Vintage and antique are two terms that are now used almost interchangeably to describe jewellery from years gone by – but there are differences in the meanings of the words that could be important to you, should you make a purchase.
When speaking to professional jewellers, using the correct terms will help you to ensure that you can understand everything that is being said. Although over time, a lot of these words have become interchangeable, this blog details the words’ original definitions.
What is vintage jewellery?
Most people refer to ‘vintage’ jewellery as pieces that are between 50 and 100 years old. Certain eras with distinct styles may be referred to as vintage even if the jewellery from that time isn’t yet fifty years old. For example, jewellery from the 1980s has mass appeal due to the recent style renaissance of that era. Because of this, it has been loosely accepted as being vintage and might often be described in this way.
To complicate things further, ‘vintage’ is also used to describe the style of a piece of jewellery. Vintage jewellery, which includes vintage engagement rings, often works well with modern clothing looks, as trends tend to be cyclical. It’s also often a great talking point and ideal for everyday wear or events, as well as for discovering classic engagement rings.
Vintage jewellery collectors commonly seek out examples from some of the best-known vintage designers, such as Cartier, Tiffany, and Boucheron. You can discover the epic story of Cartier vs Tiffany in our dedicated blog post about the two legendary jewellery houses.
Vintage jewellery can currently be defined as pieces from the Art Deco Era (1915-1935), Retro Era (1935-1950), and Modern Era (1950s-1980s), although some purists would believe that Art Deco jewellery is actually antique. We’ll let you decide after reading our blog on the most influential Art Deco designers of the 1920s.
What is antique jewellery?
The word ‘antique’ is also used to indicate a certain age. A piece of jewellery should be described as antique if it is over 100 years old. As jewellery passes over the 100-year age mark, it technically becomes classified as antique as opposed to vintage, but as we have learned already – it’s common for the lines to be blurred, especially with unique engagement rings.
Due to the age and scarcity of finding genuine antique pieces, they tend to be very valuable. Some of the most expensive jewellery in the world is antique. The Hutton Mdivani Jadeite Necklace was sold to Cartier for $27 million in 2014.
Popular antique jewellery eras are The Edwardian Era (1871-1914), The Georgian Era (1714-1837), and the Art Nouveau Era (1890-1910).
What is estate jewellery?
As well as ‘antique’ and ‘vintage’, ‘estate’ is another word that’s often used to describe old jewellery. However, ‘estate’ has a different meaning to the previous two words.
Estate jewellery simply refers to a piece that has had a previous owner. However, many jewellers use it to describe jewellery that is less than 30 years old, as the assumption is that those pieces will have been owned previously.
A common misconception is that estate jewellery refers to the jewellery of someone who has died, but estate jewellery doesn’t have to have a deceased owner to be described in this way.
Why is it important to know the difference?
Understanding the difference between these terms could potentially save you a lot of money in a variety of ways. If you see the terms used incorrectly, it’s a great warning that something is amiss. Vintage jewellery buying hinges strongly on trust and education, and if something is wrong with a jeweller’s terminology, you might need to doubt their trustworthiness.
It will help to build your confidence as a buyer if you know what you are talking about. You will be able to make purchases with conviction, and reassurance that you are getting a good deal.
FAQs
We recommend taking the piece to a jeweler to be tested. They will have professional tests that will determine whether your jewelry is real as well as the purity of the metal itself. A certified appraiser will be able to provide the value of the piece as well.
What is the difference between antique and estate jewelry? ›
As well as 'antique' and 'vintage', 'estate' is another word that's often used to describe old jewellery. However, 'estate' has a different meaning to the previous two words. Estate jewellery simply refers to a piece that has had a previous owner.
What antique jewelry is most valuable? ›
Diamonds: A vintage piece featuring diamonds, especially if they are high-quality or uniquely cut, can be highly valuable. Colored Gems: Rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and other colored gems can significantly contribute to a piece's worth, depending on their quality, size, and treatment.
How old does a piece of jewelry have to be to be considered an antique? ›
In jewellery trade terms, 'antique' describes a piece that was made at least 100 years ago. That means that any jewellery made around 1920 or before is technically antique. In terms of the AJC collections, our Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian and Art Nouveau jewellery is all antique.
How to identify vintage jewellery? ›
Look for signs of wear… older pieces will often display these more evidently. Pay close attention to the band and prongs on rings, hook fittings on earrings, clasps on bracelets and necklaces. Clasps that close smoothly, lustre of pearls, scratches to gemstones, these are all clues to the age of a piece.
What years are considered vintage jewelry? ›
A piece of jewelry is considered “vintage” if it is between 50 years old and 100 years old. Unlike antique jewelry, vintage pieces are often worn and displayed, as they are less likely to break.
Is estate jewelry worth anything? ›
It might be a coveted collector's item today, or it may have fallen out of style, diminishing its worth. Other factors, such as today's gemstone and precious metal prices, quality of artistry, and the particular manufacturer or designer, will also figure into its value.
Is vintage jewelry stamped? ›
What are some common marks or signatures on vintage jewelry? Hallmarks and Stamps: Check for hallmarks, stamps, or maker's marks on the jewelry. These marks can provide valuable information about the metal's purity, the jeweler's or manufacturer's identity, and the piece's origin.
What is the mark up on estate jewelry? ›
High Resale Mark Up, 80% on Average. This is the most frequently asked question, and so it is first on the FAQ list.
What type of jewelry holds its value the best? ›
High-quality materials, such as gold, platinum, and precious gemstones, not only retain their value but may also appreciate over time, making for a solid long-term investment.
Because estate jewelry has a previous owner, it is usually much cheaper than buying new jewelry. While some old jewelry may be worth a lot of money, other pieces may not be worth anything at all. Several factors can affect the value of a piece of jewelry, such as its age, condition, and rarity.
Does antique jewelry hold its value? ›
With antique and vintage jewellery the piece has already gone from 'new' to 'old' before you buy it so its purchase value remains the same. In the same way that classic cars are always in demand and retain their value, so antique jewellery will always be collectable and desirable and retain theirs.
Is estate jewelry real? ›
It's a very common misconception that estate jewelry is “unlucky” or that it comes with “bad energy.” However, we certainly don't think this is the case. Estate jewelry is simply pre-owned jewelry and there are many reasons people decide to sell their jewelry.
Is there a way to tell how old jewelry is? ›
Hallmarks and Maker's Marks: One of the primary indicators of a jewelry piece's age is the presence of hallmarks and maker's marks. These marks are often stamped on the jewelry itself and provide valuable information about its origin and date of creation.
How to get vintage jewellery valued? ›
The NAJ's Institute of Registered Valuers (IRV) is the 'go to' appraisal body to find out how much your jewellery, watch or silverware is worth. All IRVs abide by the NAJ's Principles of Best Practice for Valuers.
Is antique jewellery worth anything? ›
Well, the answer is a resounding yes! Antique jewellery is in demand and can be extremely valuable. For a piece of jewellery to be considered antique, it will be at least 100 years old; anything younger than this, but more than 40 years of age is generally referred to as vintage.
