Archive for Vintage Jewellery
Vintage jewellery update July 2011
Posted by: | CommentsIs it really May since I updated this blog? Crickey! I thought it had just been a couple of weeks 
Anyway here is the latest vintage jewellery news from AntiquesAvenue.
art deco jewellery
I may not have updated this blog but I have been busy. There are now two new sections on the website for Art Deco Jewellery and Marcasite Jewellery to help you find these more easily.
All my art deco jewellery and art deco style jewellery in one section. Most of the jewellery in this department actually dates form the 1920s and 1930s however some is just art deco style and is newer in date. I will tell you if its genuine art deco era or newer in the item description.
Maracsites are tiny faceted natural gemstones with a natural black glitter. Marcasites have long been popular in Jewellery as they glitter like diamonds under artificial light especially candlelight. Maracsites are usually but not always set into silver in intricate patterns.
Marcasite jewellery
Facebook Like
There is a facebook like button on the website now on each item description. I would appreciate you “liking” my site if you get a chance
Fresh stock
Recently added
Im trying to add about 50 fresh items of vintage jewellery a week to the site . Recently I have been filling up the Vintage rings including Engagement rings and there are some great fresh charms on the site too. Have you seen the gold charms section? As I get more and more jewellery onto AntiquesAvenue I am now trying to buy more accessories for you to look at too. One for the future maybe but there are more perfume bottles and small antique silver pieces on the site than ever before.
Coming soon
More rings especially showey cocktail rings. Iv just purched a great collection of stick pins / lapel pins which are popular mens jewellery collectables.
Buyers guide to vintage jewellery
Posted by: | CommentsWearing vintage jewellery has never been more popular and more and more people are looking to buy the genuine article. Buying genuine vintage jewellery is quite complex , this buyers guide offers a few hints and tips on what to look out for and what to avoid . I have broken the guide down into several blog articles – today’s covers What is vintage jewellery. Further parts to this guide will include, where to find vintage jewellery, the different terms to look for, a guide to the different metals and materials including gemstones. How to choose a necklace, buyers guide to pearls, brooches bracelets and vintage rings. Hope you find these useful and please do get in touch if there is anything you think I am missing here.
vintage brooch
What is Vintage jewellery?
Genuine Vintage jewellery is jewellery from another era, I would say that it is from the 1980s or before. Vintage jewellery has been pre-owned it is not a brand that you can buy new. As such a seller of vintage jewellery will rarely have more than one of any piece and if a seller has more than one available than I would question if it is genuine vintage or a modern copy.
Vintage jewellery is generally though to date from circa 1920s to circa 1980s ( different sellers may alter these dates to include the 1900s). Before this date jewellery is normally thought of as antique jewellery.
Through the era 1920s to 1980s several decorative styles emerged and you may find your vintage jewellery referred to as Art Deco, Modernist, Retro or by the decade eg 1950s jewellery. Jewellery which dates from the last 20 years would not normally have the style of a previous era and so is though of more as second hand than vintage.
The popularity of old jewels has led to the mass production of new jewellery in vintage style – with a practiced eye you can tell this new jewellery from genuine vintage . The manufacturers are quite cleaver and use several terms in their descriptions to hide the fact that the jewellery is new ( see my buyers guide to “vintage jewellery terms” coming soon).
vintage earrings
Made over Vintage
Many piece of old jewellery are now being “made over” into something new. I have seen brooches made into rings and hair slides, all sorts of vintage jewellery incorporated into charm bracelets and necklaces. Some of these pieces are quite pretty and if the original jewellery is no longer in good condition its a great way for the piece to become wearable again. The problem with these made over pieces of vintage jewellery is that they are being sold as vintage without mentioning that they are made over or new. Once again there are several clues to the changes this jewellery has undertaken and my future buyers guide to avoiding new and made over vintage will help you recognise such pieces.
Why buy vintage?
There are several good reasons why you may wish to buy genuine vintage jewellery rather than new, new vintage style or made over.
Genuine vintage jewellery has often been made in a different way to new – most new vintage style jewellery is an inferior imitation made in the far east. Most genuine vintage jewellery would have been made in the UK, Europe or the USA. The materials are different and so is the quality. I shall be covering these in my buyers guide to vintage jewellery materials and techniques.
