Decorative Arts

What You Should Know When Buying Antique Jewelry

Antique jewelry is specified in the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines as jewelry that is more than 100 years old.

Buying antique jewelry has become quite popular in recent years and thanks to the Internet, online antique jewelry has made these rare and collectible period pieces even more accessible.

Period Jewelry

Whether you are an avid antique jewelry collector or a one-time private buyer, here is a quick review to help you understand and identify antique jewelry periods. The following, listed in chronological order, are some of the more notable periods that identify old antique jewelry.

Georgian Antique Jewelry feature rare and handmade items with precious stones and dates from 1714 to 1837, the era when Great Britain was ruled by kings like King George the I, II, III and IV.

Victorian Antique Jewelry designs include two periods. Early Victorian antique jewelry were inspired by nature while later Victorian jewelry pieces, often referred to as “mourning” jewelry, were heavier, darker and more solemn. Victorian antique jewelry dates back during the British reign of Queen Victoria from about 1837 until her death in 1901.

Art Nouveau Antique Jewelry feature floral and butterfly designs and date from about 1890 to 1905 when the “new art” influenced everything from art and architecture to fine jewelry design.

Edwardian Antique Jewelry designs featured precious stones and elaborate designs, and dates from 1901 to 1910 when King Edward VII reigned over England.

Art Deco Antique Jewelry feature bright geometric designs and include elaborate necklaces and bracelets. The art deco antique jewelry era dates from about 1910 to 1935 and most notably during the period between World War I and World War II.

Estate & Vintage Verses Antique Jewelry

Fine antique jewelry exudes a timeless beauty. From power and prestige to heartfelt romantic styles, the individual and unique designs of old antique jewelry are what really set them apart.

While all antique jewelry can technically be classified as vintage or estate jewelry, not all estate jewelry or vintage jewelry is antique. Estate simply means items that were previously owned and vintage is an all-encompassing term that includes all eras up to 1960.

While some fine antique jewelry pieces can be quite rare, like those from the Georgian era, surprisingly, there are plenty of unique Antique Jewelry items to be found online, at very reasonable prices.

One can find everything from one-of-a-kind necklaces and bracelets to hair pins, lace pins, brooches, rings, engagement rings and earrings.

Diamond Antique Jewelry

Diamond antique jewelry is among the most sought after fine antique jewelry.

Old diamond cuts, especially those that pre-date 1900 like the old mine cut or rose cut diamond, are very distinct from modern diamonds and have higher crowns, deeper pavilions, smaller tables and thicker girdles than modern cut diamonds.

The cutting methods used to cut stones for most old antique jewelry were not as refined as they are today so antique jewelry designers emphasized the carat weight.

Unfortunately, a practice that has become more common in recent years is to take the old cut precious stones from certain antique jewelry pieces and re-cut them according to modern cutting methods. This has resulted in driving up the demand for antique diamond jewelry.

The depth of beauty, the sheer elegance etched in stylish lines and clever usage of platinum, gold and silver combined with precious stone settings, sets old antique jewelry apart and transports the wearer to sumptuous eras of our illustrious past.

Antique Jewelry Verses Antique Style or Replica

When Buying Antique Jewelry one has to know the difference between ‘antique jewelry’, ‘antique style jewelry’, ‘antique reproductions’ and ‘antique replicas’.

Antique jewelry is the name used for authentic period pieces as discussed earlier.

Antique Style Jewelry refers to jewelry items manufactured anew in the style of historic periods.

Antique Reproduction Jewelry refers to jewelry items which are perfect copies of original antique jewelry pieces.

Antique Replicas are basically costume jewelry and does not belong to the fine jewelry category.

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Antique Lamps, Art Nouveau Antique Lamp

Peacock Bookends $9.82 Elegance and beauty abound in this pair of captivating bookends! Jewel-tone greens and golds glimmer against deepest tones of mahogany; intricate filigree borders and majestic peacocks recall the renowned artistry of the Art Nouveau period. A stunning addition to your library! Polyresin. Each is 7 5/8 inches x 3 7/8 inches x 6 inches high. Pair…

19th Century Victorian Antique Replica Manor Greenman Door Knocker $30.95 Our 19th century Victorian antique replica is quality foundry iron casting ; Even the entrance to your home will make a grand statement in the English tradition when you add our classic Greenman doorknocker! Of foundry iron, our exclusive is finished in faux gold and ebony.5½”Wx2″Dx10½”H. 1 lb.Hardware is not included…

Art Nouveau Geometric Rose and Lady Vase, Bronze Powder Cast 11 1/4-inch $62.50 From Veronese Collection, this vase measures 11 1/4 inches tall, 2 3/4 inches wide and 2 3/4 inches deep, with identical design on all sides. The Art Nouveau / Deco design is a superb adaptation of the style of Margaret MacDonald and Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Made with high-quality cold cast bronze, individually hand-painted and antiqued, this piece artfully emulates the MacIntoshs’ reknown rose …

