As the saying goes, one man's trash is another man's treasure. I recently proved this to be true when I bought 10 earrings from various preowned jewelry sites.
I scoured the web and found an array of sustainable and budget-friendly options, including Etsy, Estate Diamond Jewelry, Erica Weiner, EraGem, Trumpet & Horn, AURORO, Ruby Lane, Lang Antiques, The Three Graces, Beladora, and The RealReal.
Each site offered something different, from expert restoration and authentication services to vintage and antique pieces with prices ranging from $5 to $1,990.
After careful selection, I found 10 unique earrings that I'm sure will become treasured items.
The Shopping Experience
After researching several preowned jewelry sites, I took the plunge and indulged in a shopping spree, buying 10 pairs of earrings.
Etsy and Ruby Lane had budget-friendly options for vintage pieces, like Estate Diamond Jewelry and Lang Antiques.
AURORO and The RealReal offered sustainable and luxury jewelry. I was able to find a range of vintage pieces from various eras from The Three Graces and Trumpet & Horn.
Plus, some sites like EraGem and Beladora offered additional services like free shipping, money-back guarantees, and expert restoration and resizing – all of which made the shopping experience even better.
Researching Jewelers
How did I decide which jewelers to purchase from?
I researched customer reviews, pricing comparisons, and customer service to narrow down the selection.
Etsy had the most budget-friendly cultural vintage jewelry made from recycled materials.
Estate Diamond Jewelry specialized in vintage rings and earrings starting at $750.
Erica Weiner offered Victorian and Georgian jewelry costs starting at $395.
EraGem had estate jewelry and men's vintage jewelry with pieces starting at $320 and free overnight shipping.
Lastly, Trumpet & Horn provided vintage engagement rings, with pieces starting at $1,990 and financing options.
After careful research, I had my list of jewelers ready to purchase from.
Quality & Authenticity
Taking into account the reviews, pricing, and customer service, I chose the jewelers I thought would give me the best quality and authenticity for my earrings.
From budget-friendly options starting at $5 to luxurious pieces, several sites offer a range of pricing options:
- Ethical sourcing
- Expert curation
- Recycled materials
- Authentic eras
- Luxury designers
The RealReal stands out for its authentication process, ensuring customers of the quality and authenticity of their jewelry.
Many of the preowned jewelry sites are also small businesses, family-owned, or woman-owned, offering a personal touch.
I was confident in my purchases knowing each piece I bought was ethically sourced and of the highest quality.
The Earrings
So what earrings did I end up getting?
A variety of styles from different eras and sources, from Victorian to Edwardian and from Etsy to Estate Diamond Jewelry.
The earrings were made from recycled materials, utilizing sustainable practices, and had pricing options to suit any budget, from $5 to $3000.
Not only were they of great quality, but many of them came with expert restoration and resizing services for added longevity.
The range of earrings offered reflected my commitment to sustainability and gave me a chance to own unique pieces with cultural and historical significance.
My Takeaway
My takeaway from buying 10 earrings from preowned jewelry sites is that there's a wide range of options available for vintage and estate jewelry, catering to different styles and budgets.
Shopping from small businesses and sustainable brands on preowned jewelry sites like Etsy and The RealReal offers unique designs, supports ethical practices, and helps the economy.
It's also fascinating to learn about the diverse histories and specializations of each preowned jewelry site.
The accessibility and affordability of vintage and estate jewelry, with pieces starting at just $5 on sites like Ruby Lane, make these pieces available to everyone.