If you are fortunate enough to come across one of the old pawn or vintage jewelry items we have for sale on our website, first of all, congratulations! You are about to own a piece of history.

Secondly, you may have noticed the option: “high shine” or “original patina (as is)”. What does this mean and why is it important?

Vintage Black Onyx Silver Navajo Bracelet Sterling Cuff

Sterling silver tarnishes over time when exposed to other elements and conditions. This is an inevitable process, no matter how carefully the jewelry is kept. Therefore, the older the piece, the richer the resulting look, or patina, of tarnish on it. The level of richness, and the tone, speaks to the historical significance of the piece of jewelry. Some collectors love this look so much that the process is sped up with what we call “antiquing”, or deliberate oxidizing.

That being said, many people prefer their silver jewelry to have the luster of “high shine”. Sterling silver can always be polished to a high shine, so it is not a problem to make a piece of jewelry look brand new! But when we do this, we are literally wiping out history. So, in our estimation, the vintage piece loses some of its value, which is why this option is not returnable. That being said, it’s your jewelry, your choice! One choice is not better than another; the quality of the workmanship, and the intrinsic worth of the materials, as well as the age, makes a piece of jewelry valuable. Just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so it really comes down to your preference.

Whatever you decide, we are confident that you will love your jewelry for years to come.