Question 1

Do you offer layaway?

Accepted Answer

We’re pleased to offer layaway on most items in the shop.

Please note that we are only able to arrange one layaway agreement per customer at any given time, meaning multiple active layaway plans cannot be held simultaneously under the same customer.

We can accept a payment plan of up to three months, with three equal payments spread across that period. The first payment serves as a non-refundable deposit and will reserve the item for you.

The second instalment will be requested 30 days after the initial payment, and the final instalment a further 60 days later. Layaway plans can be arranged via PayPal or direct bank transfer, depending on your preference.

If you wish to pay the remaining instalments sooner in order to receive the item earlier, this can absolutely be arranged.

Please note that if the plan is not completed on schedule, it may be cancelled. Any payments made up to that point — excluding the first instalment — will be refunded.

Question 2

Does my jewellery come in a box?

Accepted Answer

Yes, each jewellery piece will come beautifully presented in an appropriately sized box by 
‘The Corner Cupboard.’

We also have a selection of genuine antique ring boxes available at an additional cost. Please enquire via email if you would like to purchase an antique box to go with your piece of historic jewellery, and we can share the details for this process.

Question 3

How do you value your items?

Accepted Answer

We base our pricing on current market prices for similar items, but we will also consider the age of an item, its materials, and its uniqueness.

Our pieces are tested, and their value assessed by a professional jeweller with over thirty years of experience in the industry. Many of these items showcase incredible craftsmanship from over one hundred years ago, and are truly priceless pieces of history.

Question 4

Are your prices negotiable?

Accepted Answer

No, we price our items relative to the current antique jewellery market.

Question 5

How do you know the age of the items?

Accepted Answer

We have many years of experience in handling and assessing antique and vintage jewellery, which has given us the ability to recognise the relationship between factors such as stone cut, construction techniques and materials used to certain eras. Some pieces are hallmarked and have been stamped with markings that allow us to date a piece to a specific place or date.

Each piece, whether hallmarked or not, is assessed carefully by multiple industry professionals to best determine its age, and is compared with other items on the market, in museum collections and in jewellery reference books to ensure it is given the most accurate dating.

Question 6

How do you select your items?

Accepted Answer

Our jewellery items come from dealers across the United Kingdom, and have been carefully curated for their unique beauty, history, and romance. We believe in jewellery that tells a story and aim to find pieces from across some of the most beloved centuries.

We love finding links between literature and these pieces, or to particular historical events. We will continue to expand our collection as time goes on, and aim to update the website as soon as we find new items. You can sign up to our newsletter to be the first to know about new additions!

Question 7

Why are only some pieces hallmarked?

Accepted Answer

Hallmarking rules are different around the world and throughout time. Our listing will state if a piece is hallmarked or not, and explain the meaning of these markings if they are determinable. Hallmarks may be partly present, having been rubbed down from many years of wear.

Many older pieces of jewellery, particularly those from before 1800, are entirely unmarked, and markings may also have been lost or damaged during historic repairs or resizing.

Question 8

What is the condition of these jewellery items?

Accepted Answer

We take great care in curating antique and vintage jewellery items that are in the best condition possible. However, these pieces can be expected to show some wear and tear, as many are over a century old, and have survived multiple previous ownerships. As pieces of history, none of them can be expected to look brand new. Many will present with age-related wear and minor imperfections, such as minor dents and scratches, small nicks to the stones, production flaws or quirks, and historical evidence of restoration work or resizing.

We believe this adds to their charm and magic, with many being loved over multiple lifetimes, and some even surviving wars! Each item is carefully assessed by a professional jeweller to ensure the settings are secure and is painstakingly cleaned and polished by their gentle and experienced hand to ensure it is in the best condition possible before it is sent to you.

Question 9

Do you edit your images?

Accepted Answer

Light filters may be applied to images used on the ‘Instagram’ profile. However, the images provided for each listing on the website serve as a condition report and, therefore, are not filtered and have not been edited or enhanced beyond minor colour or lighting corrections. Photographed in a studio setup with bright lighting, we have made every effort to depict each piece honestly.

In the unlikely event that an item has minor condition flaws, these will be detailed in the product listing. Please study the images and video carefully, and if you have any questions or concerns regarding the condition of an item before purchasing, do not hesitate to reach out. We would be happy to provide additional images and videos.

Please get in touch via email at: info@cornercupboardshop.com

Question 10

How do I care for and clean my antique and vintage jewellery?

Accepted Answer

Upon its arrival, your piece will have been professionally cleaned and polished by an experienced jeweller. These items should be taken care of gently; avoid submerging them in soap and water wherever possible.

You may clean and polish your pieces gently with a soft cloth but avoid using any chemicals or polishers yourself. If in time you feel the item needs a ‘deep clean,’ we recommend taking it to a jeweller who has experience in dealing with antiques to ensure it is handled in an appropriate manner.

Question 11

Can my ring be resized?

Accepted Answer

We are pleased to offer one free complimentary sizing for each ring purchase.

Some of our rings can be resized, and each individual piece is assessed carefully for this ability. Some, due to the nature of their design, age, or fragility, are regretfully unable to be resized. The listing of each ring will state, in our professional opinion, whether a ring can be resized or not, and to how many sizes.

If you decide to have your ring resized elsewhere or at a later date, we implore you to use a jeweller with experience in antique jewellery. The Corner Cupboard cannot be held responsible for loss of value or damage caused by third party jewellers. Returns cannot be made for items that have been resized, by our service or another.

Question 12

Where are you based?

Accepted Answer

We are based in the UK and currently operate online only, but we ship worldwide. Please see shipping details for further information.

Question 13

Can you help me find something specific?

Accepted Answer

Of course! We would be happy to help source something for you. Send us an email with your enquiry and we can discuss further options.

Please get in touch via email at: info@cornercupboardshop.com

Question 14

Where are the paintings on your website from?

Accepted Answer

We are grateful to the National Gallery’s online collection of copyright free images for providing the beautiful selection of historical artwork that we have used to decorate our website.

You can browse the full collection yourself here: https://www.nga.gov/research/gallery-archives.html

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you offer layaway?

Does my jewellery come in a box?

How do you value your items?

Are your prices negotiable?

How do you know the age of the items?

How do you select your items?

Why are only some pieces hallmarked?

What is the condition of these jewellery items?

Do you edit your images?

How do I care for and clean my antique and vintage jewellery?

Can my ring be resized?

Where are you based?

Can you help me find something specific?

Where are the paintings on your website from?

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