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.
Vintage Aquamarine Platinum Stud Earrings Single Stone Emerald Cut PT950 Circa 1980s
£ 595
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Antique Four-strand Pearl Bracelet, Old-cut Diamond Floral Clasp, 15ct Gold, Recently Restrung - Edwardian ca.1910
£ 5,350
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Vintage Black Cultured Pearl Necklace 18ct White Gold Diamond Clasp – 1980s
£ 1,795
The Chelsea Bijouterie
1960s Long Pearl Necklace with Amethyst 9ct Gold Clasp Vintage Cultured Pearls
£ 1,195
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Vintage 18ct Gold & Platinum 0.40ct Diamond Trilogy Engagement Ring – Birmingham 1982
£ 895
The Chelsea Bijouterie
1980s 18ct Gold Pearl & Lapis Lazuli Drop Earrings Vintage for Pierced Ears 12 Grams
£ 1,495
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Pocket Watch Chain Silver Photograph Fob 1977 Huge Ornate Victorian Style Fob
£ 185
riversidemaximus23
Antique Seed Pearl Drop Earrings 15ct Gold Screw Back Edwardian Foliate ca.1900
£ 795
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Very Fine Antique Gold Demi-parure with Pearls & Enamel / Porcelain Miniature Paint Work
£ 5,750
Koos Limburg Jnr
Exquisite 18ct White Gold Diamond & Sapphire Half Eternity Ring - Boxed
£ 1,100
Antiques et Cetera
Pocket Watch Chain Fob Victorian 1851 Great Exhibition Crystal Palace Fob Seal
£ 125
riversidemaximus23
Antique & Vintage Jewellery FAQs
How much is antique jewellery worth?
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.
What is the most popular antique Jewellery?
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.
How old does jewellery have to be to be considered antique?
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.
