How This TikTok Novice Turned Her “Mystery Jewelry” Finds Into Fame

By Karen Dybis | April 18, 2025

Michigan college student Olivia Gilcher has found TikTok fame through jewelry, and she believes that the “mystery jewelry” market she’s part of will continue to trend—and that professionals in the jewelry industry may want to give it a try.

Gilcher, an advertising major at Michigan State University who has worked in luxury estate sales, says people love watching her open up bags and boxes of undisclosed jewelry she buys at thrift stores or online at Facebook Marketplace.

She started posting TikTok videos of sorting through her discoveries in 2023. Now, she says, interest in “mystery jewelry” has surged, according to Google Trends data. Her ultimate goal is not only to boost her social media standing (and maybe get a cool job out of it at graduation?) but to promote secondhand shopping.

“Every secondhand piece has a story—it’s been worn, loved, maybe passed down, and it carries that energy with it. I love the history, the surprise, and the soul of secondhand jewelry. Plus, in a world obsessed with constant newness, it’s refreshing to find beauty in something that already exists,” Gilcher says.

*Olivia Gilcher, a college student in East Lansing, Mich., says her TikToks about the grab bags of jewelry she buys has helped make “mystery jewelry” trend on social media.*

“It’s also about sustainability,” she adds. “Buying secondhand gives these pieces a new life and keeps them out of landfills. And it makes style more accessible—some of the most unique and beautiful things I’ve found didn’t come with a designer label or a high price tag.”

Gilcher says her thrifting prowess comes from her deep interest in fashion and from going with her father to garage and estate sales and thrift shops. She’s always been an accessories fan, so she would take note of pieces and objects she liked. Jewelry stood out for its history, design, and detail. During her own visits to Metro Detroit thrift stores, Gilcher started to notice these huge bags of “mystery jewelry.”

“They were $100, and I always felt like that was too much to spend on something totally unknown. But eventually curiosity got the best of me, and I finally bought one,” she says. “When I opened it, I was blown away. There were these incredible statement necklaces and vintage pieces that looked like they belonged in museums.”

Growing up surrounded by fast fashion, Gilcher wasn’t used to jewelry with that level of intricacy or craftsmanship. She became so excited by what she’d bought, she felt like she had to share it with someone—so she made a TikTok.

Gilcher mystery bag — *High-end watches are among the most surprising finds Gilcher has come across in her mystery jewelry TikTok videos.*

“At the time, I barely even used TikTok. I didn’t see myself as a creator or influencer—I always imagined working behind the scenes in fashion or media,” says Gilcher. “But I filmed my unboxing, taught myself how to edit that day, and posted it. That first video went viral, and everything just snowballed from there.”

Her most talked-about video shows a vintage Gucci watch she got in a $65 jewelry bag on Facebook Marketplace—a story she shared with the New York Post and Newsweek.

“Honestly, there’s been so many incredible finds. I’ve uncovered authentic Hermès bracelets, solid gold and sterling silver, real diamonds, and even pieces from Tiffany & Co.,” Gilcher says. “These aren’t rare one-off moments, either—I routinely come across luxury-quality pieces tucked into these secondhand bags. It’s part of what makes the hunt so thrilling. You never know what you’re going to find.”

She has taught herself about designer hallmarks, stamps, metals, and styles from specific eras, and says her earlier work as a sales associate at Shinola gave her a solid foundation in understanding luxury watches and craftsmanship in general.

“For high-value or questionable items, I always double-check. I work with authenticators, vintage resellers, and trusted collectors who help me verify pieces,” Gilcher says. “I also do a lot of online research, checking past auction listings, brand archives, and resale platforms. I take authenticity seriously, especially when it comes to sharing information with my audience.”

For jewelers interested in the mystery jewelry trend, Gilcher recommends they have fun with the videos, content, and storytelling—showing how much you love the pieces you find and the experience is key.

She also suggests pursuing opportunities for promotion and marketing, like the press coverage she’s received—which may be great for finding her next role. The Spartan says she’s still figuring out what she’ll do after graduating in April 2026. But, if some big jewelry house needs a creative creator, she’s interested.

“I know I want to do something in fashion and media. Whether that means continuing to grow my TikTok or working behind the scenes in content or branding, I’m open to wherever the path leads,” Gilcher says. “I’d definitely love to expand—work with big brands, collaborate on special projects, or even create something of my own. Whatever it is, I want it to stay rooted in what started all of this: a genuine love for the pieces and the stories they carry.”

Top: Olivia Gilcher tagged this vintage Gucci watch “MY MOST INSANE FIND EVER!!!” when she posted about it on TikTok. (Photos courtesy of Olivia Gilcher)