Diamond auctions are a specialty type of auction which provides a way for individuals interested in diamond jewelry to make a purchase in a somewhat unconventional way when compared with diamond purchasing of the past. Usually individuals purchased their diamonds through normal routes such as at jewelry stores and diamond boutiques but today the diamond purchasing options have expanded to include diamond auctions. The main question which many prospective diamond purchasers want answered with regard to diamond auctions is whether or not you can get a good deal on diamonds at auctions. The general answer to this question is in the affirmative and the following will provide a few tips to keep in mind when buying diamond rings and other types of diamond jewelry in this manner.

Purchase Via a Reputable Auction

The first tip to keep in mind when buying diamonds at an auction and hoping to obtain a good deal on this type of gemstone is to engage in this type of purchase at a reputable auction. Although many auctions dealing with jewelry and other types of items are reputable in nature, you may come across an auction house or individual auction where the overall nature is questionable. Not only may you not get a good deal on your diamond purchase but you may also not receive what you paid for in the end. Therefore, find a reputable auction by asking friends and family members for recommendations and/or attend an auction or use online auctions which you have used on prior occasions.

Have the Diamond Appraised

Once you have chosen a reputable auction with which to obtain a diamond, the next step is ensuring that the gemstone is exactly what it should be with regard to quality. Inquire with the auction house or entity as to what their policy is with regard to appraisals. If possible, have the diamond appraised in order to ascertain the true value of the diamond and not be stuck with a lesser quality of diamond.

Engage in Independent Research Regarding Diamond Auctions and Diamond Quality

Another way to ensure that you get a good deal on diamonds via diamond auctions is to engage in some independent research prior to bidding on the gem. Look into pertinent factors such as reputable diamond auctions, how to judge true diamond quality and how much should be spent on different categories of diamonds. Researching these topics will help to make sure that the piece of jewelry which is chosen is the best quality and the auction establishment which provides the opportunity to individuals to purchase these items is a good establishment to use. These research topics will help to make the buyer that much more knowledgeable when embarking on their diamond auction journeys.

Online or In Person Auctions

One should also be aware of the fact that there are two types of diamond auctions: online auctions and ones which are attended in person. Both types of auctions are great ways to obtain a diamond for your jewelry collection, however just be aware of the fact that in person auctions may be a bit better for some who like to view the diamond in person prior to putting a bid on it. As for obtaining the best deal, some may find that online auctions provide the best deal with regard to this type of gemstone purchase.

When purchasing diamond jewelry in a jewelry store, antique store, online or elsewhere, some people may simply accept that the gemstone is what it is supposed to be and not really question how it was appraised or who was responsible for the appraisal. Individuals in the jewelry business have various titles associated with the roles in which they play. For the role of appraiser, it is a good thing to ask what qualifies the individual to be an appraiser of diamond jewelry and is a graduate gemologist qualified to appraise jewelry of this type.

What Is a Graduate Gemologist?

The first step to answering the posed question is defining what a graduate gemologist is. A graduate gemologist is an individual who has earned a degree which has presented them with the knowledge of grading and identifying gemstones. One who has received their education and given a degree naming them a graduate gemologist has learned how to figure out a diamond's value and quality. There are a variety of schools and institutes which offer this degree and individuals who become graduate gemologists go on to engage in careers such as jewelry store owner, diamond and gemstone buyers, auction house jewelry specialist, diamond manufacturer and even appraiser.

Does This Knowledge Make a Graduate Gemologist Qualified to Appraise Jewelry?

Even though some individuals who receive a graduate gemologist diploma go on to become appraisers, the public may still question whether the true qualifications are there. In other words, does this knowledge gained in their various gemology courses make them truly qualified to accurately and efficiently grade and put a value on diamonds? The answer to this question is mixed. Some individuals in the jewelry business feel as if those with a graduate gemologist diploma do have the requisite knowledge to enable them to accurately appraise jewelry. However, others who have been in the jewelry business for many years feel that simply possessing a degree of this type does not make an individual inherently capable of appraising jewelry.

Should Additional Training in Appraisal Theory and Methodology Be Necessary?

Some may wonder whether or not additional training in appraisal theory and methodology is necessary in addition to being a graduate gemologist. It is important to view both sides of the argument in order to present an answer to this question. Additional training may be a good idea as many diploma programs for becoming a graduate gemologist are general in nature. As individuals with this type of diploma enter may different occupations within the jewelry field, the range of knowledge gained by a graduate gemologist is large and brief. By obtaining more appraisal theory and methodology information through additional courses and training, the individual will be better prepared to appraise jewelry in an efficient manner.

On the other hand, those who go through the graduate gemologist course are taught the necessary things in order to make their appraisal pursuits highly possible. In their course study, graduate gemologists in training learn how to grade diamonds, put a value on them and determine the overall worth of gems in general. Therefore, some may feel as if this is more than enough knowledge gained by the graduate gemologist to make his appraisal endeavors quite successful. In other words, the answer to the question of whether simply being a graduate gemologist provides enough knowledge for the individual doing the appraisal will ultimately be determined by the individual whom you ask.

