4 Things We Learned About Estate Jewelry That You Need to Know

Estate jewelry has a way of making you stop and look a little closer. The details, unusual gemstones, craftsmanship, and stories behind each piece are part of what makes vintage jewelry so interesting.

After spending three days surrounded by an incredible collection at our Estate Jewelry Show at Hauser’s Jewelers, we walked away with a few conclusions — some historical, some practical, and one that we feel very strongly about.

1. Snakes Are Romantic. Yes, Really.

Today, a snake might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you picture romantic jewelry. The Victorians would disagree.

Prince Albert gave Queen Victoria an emerald engagement ring in the form of a serpent. Snake motifs became closely associated with love and eternity during the Victorian era, particularly when the snake formed a continuous circle.

It’s one of our favorite examples of how the symbolism hidden inside Victorian and estate jewelry can completely change the way you look at a piece.

2. Vintage Yellow Diamonds Know How to Make a Statement

The yellow diamonds at our Estate Jewelry Show immediately stood out.

Natural fancy-color diamonds are rare, and their color is evaluated differently from diamonds on the traditional D-to-Z color scale. Yellow is one of the best-known fancy diamond colors and can range from subtle shades to incredibly saturated yellows.

Add the character of a vintage setting, and you have a piece that feels anything but ordinary.

3. Men Should Wear Big Diamond Rings Again

This is our official Hauser’s opinion: men need bigger diamonds.

Historically, jewelry has never belonged exclusively to women. Estate jewelry gives us a chance to look at style without all of today’s rules about who is “supposed” to wear what.

So we took a vote at Hauser’s.

Large diamond rings for men? Unanimous yes.

Consider this our campaign to bring them back.

4. Don't Wear Brooches? Turn One Into a Ring.

One of the best things about estate jewelry is realizing that an older piece doesn’t necessarily have to be worn the way it was originally intended.

Take a beautiful vintage brooch. If you love the design but know you’ll never pin it to a jacket, it may be possible to redesign it into a statement ring or another piece you’ll actually wear.

That’s where estate jewelry and custom jewelry design work so well together: you can preserve the craftsmanship and history while giving the piece a new chapter.

At Hauser’s Jewelers, our custom jewelry team can help explore what may be possible with an estate piece, heirloom, gemstone, or piece already sitting in your jewelry box.

The Best Part of Estate Jewelry? There’s 

Always More to Learn.

That was probably our biggest takeaway from the Estate Jewelry Show.

A snake can represent eternal love. An old brooch can become your new favorite ring. A piece that catches your eye because it’s beautiful can turn out to have an entire history behind it.

And because so many estate and vintage pieces are unique, you never quite know what you’re going to find.

If you love estate jewelry, vintage jewelry, antique-inspired designs, or one-of-a-kind pieces, visit Hauser’s Jewelers in Newport News or Williamsburg, Virginia. We’re always happy to help you discover the story behind your next piece.

Visit Hauser’s Jewelers to explore estate jewelry in person or talk with us about redesigning an older piece into something completely your own.