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 Diamond & Blue Stone Heart Ring
£ 365
Digby Antiques (Wiltshire)
Silver & Enamel Butterfly
£ 225
£ 42
Victorian Pocket Watch Chain Shield Fob 1890s Antique Ornate Brass English Fob
£ 42
riversidemaximus23
£ 75
Victorian Pocket Watch Chain Fob 18ct Gold Plated 1890s Big Antique Shield Fob
£ 75
riversidemaximus23
£ 239
Chamade Antiques
Fine Cultured Pearl Collar
£ 950
Kernow Furniture
Antique Victorian Mourning Brooch
£ 165
£ 890
£ 4,950
1.77ct French Cut Diamond & Platinum Stud Earrings - Antique & Contemporary
£ 4,950
AC Silver
Chamade Antiques
Rolex Style Ring
£ 1,075
£ 5,950
Andrew Cox Antiques
Elegant Mid Century Silver Bracelet
£ 135
Chamade Antiques
Black & White Diamond Bombe Ring
£ 1,950
WhatSheWants
Genuine Art Deco Modernist Jakob Bengel Machine Age Chrome & Galalith Balls Necklace c.1930
£ 175
Genuine Art Deco Modernist Jakob Bengel Machine Age Chrome & Galalith Balls Necklace c.1930
£ 175
WhatSheWants
Chamade Antiques
Diamond Tiara Ring
£ 265
£ 40
Sale - Vintage 925 Silver Enamel Star of David - Pendant - Free UK Postage
£ 40
Antiques et Cetera
Aion Jewellery
Art Deco Silver & Enamel Flower Brooch
£ 185
£ 275
£ 3,950
Doubloon
Gold Terrier Brooch
£ 250
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Vintage Diamond Earrings 18ct Gold 1.6ct Diamond Post/Clip Feather Wing Earrings
£ 1,990
Vintage Diamond Earrings 18ct Gold 1.6ct Diamond Post/Clip Feather Wing Earrings
£ 1,990
The Chelsea Bijouterie
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Boucheron Diamond Buckle Ring 18ct Rose Gold Vintage Déchainée Ring 1970s 16 Grams
£ 3,990
Boucheron Diamond Buckle Ring 18ct Rose Gold Vintage Déchainée Ring 1970s 16 Grams
£ 3,990
The Chelsea Bijouterie
£ 100
£ 475
£ 125
Silver Bracelet Vintage 1970s Chunky Curb Link with Big Puffy Love Heart Padlock
£ 125
riversidemaximus23
Walton House Antiques Ltd
Large Vintage Malachite 9ct Gold Ring c.1978
£ 198
antiquejewellers.com
The Antique Victorian A.f Pearl Mourning Ring
£ 965
Walton House Antiques Ltd
Victorian 9ct Engraved Gold Stud Earrings in Fitted Case c.1900
£ 220
Victorian 9ct Engraved Gold Stud Earrings in Fitted Case c.1900
£ 220
Walton House Antiques Ltd
Walton House Antiques Ltd
Heavy 18ct Gold Diamond Signet Ring 1938
£ 495
antiquejewellers.com
The Antique Toi Et Moi Old European Cut Diamond Ring
£ 2,459
riversidemaximus23
9ct Gold Anchor Charm Vintage 1982 Dainty Little Hallmarked Charm
£ 38
Walton House Antiques Ltd
Edwardian 18ct Gold Diamond Three Stone Ring 0.90ct
£ 895
antiquejewellers.com
The Vintage Sapphire & Diamond Hand Carved Ring
£ 1,049
£ 58
Bracelet Sterling Silver Vintage 1970s Belcher Link & Swivel Dog Clip 7 3/4"L
£ 58
riversidemaximus23
antiquejewellers.com
The Antique 1877 Ruby & Old Cut Diamond Classic Ring
£ 649
antiquejewellers.com
The Antique Old Cut Diamond Coiled Snake Ring
£ 3,399
antiquejewellers.com
The Vintage 1982 Tiger's Eye Signet Ring
£ 339
Doubloon
Art Deco Silver Cross Brooch
£ 100
Ellison Davies
9ct Decorative Engraved Cross Pendant
£ 145
Chamade Antiques
Californian Pink Cultured Pearls
£ 850
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.