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.
Roger Grimes Antiques
A Fine Edwardian Jewelry Box
£ 125
Rare Antique Gifts
Edwardian Hallmarked Gold Locket
£ 1,250
Rarebits
Solid Silver Chain Necklace
£ 68
Aion Jewellery
Pair of Victorian Silver & Enamel Shirt Studs
£ 95
£ 5,450
£ 2,650
Andrew Cox Antiques
Attractive Pair of Art Deco Silver Drop Earrings
£ 245
Andrew Cox Antiques
Gorgeous Silver & Amber Brooch
£ 85
£ 8,950
£ 78
Victorian Pocket Watch Chain Fob 10ct Rose Gold Filled Antique 1890s Puffy Fob
£ 78
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Silver & Jade Bracelet 1970s Vintage Chinese Good Luck 7 1/2" Length
£ 95
£ 68
Pocket Watch Chain Sterling Silver Fob 1972 Vintage Mop & Onyx Large Spinner Fob
£ 68
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Digby Antiques (Wiltshire)
Katana Silver Dolphin Bangle
£ 495
Digby Antiques (Wiltshire)
Scottish Victorian Silver Agate Boot Charm
£ 110
Aion Jewellery
Edwardian 9ct Gold & Amethyst Lavaliere Pendant
£ 145
£ 1,595
Aion Jewellery
Danish Art Deco Silver Gilt Floral Pendant
£ 145
Aion Jewellery
Edwardian Silver Gilt Pendant Compass
£ 185
Artisan Antiques
Antique Victorian French Diamond Pendant Necklace / Brooch 18ct Gold Floral Acanthus Design - 19th Century
£ 8,650
Antique Victorian French Diamond Pendant Necklace / Brooch 18ct Gold Floral Acanthus Design - 19th Century
£ 8,650
Artisan Antiques
William Rand Antiques
Early 20th Century 9ct Gold Scottish Thistle Brooch
£ 145
£ 4,500
Antique Victorian Emerald & Diamond Earrings 18ct Gold Crescent Design c.1890
£ 4,500
Artisan Antiques
Artisan Antiques
Antique Edwardian Pearl & Enamel Pendant Necklace 15ct Gold Art Nouveau Floral / Leaf Design c.1910
£ 850
Antique Edwardian Pearl & Enamel Pendant Necklace 15ct Gold Art Nouveau Floral / Leaf Design c.1910
£ 850
Artisan Antiques
Digby Antiques (Wiltshire)
Marius Hammer Silver Enamel Brooch
£ 85
£ 375
Antique Georgian 14ct Gold Mourning Brooch with Seed Pearls & Black Enamel c.1800
£ 375
Artisan Antiques
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Victorian 9ct Gold Drop Earrings Antique Etruscan Revival Ornate Dangle Earrings
£ 320
Victorian 9ct Gold Drop Earrings Antique Etruscan Revival Ornate Dangle Earrings
£ 320
The Chelsea Bijouterie
£ 290
Beeches Vintage
Antique Cameo Brooch
£ 35
Rare Antique Gifts
Antique 9ct Gold Swallow Locket Necklace
£ 910
Aion Jewellery
Edwardian Silver & Peridot Lavalier Pendant Necklace
£ 135
£ 145
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Double Strand Pearl Necklace Diamond Ruby Sapphire 18ct Gold Clasp 1960s Pearls
£ 1,990
Double Strand Pearl Necklace Diamond Ruby Sapphire 18ct Gold Clasp 1960s Pearls
£ 1,990
The Chelsea Bijouterie
£ 155
Aion Jewellery
Rare Silver & Enamel Pendant Quizzing Glass
£ 185
Aion Jewellery
Pair of Art Deco Silver & Coral Earrings
£ 65
Andrew Cox Antiques
Gorgeous Silver & Amethyst Brooch
£ 155
£ 85
Aion Jewellery
Edwardian Silver & Agate Bangle by James Fenton
£ 180
£ 1,995
Aion Jewellery
Art Deco Silver & Marcasite Dress Clip
£ 55
Doubloon
Victorian Rose Gold Cufflinks
£ 145
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.