Collection: Estate Jewelry

8 products

Estate Jewelry Information and FAQ

About Estate Jewelry

King Jewelers carries a small, carefully curated estate jewelry collection in Nashville, featuring rings, bracelets, necklaces, and engagement rings with genuine vintage character and history. Each piece is a one-of-a-kind King Jewelers Private Collection find, including estate engagement rings, Burma ruby and diamond rings, and multi-strand pearl bracelets and necklaces.

Estate pieces are set in white gold and platinum, with diamonds, rubies, and pearls, including GIA certified stones for buyers who want documented assurance of quality on a piece with history. Prices range from around $2,500 up to over $23,000 for the most significant estate rings, and pieces are frequently offered at a meaningful discount off their original retail value, since estate jewelry offers a way to own fine craftsmanship and larger stones at a comparatively accessible price point.

Shop the estate jewelry collection online with free shipping on qualifying U.S. orders over $500, or visit our Green Hills showroom at 4121 Hillsboro Pike in Nashville to see these one-of-a-kind pieces in person. Since 1912, King Jewelers has bought, sold, and appraised estate and antique jewelry, and our expert gemologists are also available if you're looking to sell gold, diamonds, or estate pieces of your own.

History of Estate Jewelry

Estate jewelry offers a way to own fine craftsmanship, larger stones, and genuine history, but choosing well means knowing how to verify authenticity, condition, and value before you buy.

Buy from a reputable, established source
Since estate jewelry is previously owned and often lacks the original paperwork of a new piece, the retailer's reputation matters more than usual. Look for established jewelers with in-house gemologists and a clear return policy rather than an unverified private seller, and be wary of anyone unwilling to answer detailed questions about a piece.

Check for hallmarks and maker's marks
Small stamps on the back or inside of a piece indicate metal purity (14K, 18K, 750, 950 for platinum, or 925 for sterling silver) and sometimes the maker or era. Crisp, well-defined hallmarks are a good sign, while blurry or oddly placed marks can be a red flag. Not every genuine older piece has a hallmark, though, so absence alone isn't proof of a fake.

Inspect condition carefully
Minor wear, like a soft scratch or gentle patina, is part of a piece's character and history. Structural issues are a different matter: check that prongs are secure, settings aren't loose, and stones show no chips or cracks. A reputable seller will disclose any past repairs or restoration work upfront.

Ask about gemstone certification, especially for diamonds
If a piece includes a GIA or IGI certificate for its center stone, that's a meaningful confirmation of quality and authenticity. Genuine estate jewelry typically features natural gemstones, which may show minor natural imperfections expected in older stones, so an oddly flawless-looking stone is worth a second look.

Consider provenance and design era
A documented history of ownership can add both meaning and value to a piece. Recognizing design characteristics of different eras, like Victorian floral motifs, Art Deco geometric lines, or Retro-era rose gold, can also help confirm a piece is consistent with its stated age.

Factor in resizing and restoration needs
Since estate rings were sized for a previous owner, plan on professional resizing as part of the purchase. A trustworthy jeweler can also advise on any restoration a piece may benefit from without compromising its original character.

Set a budget and stick to it
Estate pieces vary enormously in price based on materials, era, and condition, and it's easy to get emotionally attached. Decide on a range before you start browsing, and don't let a beautiful piece talk you out of it.

At King Jewelers, our estate jewelry collection features one-of-a-kind pieces from our King Jewelers Private Collection, including estate engagement rings, ruby and diamond rings, and multi-strand pearl bracelets and necklaces, with GIA certified stones where applicable. Our team can help you evaluate condition, authenticity, and value in person at our Green Hills showroom in Nashville, or you can browse the collection online.

Estate Jewelry Collections

King Jewelers carries a small, carefully curated estate jewelry collection in Nashville, featuring one-of-a-kind rings, bracelets, necklaces, and engagement rings with genuine vintage character and history. Each piece is set in white gold or platinum, with diamonds, rubies, or pearls, and prices range from around $2,500 up to over $23,000 for the most significant estate rings.


Styles We Carry:


Estate Engagement Rings — Vintage-style solitaire and halo engagement rings, including GIA certified diamond options, offering the character of an older era at a comparatively accessible price.

Ruby & Diamond Rings — Statement rings featuring natural rubies, including rare Burma ruby pieces, paired with diamond accents.

Pearl Strand Necklaces — Multi-strand cultured pearl necklaces with a classic, timeless look.

Estate Bracelets — Diamond and multi-strand pearl bracelets with vintage detailing not commonly found in new production.

Pearl & Diamond Rings — Rings combining South Sea or Tahitian pearls with diamond accents for a distinctive vintage look.


Our Estate Collection


Every piece in our estate jewelry collection is part of the King Jewelers Private Collection, sourced, evaluated, and offered exclusively through our Nashville showroom. Since 1912, King Jewelers has bought, sold, and appraised estate and antique jewelry, and each piece we carry is inspected by our in-house gemologists for quality and authenticity before it reaches our cases. Because estate jewelry is one-of-a-kind, our online and in-store selection changes regularly, our team can also help you sell or trade in estate pieces of your own.

Frequently Asked Questions About Estate Jewelry

Where can I buy estate jewelry in Nashville, TN?

Estate jewelry is available at King Jewelers in Nashville, Tennessee. Visit our showroom at 4121 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37215, to explore the collection in person, or shop online at kingjewelers.com. For questions about availability, call (615) 724-5464.

What is estate jewelry?

Estate jewelry refers to any piece of jewelry that has been previously owned, regardless of its age. It's a broad category that can include vintage or antique pieces, or even a more recently made piece with a prior owner.

What is the difference between estate, vintage, and antique jewelry?

Estate simply means previously owned, regardless of age. Vintage generally refers to pieces roughly 20 to 100 years old. Antique refers specifically to pieces 100 years or older. A piece can technically fall into more than one category at once, for example, a 1920s ring is both antique and estate.

Is estate jewelry safe to wear?

Yes, once it's been inspected. Minor wear or a soft patina is part of an older piece's natural character, but a reputable jeweler will check that settings are secure, stones are held properly, and any past repairs are disclosed before it's offered for sale.

Why is estate jewelry often less expensive than new jewelry?

Because it's pre-owned, estate jewelry can offer larger stones, finer craftsmanship, or a recognizable design at a more accessible price point than an equivalent new piece, since it doesn't carry the full original retail markup.

Can estate jewelry be resized?

Most estate rings can be resized by an experienced jeweler, though some intricate vintage settings may have limitations depending on the design and era.

Is estate jewelry a good investment?

Estate jewelry can hold or appreciate in value, particularly pieces with recognizable craftsmanship, rare gemstones, or provenance, but like any jewelry purchase, it should primarily be bought for its beauty and meaning rather than as a financial investment.

Does estate jewelry come with a diamond or gemstone certification?

Some estate pieces include original certification, such as a GIA report for a diamond, while others may not, particularly older pieces sold before certification was common practice. Ask about certification for any piece with a significant center stone.

Can an estate piece be restyled or reset?

Yes, our master jewelers can help reset an heirloom stone into a new mounting or update an estate piece's design while preserving what makes the original meaningful.

What estate jewelry pieces does King Jewelers carry?

Our estate jewelry collection includes one-of-a-kind rings, bracelets, necklaces, and engagement rings from the King Jewelers Private Collection, featuring diamonds, rubies, and pearls, with GIA certified stones where applicable. Since our estate selection is one-of-a-kind, availability changes regularly, so it's worth checking back or visiting our showroom to see current pieces.