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.
Aion Jewellery
An Edwardian Silver Buckle Ring
£ 75
Aion Jewellery
A Victorian Silver Filigree Butterfly Brooch
£ 65
Aion Jewellery
A Pair of Victorian Silver & Enamel Shirt Studs
£ 95
Aion Jewellery
An Edwardian 9ct Gold and Amethyst Lavaliere Pendant
£ 145
antiquejewellers.com
The Vintage Brilliant Cut Diamond Filigree Ring
£ 1,189
Aion Jewellery
A Silver & Enamel Lily of the Valley Brooch
£ 115
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The Antique Victorian Opal and Old European Cut Diamond Ring
£ 3,499
Aion Jewellery
A Danish Art Deco Silver Gilt Floral Pendant
£ 145
Andrew Cox Antiques
An Elegant Mid Century Silver Gilt & Garnet Bracelet
£ 165
£ 1,795
Antique 2.84ct Aquamarine and 0.10ct Diamond and 18ct White Gold Dress Ring Circa 1935
£ 1,795
AC Silver
Sally White Vintage
Vintage Silver Love Knot Bracelet
£ 345
Aion Jewellery
An Edwardian Silver Gilt Pendant Compass
£ 185
Aion Jewellery
An Edwardian Silver & Peridot Lavalier Pendant Necklace
£ 135
Aion Jewellery
An Art Deco Silver & Marcasite Dress Clip
£ 55
Aion Jewellery
A Pair of Victorian Silver and Gold Violin Cuff Links
£ 75
Celtic Heritage
Scottish Brooch Silver Plated, Vintage, Very Large
£ 110
Aion Jewellery
Victorian Silver & Scottish Agate Padlock Clasp
£ 175
£ 38
£ 155
Aion Jewellery
Pair of Art Deco Silver & Blue John Clip Earrings
£ 95
£ 345
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Antique Butterscotch Amber Necklace Graduated Large Beads 30" Long 1920s
£ 1,390
Antique Butterscotch Amber Necklace Graduated Large Beads 30" Long 1920s
£ 1,390
The Chelsea Bijouterie
antiquejewellers.com
The Antique 1920 Heart Signet Ring
£ 359
£ 40
Celtic Heritage
Charles Rennie Macintosh Design Sterling Silver Rose Brooch
£ 25
Celtic Heritage
Scottish Lion Brooch, Sterling Silver, Vintage 1950s
£ 40
£ 1,495
Lambert & Co.
Qing Dynasty Very Pale Celadon Chinese Jade Pendant
£ 380
Celtic Heritage
Celtic Knot Brooch, Sterling Silver, Vintage
£ 20
Celtic Heritage
Scottish Sterling Silver Axe Brooch, Vintage
£ 25
antiquejewellers.com
The Antique Edwardian Engraved Gold & Five Diamond Ring
£ 569
£ 65
Celtic Heritage
Celtic Knot Brooch, Sterling Silver, Vintage
£ 20
antiquejewellers.com
The Antique 1915 Oval Scrolled Signet Ring
£ 479
Celtic Heritage
2 Small Scottish Sterling Silver Charms Thistle and Bagpipes
£ 20
antiquejewellers.com
The Antique 1901 Engraved Wedding Ring
£ 289
antiquejewellers.com
The Antique Toi Et Moi Diamond Dainty Ring
£ 639
Sally White Vintage
Vintage 18ct Gold Pearl Bracelet
£ 795
£ 14,950
£ 340
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.