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
Modernist Silver Collar Necklace by Viola Mannle
£ 155
Aion Jewellery
Edwardian Silver Thistle & Golf Club Brooch
£ 55
£ 2,650
Aion Jewellery
Pair of Silver Gilt Jade & Marcasite Earrings
£ 75
Aion Jewellery
Vintage Caithness Glass & Silver Ring
£ 58
Wildwinds Antiques
Arts & Craft Bar Brooch
£ 180
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
Pair of 9ct Gold & Diamond Earrings
£ 225
The Vintage Wrist Watch Company
Antique Silver Albertina Bracelet
£ 115
£ 1,795
Antique 1.50ct Ruby & 0.60ct Diamond 12ct Yellow Gold Flower Brooch c.1890
£ 1,795
AC Silver
£ 58
Vintage Gilt & Crystal Ball Fob 1970s Victorian Revival Pocket Watch Chain Fob
£ 58
riversidemaximus23
£ 24,950
Antique 13.82ct Colombian Emerald, Saltwater Pearl & 0.60ct Diamond 18ct Yellow Gold Drop Earrings c.1870
£ 24,950
AC Silver
Celtic Heritage
Vintage Scottish Sterling Silver & 2 Colour Granite Bracelet
£ 130
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
9ct Gold Emerald & Diamond Necklace
£ 235
£ 4,950
Antique Edwardian 2.30ct Sapphire & 1.05ct Diamond 18ct Yellow Gold Ring c.1910
£ 4,950
AC Silver
£ 2,650
Cheshire Antiques Consultant
18ct White Gold Ladies Diamond 2ct Trilogy Brilliant Cut Engagement Ring
£ 7,000
18ct White Gold Ladies Diamond 2ct Trilogy Brilliant Cut Engagement Ring
£ 7,000
Cheshire Antiques Consultant
£ 44
AC Silver
Edwardian 14ct Yellow Gold Chain
£ 1,495
antiquejewellers.com
The Antique 1901 Ruby & Old Cut Diamond Navette Ring
£ 869
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
riversidemaximus23
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
riversidemaximus23
Aion Jewellery
Gorgeous Pair of Danish Silver & Chrysoprase Earrings
£ 85
Aion Jewellery
Small Silver Naval Crown Brooch / Lapel Pin
£ 48
riversidemaximus23
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
riversidemaximus23
riversidemaximus23
Edwardian Pocket Watch Chain Photograph Fob 1900s Antique Gilt Sepia Fob
£ 68
Edwardian Pocket Watch Chain Photograph Fob 1900s Antique Gilt Sepia Fob
£ 68
riversidemaximus23
£ 195
Aion Jewellery
Bernard Instone Silver 'Bullseye' Brooch
£ 60
antiquejewellers.com
The Antique 1917 Shield Signet Ring
£ 449
riversidemaximus23
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
riversidemaximus23
Andrew Cox Antiques
Gorgeous Silver & Guilloche Enamel Buckle Brooch
£ 210
£ 1,695
£ 2,650
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.