Ferdinand Benedikt Eppli - Publicly sworn and appointed auctioneer of the state capital of Stuttgart.
Old-fashioned charm – vintage jewellery is both sustainable and a great investment From the curved ornaments of Art Nouveau, to the geometric forms of Art Deco and modern second-hand jewellery: Auction House Eppli offers individualists a sustainable alternative to new jewellery.
diamonds and gemstones develop, jewellery may even rise in value over time. ‘Eppli customers don’t shop, they invest’ is therefore the accurate motto.
TEXT: JESSICA HOLZHAUSEN I PHOTOS: EPPLI
“’Going green’ is a concept on everyone’s minds right now, and it is all about sustainable products. The only truly ‘green’ product is one that is recycled or reused,” says Ferdinand Benedikt Eppli, who leads the family-run company with his parents and sister. F.B. Eppli is a gemstones expert who studied at the world-renowned Gemmological Institute of America (GIA) in New York. Such expertise is crucial in the vintage and antique jewellery industry in order to distinguish authentic gemstones from synthetics and imitations. This is particularly important as Eppli does not source its jewellery from manufacturers who provide precise material specifications, but rather buys and takes items in commission from private persons and public authorities. The family business grew from a small store buying and selling antique jewellery 8 | Issue 81 | December 2019
40 years ago, into one of the largest auction houses in southern Germany. Additionally, its online store has a comprehensive range of antique and pre-owned jewellery, as well as art, antiques, designer fashion and accessories. “Our customers have to know what they like,” says the expert, because rather than following mainstream trends, they will instead find unique pieces from different eras. Those who need some assistance in their search can, of course, get advice in one of Eppli’s eight shops. Antique and vintage jewellery is a good investment: the price of pre-owned jewellery is often 50-70 per cent below that of new goods and therefore close to the material value, making it an extremely stable asset. Depending on current trends and how the prices for precious metals,
Each piece of jewellery is cleaned and polished in the in-house workshop before it goes on sale. “Additionally, we manufacture custom-designed jewellery. Customers can contact us with an idea and we then make an individual piece, using only recycled gold and gemstones,” says F.B. Eppli. This, again, underlines the company’s sustainable concept and social awareness. Eppli holds four auctions every month, each with a different focus. Modern Live-Bid technology allows customers to follow the auctions from around the world and place their bids in real-time. The company also holds auctions benefitting charitable foundations and organisations.
www.eppli.com