Vintage & Estate Earrings

Estate earrings are pre-owned earrings that were previously owned by a private individual or collector. This collection includes everything from contemporary pre-owned designer styles to true antique and vintage studs, hoops, and drop earrings.

Yes, every pair of estate earrings at Long's Jewelers undergoes professional ultrasonics, steam cleaning, and hygiene restoration depending on what’s appropriate for the piece. Our master jewelers inspect the posts, backings, and gem settings to guarantee they meet high safety and quality standards.

Estate diamond earrings generally offer a 20% to 50% savings compared to brand-new retail equivalents. Purchasing pre-owned allows you to acquire higher carat weights or finer diamond quality within a similar budget.

"Estate" refers broadly to any pre-owned piece, while "vintage" specifically means earrings crafted between 20 and 100 years ago (although the exact timing varies and can be defined differently from person to person). "Antique" earrings are those crafted over 100 years ago, representing eras like Victorian, Edwardian, or Art Deco.

At Long’s, our in-house buyers and gemologists evaluate metal purity, gemstone characteristics, and hallmark stamps to verify authenticity. When available, signed designer pieces and graded diamonds come with original documentation or independent certificates.

This is ultimately a personal choice! Estate earrings offer unmatched character, superior craftsmanship from past jewelry eras, and sustainable luxury. They also grant access to rare, discontinued designer styles from houses like Tiffany & Co. and Mikimoto at more accessible price points.

Our specialists verify maker's marks, font signatures, metal hallmarks, and structural construction against brand archives. We ensure that pre-owned designer earrings are authentic signed pieces before placing them in our New England showrooms.

Yes, vintage and retro estate collections frequently feature clip-on and screw-back mechanisms. Many fine 20th-century earrings were crafted for non-pierced ears, and our jewelers can also convert select styles upon request.

In many cases, our master in-house jewelers can convert clip-on earrings to posts, or vice versa, depending on metal composition and design structure. We recommend visiting a showroom and speaking with a specialist so our team can evaluate the piece in person.

Clean delicate estate earrings using a soft microfiber cloth and mild warm soapy water, avoiding harsh chemicals or ultrasonic cleaners on porous gems like pearls, emeralds, or opals. Store them in individual fabric pouches to prevent metals from scratching against other pieces.