The Difference Between Antique and Vintage Jewelry

At Dover Jewelry & Antiques we've established ourselves as the online leaders for Antique Jewelry and Vintage Jewelry.

We've traveled across the globe to buy antique and vintage jewelry that are as exceptional as they are extraordinary.

Our online antique and vintage jewelry collections are sure to exceed all your expectations, but first, what exactly is the difference between antique and vintage jewelry?

Antique Jewelry Periods

As a general rule of thumb, for a jewelry item to be considered "antique" it must be at least 100 years old or more.

Antique jewelry periods therefore, would only include the Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, Art Nouveau and the early part of the Art Deco jewelry periods.

Vintage Jewelry Periods

Some jewelry items can be considered both antique and vintage jewelry. Vintage jewelry however, can refer to almost any jewelry period, dating back to the early 1700's (the Georgian period) right on up to as late as latter part of the 1900's.

For instance, you can find vintage jewelry from the following periods;

Vintage Georgian Jewelry (1714 – 1837)
Vintage Victorian Jewelry (1837 - 1901)
Vintage Edwardian Jewelry (1890 - 1905)
Vintage Art Nouveau Jewelry (1714 – 1837)
Vintage Art Deco Jewelry (1910 – 1935)
Vintage Retro Jewelry (1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's & 80's)

It's worthy to note that as the Art Deco period faded, the world was recovering from the Great Depression, only to be plunged head on into the Second World War.

Precious stones and especially precious metals were rare and difficult to find (and in some cases banned from use in jewelry making). All these events set up the Retro jewelry period.

Distinguishing Antique and Vintage Jewelry

Antique and vintage jewelry both offer an array of rare and beautiful finds. However, with the many bold changes introduced during the Retro period, you might wonder what factors make your antique and vintage jewelry collection unusual or rare.

Age matters. The older the jewelry, the more valuable it can be, which makes the difference between antique and vintage jewelry all that more profound.

Are you hunting for rare and unusual antique jewelry and vintage jewelry? Just knowing the dynamics of rare antique and vintage jewelry can also make a huge difference. Here are some guidelines to help you in your selection.

Size: Most antique and vintage jewelry pieces tend to come in "standard" sizes. For example, measuring along its longest edge, the average brooch is about 1.5 to 2 inches. Finding a brooch or any other period jewelry item that's larger than the average can set a piece apart.

Material: Jade, Lucite, Bakelite, wood and ceramic materials were not commonly used in antique and vintage jewelry. Rare materials don't necessarily have to be the highest-priced, yet they can still contribute to the value of such antique and vintage jewelry pieces.

Shape: Round, oval, oblong or square are considered standard shapes in antique and vintage jewelry. When looking for the unusual, look for items that are three dimensional or figural, like animal shapes.

Style: Rare antique and vintage jewelry will often have stones that vary in shape, size and color. Find a piece that captures your interest and offers a lot of variation.

Designer: Unmarked antique and vintage jewelry pieces have no maker or designer name on them. These items won't be as rare as marked or signed antique and vintage jewelry pieces. Furthermore, not all jewelry makers will be as desirable or collectable as others.

Next time you come across a period jewelry piece that fascinates you, look at these factors. It's easy to get hooked on shopping for rare antique and vintage jewelry.

Ask Us About Antique & Vintage Jewelry for Sale

Dover's online Antique & Vintage Jewelry store has rare and exclusive period jewelry pieces; many were handmade by superb craftsman and have stood the test of time.
Buy antique and vintage jewelry online at Dover Jewelry, including antique and Vintage Rings and Engagement Rings.

Along with antique and vintage jewelry pieces, we also buy and sell Estate Jewelry.

For more information about any of our antique and vintage jewelry for sale, including antique rings, earrings, bracelets brooches, necklaces and pendants, please call us toll free at 877-777-6111 or contact us through our Antique & Vintage Jewelry Information form.