3 vintage jewellery pieces from the 20th century

Vintage Jewellery changed quite dramatically though out the 20th century. Here are three wonderful pieces just added to antiques avenue antique shop which show the wide variety and wonderful forms available today . As I am currently writing a series of articles on how to date your vintage jewelery I though you would be interested in seeing these and how I have placed them into their time slots.

1. Vintage brooch – Edwardian garnet cabochon and pearl

Vintage brooch - Edwardian

Look at this amazing garnet cabochon. This is a real garnet gemstone which has been highly polished. It has then been fitted with a tiny pearl which is neatly sitting in its own gold ring. The brooch its self is made of 9 carat gold . You can be sure that it dates from the very early 1900s from the type of hinge and catches used. ( have you been reading my articles on dating vintage jewellery from the hinges and catches?). In generally bar brooches like this tend to date from the late Victorian era up to about 1920.

2. Vintage art deco ring - silver with interchangeable stones

art deco ring

This really is an amazing ring and it is the first genuine art deco piece like this I have ever owned. Look at the art deco styling – that helped me to date it but how did I know is is not a modern copy? The original fitted box helps but that is not all. Look at the way the tiny leaver is made and the way the front of the ring hinges out – this is pure vintage technology. The ring is made of silver this is stamped “silver ” a modern ring would be stamped .925

3. 1950s vintage brooch- aurora borealis and rivoli diamante

1950s vintage brooch

Another amazing piece but this time the brooch shows off what was new in the 1950s. Aurora Borealis diamante ( or Rhinestones for my American readers). The Aurora Borealis finish gives a rainbow effect to the stones. This finish was developed in the 1950s and was first used in 1955. I believe that Christian Dior helped develop this look to complement his haut couture clothing. Most Aurora borealis jewellery dates from the 1950s and very early 1960s. Do be wary though – you need to check how the stones are set to be sure it is not a new brooch. In this case they are prong set which is an additional indicator of vintage.

All three of these pieces are currently available from antiquesavenue shop