Antique and Vintage Jewelry is Always in Style


Throughout centuries, jewelry styles have come and gone. Designers found their inspiration in nature, architecture, art, and culture. Some creations were handmade and delicate while others were whimsical with various looks, gemstones, and materials. But, whatever the time period, 30 years or 100 years ago, antique and vintage jewelry has always been in style!

Vintage or Antique?

If you are buying or selling jewelry, it’s good to know what is considered antique or vintage. Jewelry is considered vintage if it’s at least twenty to thirty years old. Antique jewelry is one hundred years old or more, meaning it was created before the 1910s.

Pre-Victorian Jewelry 

Almost all jewelry manufactured before the beginning of the Victorian era was crafted by hand and made from yellow gold and silver. However, due to the quick development of technology in this era, machines were able to cut, stamp, and electroplate gold onto base metals allowing for the mass production of jewelry. The lower cost of production made gold and other materials to be produced in 14K, 10K, and 9K yellow gold affordable for practically everyone. Victorian jewelry featured elaborate cameos made of shell and stone, Renaissance-style lockets, hearts, flowers, and jewelry with animal themes set in pearls.

Art Nouveau Jewelry 1890 – 1915

The “new art” or Art Nouveau movement was created in the late nineteenth century as a result of the reflection of the innovations of the period. Art Nouveau had a significant impact and served as the inspiration for certain jewelry trends. The natural environment served as the primary source of inspiration for Art Nouveau designs, which included jewelry pieces depicting animals, insects, flowers, and women with flowing hair and graceful curves. Romanticized images were designed in contrast to stark images of jewelry from other periods. Different materials and methods were used such as enameling and molded glass. Precious stones like agate, moonstones, opals, sapphires, garnet, and aquamarine were the choices for pieces of this period.

Edwardian Period Jewelry 1900 – 1920

King Edward VII (Queen Victoria’s son), ascended to the British throne in 1901 and gave rise to the Edwardian era. During his reign, society attained its highest level of sophistication. This era was inspired by delicate images and light. Bows, ribbons, bow knots, lace, and flowers were often the themes for jewelry and fashion. The influences of Roman, Ancient Greek, Napoleonic, and French Baroque may all be seen in Edwardian jewelry designs. Diamonds were highlighted in Edwardian jewelry. Advances in metal manufacturing during this time began the use of platinum in jewelry making.

Art Deco Jewelry 1915 – 1935

“Art Deco.” style first started in Paris in 1925. This was the first place the fashion was seen. Lines were straight and angled or they curled gradually unlike the Art Nouveau era. Art Deco styles were basically represented as geometric shapes and symmetrical. The jewelry of this period was influenced by several factors such as the industrial revolution, Cubism, and the devastation of World War I.

Retro Jewelry 1935 – 1950

The Retro era, often referred to as the Retro Modern, followed the end of World War II. Unexpectedly, jewelry styles were large, bright, and extravagant given the devastation at the end of the war and the economic slump. Retro-style jewelry was Hollywood glitzy. Designs combined futuristic images with pieces drawn from earlier eras, however, unlike Art Deco, Retro jewelry has softer curves and more feminine themes. 

Antique and Vintage Jewelry is Always in Style

Jewelry designs have always been a reflection of our history culture and art. Many pieces’ styles have been handed down through the decades. Antique shops and collectors like the Old & New Shop will buy and sell authentic pieces. Whatever the period, antique or vintage, collectors have always favored jewelry no matter what their style!

Antique, Vintage, or Retro?

Antique, Vintage or Retro

The terms antique, vintage, or retro are sometimes used interchangeably, but they do have different meanings, and these differentiations can help determine the value of the item.

The definition of antique is simple–any item that is over 100 years old. This rule applies to anything from books to glassware. If an item is over 300 years old, it can fall into one of two categories. If it’s natural and from a living thing, it is called a fossil. If it’s man-made, then it qualifies as an antiquity or artifact.

