United States Government standards define antique as any valuable collectible that is at least one hundred years old. Therefore, the term antique has a clear meaning. In recent years the term vintage has become popularized. Not all resources agree on the exact definition of vintage, but in terms of jewelry it usually means a piece that is at least fifty years old, but less than one hundred years old. From a purely correct point of view, the terms are mutually exclusive. Many aficionados just love the beauty of vintage antique jewelry.
The most recently produced pieces are the two vintage categories, Art Deco and Retro. The production of Art Deco was from 1915 to 1935. The designs were geometric and set in silver. These are fairly delicate pieces that used both precious and semi precious stones. Retro, made from 1945 to 1960 shows bolder designs and recalls the architecture of old Hollywood movie theaters. The ten year gap between the two categories may be explained by World War II. It was around these years that the entire world was in turmoil and jewelry many have taken a back seat to survival.
With the passing of a few years, the piece that is vintage today will mature into an antique. As the law of supply and demand would dictate, vintage pieces are more plentiful and therefore less costly. People who buy these pieces may just love the look, or they may be smart investors who understand that each vintage piece will soon increase in value as it moves into the antique classification..
The antique classification has seven categories. The earliest category, Georgian, was produced from 1717 to 1837. Since Georgian is so old, there are fewer pieces available. This period predates mass production, so all these works were made by hand. Each one of these small works of art is unique and include precious stones that add to the value.
The Victoria era produced three categories of antique jewelry. Early Victorian Romantic was produced from 1837 to 1855. Colored stones and diamonds were used and often adorned with gold etchings. Middle Victorian Grand followed with similar designs that used larger stones. These works were produced from 1856 to 1880. The latest category in this group, Late Victoria Aesthetic began production in 1885 and continued to 1900. Works produced in this time period reflect the fashions of that time with pendants, brooches and hat pins.
Arts and Crafts, made from 1894 to 1923, were also hand made. These pieces may display uncut stones and used a lot of color. Mass production was firmly in place during this time. Some artisans may have yearned for the days when each piece was a hand made work of art. Next the Edwardian category were created lavishly with lots of color and vivid precious stones. Some of the categories overlapped in time with more than one type being in production.
The next category, Art Nouveau, produced from 1895 to 1915 had simpler designs much less ornate then its predecessors. European and American designs merged which perhaps reflects the history of this era. Art Nouveau paved the way for Art Deco. The untrained eye may confuse the two categories.
To see these pieces for yourself it the best way to really appreciate their beauty. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but seeing the works in person is even better. Often pieces can be found at Estate sales and museums.
The most recently produced pieces are the two vintage categories, Art Deco and Retro. The production of Art Deco was from 1915 to 1935. The designs were geometric and set in silver. These are fairly delicate pieces that used both precious and semi precious stones. Retro, made from 1945 to 1960 shows bolder designs and recalls the architecture of old Hollywood movie theaters. The ten year gap between the two categories may be explained by World War II. It was around these years that the entire world was in turmoil and jewelry many have taken a back seat to survival.
With the passing of a few years, the piece that is vintage today will mature into an antique. As the law of supply and demand would dictate, vintage pieces are more plentiful and therefore less costly. People who buy these pieces may just love the look, or they may be smart investors who understand that each vintage piece will soon increase in value as it moves into the antique classification..
The antique classification has seven categories. The earliest category, Georgian, was produced from 1717 to 1837. Since Georgian is so old, there are fewer pieces available. This period predates mass production, so all these works were made by hand. Each one of these small works of art is unique and include precious stones that add to the value.
The Victoria era produced three categories of antique jewelry. Early Victorian Romantic was produced from 1837 to 1855. Colored stones and diamonds were used and often adorned with gold etchings. Middle Victorian Grand followed with similar designs that used larger stones. These works were produced from 1856 to 1880. The latest category in this group, Late Victoria Aesthetic began production in 1885 and continued to 1900. Works produced in this time period reflect the fashions of that time with pendants, brooches and hat pins.
Arts and Crafts, made from 1894 to 1923, were also hand made. These pieces may display uncut stones and used a lot of color. Mass production was firmly in place during this time. Some artisans may have yearned for the days when each piece was a hand made work of art. Next the Edwardian category were created lavishly with lots of color and vivid precious stones. Some of the categories overlapped in time with more than one type being in production.
The next category, Art Nouveau, produced from 1895 to 1915 had simpler designs much less ornate then its predecessors. European and American designs merged which perhaps reflects the history of this era. Art Nouveau paved the way for Art Deco. The untrained eye may confuse the two categories.
To see these pieces for yourself it the best way to really appreciate their beauty. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but seeing the works in person is even better. Often pieces can be found at Estate sales and museums.
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