Jewelry has to be at least twenty to thirty years old to be considered vintage. This could be anything made during the 1990’s or earlier. Vintage is probably the most common term of the three (vintage, estate, antique) as it covers a large collection of periods when jewelry was mass produced.
Vintage jewelry is timeless and beautiful. In the fast-paced and heavily manufactured world we live in, it’s no wonder we search for pieces of authenticity and meaning.
Here are the top four reasons we love vintage:
- One of a kind – Your vintage piece is not only an accessory, it’s a conversation piece.
- Fashion forward – Because of the vast range of styles, you can be fashionable and an individual at the same time!
- Quality – The masters of the past used techniques, standards of excellence and attention to detail that are rare today.
- Price – Vintage is generally a better value than comparable pieces made today.
What is considered vintage jewelry and what is considered antique?
All jewelry that is not brand new is considered estate jewelry. But not all estate jewelry is considered vintage or antique. Antique jewelry and vintage jewelry are defined by when the item was made.
What Is Estate Jewelry?
Estate jewelry is any piece of jewelry that is used. It includes all second-hand jewelry, whether it’s defined as antique or vintage. The item could be less than a month old and it could still be considered estate jewelry.
Dealers usually limit this term to jewelry that was made within the last 30 years. When this term is used to describe a piece of jewelry that looks much older, ask to verify the exact age with the seller.
Sometimes the use of the term “estate” can be a reproduction indicator. Often when a dealer says “estate” without any other mention of the item’s age, that piece of jewelry is old at all.
What Is Antique Jewelry?
Antique jewelry is any piece of jewelry that is about 100 years old or older. Many pieces from the 1920’s are now considered antique.
Sometimes the use of the terms “vintage” or “estate” can be misleading, so it is very important to understand how reputable dealers use these terms and how unreliable dealers use them so you can avoid accidentally buying a reproduction.
For instance, a reliable antique dealer would not call a 300-year-old cameo an “estate cameo” even though it technically is a piece of estate jewelry. Instead, a reliable dealer would only use the words “antique cameo” to avoid any confusion.
When it comes to dating a piece of heirloom jewelry, these three terms are only the beginning. In appraising estate jewelry, one of the most important factors is the era or period.
Contact an expert you trust to help figure out what type of estate jewelry you are dealing with. Sometimes styles and trends repeat themselves, so it takes a lot of finesse and education to date the item correctly.
Jewelry is like the perfect spice. It always complements what’s already there. – DWF
