Blog: buying jewellery online – insider guide

We don't often shout out loud about it but pre-owned or second hand jewellery really is a perfect example of the circular economy. In a world increasingly focused on sustainability and conscious consumption, second-hand jewellery emerges as a shining example of the circular economy in action. With its ability to promote sustainability, reduce waste, and extend the lifespan of precious materials, pre-owned jewellery has become an enticing option for those seeking both style and environmental responsibility.

It's almost a no brainer - would you want to pay up to 50% less for Tiffany Engagement Ring? The answer must be a resounding 'Yes'. The tide is with you too. Pre-owned jewellery is not only more acceptable than it once was, but because it's sustainable, it's actually become more desirable.

The pre-owned jewellery world is constantly evolving. You might think this a strange idea given that we're not actually manufacturing anything new! But if you think about it, our collections consist of pieces that could literally come from the beginning of time!

Something lustrous for the New Year? We've been bringing together a new collection of Vintage Cultured Pearls - called Vintage Pearl. Each necklace is individually chosen for characteristics such as Pearl lustre, uniqueness and charm.

Over half the year has passed already and we're feeling like it has only just started. The pandemic has thrown lives and businesses into chaos. It has been difficult to write about jewellery at such a time but now, as everything starts to open up it seems like a good time to reflect on what we have observed thus far.

We did not know what to expect when Italy went into lockdown in early March. It seemed like jewellery would be furthest from people's minds but it was interesting to note that as soon as lockdown happened in Italy we saw significant sales from buyers who were right in the middle of it. This theme continued as we watched online only auctions at Sotheby's, whose fine jewellery sales during March raised a total of $6.1 million. In April a Cartier Tutti Frutti bracelet, raised a staggering $1.3 million, smashing its estimate of $600,000-$800,000. Also in April we saw a stunningly beautiful 1930s Cartier Aquamarine tiara sell for €582,800, smashing its €34-€70k estimate. Both these Cartier pieces were rare and extraordinary jewels. Funnily enough "The Cartiers" by Francesca Cartier Brickell was our lockdown read. It's a fabulous book and can only help make vintage Cartier more desirable. 

Courtesy of Sotheby's

 

Courtesy of Dorotheum

So, why did this all happen and what does it mean? Quite simply we think people turn to jewellery in times of crisis. The gold price which swung from a low of $1,452.05 to $2,067.16 per troy oz substantiates this but doesn't tell the whole story. We think that there is an emotional element to all this buying. Jewellery quite literally is forever. Pieces can be handed down for centuries. Jewellery has also existed forever, since men could make tools and beat metal into shapes. So jewellery must carry significant meaning to human beings. It's not superfluous. We think that some of the activity is due to this intrinsic "forever" quality of jewellery. Whatever jewellery you buy now will exist after the pandemic is over. And its value seems to go up as everything else seems to falter. Gold is usually seen as a hedge investment but probably the same could be said for fine pre-owned jewellery, it's just difficult to track as each piece is unique. 

So whether we're hedging against economic uncertainty or crystalizing a "forever sentiment" it seems as though fine jewellery provides us with the perfect vehicle. Brands that will always stand the test of time are Tiffany & Co, Cartier, Van Cleef and Bulgari but it is also worth noting that stand out Antique pieces; Art Deco diamond bracelets, Old Cut diamond rings and Retro tank bracelets are also very desirable. 

 

 

 

View jewellery in your own home.

2019 was a very busy year for us. We sought to incorporate more hand chosen Vintage and Antique jewellery to our collection. Looking forward we see this as a growing market as our customers search out handmade and unique pieces. We will of course, stay loyal to our amazing brands like Tiffany & Co, Cartier and Bulgari and are keen to see what LVMH's takeover of Tiffany & Co will bring. 

Our buyer has been diligently searching out artisan made pieces featuring stunning craftsmanship, elegance and uniqueness. We are concentrating on key pieces; Antique/Vintage Engagement rings, featuring magical Old Cut Diamonds, Art Deco Diamond Bracelets and Retro Gold Tank Bracelets. Here and there we'll add a little curio that we just love. We hope you find the additions as exciting as we do. 

