What is the difference between antique and estate jewelry? Antique jewelry is at least 100 years old. Estate jewelry is technically jewelry that has been owned previously. While carry both antique and "estate" jewelry, we prefer to avoid the word "estate" to describe our pieces, due to the confusion our clients may have regarding the actual eras of the jewelry. Our jewelry generally dates from the 1830s through the 1970s. We have found over the decades that the word "estate" is commonly misused while referring to antique and vintage jewelry. It is our responsibility to educate our clients about the difference.
Do you sell reproductions? No. We do not sell reproduction jewelry. We have made a firm commitment to preserving the future and the past. Antique jewelry is a consumer-conscious alternative for people trying to avoid not only conflict diamonds, but also diamonds, gemstones, and even precious metals that are mined in such a way that their procurement has a deleterious effect on the environment. By purchasing an antique ring, you make an investment in the future, both yours and our Mother Earth's.
How do I find out more about a piece I am looking at? We invite you to call or email us at any time. We enjoy sharing what we know about our heirloom pieces. Contact us at 206-441-7711 or info@isadoras.com, you may also use the Chat feature on our website.
Do you know the history of any of these pieces? We do not know the detailed history of any particular piece. However, we are able to share information on the time period, fashion, and history that informed and inspired the various pieces of jewelry in our store.
Do your pieces have appraisals? Many of our pieces have appraisals. The appraisal’s hardcopy becomes yours when you purchase the piece.
Do you do your own appraisals? We use an outside appraiser, North American Gem Lab (N.A.G.L.).
Do you appraise outside pieces? We are happy to assist you, please inquire.
How is age and value verified? For pieces with an appraisal, the appraiser verifies age and value. For pieces without appraisal, the owners, Laura and Elizabeth, use over 47 years experience in the antique jewelry business to determine age and value.
Where does your store obtain your jewelry? We attend antique shows throughout the country. We work with European, East Coast, and West Coast dealers. We also buy and consign from people like you.
Do you buy jewelry? Yes, we buy jewelry. You are welcome to send photos via our chat feature or email clear images to info@isadoras.com. For all of our decades specializing in antique jewelry, it is no surprise that understanding values and eras of jewelry is difficult for the general public. There is no need to estimate or guess ... before you liquidate an estate, we strongly recommend the assistance of professionals.
Do you use "Conflict-Free Diamonds"? Conflict diamonds are sold to fund the unlawful and illegal operations of rebel, military, and terrorist groups. By selling diamonds that are previously owned, we are selling diamonds that predate both conflict and conflict-free diamonds and are therefore may not contribute monetarily to any present political conflict.
Do you do repairs? We have a wonderful jeweler that handles sizing and repairs for us. We are happy to send out pieces for our clients for estimates.
Can your rings be sized? Over 90 percent of our rings can be sized. Please contact us to find out about the ring you are interested in.
Do you size rings? Although we do not have an in-store jeweler, we work closely with a wonderful jeweler who specializes in antique jewelry and its restoration. We are always happy to send out a piece for you for an estimate.
If I buy a ring from Isadoras, do I have to pay to get it sized? When you buy a ring from us that needs to be sized up one size, the sizing is complimentary. If the ring needs to be sized up 2 or more sizes there will be an extra charge depending on the piece.
Why do jewelers sometimes recommend not fixing older pieces? Some jewelers do not have the proper equipment or training to repair older pieces of jewelry. This, however, is not true of all jewelers. We work with a jeweler who specializes in antique jewelry and its restoration. In fact, our jeweler has restored jewelry that has been poorly worked on. We recommend using jewelers with experience in restoring antique jewelry as opposed to jewelers that specialize in modern jewelry. Feel free to inquire.
How do I check on the status of a repair? Call or email us and we will contact our jeweler to assess the status of a repair. Jewelry repair usually takes 1-2 weeks after an approved estimate.
Is my credit card and email information safe? Yes. Isadoras holds your privacy in the highest regards. We take all the appropriate and reasonable safeguards to protect any personally identifiable information that you supply to us.
I can’t find an item I saw recently. What happened to it? We are constantly updating our website. If an item is not where you last saw it, it may have simply been moved to another page, or it may have sold and we have removed it to make way for new pieces. Please contact us if you cannot find a piece you are interested in and we will let you know if it is still available.
Something I want is sold. Can you obtain another? While our pieces may have had a copy in the era in which they were constructed, in this era they are virtually one-of-a-kind. Although we cannot find you an identical piece, please let us know if there is a sold piece you love and we will try and find a piece that equals or surpasses the one you first discovered. As well, if you have an items in mind that is not previously listed in our store, you may send photos and we can work to find something comparable.
How do I track my order? We will email your tracking number when your package is posted. Please email or call us if you feel you should have received a tracking number but have not. (Please note we do not ship on Saturdays or Sundays except by special arrangement.) We typically use FedEx 2nd Day Air, and every package includes full insurance value.
Do you have a store that I can visit? Isadoras is located in downtown Seattle, Washington near the historic Pike Place Market. Our address is:
1601 1st Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
We are located on the corner of 1st Ave and Pine. We are part of the Inn at the Market complex.
What are your business hours? We are open Wednesday through Sunday 11-5 PST. We are also happy to schedule private appointments.
Do you have sales and special events? We have wonderful sales and special events. Please join our mailing list to be notified about all the exciting things going on at Isadoras.
Do you have a mailing list I can join? Please email us at info@isadoras.com to join our mailing list. (We will never sell your address and we promise not to over-inundate you.)