Understanding when exactly any object was made - and therefore how valuable it really is - can be confusing. Here is our guide to how the jewellery trade officially defines vintage vs antique jewellery.
Thanks to the popularity of objects from the past, terms such as ‘antique’ and ‘vintage’ are thrown around with casual abandon. Often, these terms simply refer to something that has value because it’s old.
While the term ‘vintage’ is often used loosely to infer that the date around which an object was made is significant to its style or quality, its technical definition varies from product to product. For example, a wine described as ‘vintage’ is made from the grapes of one single year, whereas vintage clothing refers to clothes that date back 20 odd years or more.
Similarly, ‘antique’ is often used simply to describe a collectable object that is valuable because of its age and quality, but guidelines are in place to define what qualifies certain objects as antiques. For example, the strict laws around firearm categorisation.
In the jewellery trade, there are technical terms to help identify when a piece of jewellery was made (rather than when that particular style was fashionable). This eliminates confusion around modern reproductions, which can be poor quality and often fail to employ the authentic techniques and materials from the era in question. So for example, be wary of anything that claims to be, e.g. “Art Deco style” – it is not likely to be an authentic Art Deco piece!
These trade definitions for jewellery are as follows:
Vintage
In jewellery trade terms, ‘vintage’ describes a piece that was made between 50 and 100 years ago. So at the time of writing, all jewellery produced between 1920 and 1970 is technically ‘vintage’. From the AJC collections, our Art Deco, Retro and Mid-Century jewellery all falls under the vintage bracket.
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.
Restoration
The general rule of thumb (and in some cases, the law) is that antique or vintage jewellery that has been restored or repaired must still be at least 50% original in order to retain its label of ‘antique’ or ‘vintage’.
At the Antique Jewellery Company we are 100% transparent about every piece we sell. We always use the technical terms employed by the jewellery trade, in line with U.S. Customs, and identify as close as is reasonably possible (with expert assessment) when a piece of jewellery was made. This means you will never unknowingly buy reproduction or imitation jewellery from us.
Shop some of our favourite Vintage and Antique pieces
The difference between vintage and antique are pretty clear – the former is older than 20 years, the latter is at least 100 years old. Both vintage and antique mean that the pieces are not made, but rather “found” – they are old jewelry that has not been modified or remade recently.
It is important to note that in jewellery terms, 'antique' refers to jewellery that is more than 100 years old.'Vintage' is generally used to describe pieces made 50–99 years in the past.
Simply put, an antique is any item — whether it be a work of art, jewelry, carpets or everyday objects like housewares and accessories — that is over 100 years old. Vintage items are much younger, less than 100 years old, and typically have a collector's appeal.
“Antique jewelry is any jewelry that is over 100 years old,” says Kothari. “It's generally constructed wonderfully, too, because after all, for something to last in good condition for over 100 years, it has to have solid bones!” Vintage jewelry, on the other hand, is much newer.
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.
Patina and Wear: Look for signs of aging, patina, or wear on the jewelry. Vintage pieces may show slight signs of tarnish, scratches, or fading, which can add to their charm and authenticity. Style and Design Elements: Pay attention to the overall style and design elements of the jewelry.
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.
What is the difference between vintage and antique? The majority of experts have agreed that items over 50 years old but less than 100 years old can be called vintage or collectable, but not antique.
Most antique dealers consider an item to be vintage if it is at least 40 years old. So, in the context of this blog date, a vintage item would be made between 1918 and 1978. Even though many vintage items are nostalgic, they are sought after for many reasons besides their age.
What Is Vintage? Vintage items are much younger than antiques. These pieces are typically defined as being at least 20 years old but less than 100 years old. The term "true vintage" is a sub-category for items that are at least 50 years old.
Not every vintage or antique piece has monetary value. Different factors come into play to determine jewelry's worth, including: Age – The older a piece is, the more value it generally has. Era – Jewelry from certain historical periods is worth more than pieces from other less interesting, exciting, or noteworthy eras.
There are also no manufacturing costs to factor into the price. With old jewellery you are buying the same quality gemstones and materials without paying a premium for the seller's overheads.
Yes, antique jewellery is made of Gold of which most carats are not mixed today but also its historical significance, craftsmanship and rarity combined that make them so desirable today.
Antique jewelry can be often identified by their style. Simple way by which you can identify antique jewelry is to first check for hallmarks. Hallmarks are a good way of identifying the age of the jewelry and also the purity of gold.
Wearing vintage jewelry adds a touch of nostalgia and uniqueness to any outfit. Vintage pieces often have intricate designs and details that are not commonly found in modern jewelry. To wear vintage jewelry stylishly, it's important to follow some guidelines. First, think about the piece of jewelry you are wearing.
Unless you are certain that the item does not contain lead, assume vintage items contain lead and take appropriate precautions to prevent lead poisoning.
Antique jewelry is over a century old. While its age may increase its value, due to scarcity and demand, the reality is that its condition may have deteriorated. Of course this is dependent on how the jewelry has been looked after. The better the condition of your antique jewelry, the higher resale price it will fetch.
Perhaps the most well-known era in vintage jewelry is that of the 1920s jewelry style. The Art Deco era (1920-1939) was influenced by the Art Deco movement, which was popular in architecture and design at the time. It was a time of great change and innovation in jewelry design.
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