If you want to feel a personal connection with the past, then there is nothing more special than a piece of Antique or Vintage Jewellery. Here are pieces which were created to stand testament to our own lives, which have been wrapped or hung around our ancestor's bodies in good times as well as bad, and often represent the finest work of the Crafts Men and Women who created them. They incorporated precious materials such as Gold, Silver, Platinum, and Diamonds into timeless forms and created jewellery such as brooches, rings, necklaces, earrings and more. By being worn these were items with a very personal story to each owner, but also bold symbols of social status in their day. They have closely followed fashions such as the Classical Revival of the Georgian Era, Victorian Mourning Jewellery as well as the more Modernist designs of the 20th Century.
When purchasing old fine jewellery, you are not just buying into the public and private story of its time, but an underlying asset in the precious materials it has been made from. That antique and vintage jewellery is more popular than ever around the world is hardly surprising as these are pieces that can be cherished and worn on a daily basis. And when these pieces are tied to special events such as Wedding and Engagement Rings then so much the better.
At LoveAntiques we have a fine selection of Antique and Vintage jewellery for all your wearing and collecting needs.
antiquejewellers.com
The Medieval 12th Century Lovers Posy Ring
£ 9,799
antiquejewellers.com
The Vintage 1972 Amethyst Spellbound Ring
£ 429
antiquejewellers.com
The Vintage Synthetic Opal & Paste Cluster 9ct Gold Cluster Ring
£ 289
£ 4,950
£ 1,995
Farm and Fancy
Antique Ruby & Pearl Ring
£ 320
Doubloon
Silver & Amethyst Ring
£ 49
£ 5,450
Antique 5.17ct Garnet, 3.10ct Peridot & 0.49ct Diamond, 15ct Yellow Gold Bracelet c.1910
£ 5,450
AC Silver
£ 89
£ 895
£ 3,950
AC Silver
Antique Art Deco Style 5.10ct Black Onyx & 0.18ct Diamond, 14ct White Gold Dress Ring c.1920
£ 1,795
Antique Art Deco Style 5.10ct Black Onyx & 0.18ct Diamond, 14ct White Gold Dress Ring c.1920
£ 1,795
AC Silver
Farm and Fancy
Antique Edwardian Diamond 3 Stone Ring
£ 545
Aion Jewellery
9ct Gold Amethyst and Seed Pearl Bar Brooch
£ 125
£ 95
Aion Jewellery
Pair of Art Deco Silver and Turquoise Clip-on Earrings
£ 65
Aion Jewellery
French Silver and Agate Strap Bracelet
£ 125
Aion Jewellery
Modernist Silver & Chrysoprase Ring
£ 75
Aion Jewellery
9ct Gold Freshwater Pearl and Tiger's Eye Necklace
£ 145
Aion Jewellery
Charles Horner Small Silver & Enamel Butterfly Brooch
£ 165
£ 1,895
Antique 0.83ct Sapphire and 0.52ct Diamond, Platinum Trilogy Ring Circa 1930
£ 1,895
AC Silver
£ 2,950
£ 8,950
£ 3,950
AC Silver
Antique Art Deco 1.24ct Sapphire & 1.80ct Diamond, Platinum & 18ct White Gold Bracelet c.1920
£ 4,950
Antique Art Deco 1.24ct Sapphire & 1.80ct Diamond, Platinum & 18ct White Gold Bracelet c.1920
£ 4,950
AC Silver
£ 16,950
Doubloon
18ct Gold and Pearl Ring
£ 110
£ 245
Sunnyside Antiques
Vintage Enamel and Gilt Lorgnette
£ 285
House of Clarnold
Victorian Burr Walnut Vanity Case
£ 300
Vintage Garden UK
Super String Brown Freshwater Pearls
£ 150
Deco Original Ltd
Victorian Burr Walnut Jewellery Box
£ 165
Deco Original Ltd
Early Victorian Rosewood Trinket / Jewellery Box
£ 100
antiquejewellers.com
The Vintage 1988 Twisted 18ct Gold Wedding Ring
£ 379
Deco Original Ltd
Victorian Walnut Sewing / Jewellery Box
£ 110
£ 4,950
Antique 3.18ct Pink Tourmaline, 2.10ct Diamond and Platinum Pendant Circa 1925
£ 4,950
AC Silver
antiquejewellers.com
The Vintage 1927 9ct Rose Gold Wedding Ring
£ 450
antiquejewellers.com
The Antique 1902 9ct Rose Gold Wedding Ring
£ 425
antiquejewellers.com
The Antique 1920 Rose Gold 9ct Signet Ring
£ 405
antiquejewellers.com
The Vintage 1942 9ct Gold Wedding Ring
£ 395
Like all antique and collectable items the value of antique jewellery varies widely. Some will be far cheaper than its new equivalent and thus very good value, while others will be far higher than a new piece due to its desirability and rarity. The factors which will make the item more expensive are the current value of the underlying materials used such as the weight and quality of the gold, weight, cut and clarity of the diamonds, the calibre of the maker as well as the overall aesthetic look of the piece. Much (but not all) fine antique jewellery will be hallmarked somewhere which allows you to work out some of these factors, but if you are not sure then it is always worth showing it to a specialist.
The choice of jewellery is a very personal thing so it is fair to say that there is not one single type of antique jewellery which is the most popular. Sometimes the decision may come down to size as rings, bangles and necklaces are very size specific. Alternatively pendants, earrings and brooches are universally popular because no intrinsic size is needed. Although classic forms of jewellery never go out of fashion, other more stylised antique pieces are subject to the same fads and revivalist fashions just like new pieces.
Every reputable antique jewellery company will tell you that for jewellery (or any item) to be called antique it should be at least 100 years old. Details that tell you the age of a certain antique ring said to be Georgian, for example, should be easily available either via the Hallmarks or stylistically. Since the design of many classic pieces have not changed for perhaps several hundred years, never assume your piece is a genuine antique just because the shape is more traditional.