precious metal which was used in its manufacture. Hallmarks are a popular subject of study in the antiques business, and some professionals are so adept that they can determine the period and place where jewelry was manufactured without them. Below are some other important hallmarks.

While shopping for sapphires is less complex than shopping for a diamond, it still requires some knowledge. Diamonds are prized for their brilliance, but sapphires are prized primarily for their color. This is the key to successfully shopping for these very expensive gemstones.