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
Ormolu & Freshwater Pearl Mistletoe Necklace
£ 125
Aion Jewellery
Vintage Modernist Silver Bracelet
£ 95
Aion Jewellery
Large Silver & Enamel Butterfly Brooch
£ 125
£ 89
Pocket Watch Chain Fob Silver & 18ct Gold Vintage 1970s Large Ornate Pendant
£ 89
riversidemaximus23
Aion Jewellery
1920s Silver & Hematite Pendant Necklace
£ 85
£ 89
Sterling Silver Bangle Vintage 1989 Chunky Barley Twist Bracelet 7" L 17.4g
£ 89
riversidemaximus23
£ 68
Pocket Watch Chain Fob 1950s Large Gilt & Green Glass Victorian Revival Fob
£ 68
riversidemaximus23
Aion Jewellery
Edwardian Silver Gilt Dragonfly Bar Brooch
£ 110
£ 68
Bracelet Sterling Silver Vintage 1978 Chunky Curb Link With Love Heart Padlock
£ 68
riversidemaximus23
Aion Jewellery
Modernist German Silver Necklace
£ 85
£ 155
Bracelet Silver Horse Snaffle Bit Equestrian 900 Silver 8 1/2" L Heavy 25.7g
£ 155
riversidemaximus23
Aion Jewellery
Charles Horner Silver & Enamel Pendant Necklace
£ 135
riversidemaximus23
Pocket Watch Chain Fob 12ct Rose Gold Filled & Bullseye Agate 1950s
£ 89
Vavasseur Antiques
Victorian 9ct Gold Compass Bloodstone Spinner Charm Pendant Fob c.1890
£ 250
Victorian 9ct Gold Compass Bloodstone Spinner Charm Pendant Fob c.1890
£ 250
Vavasseur Antiques
Digby Antiques (Wiltshire)
Scandinavian Silver & Enamel Brooch
£ 145
£ 650
£ 795
Antique Victorian Diamond & Pearl Ring 15ct Gold Trilogy Design c.1890
£ 795
Artisan Antiques
£ 850
Antique 9ct Gold Blue Enamel Pendant Necklace Locket with Seed Pearls c.1900
£ 850
Artisan Antiques
£ 850
£ 650
Antique Edwardian Peridot & Pearl Pendant Necklace 9ct Gold Art Nouveau c.1900
£ 650
Artisan Antiques
Artisan Antiques
Antique French 18ct Gold Cameo Brooch Agate Victorian c.1880
£ 1,650
Andrew Cox Antiques
A Stylish Charles Horner Silver & Amethyst Brooch
£ 110
Andrew Cox Antiques
A Gorgeous Charles Horner Silver Thistle Brooch
£ 110
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
Arts & Crafts Pewter and Enamel Brooch
£ 95
£ 5,950
Rare Antique Gifts
Impressive Fully Hallmarked Solid Gold Locket Necklace
£ 890
£ 385
£ 250
£ 175
Doubloon
Gold & Opal Dress Ring
£ 165
£ 2,450
£ 2,950
Art Deco 9.10ct Aquamarine & 0.24ct Diamond, 15ct Yellow Gold Brooch c.1925
£ 2,950
AC Silver
£ 1,695
£ 68
Pocket Watch Chain Fob Inscribed 'Total Abstinence' Victorian Brass & Enamel
£ 68
riversidemaximus23
Antiques @ Art
Faberge "Colours of Love - Sasha" 18k White Gold & Diamond Earrings with Original Box & Certificate
£ 2,850
Faberge "Colours of Love - Sasha" 18k White Gold & Diamond Earrings with Original Box & Certificate
£ 2,850
Antiques @ Art
Larkin & Gallow
Norwegian Silver David Andersen Enamel Clip-on Earrings
£ 125
£ 3,450
£ 8,950
Antique 1.20ct Burmese Sapphire & 0.56ct Diamond, 18ct Yellow Gold Ring c.1915
£ 8,950
AC Silver
Larkin & Gallow
Silver David Andersen 'Twin Leaf' Enamel Brooch
£ 125
Larkin & Gallow
Silver Gilt Enamel David Andersen Butterfly Brooch
£ 125
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.