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We Collect. We Authenticate. We Share Our Passion.

The Back Vault isn't a marketplace. It's a curated collection built by collectors, for collectors. We authenticate investment-grade vintage jewelry because we've spent decades learning to see what others miss.

OUR ORIGIN STORY

Our Origin Story

Our story began in 1972 in the diamond trade, built on a deep respect for exceptional stones, in-house design, and the standards that define true quality. Working as diamond wholesalers gave us early access to rare diamonds and the expertise to evaluate color, cut, and character with confidence.

Over time, that foundation naturally expanded. As collectors at heart, we began acquiring vintage jewelry through estate sales, family collections, and trusted dealers across the United States and Europe. With years of hands-on experience came a refined, specialized understanding of iconic houses—the subtle differences between a 1965 Van Cleef & Arpels brooch and a 1972 version, the evolution of David Webb’s architectural designs, and why certain Cartier watch models became enduring investment classics.

That same discipline still guides us today. Every piece we offer is carefully sourced, thoroughly authenticated, and chosen for its design, provenance, and lasting significance. Our jewelry is worn on red carpets, featured in editorial publications, and collected by those who understand that vintage jewelry is about more than price—it’s about knowledge, authenticity, and time.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

We Are Collectors First, Dealers Second

We don't acquire jewelry to move volume. We acquire pieces we personally appreciate and would wear. This philosophy shapes every decision:

  • We turn away pieces that don't meet our standards
  • We price fairly, not opportunistically
  • We research provenance thoroughly because we're curious, not just because it increases resale value
  • We authenticate rigorously because our reputation depends on it

Specialization Over Everything

The luxury vintage jewelry market demands specialized knowledge. You can't authenticate a 1970s Cartier with the same framework you'd use for mid-century modern furniture. Designer signatures evolved. Manufacturing techniques changed. Material composition standards varied by country and era.

We focus exclusively on luxury designer jewelry and watches from the 1960s-1980s. Deep expertise in one category beats surface-level knowledge across everything.

Authentication as Foundation, Not Afterthought

At The Back Vault, authentication isn't something we do after we decide to sell a piece. It's the first question: Can we authenticate this confidently? Only pieces that pass our authentication protocol make it to our collection.

This means we acquire fewer pieces. Our inventory is smaller. But every piece we list is one we've personally authenticated using rigorous, documented methodology.

Transparency Builds Trust

We document what we know and what we don't know. We explain our reasoning. We provide detailed condition reports. We research provenance thoroughly and share our findings—even when the findings are incomplete.

Investment-Grade Thinking

We authenticate pieces not just for beauty or wearability, but as investments. We assess:

  • Rarity and collectibility
  • Demand trajectory among collectors
  • Appreciation potential
  • Market comparables

OUR COMMUNITY

The Back Vault exists within a community of:

  • Collectors who understand designer heritage and appreciate authenticated investment pieces
  • Celebrity stylists who need authenticated pieces for red carpet events
  • Editorial publications (WWD, Harper's Bazaar, Modern Luxury, etc.) who source pieces for features
  • Estate executors who need to authenticate and value family jewelry collections
  • Luxury retailers who recognize that vintage authentication adds value to their offerings
  • Jewelry enthusiasts who are learning to collect seriously

We serve this community by being the most knowledgeable, most transparent, and most specialized authentication platform for luxury vintage jewelry.

LOOKING FORWARD

Our vision is to establish The Back Vault as the recognized authority for luxury vintage jewelry authentication and curation. Not through aggressive marketing, but through:

  • Consistently excellent authentication that builds word-of-mouth credibility
  • Transparent methodology that collectors can understand and verify
  • Educational content that raises the standard of knowledge in the vintage jewelry market
  • Curatorial excellence that reflects genuine taste and expert judgment

We're building a platform for collectors, by collectors. One authenticated piece at a time.