 

 

 

We think it’s time to embrace the word recycled. Recycled used to mean toilet paper – rough toilet paper! These days recycled means ideal, sustainable and noble.

As a company, we have been recycling fine jewellery since 2011. We buy items made by distinguished jewellery houses like Cartier and Tiffany & Co. We then service and polish the items so that they look new or nearly new. Our engagement rings are always sold in “Proposal Ready” condition which means what is says!

As we do not support manufacturing at its source – our items are already made and do not require much in the way of additional resources. We are practically carbon neutral!

Pre-owned, second hand, recycled used to mean second best. We think that idea has been turned upside down. As we all seek to make the planet a better place to live we must embrace recycling in all its forms whether it’s paper or jewellery.

We are proud to sell recycled fine jewellery and we think you’ll be proud to wear it.

Have you ever wondered how we authenticate our Tiffany & Co rings? The honest truth is that it's a bit complicated. Experience is a key factor but we also use technology. Here is a photo of a laser inscription on the facet of a Tiffany & Co diamond, taken with our powerful microscope.

You can see the inscription clearly enough to make out the number, which corresponds with the diamond certificate.

You can ask us for one of these photographs by request on any of our Tiffany & Co engagement rings. Please note that rings which were manufactured before 2004/5 will not be engraved. We will let you know if this is the case.

We know that piece of mind is important when buying jewellery. That's why we have decided to join the National Association of Jewellers (NAJ).

When you buy from an NAJ member you are backed by their code of conduct "Honesty, Integrity & Professionalism". We can't think of a better set of rules to live by!

We are very pleased to be able to add yet another layer of reassurance to our offering.

Cartier as investment? Can we expect that our Cartier jewellery purchases will increase in value?

Since its founding in 1847 the Cartier name has been synonymous with luxury. "Cartier is the King of Jewellers and the Jewellers of Kings" said Edward VII, more than 100 years ago. A brand with such fine pedigree, standing the test of time for more than 150 years should be looked at with more seriousness than just a purveyor of fine jewellery.

We have found that since Bloomsbury Manor began in 2011 the price of pre owned Cartier jewellery has markedly increased. We are looking at rises of 20-30% particularly across collectors pieces such as Panthere, C de Cartier, Bamboo and Trinity. There are more modest increases from the more well known Love collection. The slightly rarer collector's pieces are more rare and demand is strong from people wanting to invest in a piece which is both wearable and likely to increase in value. The Panthere range has been fashionable since the 1930s, King Edward VIII's consort The Duchess of Windsor was a keen fan. The collection has never been out of fashion as far as we are aware! C de Cartier, Trinity and Bamboo have all evolved over time and customers are both interested in vintage and current designs.

With Global financial uncertainty becoming constant background noise we would counsel that a solid investment in a tried and tested asset class would be wise. With dwindling supply and demand increasing we foresee that any Cartier collector's piece bought now might be worth 20% more in 5 years.

How can anyone resist?

Here are some investment pieces.

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are no guarantee of future growth.

 

 

So, you're thinking of popping the question or maybe you just have? The thing is, you have an idea but you're not sure about the pitch. You know why you think it's a good idea to go down the pre-owned route but you're not sure how to approach the subject. You need help. You need some good points. Here are a few:

1. You Get a Bigger Diamond.

"You know the money we would have spent buying a brand new ring? Well we can put that into buying a bigger and better stone. Now isn't that a good thing"?

2. It's Sustainable!

Recycling applies to engagement rings too. It's environmentally friendly and wastes no new resources. Mining is a very resource heavy industry so you can feel better about your engagement ring being more green.

3. Diamonds are already around 2.5 billion years old.

Did you know this? Diamonds were created billions of years ago. The majority between 1.5 and 3.5 billion years ago. What's another few years added on to that?

4. When you polish and service you get "Proposal Ready".

If you buy from a company like Bloomsbury Manor Ltd you can rest assured that you will be receiving a ring that deserves the name "Proposal Ready". Once we polish and service a ring, to all intents and purposes it looks brand new.

5. You get the same returns policy.

Both us and Tiffany & Co offer 30 day returns.

 

For a conversation about your engagement ring needs please call us on 0207 692 5103 today.