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.
antiquejewellers.com
The Antique 1916 9ct Gold Shield Signet Ring
£ 529
Aion Jewellery
Charles Horner Edwardian Silver & Amethyst Brooch
£ 65
antiquejewellers.com
The Antique 1908 9ct Gold Shield Signet Ring
£ 429
Aion Jewellery
Superb Pair of Brutalist Silver Cufflinks
£ 55
£ 78
Sterling Silver Pocket Watch Chain Fob 1920s Horticulture Gardening Antique Fob
£ 78
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Antiques & Chic
Archibald Knox Liberty of London Silver Turquoise Necklace
£ 1,200
£ 68
Vintage 1950s Pocket Watch Chain Tassel Fob Large Gilt Victorian Revival Fob
£ 68
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Aion Jewellery
Gorgeous Pair of Danish Silver & Chrysoprase Earrings
£ 85
Aion Jewellery
Small Silver Naval Crown Brooch / Lapel Pin
£ 48
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Art Nouveau 1910 Pocket Watch Chain Large Fob Rose Gilt Ornate Fob
£ 68
antiquejewellers.com
The Antique 1915 9ct Gold Shield Signet Ring
£ 649
£ 2,250
£ 25
1970s Union Jack Flag Pocket Watch Chain Chunky Fob 12ct Gold Plated & Enamel NOS
£ 25
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Edwardian Pocket Watch Chain Photograph Fob 1900s Antique Gilt Sepia Fob
£ 68
Edwardian Pocket Watch Chain Photograph Fob 1900s Antique Gilt Sepia Fob
£ 68
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£ 195
Aion Jewellery
Bernard Instone Silver 'Bullseye' Brooch
£ 60
antiquejewellers.com
The Antique 1917 Shield Signet Ring
£ 449
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Antique Pocket Watch Chain French Silver Fob 1890s Victorian Dragon & Onyx Stone Fob
£ 125
Antique Pocket Watch Chain French Silver Fob 1890s Victorian Dragon & Onyx Stone Fob
£ 125
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Andrew Cox Antiques
Gorgeous Silver & Guilloche Enamel Buckle Brooch
£ 210
£ 1,695
£ 2,650
£ 45
Digby Antiques (Wiltshire)
Victorian Style Silver & Amethyst Drop Earrings
£ 99
Celtic Heritage
Sgian Dubh, Scottish Dagger Brooch, Silver, Agate, Antique
£ 38
£ 2,650
£ 2,650
antiquejewellers.com
The Antique Rose Cut Diamond & Zircon Cluster Ring
£ 689
Celtic Heritage
Scottish Plaid Brooch, Agates & Sterling Silver, 8 Lobes
£ 45
£ 40
£ 165
£ 25
£ 280
Antiques in Oxford
Georg Jensen ‘Daisy’ Brooch & Pendant on Chain
£ 1,125
Antiques in Oxford
Art Nouveau Charles Horner Necklace
£ 375
Antiques in Oxford
Early Victorian Gold & Garnet Brooch
£ 695
Aion Jewellery
Danish Silver Stylised Flower Brooch
£ 55
Antiques in Oxford
22ct Gold Multi-gem Drop Earrings
£ 375
Aion Jewellery
Art Deco Silver & Citrine Pendant Necklace
£ 68
Antiques in Oxford
1970s 22ct Gold & Gem Set Necklace
£ 1,150
Celtic Heritage
Scottish Clan Badge or Crest Clan Graham, Sterling Silver
£ 58
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.