Monet jewelry has been available since 1937. This company makes affordable quality costume jewelry distributed to upscale department stores, and bracelets are one of their specialties. Monet produced fashionable large link bracelets in the 1940s, charm bracelets in the 1950s, bangle bracelets in the ‘60s, and whatever style and fashion dictates today. Liz Claiborne, Inc. owns Monet in 2010. “Monet” with a copyright symbol identifies Monet jewelry of any era.
Examine your Monet bracelets with a magnifying glass to look for damage or wear. Older costume jewelry often shows edge wear or loss of plating on the surface that touches the skin. Look for discoloration or pitting caused from body acid. Check for damage to the surface and loss of stones. Rhinestone jewelry may dull, caused by the foil on the back getting wet.
Identify the style or era of your Monet bracelets. Monet met the challenge of changes in fashion over the years, and has emphasized trendy, not spendy. Older Monet bracelets are collectible and more valuable than new because they are scarcer. Compare the style and color with fashion for today. Collectors and wearers alike appreciate current fashion trends and buy styles and colors popular today.
Look online for vintage ads of Monet bracelets if your Monet jewelry is old. Websites like Illusion Jewels have vintage Monet jewelry advertising. Compare styles to determine the era of your bracelets. Check for sold Monet bracelets in online marketplaces, and read the descriptions carefully to understand the market.
Attend a collectibles or antiques show to check prices on similar Monet bracelets. Take the bracelets with you and ask a costume jewelry dealer for an opinion as to value, condition and relevance in today’s market.
Visit an antiques or collectibles mall to look for Monet bracelets and prices to compare with your bracelets. Keep the style, colors and condition in mind when making comparisons. Remember, too, that prices are not values. The price a dealer puts on a Monet bracelet is not the same as the selling price of the bracelet. Dealers often reduce prices to make a sale.
Value your Monet bracelets with the knowledge you have gleaned from different sources. If you reach a conclusion that your Monet bracelets are valuable, you may want to get an appraisal from a credentialed appraiser who deals in costume jewelry. Look for an appraiser who has studied appraisal techniques with the International Society of Appraisers or the Appraisers Association of America.
References
Resources
Writer Bio
Linda Richard has been a legal writer and antiques appraiser for more than 25 years, and has been writing online for more than 12 years. Richard holds a bachelor's degree in English and business administration. She has operated a small business for more than 20 years. She and her husband enjoy remodeling old houses and are currently working on a 1970s home.
Related Articles
