Did you know that Etsy is a great place to look at vintage and antique jewelery?
Etsy is an online marketplace where people can sell things - handmade things, vintage things, anything, really. You do have to be careful - never forget that anyone can sign up to sell
on Etsy, and you'll never really know what you're getting it until you
hold it in your hand. A lot of the tips I gave for buying jewelry on Ebay also apply for Etsy.
There is alots of stuff for sale on Etsy and you have to
wade through it to get to the treasures - but the treasures are worth it, and the hurt is part of the fun. Always use keywords to narrow
down the search when you're looking for something specific ("Edwardian
filigree onyx ring" is better than "pretty rings"). You can use the category filters on the right-hand side to limit your
results - for example, you can choose to see only vintage items, and
from those results you could choose to see only rings.
If
you're browsing and you see something you like, add the store or the
item to your favorites. It can be hard to find the same store twice if
you forget the name, and often a seller who posts one item you like will
post other items you'll like also.
If something is lacking in pictures or information, ask the seller
questions. If they won’t answer your questions, don’t do business with
them. If a seller doesn’t have positive reviews, don’t do business with
them. If you do buy things, pay promptly and leave honest feedback.
I once bought something through Etsy that broke as soon as I took it out of the package. When I wrote this as feedback on the seller's page, she instantly contacted me to apologize, give my money back, and teach me how to fix the broken item.
Many Etsy sellers accept returns, but not all. Never count on being able
to return something unless it specifically says you can. Even then -
don't forget to check and see if you'll be responsible for return
shipping.
Know all of your measurements – ring size, wrist circumference, and what necklace lengths you prefer. The only thing sadder than buying crap is buying something beautiful you can never wear.
Etsy gives prices up front, but they don't include shipping. Don't forget to mentally add shipping costs when you're looking at the pretties.
Pin this guide so that you have it handy when you want to check out Etsy: 
Now that you're prepared, let's get to the goodies. Here is some vintage/antique jewelry that I am currently drooling over on Etsy.
(I have some serious daydreams about this one.)
Labels: Art Deco, bracelets, Etsy, filigree, guides and tips, necklaces, under $200
)
