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How to Find the Value of Antique Georg Jensen Jewelry

Georg Jensen was a Danish silversmith, who in 1904 started a jewelry company in Copenhagen, Denmark. Jensen's jewelry is unique because it is artfully designed, both in shape and aesthetically. He trained as a sculptor and ceramic artist. He got his start in jewelry making by first training as a goldsmith in 1880. He is known for his fine quality silver jewelry, which he began making after taking a post with silversmith Mogens Ballin. Jensen's antique jewelry is a combination of silver with semi-precious stones.

Things You'll Need

Magnifying glass
Collector and price guide books

Instructions

- 1
  Look over the jewelry with a magnifying glass. Examine it for markings that will indicate the age. For example, sterling silver was used by Jensen beginning in 1933, which gives collectors a way to date an antique piece. Look at the silver purity. If it is marked 826 to 830 to 925, that is silver; 925 is sterling, the more valuable kind.
- 2
  Compare styles of Jensen jewelry. Value may be higher for pieces made during a particular design period; such as the Arts and Crafts movement, and the Art Deco period, when Jensen designed many of his fine crafted jewelry during this time. Look up Jensen Art Deco jewelry online. Look at the design to see if it is a limited edition piece. Sometimes jewelry designers only put out a set amount of jewelry, and these pieces may be worth more.
- 3
  Check to see if the Jensen jewelry is from Denmark. The jewelry was made for a period in the United States in the 1940's. Look for a mark that indicates that it was made in Denmark. Any piece marked Denmark will be an original, older and more valuable piece.
- 4
  Look online at collector websites where these items are sold, or where the jewelry is sold by professionals in the field who specialize in Jensen pieces. See what they sell their items for, and compare to online auction listings for the jewelry. Watch the auctions to see the bids and popularity of distinct Jensen pieces. Study collector books written about Jensen and his jewelry and keep up to date on the most current price guides that list recent market values.
- 5
  Go to live auctions in a brick and mortar auction house, aside from observing online auctions. Go to trade shows where dealers are specializing in this type of jewelry, and ask questions. Sometimes dealers will mark up their items 10 to 20 percent in anticipation of hagglers negotiating the price. Ask dealers if that is the current market price for the jewelry.
- 6
  Bring the piece to an appraiser of vintage jewelry or a jeweler who specializes in his type of jewelry or antique jewelry with semi precious stones. They can give a ballpark estimate on worth of a particular piece.

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