What You Should Know When Buying Antique Jewelry
Antique jewelry is specified in the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines as jewelry that is more than 100 years old.
Buying antique jewelry has become quite popular in recent years and thanks to the Internet, online antique jewelry has made these rare and collectible period pieces even more accessible.
Period Jewelry
Whether you are an avid antique jewelry collector or a one-time private buyer, here is a quick review to help you understand and identify antique jewelry periods. The following, listed in chronological order, are some of the more notable periods that identify old antique jewelry.
Georgian Antique Jewelry feature rare and handmade items with precious stones and dates from 1714 to 1837, the era when Great Britain was ruled by kings like King George the I, II, III and IV.
Victorian Antique Jewelry designs include two periods. Early Victorian antique jewelry were inspired by nature while later Victorian jewelry pieces, often referred to as “mourning” jewelry, were heavier, darker and more solemn. Victorian antique jewelry dates back during the British reign of Queen Victoria from about 1837 until her death in 1901.
Art Nouveau Antique Jewelry feature floral and butterfly designs and date from about 1890 to 1905 when the “new art” influenced everything from art and architecture to fine jewelry design.
Edwardian Antique Jewelry designs featured precious stones and elaborate designs, and dates from 1901 to 1910 when King Edward VII reigned over England.
Art Deco Antique Jewelry feature bright geometric designs and include elaborate necklaces and bracelets. The art deco antique jewelry era dates from about 1910 to 1935 and most notably during the period between World War I and World War II.
Estate & Vintage Verses Antique Jewelry
Fine antique jewelry exudes a timeless beauty. From power and prestige to heartfelt romantic styles, the individual and unique designs of old antique jewelry are what really set them apart.
While all antique jewelry can technically be classified as vintage or estate jewelry, not all estate jewelry or vintage jewelry is antique. Estate simply means items that were previously owned and vintage is an all-encompassing term that includes all eras up to 1960.
While some fine antique jewelry pieces can be quite rare, like those from the Georgian era, surprisingly, there are plenty of unique Antique Jewelry items to be found online, at very reasonable prices.
One can find everything from one-of-a-kind necklaces and bracelets to hair pins, lace pins, brooches, rings, engagement rings and earrings.
Diamond Antique Jewelry
Diamond antique jewelry is among the most sought after fine antique jewelry.
Old diamond cuts, especially those that pre-date 1900 like the old mine cut or rose cut diamond, are very distinct from modern diamonds and have higher crowns, deeper pavilions, smaller tables and thicker girdles than modern cut diamonds.
The cutting methods used to cut stones for most old antique jewelry were not as refined as they are today so antique jewelry designers emphasized the carat weight.
Unfortunately, a practice that has become more common in recent years is to take the old cut precious stones from certain antique jewelry pieces and re-cut them according to modern cutting methods. This has resulted in driving up the demand for antique diamond jewelry.
The depth of beauty, the sheer elegance etched in stylish lines and clever usage of platinum, gold and silver combined with precious stone settings, sets old antique jewelry apart and transports the wearer to sumptuous eras of our illustrious past.
Antique Jewelry Verses Antique Style or Replica
When Buying Antique Jewelry one has to know the difference between ‘antique jewelry’, ‘antique style jewelry’, ‘antique reproductions’ and ‘antique replicas’.
Antique jewelry is the name used for authentic period pieces as discussed earlier.
Antique Style Jewelry refers to jewelry items manufactured anew in the style of historic periods.
Antique Reproduction Jewelry refers to jewelry items which are perfect copies of original antique jewelry pieces.
Antique Replicas are basically costume jewelry and does not belong to the fine jewelry category.
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