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 two most recently produced classifications are Art Deco and Retro. Art Deco, circa 1915 to 1935 used a silver backdrop for setting stones. The geometric designs featured less colorful stones such as diamonds. The next category, Retro was made from 1945 to 1960. The designs are bolder and less delicate. You may notice the ten year gap between the two categories. Perhaps production slowed as the world focused on the events of World War II.
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 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.
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.
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 two most recently produced classifications are Art Deco and Retro. Art Deco, circa 1915 to 1935 used a silver backdrop for setting stones. The geometric designs featured less colorful stones such as diamonds. The next category, Retro was made from 1945 to 1960. The designs are bolder and less delicate. You may notice the ten year gap between the two categories. Perhaps production slowed as the world focused on the events of World War II.
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 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.
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.
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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