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.
A vintage piece produced in 1920 will become an antique with the passing of a few years. There are collectors who buy vintage because of an appreciation of the design. Other collectors are making a smart investment. They know the investment will appreciate with time, and continue to appreciate in the future.
There are seven categories in the antique classification. Georgian is the earliest and was made from 1717 to 1837. Some pieces may have been lost or destroyed, but it is safe to say Georgian is more valuable partially because it is rare. This era was before mass production making each piece unique and even more valuable.
Early Victorian Romantic, circa 1837 to 1855 often included gold etching and used diamonds and gemstones of color. Historically, Queen Victoria ruled from 1837 until she died in 1901. Apparently the design continued in her honor. Middle Victorian Grand, produced form 1856 to 1880 employed bolder designs with larger stones. This category is less colorful than its earlier counterpart. Late Victorian Aesthetic made from 1885 to 1900 typically included pendants, hat pins and brooches, all popular pieces during that time.
The Arts and Crafts category includes pieces made from 1894 to 1923. As the name indicates, the designs were simpler and hand made using uncut stones. Some historians see this category as a backlash to the industrial revolution with consumers once again wanting specialized hand made pieces. The Edwardian category is defined as works produced from 1901 to 1915. As seen before, the time period of categories may overlap with more than one style being produced at the same time.
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.
A vintage piece produced in 1920 will become an antique with the passing of a few years. There are collectors who buy vintage because of an appreciation of the design. Other collectors are making a smart investment. They know the investment will appreciate with time, and continue to appreciate in the future.
There are seven categories in the antique classification. Georgian is the earliest and was made from 1717 to 1837. Some pieces may have been lost or destroyed, but it is safe to say Georgian is more valuable partially because it is rare. This era was before mass production making each piece unique and even more valuable.
Early Victorian Romantic, circa 1837 to 1855 often included gold etching and used diamonds and gemstones of color. Historically, Queen Victoria ruled from 1837 until she died in 1901. Apparently the design continued in her honor. Middle Victorian Grand, produced form 1856 to 1880 employed bolder designs with larger stones. This category is less colorful than its earlier counterpart. Late Victorian Aesthetic made from 1885 to 1900 typically included pendants, hat pins and brooches, all popular pieces during that time.
The Arts and Crafts category includes pieces made from 1894 to 1923. As the name indicates, the designs were simpler and hand made using uncut stones. Some historians see this category as a backlash to the industrial revolution with consumers once again wanting specialized hand made pieces. The Edwardian category is defined as works produced from 1901 to 1915. As seen before, the time period of categories may overlap with more than one style being produced at the same time.
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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