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
Arts & Crafts Enamel Brooch/buckle
£ 75
Rare Antique Gifts
Solid Gold Edwardian Keepsake Locket With Necklace
£ 995
Andrew Cox Antiques
Stunning Silver Brooch Set with Gold Mounted Amethyst
£ 145
Antiques et Cetera
Beautiful Vintage Designer 50s Rhinestone Boxed Bracelet - Jewellery / Ideal Gift / Present
£ 60
Beautiful Vintage Designer 50s Rhinestone Boxed Bracelet - Jewellery / Ideal Gift / Present
£ 60
Antiques et Cetera
AC Silver
Antique Art Nouveau 3.02ct Peridot & 3.41ct Diamond, 14ct Yellow Gold Pendant / Brooch c.1890
£ 5,950
Antique Art Nouveau 3.02ct Peridot & 3.41ct Diamond, 14ct Yellow Gold Pendant / Brooch c.1890
£ 5,950
AC Silver
antiquejewellers.com
The Vintage Toi Et Moi Brilliant Cut Diamond Eternal Ring
£ 2,289
Antiques et Cetera
Vintage Silver Padlock Charm - Ideal Gift / Present / Bracelet 1974
£ 20
antiquejewellers.com
The Antique Georgian Rose Cut Diamond Navette Ring
£ 1,789
£ 2,450
Jonathan Green Antiques Ltd
Beautiful Antique Victorian Gold & Blue Enamel Brooch
£ 550
Antiques et Cetera
Bargain Beautiful Vintage 18ct Yellow Gold 5 Stone Diamond Engagement / Eternity Ring / Multi Stone / Rings / Boxed
£ 575
Bargain Beautiful Vintage 18ct Yellow Gold 5 Stone Diamond Engagement / Eternity Ring / Multi Stone / Rings / Boxed
£ 575
Antiques et Cetera
Antiques et Cetera
Pair of Vintage Claw Set Sparkling Rhinestone Clip Earrings - Birthday / Xmas Gift
£ 25
Pair of Vintage Claw Set Sparkling Rhinestone Clip Earrings - Birthday / Xmas Gift
£ 25
Antiques et Cetera
Antiques et Cetera
Art Deco Gold & Silver Diamond Wedding Ring - Boxed / Anniversary / Eternity / Ideal Gift / Rings
£ 135
Art Deco Gold & Silver Diamond Wedding Ring - Boxed / Anniversary / Eternity / Ideal Gift / Rings
£ 135
Antiques et Cetera
£ 1,595
Antique 0.13ct Diamond, Ruby & Enamel, 14ct Yellow Gold Cockerel Bar Brooch c.1900
£ 1,595
AC Silver
Antiques et Cetera
Beautiful Pair of Gilt Millefiori Enamel Clip Earrings - Jewellery
£ 30
£ 50
Stunning Pair of Vintage Gilt Sparkling Gem Set Chandelier Earrings - Boxed Gift
£ 50
Antiques et Cetera
£ 50
Stunning 1950s Aurora Borealis Necklace with Sparkling Rhinestone Clasp - Boxed
£ 50
Antiques et Cetera
£ 50
Beautiful Sparkling 10k Gold Plated Amethyst & Rhinestone Dress Ring - Ideal Gift
£ 50
Antiques et Cetera
Antiques et Cetera
Vintage Designer 'Exquisite' 1950s Rhinestone Bracelet - Boxed / Jewellery / Ideal Present
£ 50
Vintage Designer 'Exquisite' 1950s Rhinestone Bracelet - Boxed / Jewellery / Ideal Present
£ 50
Antiques et Cetera
£ 4,950
Aion Jewellery
Charles Horner Enamelled Art Nouveau Brooch
£ 110
Celtic Heritage
Irish Made Vintage Sterling Silver Sailing Boat Brooch
£ 60
Celtic Heritage
Vintage Scottish Clan Badge, Clan Ross, Sterling Silver
£ 55
Celtic Heritage
Early 20th Century Scottish Brooch with Twist
£ 35
Lefays Fine Arts
Shell Cameo 18ct Gold & Enamel Brooch c.1870
£ 895
Aion Jewellery
Pair of Victorian Silver Horseshoe Cufflinks
£ 75
Aion Jewellery
Theodore Klotz Silver & Chrysoprase Pendant Necklace
£ 85
Aion Jewellery
Edwardian Silver Watch Chain Silver Bracelet
£ 50
£ 2,250
Aion Jewellery
Edwardian Charles Horner Silver & Amethyst Brooch
£ 75
£ 1,495
Doubloon
Gold & Diamond Tie Slide
£ 110
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
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.