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
Scottish Provincial Silver Sprouting Tree Trunk Brooch
£ 85
Aion Jewellery
Pair of Edwardian Silver Gilt & Garnet Earrings
£ 95
Aion Jewellery
French Silver Gilt Filigree Scarf Pin
£ 75
Aion Jewellery
Victorian Silver & Gold Sweethear Bangle
£ 95
Aion Jewellery
Vintage Danish Silver Pendant Necklace
£ 135
Aion Jewellery
Large Art Deco Silver & Chrysoprase Dress Ring
£ 85
Aion Jewellery
Ola M Gorie Celtic Silver Brooch
£ 85
Aion Jewellery
Wonderful French Silver Tassel Necklace
£ 155
£ 68
Bracelet Silver 925 Vintage 1970s Snake Link with Shepherds Hook Clasp 7 3/4" L
£ 68
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riversidemaximus23
Victorian Bracelet Silver Horse Hooves Equestrian 1890s 6 1/2" Length
£ 125
Victorian Bracelet Silver Horse Hooves Equestrian 1890s 6 1/2" Length
£ 125
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riversidemaximus23
Bangle 9ct Gold Vintage 1970 Bracelet Diamond Cut Fully Hallmarked 7" L
£ 185
Bangle 9ct Gold Vintage 1970 Bracelet Diamond Cut Fully Hallmarked 7" L
£ 185
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riversidemaximus23
Silver Bracelet Rabbits Chasing Acorn Leaves Vintage 8 1/4" - 8 3/4" L
£ 79
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Vintage Wedding Ring 18ct Gold 4.8mm D Shape Band 3 Gms Hallmarked London 1976
£ 290
Vintage Wedding Ring 18ct Gold 4.8mm D Shape Band 3 Gms Hallmarked London 1976
£ 290
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Robert Belcher Antiques
Victorian Scottish Silver & Agate Specimen Brooch c.1890
£ 195
Robert Belcher Antiques
A 1930s Silver and Black Enamel Fairy Brooch
£ 275
Andrew Cox Antiques
Charming Edwardian Silver & Turquoise Bug Brooch
£ 135
Andrew Cox Antiques
Delightful Victorian Silver Heart Shaped Pillbox Pendant
£ 135
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Pearl Necklace Amethyst Diamond Clasp with Gem Lab Cert Vintage 6 Strand Pearls
£ 5,690
Pearl Necklace Amethyst Diamond Clasp with Gem Lab Cert Vintage 6 Strand Pearls
£ 5,690
The Chelsea Bijouterie
£ 4,450
Antique Edwardian Natural Pearl & Gemstone, 18ct Yellow Gold & Platinum Charm Bracelet
£ 4,450
AC Silver
£ 3,950
£ 1,795
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Antique Diamond Coiled Snake Ring Hallmarked 18ct Gold Chester 1896 Victorian Serpent Ring
£ 2,250
Antique Diamond Coiled Snake Ring Hallmarked 18ct Gold Chester 1896 Victorian Serpent Ring
£ 2,250
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
Norwegian 19th Century 925 Silver Gilt Enamel Viking Ship Brooch Gustav Gaudernack
£ 5,000
Norwegian 19th Century 925 Silver Gilt Enamel Viking Ship Brooch Gustav Gaudernack
£ 5,000
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
Historic David Anderson Silver & Enamel Royal Presentation Bar Crown Brooch
£ 2,500
Historic David Anderson Silver & Enamel Royal Presentation Bar Crown Brooch
£ 2,500
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
£ 2,550
Antique 1.10ct Pink Tourmaline & Seed Pearl, 15ct Yellow Gold Pendant / Brooch c.1890
£ 2,550
AC Silver
Farm and Fancy
Art Deco Agate Beads
£ 85
Farm and Fancy
Victorian Kilt Pin/brooch
£ 295
Farm and Fancy
Antique Mosaic Pendant
£ 285
Sunnyside Antiques
Coronation Souvenir - Enamelled Heart
£ 125
£ 6,950
Jo Brayshaw
9ct & Opal Stock Pin. C1900.
£ 135
£ 240
Jo Brayshaw
Art Nouveau Amethyst & 9ct Pendant. C1910
£ 165
Aion Jewellery
Vintage Silver & Tiger's Eye Pendant Necklace
£ 75
Aion Jewellery
Shetland Silver Seagull Brooch
£ 68
Aion Jewellery
Edwardian Gold & Seed Pearl Horseshoe Stickpin
£ 110
£ 69,950
£ 3,950
Antiques in Oxford
Arts & Crafts Silver Floral Necklace
£ 1,250
Antiques in Oxford
Rare Silver & Ebony Bracelet by Bjorn Weckstrom
£ 575
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.