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.
£ 2,450
£ 2,950
Art Deco 9.10ct Aquamarine & 0.24ct Diamond, 15ct Yellow Gold Brooch c.1925
£ 2,950
AC Silver
£ 1,695
£ 68
Pocket Watch Chain Fob Inscribed 'Total Abstinence' Victorian Brass & Enamel
£ 68
riversidemaximus23
Antiques @ Art
Faberge "Colours of Love - Sasha" 18k White Gold & Diamond Earrings with Original Box & Certificate
£ 2,850
Faberge "Colours of Love - Sasha" 18k White Gold & Diamond Earrings with Original Box & Certificate
£ 2,850
Antiques @ Art
£ 3,450
£ 8,950
Antique 1.20ct Burmese Sapphire & 0.56ct Diamond, 18ct Yellow Gold Ring c.1915
£ 8,950
AC Silver
riversidemaximus23
Bracelet 9ct Rose Gold Edwardian with Love Heart Padlock 8"L 16.3g
£ 895
£ 145
Pocket Watch Chain Fob Enormous Sterling Silver & 12ct Rose Gold Filled 1900
£ 145
riversidemaximus23
Rare Antique Gifts
Petite Fully Hallmarked Gold Keepsake Locket Necklace
£ 700
antiquejewellers.com
The Antique Five Old Cut Diamond Boat Ring
£ 539
antiquejewellers.com
The Vintage 1986 Solitaire Diamond Fabulous Ring
£ 649
Aion Jewellery
Pair of Chester Silver Cufflinks by Charles Horner
£ 85
Aion Jewellery
Victorian 9ct Gold & Seed Pearl Swallow Brooch
£ 145
Aion Jewellery
Large Hallmarked Silver & Marcasite Orchid Brooch
£ 85
Aion Jewellery
Modernist Danish Silver and Amethyst Pendant Necklace
£ 125
Aion Jewellery
Victorian Silver, Chalcedony and Coral Brooch
£ 95
Aion Jewellery
9ct Gold & Chrysoprase Charles Horner Stick Pin
£ 155
Aion Jewellery
Iconic Jakob Bengel Modernist Necklace
£ 175
Aion Jewellery
Pair of Vintage 9ct Gold and Amethyst Stud Earrings
£ 95
£ 1,595
£ 3,950
Jo Brayshaw
14ct Gold & Garnet Earrings c.1960
£ 145
Rare Antique Gifts
Hallmarked Solid Gold 9ct Gold Locket Necklace
£ 950
Vavasseur Antiques
Antique Silver Double-Sided Transparent Compass Fob or Pendant c.1900
£ 150
Antique Silver Double-Sided Transparent Compass Fob or Pendant c.1900
£ 150
Vavasseur Antiques
Whites Antiques
Regency Era Mahogany Letter/jewellery Box with Key
£ 475
£ 1,995
£ 1,595
Vintage 0.51ct Ruby & 0.39ct Diamond 18ct Yellow Gold Eternity Ring c.1980
£ 1,595
AC Silver
£ 2,950
£ 5,950
Vintage 1.48ct Emerald and 2.35ct Diamond 18ct White Gold Drop Earrings Circa 1960
£ 5,950
AC Silver
Doubloon
"Owl" Cameo Brooch/pendant
£ 250
Antiques et Cetera
Vintage Unusual 14ct Gold Sapphire Dress Ring - Boxed
£ 90
Antiques et Cetera
Superb Vintage 18ct Gold Rectangular Smoky Quartz Ring - Boxed
£ 130
Aion Classique
Edwardian Carved Tortoiseshell Hair Comb
£ 48
Aion Classique
Gold Lame Evening Compact Compendium
£ 55
Aion Classique
Faux Tortoiseshell & Rhinestone Hair Barette
£ 35
Deco Original Ltd
Fine Large Victorian Coromandel Jewellery Box
£ 495
Aion Jewellery
Art Nouveau 9ct Gold, Turquoise & Pearl Pendant Necklace
£ 235
Aion Jewellery
Edwardian Silver & Amethyst Heart Brooch
£ 75
Aion Jewellery
Pair of Norwegian Silver Cufflinks
£ 110
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.