vintage jewelry - Leo Hamel

What’s the Difference Between Vintage & Estate Jewelry?

2024-02-202024-02-24 by Rylee Kahan

You may be intrigued by jewelry that’s not new. Buying vintage jewelry is a great idea, but it’s worth sorting out the confusion – what is antique jewelry as opposed to vintage, retro or estate? You will notice that these terms may be used very loosely and sometimes interchangeably on the internet.

This might be because the author doesn’t really know the difference or is trying to make a jewelry piece more appealing. Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers is your reliable source for the distinctions in these categories. We are San Diego’s largest independent jewelry store for 45 years, with a vast collection of new and like-new jewelry in excellent condition – including antique, vintage, retro, and estate jewelry.

Antique Jewelry

For a piece of jewelry to be labeled antique, it must be a minimum of 100 years old. Right now, it means that jewelry that was made prior to 1924 is antique. However, in the real world, you can find that jewelry close to the age of 100 years is also included in this category. This is often the case with Art Deco jewelry. The Art Deco era lasted from 1920 to 1930, but it started to emerge around 1915. Still, antique jewelry remains jewelry that is at least 100 years old.

Retro Jewelry

Retro jewelry describes jewelry with distinctive characteristics that was made in the Retro era that lasted through the 1940s and 1950s. Saying that an item is Retro determines not just the age of the piece, but also some salient stylistic features. These include lavish amounts of diamonds, symmetry and asymmetry, fluid lines, feminine designs, and a “larger than life” feel. Retro jewelry was greatly influenced by Hollywood glamour.

Estate & Vintage Jewelry

Finally, we come to the estate or vintage category. Saying that a piece of jewelry is estate or vintage tells you that it was previously owned. It might have been originally purchased yesterday, two years ago, or 20 years ago, and may even look brand new. Some pieces from designer brands may be “discontinued” in production and therefore considered collectible.

Estate jewelry may have been part of an estate liquidation. Reasons for liquidations are many: the owner may be deceased, may have become divorced or insolvent, or just decided to sell part of their jewelry collection. Vintage jewelry was probably sold by the previous owner for various reasons. Perhaps it was no longer worn or was inherited, and the style doesn’t suit the new owner. Or maybe the owner was simply in need of cash.

So, browsing estate jewelry returns many results – pieces that could be antique, vintage, retro, or modern (but always pre-owned). Estate or vintage jewelry may or may not be fine jewelry, which is characterized by the use of precious metals and gemstones in its construction, and should be priced accordingly.

Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers is your go-to destination for the largest selection of new and expertly refurbished like-new jewelry in San Diego. Visit our showroom on San Diego Avenue, where our friendly staff can show you a handpicked selection of estate, vintage, Retro, Art Deco, and antique jewelry. Subscribe to our email list today to get notified of the hottest arrivals!

How Does Vintage Jewelry Differ From New Jewelry?

2024-01-052024-01-05 by Rylee Kahan

The term “vintage” means different things to many people. For Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers, it opens up an entirely different realm of choices for our customers. The way we use it, “vintage” simply means a piece of jewelry that was previously owned. Diamonds, gemstones, and precious metals are already millions of years old. Because of this, the distinction between “new” and “used” is more easily blurred in jewelry than other industries.

“Vintage” includes pieces ranging in age from those crafted centuries ago to those just born yesterday. Some pieces are from renowned designers such as Tiffany & Co., David Yurman, and Cartier, while others are irreplaceable treasures.

Drawing on decades of experience and technical knowledge, our expert jewelers scrutinize each piece. This ensures that it is authentic, made with genuine materials, and of top quality. Any pieces that do not pass their rigorous inspection are passed on to wholesaler. Those pieces that are deemed worthy of our standards and yours are reconditioned to look their absolute best. Our master jewelers skillfully retouch, refinish, and refurbish them so well that you’d swear they were just made yesterday!

There’s no difference in quality between our vintage and new jewelry – one of the best reasons to invest in vintage pieces! In fact, buying vintage gives you a much larger variety to choose from. You’re not limited to what manufacturers have decided to offer this season. Pre-owned jewelry is more distinctive than brand new pieces. And, when you wear something that people find fascinating or exceptional, it draws a lot of attention!

What Kind of Vintage Jewelry is There?

Antique jewelry from specific time periods – such as the Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Retro, Edwardian, and Victorian eras – frequently boasts extraordinary attention to detail and superb craftsmanship that mass-produced items will never have. Whether they are true antiques or more recently minted treasures, a skilled maker uses high-quality materials. They create vintage pieces that will very likely continue to appreciate over time.

When you buy vintage jewelry, you’re not only investing in unsurpassed quality and fantastic originality; you’re getting unbeatable value. Because our jewelers do all reconditioning in-house, we cut out the mark-up, so you get more for less. Our pieces have the same integrity and appearance as brand-new items without the daunting price tag. It’s even easier to afford the designer and luxurious style that you deserve. You get the same prestige at a different price!

Whether you like to splurge frequently on treats for celebratory events or a job well done, or periodically make more considered investments, buying vintage jewelry from Leo’s is a reliable, respected, eco-friendly way to make your dollars work harder. Let our vintage jewelry enrich your life with more style, sophistication, and a piece of history. And as always, we have a 30-day money back guarantee if you’re ever less than completely satisfied!

Christmas Gifting on a Budget? We’ve Got You Covered!

