Jewellery, Silver & Watches We Buy
The Old Antiquarian · What We Buy
The Old Antiquarian buys selected antique jewellery, silver objects, gold objects, pocket watches, wristwatches and clocks from private owners, collectors and families. Whether you have a single inherited piece or a larger collection, clear photographs of the object, its marks, hallmarks and visible condition are the best place to begin.
Last Updated: September 2026
Quick Answer
The value and collector interest of antique jewellery, silver, watches and clocks cannot be determined from material alone. Important factors may include maker, hallmarks, age, design, craftsmanship, precious-metal content, gemstones, movement, model or reference, rarity, originality, condition, repairs, provenance and current collector demand. Clear photographs of the complete object and all visible marks can make an initial review considerably more useful.
At a Glance
| Category | Examples | Important Clues |
|---|---|---|
| Antique Jewellery | Rings, brooches, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, pendants and jewellery sets | Maker, period, design, gemstones, metal, marks, craftsmanship and condition |
| Silver Objects | Boxes, trays, cups, cutlery, candlesticks, serving pieces and decorative silver | Hallmarks, maker, silver standard, origin, date clues, weight and condition |
| Gold Objects | Jewellery, cases, small objects, accessories and decorative pieces | Gold standard, maker, craftsmanship, age, rarity, condition and provenance |
| Pocket Watches | Open-face, hunter and other mechanical pocket watches | Maker, movement, case marks, serial numbers, complications and originality |
| Wristwatches | Vintage and collectible mechanical and automatic wristwatches | Brand, reference, movement, dial, case, originality and condition |
| Clocks | Mantel clocks, wall clocks, carriage clocks and other mechanical clocks | Maker, movement, case, dial, originality, completeness and condition |
Jewellery, silver, watches and clocks form part of the wider range of
antiques and collections we buy
,
including art, porcelain, coins, books, militaria, decorative objects and inherited collections.
Antique Jewellery
We consider selected antique and vintage jewellery, including rings, brooches, necklaces, pendants, bracelets, earrings, lockets and complete jewellery sets.
Age alone does not determine value. Jewellery may attract collector interest because of its maker, design period, precious-metal content, gemstones, craftsmanship, rarity, condition or documented provenance.
Construction can also provide useful clues. Clasps, settings, hinges, engraving, wear, stone-setting techniques and other small details may help when researching the period and origin of older jewellery.
Where visible, maker’s marks, assay marks, fineness marks and other stamps should be photographed carefully. There is no need to polish the object before sending photographs.
Silver Objects
We buy selected antique and collectible silver objects, ranging from small personal items to larger decorative and table pieces.
These may include silver boxes, trays, bowls, cups, cutlery, candlesticks, serving pieces, desk accessories and decorative objects.
Correct interpretation of silver marks can be particularly important. Depending on the country and period, an object may carry information relating to its maker, silver standard, assay office, date, workshop, import or control history.
Collector’s Note:
Photograph the entire hallmark area rather than only one symbol. A group of marks can provide considerably more information than an isolated stamp.
Gold Objects
Gold objects can have both material value and additional antique, artistic or collector value. We consider selected gold jewellery, small gold objects, cases, accessories and decorative pieces.
A fineness or carat mark can provide information about metal content, but it does not determine the complete value of an antique object.
The maker, age, design, historical period, craftsmanship, gemstones, rarity, condition and provenance may all be relevant. In some cases, the historical or artistic significance of an object may be important in addition to the intrinsic value of the metal.
Hallmarks, Maker’s Marks & Identification
Marks are among the most useful clues when examining antique jewellery, silver and gold objects, but they should always be interpreted together with the object itself.
Depending on the object and country of origin, these may include maker’s marks, assay marks, fineness marks, date letters, import marks, control marks, signatures, serial numbers and workshop stamps.
A mark alone should not automatically be treated as proof of age, authenticity or value. Its form, placement and style should be consistent with the material, construction, decoration and wear of the object.
Important:
Do not polish heavily around hallmarks or maker’s marks before photographing them. Excessive polishing can soften small details and make worn marks more difficult to interpret.
