Why buy preloved?

With a steady increase in the demand of fine second hand pieces of all kinds, some might find themselves wondering what the hype is when it comes to a pre-worn piece of jewellery. Surely something that was bought new by someone else and worn by them for some time wouldn’t hold that much value, right? Well, you could be significantly underestimating the value of a piece that has been pre-worn! Here we have compiled a short list to provide just a few reasons why buying second hand jewellery is a wonderful and ethical idea as well as what to look for and what to avoid!  

Why buy preloved Jewellery?

1. Cost! Shopping preloved is a great way to save a dollar (or even a few hundred!) You can find some exquisite and hard to find investment pieces on the second hand market, and saving some hard earned money in the process is always a great bonus for everyone! Through buying second hand you can also help support an individual, or small business before purchasing from a larger store that imports mass manufactured jewellery. 

2. Variety! Buying second hand and preloved jewellery is a great way to find items that are no longer available in your local retail jewellery stores. From The elegant styles of by gone eras to the exquisite antique craftsmanship of preloved pieces, that are now hard to find, or simply unheard of in this day and age. Buying second hand is a great way to find those "hard - to- find" pieces!

Or of course, If you want to guarantee that you won’t be wearing the same gold heart locket bracelet that Sharon just purchased new from gold-mark last week, then preloved is the way to go! ( or, if you love Sharon’s gold-mark heart locket bracelet, you can probably find it for half the price she paid for hers, by shopping preloved! ) 

3. Sustainability! The more we all move toward loving and purchasing second hand and preloved jewellery, the lighter the demand for newly mined metals and gemstones becomes! (And how amazing is that, right?) Through buying preloved, we are all giving our contribution to a more eco-friendly future for us all, and what a wonderful way to recycle!

Where to buy preloved and common mistakes to avoid!

1. Check Authenticity! When shopping for pre loved jewellery it is of utmost importance to ensure that you are buying what you “think” you are buying! Always check authenticity of a piece prior to committing to a second hand purchase. Authenticity of a piece of fine gold or silver jewellery is most often represented by stamps or hallmarks that are imbedded into the metal somewhere on the item. Alternatively, some second hand pieces may come with a certificate of authenticity that has been provided by a qualified Valuation specialist. A valuation certificate commonly represents the finer details of an item, combined with a replacement value. Some stamps will simply represent the metal refinement purity, where as others hallmarks can show a record of in-depth detail of the history of the piece.
Some fine pieces of jewellery, most commonly pieces of Antique origin, are not hallmarked. This was common practice prior to implement of regulations regarding hallmarks and stamps. In the occasion that an item has no visible stamps or hallmarks, Reputable sellers and businesses will complete appropriate testing and research to ensure the legitimacy of their unmarked pieces. 

It is important to perform your own research around hallmarks and stamps when purchasing second hand jewellery, to ensure you understand the item you are purchasing is authentic and as the seller has described. Some items, including luxury brand name pieces are often replicated, or can be marked with inaccurate stamps. Caution and education is important when deciding to purchase any second hand jewellery!

2. Seek Reputable sellers! With many different online platforms for purchasing preloved jewellery, it is important to seek reputable sellers and businesses. Many purchasing platforms will provide a rating or review system that is accessible to customers for consideration prior to purchasing through a seller or business. Reading reviews and viewing ratings can be a great way of establishing what to expect from a seller or business before deciding to purchase from them. 

3. Where to Shop? Platforms such as Facebook marketplace and eBay can be great places for shopping preloved jewellery at great prices! Just remember to check seller reviews and authenticity. For more specialised Antique and vintage jewellery, there are many businesses both online and store front, that offer astounding collections of Antique and vintage specialty pieces! It is often worth shopping around and utilising trusty google search to find what is on offer. Many businesses are also more than happy to assist you in finding specific items you are seeking, or able to source specific items upon request. It is always worth asking! 

Still not sure about purchasing preloved?
If you’re still not totally convinced that shopping preloved is the way to go, now is the perfect time to go to our shop tab and browse our persuading collections of hand picked pre-loved finds!