How did a 1970s antiques dealer become a familiar face on PBS? Margie Cooper is an American antiques expert and television personality best known as a regular appraiser on Antiques Roadshow. She specializes in vintage jewelry, silver, and decorative arts, and has appeared on the show since its 1997 debut.
What Margie Cooper Is Doing Now in 2024
Cooper continues to appraise on Antiques Roadshow, now in its 27th season. She also runs a private appraisal business from her home base in New York. In 2023, she appeared in Season 27 episodes, evaluating costume jewelry and silver pieces. Her schedule includes lectures at antiques events across the United States. She remains a founding member of the Antiques Dealers Association of America, a role she has held since the organization’s early days. Background on Margie Cooper is documented in Margie Cooper Age, Husband, Antiques Career, Net Worth & BBC Shows
One recent highlight: Cooper appraised a set of 1960s costume jewelry brooches valued at several hundred dollars, far above their original retail price. She often points out that well-made costume jewelry from designers like Hobe or Trifari can be undervalued by sellers.
How Cooper Built Her Expertise: Insights from Her Career Path
Cooper began dealing antiques in the 1970s, long before television fame. She learned the trade by visiting flea markets, estate sales, and auctions. Her focus on jewelry and decorative arts grew from a personal interest in design history. According to her own accounts, she spent years studying hallmarks, manufacturing techniques, and period styles.
She co-hosted the BBC series Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is, a show where antiques experts competed to make a profit. That experience sharpened her ability to spot undervalued items quickly. Cooper also authored the book Collecting Costume Jewelry 101, a practical guide for beginners. The book covers how to identify quality pieces, avoid fakes, and understand market trends.
Her credibility is reinforced by her role as a founding member of the Antiques Dealers Association of America. That group sets ethical standards for dealers and promotes education in the field.
Tools and Resources Cooper Uses for Appraisals
Cooper relies on a mix of reference books, online databases, and personal experience. She frequently consults price guides for costume jewelry, such as those by collector Kathy Flood. She also uses auction results from sites like LiveAuctioneers to track recent sales. For hallmarks, she references standard guides like Warman’s Costume Jewelry.
When appraising on Antiques Roadshow, Cooper brings a jeweler’s loupe and a small scale to weigh pieces. She examines clasps, backings, and stones for signs of age or repair. Her method is systematic: first identify the maker, then date the piece, then assess condition and rarity. She often tells guests that condition is the single biggest factor in value.
For those starting out, Cooper recommends attending local antiques shows and handling as many pieces as possible. She has said that tactile experience is irreplaceable.
| Resource Type | Example | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Reference Book | Collecting Costume Jewelry 101 | Beginner identification and valuation |
| Online Database | LiveAuctioneers | Recent auction price tracking |
| Physical Tool | Jeweler’s loupe | Examining hallmarks and craftsmanship |
| Price Guide | Warman’s Costume Jewelry | Standardized value ranges |
The Historical Roots of Costume Jewelry Appraisal
Costume jewelry emerged in the early 20th century as affordable adornment. Designers like Coco Chanel popularized it in the 1920s. By the 1950s, American firms such as Trifari, Coro, and Hobe produced high-quality pieces that are now collectible. Cooper’s expertise lies in understanding these historical contexts.
She often explains that costume jewelry was not always valued. In the 1970s, when she started, many pieces were sold for scrap or given away. The shift came in the 1990s as collectors recognized the craftsmanship and design. Cooper was an early advocate for this category. Her book and TV appearances helped educate a wider audience.
The Antiques Dealers Association of America, which she helped found, was established in 1990 to promote professionalism. That organization now has hundreds of members and sets standards for authentication and ethics. Cooper’s work bridges the gap between historical manufacturing and modern collecting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Margie Cooper now?
She resides in New York and continues to appraise on Antiques Roadshow. She also operates a private appraisal business and lectures at antiques events across the country.
How does Margie Cooper differ from other Antiques Roadshow appraisers?
Cooper specializes in vintage jewelry, silver, and decorative arts, while many appraisers focus on furniture or paintings. She is also one of the few appraisers who co-hosted a BBC series and authored a book on costume jewelry.
What is a good alternative to Margie Cooper for jewelry appraisal?
Other Antiques Roadshow appraisers like Leigh Keno or Peter Shemonsky cover jewelry, but for costume jewelry specifically, collector Kathy Flood is a respected expert. Online forums like the Costume Jewelry Collectors International group also offer guidance.
Did Margie Cooper ever face controversy over an appraisal?
Like all appraisers, she occasionally makes estimates that differ from auction results, but her track record is considered reliable. The show’s appraisals are always estimates, not guarantees.
Who is Margie Cooper?
She is an American antiques expert and television personality, best known as a regular appraiser on PBS’s Antiques Roadshow since 1997. She specializes in vintage jewelry and decorative arts, and authored Collecting Costume Jewelry 101.