Vintage has a meaning that is less defined. Vintage pieces are not sold as antiques. Although determining what age counts as vintage is a bit more subjective, it usually means an item that is over 40 years old. People buy vintage items because they are nostalgic decorative pieces or collectibles.

Retro items are thought of as existing in the more recent past and are sometimes slightly used. These items are more than 20 years old, but less than 40. Retro usually imitates a certain “years ago” style, for example, a letter or varsity jacket which dates back to the 1920s, and the style regained popularity again in the 1980s.

Items that are not necessarily antiques, vintage or retro may still look old and are commonly bought as collectibles. These are referred to as reproductions. They are not sold as old themselves but as copies of older items.

The Market Value

There are several ways to estimate the value of your antique, vintage, or retro item. Visiting a local appraiser is a good option, as they have experience in this area and the tools to accurately research the piece and determine its worth. Appraisers will offer a fair price and give you a report. However, they can charge a hefty fee for their services of up to  $200 or more. The Old & New Shop will provide a more personal appraisal with a one-on-one phone call and/or meeting.

Another way to find the market value is to visit a site that will appraise your antique. Websites can give you a professional estimate by providing you with a description and photo. Additionally, consulting an antique pricing guide can give you detailed information about the value and resale of the items.

Trends in Antiques, Vintage, or Retro Items

Interest in shopping for vintage and antique items has grown over the years. Millennials are growing older, and the things they once had as children are now becoming vintage. And it’s not only Millennials; Gen Z’s is also looking for vintage and retro pieces. Current purchasing trends indicate interest in vintage advertising signs, books, toys, and jewelry. Other items with Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles are also popular. Whatever your preference, the Old & New Shop has a wide variety of items and collectibles for buying and selling.

How To Determine the Worth of Inherited Silverware

Worth of inherited silverware

Have you inherited a set of silver flatware, or maybe a silver tea set? Many people today buy stainless steel, but actual silverware in the form of flatware, trays, or tea seats was a luxury item that your parents or grandparents may have owned. If you have been lucky enough to inherit a set of silverware, you may be wondering how much it is worth. The answer lies in how it was made, influenced heavily by the age of the item.

The Beginning of Silver Flatware

Once upon a time, many years ago – 12th century England, to be precise, royal and highly wealthy families decided to use sterling silver as flatware. This was the same quality of silver that was being used in silver coins. During the Industrial Revolution, silverware began being mass-produced, making it somewhat more affordable and definitely more available. Members of the newly-growing middle class purchased silverware as a sign of their wealth and gentility. For over a hundred years, upper-middle-class families likely owned silverware that was ornate and nearly solid silver.

Silver Suffers in the Great Depression

When the Great Depression hit, people fell into financial trouble. Purchasing silverware–including all the work involved in owning it, such as hiring servants to polish it–was unaffordable. That’s when silver-plated flatware became popular. Flatware that is silver-plated has a thin layer of silver painted onto its surface, but it is primarily not a silver piece. Silver-plated items look pretty, but they cost significantly less than sterling silver. Therefore, they are worth less if you inherit them.

So How Much is Your Inherited Silverware Worth?

Now that you know some of the history of silver in the home, you can use the time period of your set to help determine its worth of your inherited silverware. If it has been passed down through the generations from the 1800s, there’s a chance it might actually be sterling silver. In fact, there are ways you can check for yourself if your silver items are sterling. Look at the bottom. If it says “sterling” or has the numbers 925, 900, or 800 inscribed in it, you’ve hit the silver jackpot–sort of. Chances are, your inherited set will end up being recycled for scrap metal. Very few silver flatware sets have real value today–they would need to have been made by a highly valued silversmith or be of an intricately beautiful pattern to be kept in-tact and not be melted down.

Most likely, though, your silver flatware, trays, tea sets, and other dining accessories are silver-plated. Silver-plated items have less worth than sterling silver, and a professional like the ones at Old and New Shop can help you decide if it is worth selling. If you do decide to sell, we can help you get the best price for your silver items.