Edwardian, Art Nouveau & Art Deco Jewelry Circa 1887-1930′s The Antique and Collectible Jewelry Series …

New York Art Deco Cigarette Case #35 $9.99 Our Art Deco Designer Cigarette Case is brilliantly finished in chrome, reminiscent of the 1940′s New York style of architecture. With deep ridges and chrome boarders, this high style pack is a functional piece of art, that keeps a Full Pack of Twenty king sized cigarettes safe and fresh until they are ready to be smoked. Its inside revels a smooth polished chrome inner core with sculptured spring…

Jaclinart Fantasy Vintage Nouveau Trees Nature Damask – Rich tan trees on antique bronze damask background – Greeting Cards-12 Greeting Cards with envelopes $15.95 Rich tan trees on antique bronze damask background Greeting Card is measuring 5.5w x 5.5h. Greeting Cards are sold in sets of 6 or 12. Give these fun cards to your friends and family as gift cards, thank you notes, invitations or for any other occasion. Greeting Cards are blank inside and come with white envelopes….

Jaclinart Fantasy Vintage Nouveau Trees Nature Damask – Rich tan trees on antique bronze damask background – Greeting Cards-6 Greeting Cards with envelopes $10.49 Rich tan trees on antique bronze damask background Greeting Card is measuring 5.5w x 5.5h. Greeting Cards are sold in sets of 6 or 12. Give these fun cards to your friends and family as gift cards, thank you notes, invitations or for any other occasion. Greeting Cards are blank inside and come with white envelopes….

Jaclinart Fantasy Vintage Nouveau Trees Nature Damask – Rich tan trees on antique bronze damask background – Mouse Pads $11.99 Rich tan trees on antique bronze damask background Mouse Pad is measuring 8w x 8h x .25d, soft commercial quality high resolution product. The image is permanent and becomes part of the mouse pad surface. Our transfer method produces professional matte finish with Premium Quality and Superior image resolution….

Jaclinart Fantasy Vintage Nouveau Trees Nature Damask – Rich tan trees on antique bronze damask background – Coffee Gift Baskets – Coffee Gift Basket $44.99 Rich tan trees on antique bronze damask background Coffee Gift Basket is measuring 9x9x4. Contains 15oz mug, BONUS free set of 4 coasters, biscotti and 5 blends of gourmet coffee. French Vanilla, Kenya AA, Decaf Colombian Supremo, Chocolate and Italian Roast Espresso elegantly presented in our signature black planet coffee gift box. A very nice and thoughtful gift for any occasion….

Cartes Postales: An Album for Postcards $10.76 Now available in two sizes, these exquisite facsimiles of antique postcard albums unearthed at a Parisian flea market take us back to an era when postcards were small treasures from faraway lands. Featuring Art Nouveau textured and padded covers and original floral line art inside, these two Cartes Postales albums offer the perfect home for special postcards and photographs. Each can hold both 3-1…

10-1/2 Nouveau Torch Base $102.95 Quality cast base has an antique brass finish and complements any style torchier lampshade. Requires fitter ring 6632.

9 Nouveau Torchier Base $55.95 This fine quality cast base has an antique brass finish and complements any style torchier lampshade. Requires fitter ring 6632.

Art Nouveau $9.83 Art Nouveau

11 Nouveau Lamp Base $108.95 This quality, heavy duty base will show off your favorite lamp shade. The Old English plating has rich tones of copper and bronze. Antique plated harp, saddle, and socket. Pull chain. Felt pads on the bottom will protect your furniture. Carefully assembed by professionals.

7 Art Nouveau Lamp Pattern $15.95 Add a Touch of Tiffany to Any Room. Lampshades constructed on Worden System forms are assembled the same way the Tiffany Glass Co. made their famous stained glass shades in the early 1890 and 39;s. Use the Worden system to construct Tiffany-style shades that will become family heirlooms. Antique Tiffany lampshades were made with opaque glass to mask the light source and reflect beautiful color. See below for Delphi and 39;s suggested glass selection to complete this Worden pattern. Delphi has the perfect lamp for you. Select from over 250 outstanding turn-of-the-century Worden lamp designs that are built on 21 different form shapes and sizes. Step-by-Step Using the Simple Worden Silicone and Pin System See step-by-step images below. 1. Use silicone to attach the pattern to reusable form. 2. Cut glass to pattern size and wrap with copper foil. Use glass head pins to hold glass to form. Position glass pieces to pattern as close as possible. 3. Tack solder each piece to every adjacent piece with small mounds of molten solder. 4. Remove all of the pins except the bottom row. Now you are ready to finish soldering. Project shows Art Nouveau Pattern C161. Worden G7-1 Art Nouveau pattern has 108 pieces. 7 in diameter, 4-5/8 in height. Design repeats 4 times to create shade. Requires G7 form and 2 vase cap. Pattern pack includes 2 full-size patterns, instructions and glass suggestions with color key to make glass selection easy. Delphi Recommends the following glass to create this shade .75 SF S3151 Lt Amber Opal .5 SF S3172 Dk Amber Opal Scrap white opal for highlights

L’Espirit Nouveau $6 L’Espirit Nouveau – Mindi Abair

11 Art Nouveau Lamp Base $64.95 Your lampshade projects will look great on one of our antique reproduction bases. We selected designs that bring out the beauty of antique stained glass reproduction. You and 39;ll find quality cast bases in a wide range of styles. Hand-crafted in the USA, they are wired and ready to use. Base is measured from the top of the casting to the bottom of the base.

