The Ivy Cottage: Your Source for Fine Estate Jewelry this Valentine’s Day

The Ivy Cottage is a wonderful, perhaps unexpected, place to find that special gift for your loved one this Valentine’s Day. They have a huge selection of fine estate jewelry in a range of prices, perfect for holiday gift giving.

What makes The Ivy Cottage so special? For one thing, they’re the largest home decor, furnishings, and fine jewelry consignment shop in the southeast. Located on Market St., in Wilmington, NC, they encompass three buildings, two courtyards, and a warehouse, all open to the public. That’s more than 25,000 square feet of space and over 100,000 items from more than 9,000 consignors.

Kirk Stieff and Sons wide repoussé cuff bracelet in sterling silver. $225

At any given time there are 1,000-1,500 unique pieces from three generations of fine estate jewelry available. Because the Ivy Cottage is located in Wilmington, which sees its fair share of retirees and vacationers, you can find a variety of quality pieces from the late 1800’s all the way to present day.

The older pieces often come with their own stories. One beautiful vintage ring recently in the store had a unique story. Originally crafted in the 1890s it was won by the owner in a poker game in Atlantic City in the 1920s. These stories add character and give life to jewelry that can’t be matched at a chain store.

Etruscan style statement ring in heavy 18k gold with dozens of diamonds and a ruby cabochon. $2,850

These pieces are often from an age before jewelry was mass-produced on the scale seen today. The settings were poured to fit the gemstone rather than grinding the gem to fit a setting. When you hear someone say, “they don’t make things like they used to”, in the case of jewelry, that’s absolutely true.

The value of fine estate jewelry is high as well. Pieces look as good as the day they were made but are available at costs quite a bit under what you would pay for a new piece.

New stock is available weekly with large turnover on a monthly basis. This is great news if you’re on the hunt for a specific piece. But it also means that if you see a piece that you like, buy it! Each piece is unique to the store. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.

14k white gold, diamond, and celadon carved jade earrings. $475

If you see a piece you like and need it sized, The Ivy Cottage has a second-generation jeweler on staff to assist with any needs.

As you look to find that special something for that special someone this Valentine’s Day, look to The Ivy Cottage for all of your fine estate jewelry needs. Find them online at threecottages.com.

If you need help figuring out what makes a great piece of jewelry, read our guide for men on what they need to know before buying her jewelry.