Here is a tip for you about Avon jewelry. I’m sure you see AVON labeled jewelry at yard sales all the time. Do you go beyond their AVON signature and look for a purity mark? Or do you assume it is all costume jewelry and walk away without a closer look? If you walk away from a piece as soon as you see the word “AVON”, I’m pretty sure you’ve passed up a precious metal piece or two.
Now from everything I’ve read, Avon does not sell solid gold jewelry, so don’t bother looking for solid gold from them right now. Who knows in the future they might, but they haven’t yet. Sure they sell gold plated jewelry, but it isn’t the solid gold (10 K, 14 K, 18 K, etc.) stuff like you really want.
On the other hand, they DO sell sterling silver jewelry. So make sure you read anything else marked on the piece. They use the standard 925 mark to indicate their sterling silver items.
Here is a picture of the brand new Angel Charm and Chain, I purchased at a yard sale still in the original sealed baggies.
Brand New Sterling Silver AVON Angel and Chain Purchased at a Yard Sale.
Here is a picture of a cute sterling silver bracelet I purchased at a garage sale. Notice, the AVON tag has 925 marked under the AVON signature. The clasp is also marked 925.
Sterling Silver AVON Bracelet marked 925 bought at a garage sale.
Close up look at the Sterling Silver AVON Bracelet mark. Notice 925 is under the AVON. The clasp is also marked 925.
Finally, some of that AVON costume jewelry can also be valuable – especially pieces from the Elizabeth Taylor Collection. If you are interested in their costume jewelry, I would suggest buying a book on the topic. It isn’t as easy to spot a valuable piece of their costume jewelry, as it is to spot their sterling silver (thanks to the purity mark).
Good Luck and Happy Hunting,
~Vicki Priebe Author of ”Cheap Gold and Silver”