Tell If Jewellery is Vintage
There’s nothing quite like digging through a battered box of treasures at an estate sale, or rummaging in the dusty forgotten corners at your local second-hand charity shop, and discovering a vintage jewellery piece. You may not know who it once belonged to, but you certainly have a gem on your hands! However, determining whether a piece of jewellery is truly vintage can be tricky. There are a few key indicators that will help you tell the difference between true vintage jewellery and cheap costume bling.
Take a look at the style of the jewellery piece. Does it have a nature inspired motif? Or does it have architectural geometric designs? These types of designs were very popular in the 1920s and 1930s. Also, check for draping curves, flowing lines, and airy designs. These were common characteristics of the Art Nouveau period. Also, note the type of jewellery clasp. For example, c clasps were widely used in the 1950s and 1960s, while lobster claw clasps were not introduced until the 1970s.
The metal used to make jewellery is a big indicator of whether or not it’s vintage. Gold is a common choice of metal for jewellery and, depending on the colour, can be an indicator of the era in which it was made. Gold is soft and can be easily damaged, so jewellers often mixed it with other materials to increase its durability. Yellow gold mixes gold with copper to create a brighter, more yellow-coloured appearance. White gold uses pure gold with nickel to give it a more grey tone.
How to Tell If Jewellery is Vintage
Other types of jewellery materials to look out for include amber, emeralds, pearls, and rhinestones. Some of these are rare and will significantly increase the value of a jewellery piece.
Identifying the designer of a piece of jewellery can dramatically boost its worth. A few well-known designers from the past still have popularity today, including Tiffany, Chanel, and Christian Dior, among many others. These designers would sign their pieces, so scour the piece for a signature stamp, as this could be a big tip-off that it is indeed vintage.
All pre-owned jewellery will show signs of wear and tear, but the use of a vintage piece can be a strong indicator that it is authentic. In general, vintage jewellery will have a soft, worn-in feel to it. The prongs that hold the stones in place will have worn smooth, and clasps will open and close with ease. Pearls will have dull spots on the areas that come in most contact with skin.
A simple way to determine if something is vintage is by weighing it. Vintage jewellery should weigh more than modern pieces made of the same materials. Silver, for instance, will weigh more than more commonly coated jewellery metals such as pewter and brass.