Identifying & Valuing Antique Pins: A Guide to Care & Potential Worth

Question
I am just wanting to know if either of you know anything about these pins.  I was given these 3 pins by my grandmother before she died. She always kept them in a little box covered in cotton.  The two deer pins have an emerald eye and pearls in their ears. The dragonfly has some kind of pink stones in its eyes. I am just wondering if they have any value, and how I should be taking care of them. Thank you

Answer
Hello Amber and thank you for your inquiry. It is always nice to have jewelry given to you from relatives.  They seem to hold a specialness you can't buy. If you believe your pins are precious jewelry - gold or silver/gemstones, you should have them appraised by an estate jewelry appraiser.  Look closely to see if there are any 14K or other identifying marks on the back. Sometimes small jewelry items lack markings which makes it difficult to identify. Your grandmother kept them correctly in a cotton filled box away from moisture and temperature extremes. They should never be washed - just clean with a little windex on a q-tip and wear them often. Regardless of whether they are precious or costume, they do have meaning to you and therin may be invaluable !

Enjoy your jewelry
Sally at jarrettsjade.com