Pocket Watches
We consider selected antique and collectible pocket watches, including examples with silver, gold and other cases.
The name on the dial is only one part of identification. Depending on the watch, the movement, movement maker, case maker, case hallmarks, serial numbers, winding system, complications, dial, hands and originality of components may all provide important information.
Where possible, photograph the front, reverse, case interior, visible hallmarks and movement. If you do not know how the case opens, do not force it merely to obtain a photograph.
Vintage & Collectible Wristwatches
We also consider selected vintage and collectible wristwatches. Collector interest can vary considerably according to brand, model, reference, movement, age, dial configuration, case material, originality, rarity and condition.
Originality can be particularly important with collectible watches. Replacement dials, hands, crowns, bezels, movements, bracelets or other later components may influence collector interest.
Original boxes, papers, receipts and service records should be kept with the watch where they survive. They can provide useful information about its history and specification.
Antique & Vintage Clocks
We consider selected mechanical clocks, including mantel clocks, wall clocks, carriage clocks and other decorative or collectible clocks.
When researching an old clock, the case, dial and movement should be considered together. Manufacturer or retailer names, movement stamps, serial numbers, labels and construction details can all provide useful clues.
Completeness may also matter. Original pendulums, keys, hands, glass, decorative mounts and other components can contribute to the historical integrity and collector interest of a clock.
What Can Make Jewellery, Silver, Watches or Clocks Collectible?
There is no single feature that determines collector or market value. Depending on the object, relevant factors may include:
- maker, manufacturer or workshop;
- age and historical period;
- hallmarks and documented origin;
- precious-metal content;
- gemstones and their setting;
- quality of craftsmanship;
- design and artistic quality;
- rarity or unusual configuration;
- model, reference or series;
- mechanical movement and complications;
- originality of components;
- condition and appropriate signs of age;
- previous repairs or restoration;
- original box, papers or accessories;
- documented provenance;
- collector demand;
- relevant recent comparable sales.
Metal Value Is Not the Same as Antique Value
Gold and silver objects should not necessarily be assessed by weight alone. A maker, historical period, unusual design, craftsmanship, rarity or documented provenance may give an object collector interest beyond its precious-metal content. Identifying an older object before treating it simply as scrap metal can therefore be important.
Condition, Repairs & Replacement Parts
Condition can have a substantial effect on collector interest, but normal signs of age and use are not necessarily defects. Appropriate wear may form part of an object’s history.
More significant issues may include cracks, broken clasps, missing stones, solder repairs, replaced fittings, damaged enamel, excessive polishing, removed engraving, corrosion, damaged watch movements, replaced dials or hands and incomplete clock mechanisms.
Previous restoration or repair does not automatically make an object undesirable, but its extent and quality can be important and should be disclosed where known.
Do Not Polish, Repair or Alter It Before Review
Avoid aggressive polishing, abrasive cleaners, household metal products, amateur soldering, gemstone replacement or unnecessary watch and clock disassembly. Intervention can remove original surfaces, soften hallmarks, damage patina or replace historically important components.
What Should You Photograph?
Clear photographs can make an initial review considerably more useful. Natural, even light is usually preferable to strong flash reflected from polished metal, gemstones or watch crystals.
| Photograph | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Complete object | Shows design, proportions, materials and overall condition. |
| Front and reverse | May reveal construction, fittings, wear and previous repairs. |
| Hallmarks & maker’s marks | May help identify maker, metal standard, origin and period. |
| Numbers & signatures | May provide reference, serial or workshop information. |
| Watch dial, case & movement | Can provide information about model, movement and originality. |
| Clock dial, case & movement | Helps compare the mechanical components with the case and dial. |
| Damage or repairs | Helps establish the actual condition before further review. |
What Information Should You Send?
You do not need to identify or research the object yourself before contacting us. If available, include:
- approximate dimensions;
- weight where practical and already known;
- clear photographs of all visible marks and hallmarks;
- manufacturer or brand name, if known;
- known repairs, restoration or replacement parts;
- whether a watch or clock currently runs;
- original box, papers, receipts or accessories;
- where and when the object was acquired, if known;
- any reliable family or ownership history.