Fashion jewelry made its first appearance in the U.S. following the conclusion of World War I. First purchased in French boutiques by American GI’s fighting in the war, superbly crafted yet inexpensive costume bracelets, pendants, and necklaces were purchased in record numbers. New designs featuring a host of semi-precious stones and unique materials caused a rapid rise in popularity allowing the poorer Americans to feel rich. Soon after, American companies quickly dominated the market. Some of the most popular manufacturers of vintage costume jewelry include:

* Trifari
* Florenza
* Weiss
* Eisenberg

Authentic costume pieces are basically any type of jewelry not featuring any type of precious metal or gemstone yet produced in large quantities. This cheap yet beautiful alternative soon found its way into jewelry collections across the nation. Essentially, the jewelry was a thrifty alternative to the relatively excessively priced fine pieces made of out precious metals and featuring gemstones like diamonds, rubies, sapphires, or perhaps even pearls.

Virtually any vintage fashion jewelry was readily available for anywhere between $1-10 prior to World War II. Some manufacturers were forced to go out of business during the Great Depression, but surprisingly, a lot of the companies survived and did quite well after World War II. The hay day for the jewelry came in the 1950's and 60's spurred on heavily by advertising on television. Today, high quality costume pieces are more popular than ever and make great gifts for young girls, teenagers, and even adults just looking to add some diversity to their jewelry collection.

While cheap to buy when first released, vintage costume jewelry pieces produced between 1920-1970 are often seen as treasured collectibles in today's frenzied market. Incredibly, there are many pieces being sold in flea markets for a few bucks while being worth hundreds! There are three main things that help determine the value of authentic vintage pieces:

* Rarity
* Stone/Gemstone Quality
* Craftsmanship

Although there were a number of manufacturers, they produced jewelry in varying quantities. For instance, major players like Florenza and Coventry unleashed thousands of copies for every design. Some of the smaller manufacturers like Barclays, DeMario, and McClelland produced much smaller volumes and as such pieces made by them are both rarer and worth more money on the marketplace. Indeed when all other factors are held even, the DeMario necklace will almost always be worth more than a similarly designed Coro version. You definitely need to do your homework, however, because even the large players produced some designs in small quantities making them more valuable than typical pieces from the company.

In many cases, the quality of the stone plays the largest role when it comes to determining value. While none of the stones would be considered "precious" in the traditional sense, there were companies that crafted pieces consistently using high quality stones and semi-precious gemstones, such as:

* Eisenberg
* Bogoff
* Weiss
* Hollycraft

One place renown for using exceptionally high quality stones is Eisenberg. It is hard to find a piece at a flea market that is not already high-priced unless you happen to stumble upon an unsigned one. You want to locate those pieces produced by Hollycraft, Weiss, and Bogoff because they tend to be under-priced on the market and thus make a better investment. Besides the materials used, the quality of metal and craftsmanship will help determine how valuable a piece is on today's market Manufacturers known to consistently craft superior pieces were:

* Danecraft
* Trifari
* Kramer
* Monet

The history of the jewelry box dates back centuries. Throughout the ages, jewelry boxes have been designed and crafted by skilled craftsmen. The Industrial Revolution initiated the concept of mass production. It enabled the middle class of the society to purchase decorative items like the jewelry box along with other essential commodities. This was possible as jewelry boxes could be manufactured in bulk and the cost involved in the mass production was less.

Mail Order Luxuries

In the early 1900s, mail order catalogs such as Sears, Wards and Marshall Field, enabled the average family to purchase jewelry boxes from home. Even the jewelry stores put on display the latest and trendiest jewelry box designs. Jewel boxes were available in all sizes, from the smallest ring box to handkerchief and even glove sized boxes. The bottom parts of these boxes were as beautiful as the top design.

Antimonial lead was the most common base metal used for the construction of jewelry boxes. Initially, the jewelry boxes were electroplated with copper, and then finished with either gold or silver. Other finishing touches included French Bronze, Roman Gold, Pompeian Gold, French Gray, and Parisian Silver. Ivory finishes were introduced around 1911. Enamel finished boxes lasted longer than gold or silver boxes.

International Influences on Jewelry Boxes

International trade and travel opened new doors to decorative styles all over the globe. During the early 1900s, the most outstanding decorative style of jewelry boxes was Art Nouveau. It was a romantic design that was famous for its flowing, asymmetrical lines, with motifs relating to nature. The Nouveau design reflected flower sentiments on jewelry boxes; the four-leaf-clover for good luck, daisies for innocence, roses for love and beauty, and so on.

From 1904 to 1918, there was an overwhelming mass production of jewelry boxes. In this era, gold and silver boxes were very common. Silver-plated boxes are considered as antique jewelry boxes and are very rare. Other types of antique jewelry boxes include the souvenir boxes that have commemorative ceramic or photo discs. There are also the ivory finished boxes. Thought they were designed later, they are very hard to find. Their finishes were extremely durable. Hence, these antique jewelry boxes may still be passed down the family generations.