Woman Thrifts $2.71 Earrings, Then Discovers Their Actual Value

A thrifter digging through a tray of costume jewelry struck gold: a $2.71 pair of earrings revealed to be vintage Chanel, worth up to $750.

The Reddit user, u/DanyeeIsAnulmint, who owns an Etsy shop called OhMyGaucheVintage, had been thrifting when she decided to explore a local antique and craft store called the Town Peddler Craft and Antique Mall in Michigan. Among several trays of earrings and brooches priced at $5 and below, she stumbled upon the extraordinary find.

“These earrings I kept setting to the side; picking them up, setting them down. It’s somewhat absurd really,” the original poster from Metro Detroit, Michigan, told Newsweek.

“Eventually, I held them up to different light sources in the store, I’m sure I looked sus, tapped on them with my nail to grasp the material via sound, and inspected them once more. I figured for a few bucks, they were worth further investigation.”

The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, shared her “memorable and unique” find in the subreddit ThriftStoreHauls, where it garnered more than 3,700 upvotes.

If jewelry is unmarked, the thrifter tends to look for solid construction, high-quality hardware, such as secure clasps, sturdy earring backs, or well-crafted hinges, and premium materials.

After purchasing the earrings, the thrifter immediately sought expert confirmation and, after telling her husband, she went to a dealer. The prominent expert in antique and vintage jewelry quickly verified the authenticity of the earrings. “They looked at one of them and said, ‘Yep—you’re spot on; nice find.'”

The earrings themselves are stunning, they are made up of cobalt and gold tubes. “They shimmer in different light, too. They’re extraordinary and, for me, a piece of fashion history.” the poster added.

While the woman is an experienced collector and seller of vintage jewelry, she said that she had initial doubts about the earrings’ legitimacy.

Jennifer Gibson Jewellery says that, in the 1960s, Coco Chanel collaborated with Venetian artist, Archimede Seguso, to create wearable works of glass art.

“When I saw these, I actually didn’t think they’d be legit,” the poster said. “And not being as knowledgeable as I could be, I really questioned it. For me, when I find something, irrelevant of cost, that’s beautiful, interesting, I really dig into the history of it.”

The poster’s research revealed the rich legacy behind the earrings. “Learning about the Seguso family and their incredible heritage of glassmaking, dating back to the late 1300s, was rewarding,” she said. “Chanel having the foresight to enlist someone so talented to create these pieces for her collections is amazing. You have, in essence, two masters coming together to create something totally unique.”

Further investigation showed that matching pieces, such as necklaces from the same Chanel collection, could increase their value even more.

Tips for Thrifting

The poster shared her wisdom: “With thrifting, it’s all about the materials and construction. What’s it made of? How’s it put together? Whether it’s $1 or $1,000, your money should go toward something well-made that lasts a long time.”

The poster also emphasized the importance of curiosity and flexibility: “I don’t go out looking for specific things. You’ll likely find yourself disappointed if you approach it that way. Instead, have a browse, see what intrigues you, and go from there.”

Reddit Reacts

Reddit users were amazed by the thrifter’s find: “Wow. They’re striking! I wouldn’t have recognized them as ‘special’ necessarily when in a jumble of other costume pieces … but seeing them alone, they’re clearly ‘special.’

“I absolutely love how delighted you are to have acquired these! It makes me smile. Congratulations.

“Chanel and Archimede Seguso is just [spot-on emoji]. Love this and great job! This matches the necklace I have to perfection.”

Do you have any amazing thrifting finds that you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to life@newsweek.com and they could appear on our site.