8 1/2 Nouveau Lamp Base $85.95 This quality, heavy duty base will show off your favorite lamp shade. The Old English plating has rich tones of copper and bronze. Antique plated harp, saddle, and socket. Felt pads on the bottom will protect your furniture. Pull chain, one socket. Carefully assembled by professionals. Suggested shade diameter is between 10 and 12. Suggested shade height is between 8 and 9.

Art nouveau jewellery $11.82 New – One of four titles in the “Christie’s Collectables” series, this guide is intended for both the avid antiques collector and the armchair enthusiast. It explores the story of the artistic and technical developments of antique and collectable Art Nouveau jewellery and follows the various styles of makers around the world. Examples chosen are both rare, so that readers can appreciate the “great and the good”, and everyday, which for many collectors provide the starting point for an interest i

Cartes Postales $18.95 Now available in two sizes, these exquisite facsimiles of antique postcard albums unearthed at a Parisian flea market take us back to an era when postcards were small treasures from faraway lands. Featuring Art Nouveau textured and padded covers and original floral line art inside, these two Cartes Postales albums offer the perfect home for special postcards and photographs. Each can hold both 3 1/2 x 5-inch and 4 x 6-inch postcards or photographs; the small version holds 64 photos, and the larg

Popular Jewelry 1840-1940 $18.44 Used – A visual tour of antique jewelry from the 1840s to the 1940s, covering the Victorian era through Art Nouveau, Transitional, and Art Deco. Fascinating details of the creations, their origins, and their makers are included along with full-color photos of cameos, hair combs, hat pins, necklaces, and more. A current price guide and index complete this beautiful book.

Popular Jewelry 1840-1940 $29.99 A visual tour of antique jewelry covering the Victorian era through Art Nouveau and Art Deco designs. Identifies the makers and styles, with hundreds of color images of cameos, hair ornaments, hat pins, necklaces, bracelets, pins, and more. A proven reliable source of information, with updated value references, expanded text, and new images.

Popular Jewelry 1840-1940 $20.89 New – A visual tour of antique jewelry from the 1840s to the 1940s, covering the Victorian era through Art Nouveau, Transitional, and Art Deco. Fascinating details of the creations, their origins, and their makers are included along with full-color photos of cameos, hair combs, hat pins, necklaces, and more. A current price guide and index complete this beautiful book.

Popular Jewelry 1840-1940 $79.95 New – A visual tour of antique jewelry from the 1840s to the 1940s, covering the Victorian era through Art Nouveau, Transitional, and Art Deco. Fascinating details of the creations, their origins, and their makers are included along with full-color photos of cameos, hair combs, hat pins, necklaces, and more. A current price guide and index complete this beautiful book.

Popular Jewelry, 1840-1940 $14.18 Used – A visual tour of antique jewelry from the 1840s to the 1940s, covering the Victorian era through Art Nouveau, Transitional, and Art Deco. Fascinating details of the creations, their origins, and their makers are included along with full-color photos of cameos, hair combs, hat pins, necklaces, and more. A current price guide and index complete this beautiful book.

Popular Jewelry, 1840-1940 $29.95 “Collecting antique jewelry can bring you endless hours of enjoyment, for it not only satisfies a love of days gone by but also brings a yearning to learn more about other times and places. The collector shows a desire to be unique in setting, rather than following, fashion trends.” Roseann Ettinger’s book reads like a treasure hunt. In six chapters, she takes the reader on a tour of antique jewelry from the 1840s to the 1940s, covering the Victorian era through Art Nouveau, Transitional, and Ar

Warman’s Jewelry $29.95 This guide covers a broad spectrum of antique, period, vintage, and collectible jewelry in the easy-to-use, time-tested Warman format. It contains more than 300 black-and-white photos with prices and detailed captions. Time periods covered include Victorian, Art Nouveau, Edwardian, and Art Deco.

Warman’s Jewelry $3 Used – This guide covers a broad spectrum of antique, period, vintage, and collectible jewelry in the easy-to-use, time-tested Warman format. It contains more than 300 black-and-white photos with prices and detailed captions. Time periods covered include Victorian, Art Nouveau, Edwardian, and Art Deco.