Vintage jewellery is much more likely to be a good investment than made over or new and a future buyers guide will cover buying vintage jewellery for the future. Also old jewels are more likely to be unique and you will not see another wearing the same pieces.
Fun, thats one of the best reasons for buying genuine vintage jewellery. What can be more exciting than finding just the right, unique piece?
Please watch out for my detailed vintage jewellery buyers guides coming soon.
vintage ring
This weeks fresh vintage jewellery
Posted by: | CommentsThe new stock includes Victorian Gothic locket brooches, a Victorian Wedgwood gold locket pendant, some great pieces of original art nouveau jewellery and as always a nice selection of silver charms and charm bracelets.
Here are a few of the highlights:
Victorian Wedgwood jasper locket
Wedgwood locket
A truly wonderful piece of antique jewellery. This is a pendant locket with a Wedgwood jasper plaque at the front and a glass covered locket back.
The Wedgwood plaque is green jasper dip decorated with three classical maidens. There is “Wedgwood” impressed in the reverse. The mount is rose gold (not hallmarked but tests as 9 carat). The retaining rim can be removed so that you can insert your own photo or small keepsake into the reverse.
This pendant locket comes with a strong O ring ready to attach to your own chain. The measurements of this pendant are 4.5 cms long and 4 cms wide making it quite a large piece of jewellery. This is in really excellent condition,
vintage ring
A beautiful vintage ring made of 18 carat gold ( stamped 18ct ) and set with two red rubies and six diamonds. This is quite an unusual setting, I very much doubt you will see another quite like it. This would make a very decorative cocktail ring.
The head of this ruby and diamond ring measures about 8 cms long and 1.4 cms long. This ring is going to date from the first half of the last century most likely from the cocktail era of the 1940s.. This quality piece of jewellery is finger size P, USA size 7.75
Lucite brooch
Lucite goldfish vintage brooch
A most unusual piece of vintage jewellery. This brooch is made of Lucite. The goldfish and pond weed have been hand carved from the reverse just like the traditional floral Lucite brooches. The back has then been covered with a pale blue layer which makes it look like the gold fish are swimming in a pond.
I have never seen a Lucite brooch like this, possibly a one off? This brooch will date from circa 1940s / 1950s and it measures about 3.7 cms long. There is a light scuff on this brooch so I am offering it at a price to reflect that
Art Nouveau jewellery
Here is a piece of vintage jewellery which can be worn in many ways. This can be worn as a brooch or a pendant you could even wear the chain on its own as a necklace.
Both the pendant brooch and chain are stamped as being made of 9 carat gold. This jewellery will date from the earlier 1900s when the art nouveau style was first popular. The brooch / pendant measures about 2.5 cms diameter and the chain measures about 45 cms long
Favourite vintage jewellery 2010
Posted by: | CommentsIts traditional at this time of year to round of the last 12 months with lists of happenings during the year. I see lots of vintage jewellery every day but just for a treat for me I thought today Id take a look at my top ten pieces of the year. In no particular order here are my top ten vintage jewels of 2010.
1. Brooch
What fun, vintage jewellery does not need to be made of precious materials to be adorable. This vintage brooch is made of wooden beads bright and colourful with lots of movement. This wooden bead brooch is thought to be by Mirriam Haskel although like most pieces of this type it is unsigned. This wooden bead brooch will date from the 1940s and there are two rows of beads dangling down. The brooch measures about 3 cms wide and up to 6.5 cms long. The wooden beads remain bright and clean
2. Charm
Im selecting this lovely lady mermaid as my favourite charm of 2010. Quite rare and beautiful.
Here is a mermaid sitting on a rock with one hand playing with her hair. Her tail is articulated and so this charm will provide a little movement to their bracelet. Have you ever seen this vintage charm before? I haven’t so she is quite well made and detailed. The base of this mermaid is stamped as silver. The mermaid charm measures about 2 cms high plus the O ring and the mermaid is 2.5 cms long. Tis nice piece of vintage silver jewellery would hang from your charm bracelet but could equally well be hung from a chain round your neck
Mermaid Charm
3. Pendant
This pendant has such lovely colours in the turquoise and the stying is from one of my favourite jewellery periods in history in the early 1900s .A lovely old necklace made of nine carat gold ( stamped 9ct) and set with two turquoise stones. Necklaces like this are from the early 1900s being popular from circa 1910′s to 1930. . The chain is about 41 cms long with the pendant drop adding a further 4 cms. The clasp is a newer replacement
Turquoise nine carat gold pendant necklace
Selecting my favourite bracelet of 2010 was easy, infact this could well be my favorite jewel of the year.
