If you are looking to buy a unique piece of jewelry, you may want to consider purchasing vintage jewelry. Vintage jewelry is often called estate jewelry, as it was once part of the estate of someone who passed away. It is a great way to buy an older piece of jewelry at a discount. You should also be able to find a wide variety of items for different occasions and styles.
Antique
Antique jewelry can be a wonderful purchase, but it can also be a challenge if you don’t know what you’re looking for. You need to be educated on the types of stones and jewelry, and you’ll need to know the terminology before you begin looking. Antique jewelry is anything that’s at least 100 years old. It’s generally considered antique if it was made before 1920.
Antique jewelry can include both vintage and estate jewelry. The term “estate” means that an item is pre-owned and was previously owned by a person. The jewelry is typically made from platinum or yellow gold. Antique jewelry often includes Art Deco pieces.
Estate
Estate jewelry is a type of vintage jewelry. As the name implies, it comes from the estate of a deceased person. Typically, an estate will contain a range of pieces. These pieces are usually very beautiful, and can be a great way to start a vintage jewelry collection. You can find beautiful pieces for a fraction of the cost of brand-new pieces.
When buying estate jewelry, it is important to pay attention to the history of the piece. Although gold and diamond prices fluctuate, estate jewelry generally holds its value. That way, you can resell it someday and make a profit.
Retro
Retro jewelry evokes images of the era when design and craftsmanship were advanced. In this era, jewelers used a wide range of innovations to perfect their craft. Some of the best-known jewels of this era feature simple, bright designs, while others feature bold, edgy patterns.
Fine jewelry during this period began to reflect American pride, emulating military goods and industrial works. Chains with motifs such as tank treads and gas-pipe-style pendants were common. Patriotic pieces of antique jewelry incorporated red, white, and blue stones. Women everywhere wore jewelry with military motifs and symbols to show their allegiance to their country.
Victorian
Victorian jewelry is a style that originated in England. It was produced during the reign of Queen Victoria, which lasted from 1837 to 1901. Various styles were created during this time period, which set different trends for this jewelry. These pieces were often made of precious stones or metals such as gold or silver. They are still popular today, thanks to their intricate designs.
Early Victorian jewelry drew inspiration from ancient treasures and the Medieval and Renaissance periods. In addition to gold, the Victorians used precious gems and gemstones to create their creations. However, the gemstones were expensive, and cameos were hard to find. In addition, many European countries were at war, so the supply of precious stones was low. The scarcity of gemstones led to an increase in metalwork and filigree jewelry. This era also saw the invention of the repousse setting process, which helped artisans create a smooth surface for a gemstone.
Art Deco
Art Deco jewelry features custom-cut gemstones. This type of cut differs from contemporary ring designs and focuses on the shape and placement of the stones within the design. The stones are closely spaced and often surrounded by metal. This type of cut makes a dramatic impact on the overall look of the piece.
Many of the pieces in Art Deco jewelry feature geometric motifs. Often these are diamonds or gemstones cut into unusual shapes. Art Deco jewelry also features unusual combinations of color and stone, such as turquoise or coral.
Art Nouveau
Enamels were one of the most popular materials used in Art Nouveau jewelry. The technique is similar to stained glass, and it is best used in pieces with delicate designs. In addition, many pieces are crafted without a backing, creating a translucent tableau. The technique is considered to be technically challenging and is often difficult to reproduce today.
Women were also a popular subject for Art Nouveau jewelry. There were three basic types of women depicted in this style: the unthreatening woman with flowing hair, the fantasy woman with wings, and the romanticized mermaid. Another type is the goddess Medusa, a mythical figure who is believed to represent evil. However, despite these differences, women were considered a source of both reverence and fear in France.