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.
Fine French Victorian 18ct Gold, Painted Miniature Pendant Locket 1860
£ 1,800
Touch of Time Antiques
1960s Long Graduated Cultured Pearl Necklace with 18ct Gold Black Pearl Clasp Vintage
£ 675
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Vintage Cabochon Amethyst Ring in 9ct Gold, Birmingham 1966 Size T 1/2
£ 675
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Vintage Triple-strand Cultured Pearl Bracelet with 9ct Gold Floral Clasp Birmingham 1975
£ 595
The Chelsea Bijouterie
1950s Double Strand Cultured Pearl Necklace with 0.60ct Diamond 9ct White Gold Foliate Clasp
£ 2,290
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Edwardian Diamond Swallow Bar Brooch, 15ct Gold, Rose-cut Diamonds, c.1900
£ 765
Touch of Time Antiques
Pocket Watch Chain Fob Silver 925fish Articulated Pendant 1970s Vintage
£ 85
riversidemaximus23
Bamboo Bangle Sterling Silver 1969 Vintage Ornate Silver Bracelet 7" Length
£ 155
riversidemaximus23
Vintage 1962 Cultured Pearl and Diamond Halo Cluster Ring in 18ct Gold
£ 1,100
The Chelsea Bijouterie
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.