This opal and gold vintage bracelet is really beautiful. The opals are solid and sparkle with red and green colours. Each opal measures about 0.8 x 0.5 cms with the bracelet being about 18 cms long in total.
There is a heart shaped padlock to fasten the bracelet and an attached safety chain. The padlock is fully hallmarked for 9 carat gold and can be dated to 1970.
Vintage bracelet opal 9ct gold 1970
5. Locket
When it comes to lockets I like the unusual shapes like this one. A very pretty piece of antique jewellery. This locket is made of a warm rose coloured gold and set with tiny pearls on the front. The back has a locket compartment which is currently occupied by a picture of a Victorian gentleman but could be replaced by a photo of your own choice. This locket will date from the later 1800 and measures about 1.7 cms
Antique locket rose gold Victorian
6. Earrings
These earrings are made of another of my favourite gemstones Citrines.These vintage earrings are really beautiful. Each earring has a real citrine gemstone set into silver. The citrines are a little over 1 cm diameter and so make quite a bold pair of earrings. These earrings are for pierced ears and they date from the early to mid 1900s
Vintage Citrine Earrings
7. Ring
Ive chosen this ring because of the colour of the stone – this will have been created by man but what a super shade of blue:
There is a beautiful Royal blue spinel set into this gold cocktail ring. The gemstone is flanked either side by a floral setting . The ring is fully hallmarked as 9 carat gold.
The spinel measures about 1.1 x 0.8 cms and so is quite chunky although the ring size is for a smaller finger or a pinky ring. This is UK ring size J.5, just over USA size 5
Blue Spinel gold floral ring
8. Necklace
A beautiful piece of antique jewellery which will date from the Edwardian era. This necklace is typical of Edwardian Jewellery which has a much lighter feel to it than Victorian jewellery. There are bows and a dove all set with sparkling paste stones. This necklace will have been made of European grade 800 silver. This necklace measures about 39 cms long plus the pendant drop of about 2.5 cms
Antique Edwardian Necklace Bows and Dove
9. Gemstone
My favourite gemstones this year are definitely the subtle moonstone. Look at this excellent bug brooch set with a moonstone.
antique spider brooch
10. Dress Accessory
Have you seen the detail in these lovely buttons – all hand painted in enamels.
These antique enamel buttons are really beautiful. They are enameled with the centers having a hand painted enamel floral spray. Each button is made of gold tone metal.
These buttons will date from the later Victorian era or possibly the early 1900s. Each button measures about 1.5 cms diameter and there are in lovely condition
Button
Sparkling Vintage Jewellery its Party Time
Posted by: | CommentsEveryone likes a bit of sparkle and shine at Christmas and its a wonderful opportunity for us vintage jewellery lovers to show off our finery and look out most glamorous. We can dig out out best sparkling necklaces, earrings, bracelets, cocktail rings and brooches. Most of the year just one piece at a time is in order but at Christmas and New Year we can forget the sophistication for a while and wear as many pieces as take our fancy.
Diamante necklaces
Ive a selection of vintage diamante necklaces to show you which will look really great at any Christmas ( or New Years Eve) party. Normally I suggest these pieces of jewellery for vintage wedding accessories but they can be worn at either.
Many of these necklaces are original 1950s part necklaces they were known as prom necklaces at the time.
Diamante necklace
Sparkling earrings
Vintage earrings, especially costume jewellery ones were often large and colourful . How about these lovely crystal clear and pink diamante earrings?
diamante earrings
Marcasite Bracelet
Of course diamante are not the only stones to sparkle and shine . Marcasites are wonderful under artificial light and so particularly suited to this time of year.
marcasite bracelet
Snowflake Brooch
Some vintage jewellery not only sparkles for parties but also comes in shapes to suit the time of year too. How about this special snowflake brooch in crystal clear and amethyst colours?
