Antique Jewelry Vs. Vintage – What’s the Difference?
Most people will agree that when it comes to jewelry, those that are handed down from previous generations are more valuable.
If you own one or more pieces of jewelry that you feel are old enough to qualify as antique, then this post is for you as your trusted antique shop in Adelaide dives deeper into what antique is:
What Is Antique Jewelry?
The reason why many prefer to own antique jewelry is that it is becoming rarer every day, and its value is also rising.
Jewelry is usually made to last for a lifetime, so it is not uncommon for it to have been in the family for several generations.
Jewelry pieces that can be considered antiques must go through 3 different stages of aging.
First, they must be old enough to be considered vintage. This usually happens in the case of wedding jewelry. Something vintage is already regarded as old, which makes it possible for it to be considered antique.
Second, they must have been made from old materials to be labeled as antique. These materials include:
- Gold, Platinum, or Silver that is at least 100 years old
- Precious gemstones that are over 50 years old
- Rhinestones and Crystals that are at least 25 years old
Third, there must be a specific design and style that makes the piece more valuable.
How Is Antique Different from Vintage?
Vintage is a piece of jewelry that was made between the period of 1920 to 1960.
It is not a period commonly used in the jewelry industry, but there are many pieces made during this time that are considered vintage.
While it may seem that antique and vintage are the same, there is actually a difference between the two.
Vintage pieces are old, while antique pieces are rare.
There are many people that love to collect vintage items, but when it comes to antiques, the results are different.
Sure, there are vintage items that can fetch a hefty sum of money on the market, but there are also many that can cost less or even nothing.
On the other hand, an antique is very rare and can be only owned by one person or a few.
What Is Estate Jewelry?
That is estate jewelry, which is a category of jewelry that is not quite the same as the previously mentioned.
When it comes to estate jewelry, the owner does not care about the age. The only thing they look for is the value that it can bring.
If the piece is worth a lot of money, it is considered estate jewelry. It does not matter if it is deemed to be antique or not.
Conclusion
If you have old jewelry lying around the house, be sure to check its value to see if it can be considered an antique. The most important thing is to do an appraisal.
If you do not know anyone you can trust to do the appraisal, you can always check out jewelry stores in your area to see who can help out.
A lot of times, they can provide free appraisals just to get you interested in selling the jewelry.
Do not forget the value of your jewelry since you may need it someday. If it is not that old, then you can always sell it to a trusted antique shop so you can have enough funds for a new one.
If you’re looking for antique jewellery in Adelaide, you can find an excellent selection from Cavalier Antiques and Restorations. We also buy antiques if you wish to sell one or more from your collection. Contact us today to know how you can buy or sell antique jewellery with no hassle!