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
Edwardian Diamond & Pearl Foliate Drop Earrings in Silver with Gold Fittings
£ 1,790
Edwardian Diamond & Pearl Foliate Drop Earrings in Silver with Gold Fittings
£ 1,790
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Penrose Antiques Ltd
1990s Christian Dior Monographed Earrings
£ 155
Highland Antiques Limited
Victorian Antique Large Silver and Citrine Plaid Brooch, Edinburgh 1900
£ 795
Victorian Antique Large Silver and Citrine Plaid Brooch, Edinburgh 1900
£ 795
Highland Antiques Limited
Andrew Cox Antiques
Rare Charles Horner Silver Jabot Pin
£ 165
£ 2,950
antiquejewellers.com
The Antique Victorian 1892 Sapphire & Diamond Ring
£ 655
antiquejewellers.com
The Antique Victorian Three Diamond Engraved Ring
£ 759
£ 78
Bangle Sterling Silver with Royal Blue Enamel Vintage (7" Length 15.5 Grams)
£ 78
riversidemaximus23
antiquejewellers.com
The Antique Edwardian 1902 Sapphire And Diamond Five Stone Ring
£ 669
antiquejewellers.com
The Antique 1912 Ruby And Diamond Double Row Ring
£ 955
antiquejewellers.com
The Antique Edwardian 1909 Sapphire And Diamond Scrollwork Ring
£ 745
antiquejewellers.com
The Antique Edwardian 18ct Gold Diamond And Sapphire Celestial Ring
£ 849
The Antique Edwardian 18ct Gold Diamond And Sapphire Celestial Ring
£ 849
antiquejewellers.com
antiquejewellers.com
The Antique 1919 Sapphire And Diamond Three Stone Celestial Ring
£ 875
antiquejewellers.com
The Antique Georgian Swivel Carnelian And Hairwork Ring
£ 1,159
antiquejewellers.com
The Antique Edwardian 1903 Old Cut Diamond Five Stone Ring
£ 1,179
antiquejewellers.com
The Antique Edwardian 1910 Ruby & Diamond Ring
£ 565
antiquejewellers.com
The Antique Victorian 1883 Diamond & Ruby Three Stone Ring
£ 615
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Elegant 1980s Triple Strand Pearl Necklace with 9ct Gold Heart Motif Clasp
£ 1,320
Elegant 1980s Triple Strand Pearl Necklace with 9ct Gold Heart Motif Clasp
£ 1,320
The Chelsea Bijouterie
riversidemaximus23
Silver Bangle 925 Daisy Flower & Crystal Vintage Bracelet 6 1/2" Length
£ 68
£ 295
£ 745
£ 575
£ 245
The Vintage Wrist Watch Company
1930s Silver Pocket Watch Chain / Necklace
£ 195
£ 595
£ 595
The Vintage Wrist Watch Company
Early 20th Century Silver Watch Chain / Long Necklace
£ 245
£ 2,750
£ 8,950
£ 2,250
Penrose Antiques Ltd
1970s Carvel, Paris Scottie Dog Brooch
£ 140
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Edwardian 9ct Gold Witches’ Heart Brooch Set with Seed Pearls, c.1910
£ 350
Edwardian 9ct Gold Witches’ Heart Brooch Set with Seed Pearls, c.1910
£ 350
The Chelsea Bijouterie
£ 75
£ 75
Antique Charles Horner Sterling Silver Turquoise Jewelled Hat Pin Chester Circa 1910
£ 75
WhatSheWants
WhatSheWants
Albert Flamand Paris Marcel Merkes Cuff Bracelet Bangle with Rouge Compact Art Deco 1930-1940
£ 265
Albert Flamand Paris Marcel Merkes Cuff Bracelet Bangle with Rouge Compact Art Deco 1930-1940
£ 265
WhatSheWants
riversidemaximus23
Pocket Watch Chain Fob Silver 925 & Rose Gilt Multi Stone Large Pendant
£ 95
Pocket Watch Chain Fob Silver 925 & Rose Gilt Multi Stone Large Pendant
£ 95
riversidemaximus23
£ 195
Antique 12ct Gold Citrine Statement Bar Brooch Pin C1880 High Quality Victorian
£ 195
Nates Gems
£ 225
£ 325
Antique 9ct Rose Gold Large Hardstone Cameo Brooch Pin C1920 High Quality Chester
£ 325
Nates Gems
WhatSheWants
Rare Albert Flamand Fladium Bangle Cuff Bracelet with Bakelite Jewel Art Deco Circa 1935
£ 195
Rare Albert Flamand Fladium Bangle Cuff Bracelet with Bakelite Jewel Art Deco Circa 1935
£ 195
WhatSheWants
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.