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.
Jeff Sims Antiques
Lovely Late Victorian Faux Leather Tie / Cravat Box
£ 58
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
Deco Original Ltd
Fine Victorian Burr Walnut Jewellery Box
£ 795
£ 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
£ 13,950
£ 2,450
Antique 12.20ct Garnet & Diamond, 18k Yellow Gold Jockey Cap Pin Brooch c.1860
£ 2,450
AC Silver
£ 2,950
£ 4,950
Antique Natural Pearl and 0.95ct Diamond, 12k Yellow Gold Pendant Brooch Circa 1900
£ 4,950
AC Silver
£ 7,950
Antique 4.50ct Amethyst, 2.70ct Diamond & 18k White Gold Bracelet Circa 1920
£ 7,950
AC Silver
£ 1,995
Aion Jewellery
Large Art Deco Silver & Paste Stones Brooch
£ 110
Aion Jewellery
German Silver & Garnet Pendant Necklace
£ 75
Aion Jewellery
Large Edwardian Silver Gilt Butterfly Brooch
£ 65
Aion Jewellery
French Reverse Carved Lucite Brooch
£ 32
£ 2,650
Antique 0.39ct Ruby, Bloodstone, 0.18ct Diamond and 21k Yellow Gold Brooch Circa 1880
£ 2,650
AC Silver
£ 4,950
Kembery Antique Clocks Ltd
1969 Omega Geneve - Original Bracelet
£ 695
£ 3,950
£ 8,950
£ 2,250
The Red House Antiques
18ct Gold Diamond Cross Pendant on 9ct Gold Chain
£ 795
£ 38
Pocket Watch Chain Fob Victorian Revival Silver Plated 1970s Vintage Stone Set
£ 38
riversidemaximus23
£ 155
Silver Buckle Bangle Victorian 1890s Wide Antique Bracelet 7" Length 33.6g
£ 155
riversidemaximus23
riversidemaximus23
Scottish Pocket Watch Chain Fob 1901 Glasgow Exhibition Rose Gilt Fob
£ 55
£ 125
Pocket Watch Chain Fob Victorian Silver Chrome & Glass Large 1890s Lantern Fob
£ 125
riversidemaximus23
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Vintage Wedding Ring 18ct Gold 4.8mm D Shape Band 3 Gms Hallmarked London 1976
£ 290
Vintage Wedding Ring 18ct Gold 4.8mm D Shape Band 3 Gms Hallmarked London 1976
£ 290
The Chelsea Bijouterie
£ 39,950
WhatSheWants
French Double Swinging Monkey Brooch Pin Sterling Silver Marcasite & Ruby Glass Eyes Art Deco 1920s
£ 250
French Double Swinging Monkey Brooch Pin Sterling Silver Marcasite & Ruby Glass Eyes Art Deco 1920s
£ 250
WhatSheWants
The Red House Antiques
Sweet 9ct Gold Edwardian Seed Pearl Bird Brooch
£ 295
The Red House Antiques
Late Victorian Silver Buckle Cuff Bracelet c.1890
£ 200
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.