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Identification of jewellery as vintage or antique can reveal much, but there's more to buying jewellery than meets the eye. Gaining knowledge about its definitions will increase buyer confidence while protecting themselves against being duped into an inferior purchase.
There is much crossover amongst eras and there are numerous modern pieces which incorporate design elements from earlier ones, yet there are distinct distinctions between an antique, vintage or reproduction piece.
Antique
Antique jewellery - which refers to second-hand pieces over 100 years old - encompasses an extensive variety of eras, from Victorian and Edwardian romance to Art Deco's sleek geometric forms. Understanding each era's materials and techniques can have an enormous impact on value; in addition, becoming familiar with hallmarking and authentication marks (often stamps or engravings) provides vital details about metal purity and origin.
Antique jewellery markets can be highly competitive environments, so it is crucial that you deal with reputable sellers. Although all risks cannot be eliminated completely, diversifying your portfolio by investing across time periods and styles may help decrease investment losses due to shifting trends.
Omneque, Vestiaire Collective and Farfetch are great online sources to look for vintage jewellery; Omneque provides an amazing collection of pre-loved pieces at fantastic prices while auction houses may have even better offerings.
At auctions, purchasing vintage jewels often comes with the added advantage of receiving a certificate of authenticity. This document outlines every aspect of a piece's weight, cut, color and clarity - providing an invaluable indication of its true age and value. While a certificate cannot guarantee authenticity of an item sold at auctions, this document can help make informed buying decisions.
Make time to visit your local jeweller; vintage pieces may have higher mark-ups than contemporary ones; but you might still find great bargains here and there! Plus, knowledgeable staff at reputable stores will often know if a particular piece is authentic or not.
Vintage
Vintage jewellery provides a welcome respite from an otherwise relentless march toward technology and cutting-edge innovation. Painstakingly hand-crafted by artisans using quality materials and techniques for generations of use, vintage jewellery offers lasting beauty that speaks to certain subsets of consumers.
Searching for that ideal silver bracelet or timeless brooch? Luckily, there are numerous choices available to you when it comes to vintage jewellery shopping. While shopping in person offers you more opportunities for trying pieces on and observing them under sunlight, online sellers also have their advantages; some specialize in specific eras of jewellery which might help you find something fitting your style and budget.
The terms "antique" and "vintage" are often used interchangeably, yet there are key distinctions between them.
A piece is considered antique if it predates 100 years; "vintage" typically refers to jewellery50-99 years old - some jewelers may disagree about when something qualifies as vintage; generally speaking though, the generally accepted definition is that vintage means an item is older than contemporary jewellery but does not meet antique criteria.
Vintage jewellery can be more affordable than antique pieces due to its mass production and long production run time, plus reduced damage risk compared to antique pieces. Although vintage jewellery may require additional care for longevity and reduced risk of damage, its increased longevity and reduced damage risk make it a smart investment for those who enjoy wearing unique statement jewellery pieces. You can read here to learn more about caring for antique jewellery.
Though you can find vintage jewellery at local jewellers, online retailers provide an incredible selection of authenticated and genuine pieces sourced directly from manufacturers.
Reproduction
Finding out when jewellery was produced can be tricky, but certain indicators can give a better idea. Older pieces often feature intricate handiwork with diamonds having more organic features. Additionally, pieces from earlier eras will often have distinctive hardware such as lobster claw clasps.
Jewellery from the early Victorian, Edwardian, Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods is increasingly sought-after among customers. Unfortunately, their styles often reappear today causing customer confusion. Experts suggest shoppers look out for hallmarks and purity marks which indicate which metal was used along with engravings that can date and show where a piece was created.
Modern
Antique jewellery refers to any piece that is more than 100 years old; however, the distinction between antique and vintage may not always be evident when discussing modern and retro pieces.
Jewellers use various definitions of antique to describe any piece over 80 years old, so it's wise to keep an eye out for hallmarks or signatures which can help determine its age. If a seller tells you a piece is an antique when it is actually just 80 years old, that may be a red flag and you should search elsewhere for sellers with comparable pieces.
Experts advise that one key indicator of antique pieces is their metal choice - in general, antique jewellery features gold and silver with higher purity than its contemporary equivalents, with antique diamonds featuring larger faceting than modern designs. Furthermore, craftsmanship between eras can often be observed through clasp designs with older pieces often boasting intricate and textured styles.
As antique jewellery remains increasingly fashionable, more modern brands are creating their own take on this timeless aesthetic. British brand Daisy London has gained immense success for their dainty vintage-inspired demi-fine designs perfect for stacking; worn by notable figures like Hailey Bieber and Cara Delevingne alike.
Many older jewellery pieces are beautiful and unique. This is why many fashion-forward individuals look to the past to update their wardrobe in a fun and fresh way.
