When choosing jewelry as an investment, it’s best to consider whether it will hold its value. In some cases, trendy jewelry seems like a great investment since it comes with a high price tag; but disappointment sets in once the trend has lost its foothold, and investors are left with a sparkly bauble that won’t fetch much at all on the resale market.
With this in mind, here are five outstanding jewelry designers plus some top items that hold their value well over time. Keep in mind, part of the fun of investing in jewelry is showing it off every now and then. Choose pieces that appeal to you personally and you’ll find it is easy to avoid disappointment.
Societe Cartier was founded in 1847 by Louis-Francois Cartier. The company has a long history of sales to celebrities and royalty; for example, England’s King Edward VII referred to Cartier as “The jeweler of kings and the king of jewelers.” Cartier was among the first jewelers to offer luxury watches, and the company’s distinctive designs – many of which have a decades-old history – are popular all over the world. Cartier’s signature pieces, such as the Love Bracelet, stand the test of time. Created in the 1970s, this bracelet collection evokes passion and romance while providing a signature look. These bracelets are just one example of in-demand Cartier pieces, making for a quick, easy resale process.
An incredible luxury goods specialist, Tiffany & Co. is best known for its exquisite jewelry. Founded in 1837, Tiffany is famous for diamond jewelry, especially engagement rings. The company’s designs are often symbolic of love. For example, the Tiffany Enchant Heart Lock, based on ornate, 19th Century garden gates, incorporates heart-shaped padlocks, often with matching keys. What makes this design so popular? The sentimentality and old-fashioned romantic appeal are part of the Enchant Heart Lock’s appeal, plus it comes in a variety of finishes, with and without the wearer’s choice of diamonds and colored gemstones. Should you decide to resell one of these pieces, you’ll find that the process is quick, simple, and profitable.
Van Cleef & Arpels have been a Parisian institution since 1906, when they settled into Place Vendome. The company is famous for its intricate designs, and for its proprietary gem setting style, called Serti Msterieux, or “Mystery Setting.” This technique hides the prongs that keep the gemstones in place, with each stone being faceted onto gold rails less than one-fifth of a millimeter thick. The technique requires 300 hours of work per piece, and only a few are produced annually. These and almost all other Van Cleef & Arpels designs are in demand. Consider the Snowflake collection, which was first popularized in the 1940s. The Van Cleef & Arpels Snowflake necklace, crafted of beautiful white diamonds, is an example of a marvelous investment piece with excellent resale value should the owner choose to part with it
As contemporary jewelry designers go, David Yurman is one of the most famous, and his popular designs are among the most coveted. Founded in 1980 David and Sybil Yurman, the company’s focus is on artisanal jewelry designs with unique features. Among David Yurman’s signature pieces is the Renaissance line, which originated with a cable bracelet that featured a central twisted helix with gemstones embellishing its endcaps. Luxurious, effortless, and artisanal, David Yurman designs are timeless pieces that exude beauty and quality. Early pieces and items from new collections fetch top prices on a consistent basis, and make excellent additions to any jewelry investment.
Often referred to as “The King of Diamonds” and “The Ultimate Jeweler,” Harry Winston is perhaps best known for his 1958 donation of the Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian Institution. As a child, Winston worked in his father’s jewelry shop. His fate was forever sealed when at the age of 12, he recognized a 2-carat emerald in a pawn shop, purchased it for a mere 25 cents, and sold it later for $800 – quite a fortune in those days. He opened his business in 1920 and welcomed customers to his first New York store location in 1932. Harry Winston’s designs have included many of the world’s most famous diamonds and gemstones: The Graff Pink, The Louis XIV, The Oppenheimer, and The Briolette of India are just a few to have passed through Harry Winston’s hands. Although Winston passed away in 1978, his business lives on. Today, Harry Winston, Inc. is a subsidiary of the Swatch Group. The company’s luxurious designs often offer a timeless aesthetic, and all are stunningly spectacular in their own way. Harry Winston designs are highly coveted, whether vintage or contemporary, and always add value to a jewelry investment portfolio.
©2011-2024 Worthy, Inc. All rights reserved.
Worthy, Inc. operates from 25 West 45th St., 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10036
