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The Encyclopedia · Collecting

Provenance

The documented history of a jewel: who owned it, where it was sold and how it was worn.

Provenance is the documented history of ownership of a jewel. It can come from an auction catalogue, a famous collection, a family archive, an original receipt or a photograph of the piece being worn. A strong provenance adds confidence and, when the owner was notable, can add considerable value.

What to look for

Provenance should be documented, not only told. Keep receipts, boxes, certificates and photographs together with the piece.

Related terms

All terms in the encyclopedia