Kerry G. Stephens 
When it comes to jewelry, almost every piece has a story to tell. It is often the meaning of a coin that makes it so important to its wearer – an extravagant ring handed down with love, a beautiful necklace bought for a special occasion, or a unique bracelet bought on memorable trips. Even just knowing that a piece has its own story lends itself to intrigue, which makes estate jewelry perfect for the wearer who wants a bit of history and those who appreciate the beauty of a rare treasure. At EJ Sain Jewelry Company, the decades-old family-owned Green Hills jewelry store, pieces patinated by the past, as well as contemporary pieces, are on display.
The family’s jewelry-selling history began in 1902, and their reputation as a fine jewelry store has continued for four generations. After more than a century of selling unique styles and exclusive brands, EJ Sain has also started selling estate pieces. Today, the family-owned store is a highly respected destination for old and new jewelry. “Estate jewelry hasn’t always been a part of the business, but it’s become a big part of what we do,” says store owner Gennette Norman, granddaughter of EJ Sain. “Because we’ve been in business for so long, people knew they could trust us to sell their pieces, and buyers know they will find quality jewelry at any age.”
Marked with a yellow tag, the estate’s jewels shine alongside more recent pieces from EJ Sain. We think you will be surprised by the ever-changing selection. With new pieces arriving regularly, you never know which gems you might find.
Building a collection full of rare jewelry requires knowledge of how to hunt down timeless finds, and it’s essential to buy from a trusted source. Known for their honesty, integrity and expertise, EJ Sain’s staff are an invaluable resource ready to teach their clients every piece. They only sell jewelry brought to them directly and they will recommend a price for each item. Then they act as a salesperson and guide customers in formulating an offer.
Some of the pieces currently on display at EJ Sain include a heavy gold necklace with an oval diamond; a pair of sunflower earrings with gold leaf and a chocolate diamond center; a diamond and gold brooch originally purchased in Turkey with stones dating from 1900; emerald and diamond earrings; a gold link necklace; and a diamond ring with a unique selection of stones. Although these pieces have little in common visually, they are all classified as estates because they are second-hand. As a reminder, estate jewelry has been owned before and varies in price, age, and style. Jewelry is considered antique if it is over 100 years old, and vintage jewelry is between 50 and 100 years old.
These chocolate gold and diamond earrings and the vintage brooch combine in an unexpected way.
An entire box dedicated to estate jewelry shows the varied selection. Buyers are turning to gold and platinum coins and EJ Sain has some nice 14K, 18K and Platinum options.
Look for estate pieces full of character and add something playful to your jewelry box.
Most often, EJ Sain sees inheritance jewelry that has been passed down from parents and grandparents. Because the current owner doesn’t wear out much of these parts, they turn to EJ Sain. Sometimes the original owner knows the history of the coin, but not always. Sometimes the collection includes designer pieces, but again, not always. They never know what someone will bring to sell, so the selection is constantly changing, and it’s always surprising.
When purchasing the estate jewelry, Gennette recommends looking beyond the piece as a whole to consider its parts. For example, the oval diamond currently set in the heavy gold necklace could be used to create a personalized engagement ring, while the gold could be used or sold separately. Being creative is encouraged, and this is another area where staff are open to making suggestions.
A delicate oval diamond is suspended from a heavy gold necklace. Keep the piece as is or reinvent it as something new.
You never know what you might find!
Housed in a storefront on the second floor of Grace’s Plaza in Green Hills, EJ Sain is a destination for fine jewelry and estate jewelry. If you are looking to sell any of your estate jewelry, pay them a visit. They are always on the lookout for good pieces to add to the collection. If you would like to see their current selection, they will be happy to show you the assortment.
SB TIP: While you shop, let the experts clean and polish your jewelry (for free). The staff will also check stones and teeth at no cost to you!
EJ Sain is located at 4009 Hillsboro Pike, Ste. 212, Nashville, TN 37215. Learn more at (615) 385-1212.
This article is sponsored by EJ Sain. All photographs provided by EJ Sain.
