The proper definition of antique is an artifact that is at least one hundred years old. The surge in the popularity of old jewelry has coined the term vintage, which usually encompasses works that are at least fifty years old but not yet one hundred years old. The term Vintage Antique Jewelry actually creates a contradiction. As the years pass by the vintage piece made in 1920 will become antique. This moving target could explain the combined term vintage antique.
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.
The vintage jewelry of today becomes the antique jewelry of tomorrow. Presently vintage is less expensive to acquire but its value will increase as it matures into the antique category. Some people buy the pieces merely because they are fond of the design. Other people are collectors who know that the value of their investment will increase with time.
Antiques span a much broader period of time and include seven categories. The oldest category, the Georgian, includes jewelry made from 1717 to 1837, and used precious metals and stones. During this time jewelry was still made by hand. This feature makes the works even more valuable, as no two are exactly the same.
The Victorian era has three categories. The first, Early Victorian Romantic was produced from 1837 to 1855. These works display gold etching and used precious stones. Historically the era began with the reign of Queen Victoria, who died in 1901. Middle Victorian Grand showed bolder designs and used large stones. Produced from 1856 to 1880, these works are not as colorful as their predecessors. The Late Victorian Aesthetic works, 1885 to 1900, were created in hat pins, pendants and brooches.
The next chronological category is called Arts and Crafts and was produced from 1894 to 1923, As the name would suggest, these works were made by hand. The simpler designs often used uncut, colorful stones. Some historians see this handmade category as a sociological commentary on the industrial revolution. The Edwardian pieces were produced from 1901 to 1915. This continued the overlap of time periods in the design categories. Diamonds, emeralds and rubies made these designs colorful and lavish.
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.
Reading about these jewelry designs cannot sufficiently describe the unique beauty of each category. Later pieces can often be found at second hand stores or road shows. Estate sales often have some rare pieces. Looking at photographs is a start, but to really appreciate the art of jewelry nothing can beat seeing the work in person.
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.
The vintage jewelry of today becomes the antique jewelry of tomorrow. Presently vintage is less expensive to acquire but its value will increase as it matures into the antique category. Some people buy the pieces merely because they are fond of the design. Other people are collectors who know that the value of their investment will increase with time.
Antiques span a much broader period of time and include seven categories. The oldest category, the Georgian, includes jewelry made from 1717 to 1837, and used precious metals and stones. During this time jewelry was still made by hand. This feature makes the works even more valuable, as no two are exactly the same.
The Victorian era has three categories. The first, Early Victorian Romantic was produced from 1837 to 1855. These works display gold etching and used precious stones. Historically the era began with the reign of Queen Victoria, who died in 1901. Middle Victorian Grand showed bolder designs and used large stones. Produced from 1856 to 1880, these works are not as colorful as their predecessors. The Late Victorian Aesthetic works, 1885 to 1900, were created in hat pins, pendants and brooches.
The next chronological category is called Arts and Crafts and was produced from 1894 to 1923, As the name would suggest, these works were made by hand. The simpler designs often used uncut, colorful stones. Some historians see this handmade category as a sociological commentary on the industrial revolution. The Edwardian pieces were produced from 1901 to 1915. This continued the overlap of time periods in the design categories. Diamonds, emeralds and rubies made these designs colorful and lavish.
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.
Reading about these jewelry designs cannot sufficiently describe the unique beauty of each category. Later pieces can often be found at second hand stores or road shows. Estate sales often have some rare pieces. Looking at photographs is a start, but to really appreciate the art of jewelry nothing can beat seeing the work in person.
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