If the history is uncertain, simply say so. An undocumented family story can be useful as a research lead, but it should not be treated as confirmed provenance without supporting evidence.
Collections, Estates & Inherited Jewellery
We also consider larger groups, including inherited jewellery, silver collections, pocket-watch collections, wristwatch collections, clocks and mixed family collections.
For a larger collection, begin with several photographs showing the group as a whole. Then add closer images of representative or distinctive pieces, hallmarks, signatures, dials, cases and movements where safely accessible.
There is no need to clean or separate every object before contacting us. Keeping related objects, boxes, papers and family documentation together can preserve valuable historical context.
Provenance, Boxes & Documentation
Original documentation can sometimes contribute important information about an object. This may include receipts, presentation inscriptions, original boxes, watch papers, service records, photographs or documented family ownership.
Such material does not automatically increase value, but reliable provenance can help establish history, ownership and, in some cases, authenticity.
Keep Related Material Together:
Do not discard old boxes, labels, receipts, watch papers, presentation cases or handwritten notes before the object has been reviewed. Material that appears unimportant at first may provide useful historical context.
An Initial Photo Review Is Only the First Step
Photographs can provide useful preliminary information, but they may not be sufficient for definitive authentication, gemstone identification, precious-metal testing, movement assessment or final valuation. Some jewellery, silver objects, watches and clocks require physical examination or additional specialist research.
Do You Have Other Antiques to Sell?
Jewellery, silver, watches and clocks are only part of the objects we consider. Explore the wider range of
antiques and collections we buy
,
including porcelain, art, decorative objects, coins, books, militaria and inherited collections.
Have Jewellery, Silver, Watches or Clocks to Sell?
Send clear photographs of the complete object, its marks or hallmarks, visible condition and any information you know about its history.
Initial Photo Review · No Obligation · 35+ Years of Experience
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you buy antique jewellery?
Yes. We consider selected antique and vintage jewellery, including rings, brooches, necklaces, bracelets, pendants, earrings and jewellery sets.
Do you buy antique silver?
Yes. We consider selected silver objects, including decorative pieces, table silver, boxes, trays, cups, cutlery and other objects with collector or historical interest.
Do you buy gold objects?
We consider selected gold jewellery and gold objects. Precious-metal content is relevant, but maker, design, age, rarity, craftsmanship, condition and provenance may also contribute to collector interest.
Do you buy pocket watches?
Yes. Selected antique and collectible pocket watches may be of interest. Photographs of the dial, case, hallmarks, movement and visible serial numbers are particularly useful.
Do you buy vintage wristwatches?
We consider selected vintage and collectible wristwatches. Brand, reference, movement, originality, condition and completeness can all be important.
Do you buy antique clocks?
Yes. We consider selected mechanical clocks, including mantel clocks, wall clocks and carriage clocks. The movement, dial, case, maker and completeness should be considered together.
Does a silver hallmark mean an object is valuable?
Not necessarily. A hallmark may help identify metal standard, maker, origin or period, but collector value can also depend on the object itself, craftsmanship, rarity, condition, provenance and demand.
Should I polish old silver before sending photographs?
Avoid aggressive polishing. Heavy polishing can remove original surface character, soften hallmarks and erase evidence that may be useful when examining an older object.
Should I repair an old watch before selling it?
Not necessarily. With collectible watches, inappropriate servicing or replacement of original components may affect collector interest. It can be better to review the watch before undertaking major work.
Can you review an inherited jewellery or watch collection?
Yes. Begin with photographs of the collection as a whole, followed by closer photographs of individual pieces, hallmarks, signatures, dials and movements where safely accessible.
Can you determine value from photographs alone?
Photographs can provide useful information for an initial review, but they may not be sufficient for definitive authentication, gemstone identification, metal testing, movement assessment or final valuation. Some objects require closer physical examination or additional research.
Continue Exploring
Jewellery, silver, watches and clocks form part of a much wider field of historical and collectible objects. Explore the full range of
antiques and collections we buy
.
About The Old Antiquarian
The Old Antiquarian brings more than 35 years of experience with antiques, historical objects and collectibles. Our approach combines careful observation, specialist research and respect for the history carried by every object.