by Brecken Branstrator, GIA GG, Editor-in-Chief, GemGuide.
Estate jewelry is one of the hottest categories in the market right now — offering not only a way to capture new customers, but also a practical way to keep costs down when labor, metal, and gemstone prices are running high. And at the moment, there seems to be no shortage of pieces to work with.
“Estate” has become a true industry buzzword, embraced by wholesalers, appraisers, designers, and retailers alike. The category is proving to be a dynamic answer to several of today’s challenges: high materials costs, tight supply, and the constant need for fresh merchandising angles. It’s giving suppliers and retailers a competitive edge — often with far better margins than newly manufactured goods.
We spoke to Brecken Branstrator, Editor-in-Chief for the GemGuide about this feature story, “Old is Gold.”
“This year especially, GemGuide has been hearing about one topic over and over again: estate jewelry,” says Branstrator. “It seems to be one of the industry’s hottest categories right now, so we knew we had to dig into the drivers behind that in today’s market. Given the high prices of gold and colored stones, it’s not really that surprising, but the category is also getting a boost from the growing amount of family jewels being handed off to new generations, creating new market activity and opportunities in the area.”
Branstrator interviews several established estate jewelry dealers who shared candid insights into what’s moving, what’s not, and where the opportunities lie for those willing to dig in.
Just as we share auction results here in the Roskin Report to spot emerging trends, Old is Gold hears that both price point and style are two important factors. Maybe it’s a particular ring design gaining traction. Maybe collectors are chasing one of the “big four” gems — emerald, ruby, sapphire, diamond — or veering toward the unexpected gem materials: rock crystal, wood, tourmalines (other than Paraiba), peridot (making a come-back?), or spinel.
The GemGuide’s estate feature pairs beautifully with the trends we’re tracking at auction.
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