Vintage jewelry has taken center stage in the fashion world. Many women are raiding their grandmothers' jewelry boxes to find diamond necklaces pendants and other fashionable pieces that probably haven't been worn for decades. They also find these unique antiques online and at estate sales.

If some antique jewelry has fallen into your hands, you should learn certain guidelines before trying to sell it. The same applies to any gemstones you may have inherited, to be sure you are getting full value.

First, it is important to get a diamond appraiser to take a look at your jewelry. An expert's opinion is essential, because there are many fake diamonds and other gemstones out there being passed off as the real thing. And unless you have the right training and equipment, there is no way to distinguish between a real and fake diamond.

Make sure that your appraiser gives you a written estimate of the jewelry's value. This is important even if you're just rediscovering your grandma's jewels because you will need this estimate for tax and insurance purposes. It will also provide valuable information about the quality and condition of the gems and whether they have any damage.

When buying antique jewelry, you will also want to have an idea of the value of the overall piece. This value depends not only on the values of the gems themselves, as provided by the appraiser, but also has to do with the state of the antiques market, the particular era and style of the piece, and whether or not it appeals to modern sensibilities.

Many online sites and antique value books can help provide information about the market value of your diamond necklaces pendants. You can also hire an antiques appraiser with expertise in vintage jewels. Although there will be a small cost associated with this service, it may be worth it if you can more accurately know the piece's value.

Once you know the value of the vintage jewelry, including the values of the individual jewels, the precious metals that make up the piece, and its market value, vintage appeal, and popularity, you can make a decision about whether buying the piece will be a good investment.