How to Find the Perfect Vintage & Estate Jewelry in Portland, Oregon
The best place to buy and sell estate jewelry in Portland, Oregon, is actually in Vancouver, Washington. That’s because nobody beats Erik Runyan Jewelers in downtown Vancouver when it comes to selection and the ability to add to it by buying estate jewelry.
If you have estate jewelry for sale, then we’d like to be your personal estate jewelry buyer in Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR!
What We Buy
Gold Coins
Bullion
Platinum Jewelry
And more!
Buying Estate Jewelry in Portland, OR
There is something to be said for a timeless classic. Beautiful diamond engagement rings, a deep green emerald, or the intricate metalwork of a locket from the 1920s … these are all items that hold value and become family heirlooms.
If you are looking for a classic, high-quality item for yourself or for that special someone, consider buying estate jewelry. The selection around Portland and Vancouver is excellent.
When you know what to look for and are shopping from a jeweler you can trust, you will be sure to find something amazing.
Here are some things to consider when buying estate jewelry.
A MAKER’S MARK (or JEWELER’S MARK)
It is custom for high-end jewelers to mark their items. Some artisans would add their initials to a handcrafted piece. Others would number jewelry or create jewelry with a symbol or mark that helped to identify it as part of a special collection. When examining estate and antique jewelry to see if it is the real thing, look for the jeweler’s mark.
AN AGED PATINA
Estate jewelry has a certain well-worn quality to it. While the jewels in the settings may sparkle as if they were forged just yesterday, the metals themselves will have a different luster. Oils from the wearers' hands, creams, and lotions from years of wear, and simple metal oxidation processes create a natural color gradient on metals. This aged patina makes your piece special. Even with a restored piece, there will still be small marks, dents, or discolorations that speak to how much the piece has been loved in the past.
A UNIQUE VINTAGE JEWELRY PIECE
The benefit of buying estate and vintage jewelry is that you will not find a particular item on every shelf and in every jewelry store in the country. When looking through a jeweler’s collection, peruse each piece with care. A sure sign that you are dealing with a jeweler that is up to something would be seeing the same piece over and over again. What is important with estate jewelry is to find something that is uniquely yours.
FINDING A JEWELER YOU CAN TRUST
With more than 100 years of bringing fine jewelry and watch repair to the Vancouver community, Erik Runyan Jewelers is a name you can trust. Our family started out fixing watches in a bus depot and built a brand known for quality, selection, and custom design. For beautiful estate and vintage jewelry, let our family pick out something perfect for yours.
Erik Runyan Jewelers
There simply is no better place to shop for vintage and estate jewelry in the Vancouver and Portland metro areas than Erik Runyan Jewelers.
Erik’s great-grandfather opened up a watch repair service in downtown Vancouver in 1917, laying a foundation of superb customer service that still drives the fifth generation of Runyans each and every day.
Over the decades, ERJ has amassed an extraordinary and unbeatable selection of vintage and estate pieces. Visit us today to see and try on some of these wonderful pieces. Each item is truly unique. Best of all, many items are very affordable.
Contact Erik Runyan Jewelers today! Or better yet, stop by the showroom. We’re open Tuesday through Saturday (and Monday by appointment). You won’t be disappointed!
In fact, our showroom is worth a visit all by itself! Our turn of the century renovated cases are full of beautiful items. We also have our original cash register and safe. And be sure to look up toward the ceiling, where you’ll find our famous canoe chandelier.