2023-12-122023-12-13 by Rylee Kahan

The holiday season is all about being joyful and spreading cheer. But holiday shopping can be so stressful that you start to feel like the Grinch! Trying to find the perfect gifts while staying on budget can be quite challenging. Your loved ones deserve nothing but the best, but what if your spectacular gift ideas become too pricey to afford? At Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers, we completely understand the desire to buy your loved one’s luxurious gifts at a reasonable price. We’ve compiled a list of some of our most exquisite and affordable Christmas gift ideas. All of the gift ideas featured below are under $500 and are sure to spread Christmas cheer.

New Madison L Jewelry

Madison L Designs has an array of lavish fine jewelry. Each piece is created and designed with the greatest attention to detail and utmost care. Combining elegance with a modern inspiration and unchallenged craftsmanship, Madison L makes an excellent and affordable Christmas gift for any lady with a classic style.

Vintage Tiffany & Co. Jewelry

Tiffany & Co. is one of the most universally recognized fine jewelry brands. A gorgeous piece of Tiffany jewelry always makes an exquisite gift. When it comes to affordable Christmas gifts, vintage Tiffany & Co. is the way to go. You’ll receive a better deal on beautiful designer jewelry that appears brand new. Our vast collection of vintage Tiffany includes something for everyone – like cufflinks and loving heart rings. Watch your loved one’s face light up when they see a Leo Hamel gold gift bag under their tree!

New Wolf Watch Winders & Jewelry Storage

Everyone needs a safe place to store their jewelry and watches. Wolf designs elegant and durable jewelry boxed and watch winders that are perfect storing solutions for home and travel. This stackable jewelry box tray set features different sections that are ideal for holding rings, bracelets, earrings, and more – and it’s less than $60! For automatic watches lovers, Wolf watch winders are an excellent and affordable Christmas gift. Take away all the hassle of manually winding and resetting your automatic watch – for less than $250!

New Tissot Watches

With their signature “Innovators by Tradition,” Tissot develops high-tech, advanced functionality timepieces. With a broader, more versatile range of high-quality timepieces at a more attractive price than any other Swiss watch brand, a Tissot watch makes a remarkable holiday gift. Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers is committed to carrying a large selection of brand new in-the-box Tissot watches for men and women, making excellence accessible to everyone. Each timepiece is fit for everyday wear and will be treasured for a lifetime.

New & Vintage Gemstone Earrings

Gemstone earrings are always an exceptional gift. Every lady needs a gorgeous pair of studs – what better gift to give them than a pair of earrings set with thei favorite gemstone? Of course, some gemstones cost more than others, like diamonds, but you can get a great deal on a smaller carat stone. Whatever your loved one’s favorite gemstone is, we’re sure to have a great deal on a pair of radiant earring studs.

These are just a few affordable Christmas gift ideas for this holiday season. Find exquisite gifts to make your loved ones happy at our jewelry store on San Diego Avenue. We completely understand the holidays can be hard on your wallet, so don’t forget about our flexible payment plan options. Or if you truly can’t decide, you can never go wrong with a Leo Hamel gift card. Happy Holidays!

Find Perfect Graduation Gifts at Leo Hamel’s!

2023-04-302023-12-09 by Rylee Kahan

Hats off to the graduating class of 2023! Hours of hard work, dedication, and sleep deprivation have all led to this exciting moment. Graduating is a tremendous accomplishment and should be celebrated as such! Whether your graduate is gearing up for college, or ready to take their advanced degree to the workforce, they deserve to feel special on their big day. Wondering what to give your grad to show your love and praise? Sure, every young adult appreciates a nice card and some cash, but why not choose something a bit more personal? We’ve compiled a list of the best graduation gift ideas that are sure to surprise and delight your loved one!

Send your graduate off in style with a charming Tissot Everytime wristwatch. The simple, yet sophisticated design of this watch easily transitions from day to evening. So, whether he’s heading to the lecture hall or the big Friday night homecoming game, he’ll look polished and put together. One thing’s for sure, with a quality timepiece from Tissot, your grad won’t miss a beat, or his first college class/work assignment!

What better way to show your grad just how proud you are than with a dazzling pair of London blue topaz earrings? Blue topaz earrings are a sleek and timeless staple that every young lady should have in their jewelry box. She’ll look and feel like a true class act conquering her first job interview or crushing a big school presentation. Unlike money or a gift card, an elegant pair of gemstone studs is a gift that will last a lifetime, and a treasure she can share with her own children.

Help your recent grad look sharp at every important event. These designer sterling silver cufflinks from Tiffany & Co. are the perfect accessory for every one of his important meetings, presentations, and company dinners. A part of their signature “Please Return to Tiffany” collection, these cufflinks are sure to be the perfect gift for your grad!

Every new grad needs a reliable and high-quality pen. Whether your aspiring young professional plans to take on college or the corporate world, this Tiffany & Co. pen is an incredible designer writing instrument. And unlike your standard BIC ballpoint, the ink in a Tiffany & Co. pen can continuously be replaced, so you can be sure this gift gets years of use.

Give your grad the gift of peace, courage, and happiness with this charming Jack Kelege diamond and yellow sapphire ring. Yellow sapphire is thought to improve happiness and peace in the wearer’s life. The brilliant sparkle of diamonds is sure to make her light up. This dainty ring has several special details including alternating stones and intricate metalwork. She’ll be eager to wear this meaningful ring everywhere she goes!

Celebrate Your Grad with a Gift from Leo's!

There’s no better place to find one-of-a-kind gifts for your graduate than Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers! Shop an extraordinary selection of fine jewelry, watches, and luxurious designer gifts, all at a price you’ll love! Your grad deserves to commemorate this momentous occasion with a gift that will last a lifetime, and you’ll find it here at Leo’s!