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.
Lambert & Co.
Diamond & White Metal Full Eternity Ring
£ 140
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Art Deco Pearl Necklace Diamond Clasp with Gem Lab Certificate Single Strand Pearls
£ 1,190
Art Deco Pearl Necklace Diamond Clasp with Gem Lab Certificate Single Strand Pearls
£ 1,190
The Chelsea Bijouterie
£ 75
£ 100
£ 2,950
Sally White Vintage
Vintage Italian 9ct Gold Bracelet
£ 575
antiquejewellers.com
Antique Early Victorian Old Mine Cut Diamond Ring
£ 4,195
£ 15,950
Rare Antique Gifts
Solid Gold Edwardian Locket on 18 Inch 9ct Gold Chain
£ 850
£ 2,650
Vintage 0.50ct Green Tourmaline & 18ct Yellow Gold Double Horse & Jockey Brooch c.1960
£ 2,650
AC Silver
£ 5,450
Antique Pearl, 2.02ct Sapphire & 4.95ct Diamond, 18ct Yellow Gold Brooch c.1910
£ 5,450
AC Silver
Aion Jewellery
Gaming Interest Silver Gilt Stick Pin
£ 45
Aion Jewellery
Andreas Daub Silver & Chrysoprase Pendant Necklace
£ 95
Aion Jewellery
Irish Silver Modernist Ring with Pink Stone
£ 58
Aion Jewellery
Art Deco Silver & Agate Panel Link Bracelet
£ 125
Aion Jewellery
Norwegian Silver Filigree Brooch
£ 55
Walton House Antiques Ltd
Victorian 9ct Gold Aquamarine Swallow Pendant Necklace
£ 480
Walton House Antiques Ltd
Stunning Large Vintage 18ct Gold Amethyst Diamond Ring
£ 850
£ 125
Walton House Antiques Ltd
Art Deco 18ct Gold Sapphire Diamond Ring
£ 995
Aion Jewellery
Art Deco Silver & Enamel Cufflinks in Original Box
£ 120
Walton House Antiques Ltd
Victorian 18ct Gold Turquoise Diamond Ring
£ 695
Aion Jewellery
Vintage Silver Floral Panel Link Bracelet
£ 120
Walton House Antiques Ltd
Antique Solid 9ct Rose Gold Curb Chain c.1901
£ 620
£ 155
Victorian Albertina Bracelet 10ct Gold Filled 1890s Antique 8 1/2" Length
£ 155
riversidemaximus23
Aion Jewellery
Lovely Edwardian Silver & Emerald Glass Bar Brooch
£ 45
Vittori & Hive
Modernist Silver Cocktail Ring with Large Smoky Quartz
£ 172
Walton House Antiques Ltd
Art Deco 18ct Gold Ruby Diamond Ring 1ct Diamonds
£ 1,750
£ 195
£ 339
Walton House Antiques Ltd
Art Deco 18ct Gold Platinum Diamond Plaque Ring
£ 895
£ 78
Victorian Pocket Watch Chain Fob 10ct Rose & White Gold Filled 1890s Intaglio Fob
£ 78
riversidemaximus23
£ 82
£ 65
£ 490
£ 265
£ 124
Antiques et Cetera
Vintage Triple Row Faux Pearl Necklace Boxed
£ 60
Aion Jewellery
Edwardian Silver & Guilloche Enamel Butterfly Brooch
£ 110
£ 56
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.