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.
Deco Original Ltd
Regency Fiddle Back Mahogany Jewellery Box
£ 150
Farm and Fancy
Art Deco Agate Beads
£ 85
Farm and Fancy
Victorian Kilt Pin/brooch
£ 295
Farm and Fancy
Antique Mosaic Pendant
£ 285
£ 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
antiquejewellers.com
The Vintage Solitaire Brilliant Cut Diamond Radiant Ring
£ 629
£ 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
Antiques in Oxford
Rare Lapponia Earrings by Bjorn Weckstrom
£ 310
£ 49,950
Jeff Sims Antiques
Vintage Scottish Silver Celtic Themed Brooch
£ 55
£ 95
Bracelet Silver 925 & Multi Coloured Jade Panels 1970s Vintage 7 1/2" Length
£ 95
riversidemaximus23
£ 145
Pocket Watch Chain Fob Victorian 14ct Gold Filled & Carnelian Large 1890s Fob
£ 145
riversidemaximus23
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Vintage 22ct Gold Wedding Ring Birmingham 1926 Court Shaped 3 Grams Size N
£ 390
Vintage 22ct Gold Wedding Ring Birmingham 1926 Court Shaped 3 Grams Size N
£ 390
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Andrew Cox Antiques
Attractive Mid Century Silver Bracelet by John Laurizten
£ 165
Doubloon
Diamond & Pearl Brooch
£ 425
Doubloon
Porcelain Ladies Head Hatpin
£ 95
Doubloon
Silver Teddy Bear Hatpin
£ 150
Doubloon
Garnet & Pearl Garland Brooch
£ 165
£ 85
£ 5,950
AC Silver
Vintage Art Deco Style Cultured Saltwater Pearl & 2.16ct Diamond, Platinum Cluster Ring c.1950
£ 3,950
Vintage Art Deco Style Cultured Saltwater Pearl & 2.16ct Diamond, Platinum Cluster Ring c.1950
£ 3,950
AC Silver
£ 6,950
£ 2,450
William Rand Antiques
9ct Gold Crucifix Pendant & Chain - Chester
£ 100
William Rand Antiques
9ct Gold Heavy Curb Link Bracelet
£ 850
Aion Jewellery
Victorian Scottish Silver & Agate Target Brooch
£ 85
Aion Jewellery
Petite Danish Silver & Enamel Butterfly Heart Brooch
£ 65
Aion Jewellery
Orkney Ola M Gorie Scottish Silver Pendant Necklace
£ 125
Aion Jewellery
Danish Silver & Marcasite Golfing Pendant Brooch
£ 58
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Victorian 9ct Gold Dangle Earrings Antique Ornate Articulated 1.5" Drop Earrings
£ 520
Victorian 9ct Gold Dangle Earrings Antique Ornate Articulated 1.5" Drop Earrings
£ 520
The Chelsea Bijouterie
Aion Jewellery
Charles Horner Edwardian Silver & Citrine Thistle Brooch
£ 68
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.