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.
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Antique 18ct Gold Diamond Buckle Ring Edwardian 1903 Chester Hallmarked UK
£ 1,390
Antique 18ct Gold Diamond Buckle Ring Edwardian 1903 Chester Hallmarked UK
£ 1,390
The Chelsea Bijouterie
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Vintage Roy King Cufflinks 18ct Gold Bark Texture Design London 1962 British Hallmarked
£ 2,490
Vintage Roy King Cufflinks 18ct Gold Bark Texture Design London 1962 British Hallmarked
£ 2,490
The Chelsea Bijouterie
riversidemaximus23
Bangle Silver 925 Vintage Barley Twist Bracelet 7" Length
£ 48
£ 74
Pocket Watch Chain Fob Victorian 10ct Rose Gold Filled Mop & Carnelian 1890s
£ 74
riversidemaximus23
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Antique Victorian Amethyst Bangle 18ct Gold Circa 1890 Vintage Bracelet
£ 1,550
Antique Victorian Amethyst Bangle 18ct Gold Circa 1890 Vintage Bracelet
£ 1,550
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Beeches Vintage
1950s Solid Silver Trinket or Jewellery Box
£ 110
£ 68
Bracelet Sterling Silver Vintage 1977 Fancy Brick Link With Love Heart Padlock
£ 68
riversidemaximus23
£ 68
Necklace Silver 925 Vintage 1970s With Modernist Leaf Pendant 17 1/2" Length
£ 68
riversidemaximus23
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Edwardian Pearl Diamond Ring 18ct Gold Antique Engagement Ring Old Cut Diamond Trilogy
£ 1,750
Edwardian Pearl Diamond Ring 18ct Gold Antique Engagement Ring Old Cut Diamond Trilogy
£ 1,750
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Antiques et Cetera
Vintage 1963 Heavy Silver Charm Bracelet With 38 Silver Charms - Ideal Birthday Present / Boxed
£ 160
Vintage 1963 Heavy Silver Charm Bracelet With 38 Silver Charms - Ideal Birthday Present / Boxed
£ 160
Antiques et Cetera
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Victorian Ruby and Diamond Ring 18ct Gold Antique Trilogy Ring
£ 1,250
Victorian Ruby and Diamond Ring 18ct Gold Antique Trilogy Ring
£ 1,250
The Chelsea Bijouterie
£ 4,950
Vintage 9.50ct Sapphire, 0.72ct Ruby & 1.00ct Diamond, 18k Yellow Gold Earrings c.1970
£ 4,950
AC Silver
£ 4,950
£ 2,450
Antique Art Deco 0.32ct Ruby & 0.95ct Diamond, 9k White Gold Brooch c.1925
£ 2,450
AC Silver
£ 4,950
£ 5,950
£ 2,950
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Two Stone Twist Engagement Ring Antique Old Cut Diamond Toi & Moi Ring
£ 1,390
Two Stone Twist Engagement Ring Antique Old Cut Diamond Toi & Moi Ring
£ 1,390
The Chelsea Bijouterie
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Retro Diamond & Ruby Ring 18ct Gold French Art Deco Ring 1930s Vintage Cocktail Ring
£ 1,490
Retro Diamond & Ruby Ring 18ct Gold French Art Deco Ring 1930s Vintage Cocktail Ring
£ 1,490
The Chelsea Bijouterie
£ 7,950
£ 3,950
£ 3,950
Antique 28.50ct Cushion Cut Amethyst and Diamond, Platinum Ring Circa 1930
£ 3,950
AC Silver
Bags of Glamour
John Atkins & Son Silver and Enamel Brooch
£ 125
£ 2,454.72
Theo Fennell 18ct Gold Large Pave Set Diamond Cross of Exceptional Quality
£ 2,454.72
Ardgowanart
The Chelsea Bijouterie
1950's Diamond & Pearl Earrings 18ct White Gold 1.0ct Diamond Earrings Vintage Clip-ons
£ 1,990
1950's Diamond & Pearl Earrings 18ct White Gold 1.0ct Diamond Earrings Vintage Clip-ons
£ 1,990
The Chelsea Bijouterie
£ 5,950
Antique 16.68ct Turquoise & 0.47ct Diamond, 18ct Yellow Gold Pendant c.1880
£ 5,950
AC Silver
£ 13,950
5.50ct Opal, Natural Saltwater Pearl & 8.31ct Diamond, Platinum Pendant c.1935
£ 13,950
AC Silver
The Vintage Wrist Watch Company
Omega Stainless Steel 1040 Bracelet, 518 Ends
£ 185
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Antique Diamond Pearl Starburst Pendant 18ct Gold Victorian Swirling Star 0.50ct Old Cut Diamonds
£ 1,290
Antique Diamond Pearl Starburst Pendant 18ct Gold Victorian Swirling Star 0.50ct Old Cut Diamonds
£ 1,290
The Chelsea Bijouterie
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Vintage 1.0ct Old Cut Diamond Topaz Cluster Ring 18ct Gold Victorian Style Ring 1950s Ring
£ 1,490
Vintage 1.0ct Old Cut Diamond Topaz Cluster Ring 18ct Gold Victorian Style Ring 1950s Ring
£ 1,490
The Chelsea Bijouterie
The Red House Antiques
Impressive 9ct Gold Cameo on Hardstone Pendant Necklace
£ 995
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Pearl and Diamond Bracelet 1920s with Gem Lab Certificate Antique Old Mine Cut Diamond Floral Clasp
£ 5,690
Pearl and Diamond Bracelet 1920s with Gem Lab Certificate Antique Old Mine Cut Diamond Floral Clasp
£ 5,690
The Chelsea Bijouterie
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Omega Diamond Watch 18ct Gold Vintage 1960s Manual Wind Ladies Bracelet Watch
£ 5,699
Omega Diamond Watch 18ct Gold Vintage 1960s Manual Wind Ladies Bracelet Watch
£ 5,699
The Chelsea Bijouterie
£ 125
Bracelet Sterling Silver Horse Snaffle Bit Equestrian Chunky 7 1/4"L 20.1g
£ 125
riversidemaximus23
Andrew Cox Antiques
Charming Silver & Enamel Butterfly Brooch
£ 110
£ 8,950
£ 6,950
Antique 3.20ct Turquoise & 0.23ct Diamond, 18k Yellow Gold Egyptian Revival Pendant c.1880
£ 6,950
AC Silver
Treasured Timepieces
Sophos (england) 1960s/70s Tie Pin - Mother of Pearl Design
£ 24
Treasured Timepieces
Balfour Vintage 1960s/70s Tie Clasp & Pin Golf Flagstick Set (12k Gold-filled)
£ 70
Balfour Vintage 1960s/70s Tie Clasp & Pin Golf Flagstick Set (12k Gold-filled)
£ 70
Treasured Timepieces
Jeff Sims Antiques
Charming Art Deco Silver Pendant Compact
£ 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.