30 Top Vintage Jewellery Searches
Posted by: | CommentsIts not always easy to find the vintage jewellery you are looking for, even on sites like mine where items are organised into categories such as cameos, vintage brooches or stick pins. The search box provides a useful tool when you are looking arround and with almost 2000 items there is a lot to choose from. Here are the top 30 searches where I dont have a category for the items this year on www.antiquesavenue.co.uk - I have the statistics from Google in case you wondered how I know . Its been fun putting together this top 30 searches so at the end of the year I will compile a top 50 Jewelelry items actually purchased during 2010
Mizpah Brooch
No Surprise here
2. Opal Ring
Now it was a surprise to find opal ring at no 2. Opals are beautiful and one of my favourite gemstones but they are quite soft and not the most suitable stone for a ring as the surface wears easily. I personally would prefer and opal bracelet – you can still see the opals whilst you wear the jewellery but they will not get damaged so easily.
Now this is interesting, antique to me means pre 1920s but charm bracelts in the form we know them today were not really common until after this time. Charms were of course made in large quantities but they were not often seen hung in quantity from a silver bracelet.
An all time favourite
The Victorians often worn a matching pair of bracelets, one on each wrist. I think this would look great today too.
A favourite gift. Most of the pearls you see today are either costume jewellery or cultured pearls. A good cultured pearl necklace is probably the best option as a lasting gift or glass costume jewellery pearls to wear occasionally.
The gift of parted lovers – Mizpah : may the Lord watch between me and thee when we are parted one from another.
Popular in the 1960s and 1970s and back in fashion now. Gold charm bracelets can be a great way to build a large piece of gold jewellery over time.
These are often purchased as gifts. I find men buying them for their wives on the birth of their first child .
10. Monet Jewellery
A surprise to me , I didnt know Monet Jewellery was that popular. I must look out for more.
Opal Ring
11. Antique Rose Gold Bracelet
Rose gold has a lovely warm pinky/ red colour created by the addition of copper into the gold . Normally nine carat gold. This type of gold jewellery is often from the early 1900s.
Everyone loves a bargain. AntiquesAvenue has a sale section, not much in it at the moment but watch out in January I have something special planned 
For the “old” part of “old, new borrowed and blue”. How about an old and blue piece of jewellery to fill two of these at the same time?
A favourite gift from wives to husbands and also bought by work colleagues for men. I know because my customers tell me so.
15 Fob Spinner
Fashionable this year following vintage Theme films such as Alice and Sherlock Holmes where gents wore waistcoats and pocket watches
Are these sought after because they are cheaper or due to the romance of vintage I wonder?
The popularity of vintage engagement rings has rise in the last few months, since about June this year. Now that Price William has given his bride to be a vintage engagement ring I expect that these will be in greater demand than ever.
A perennial favourite. These are quite collectable, especially antique sentimental brooches such as Name brooches and floral brooches or even silver brooches with locket backs
Now I think this search comes from our friends in the USA. In the UK I see these charms referred to as moving charms rather than articulated. These charms are ones where they are hinged or linked together so that the parts move whilst you are wearing the bracelet.
20 Silver Ingot
The 1970s jewellery icon . A silver ingot with large hallmarks. I remember them from when I was a teenager, wanted one at the time but couldn’t afford it. Now I can afford one I wouldn’t want to wear it – typical.
Costume Jewellery
A smart choice for gentleman to go with a smart suit on a posh evening out.
I am surprised that this search was not much higher as enamel jewellery always seems to sell well. One of my personal favourites.
These are getting harder to find as they should be in pairs and the two have often become separated. Dress clips are meant to be worn on a neckline one on each side .
Now I have written about butterfly wing jewellery before. It ahas a lovely blue iridescent colour. I worry about where the butterflies came from although I am told they live a natural life and are collected after they die. This sort of jewllery is quite fragile and is ruined by a drip of moisture.
Another surprise – why is this not higher? Nearly 50% of the jewellery I sell is vintage silver.
Great fun for a party night or wearing to the office.
Lots to choose from but getting a bit expensive as the price of gold goes up.
Note to self – buy more of these , not something I often have in stock
29 Large brooch
Oh yes, a statement piece of jewellery. Something to provide a talking point or to liven up a dull out fit.
Dating from the 1830s to 1901. There is such a huge range of Victorian Jewellery available at reasonable prices. Antique jewellery from the Victorian era can be found from about £30 to many thousands of pounds. AntiquesAvenue has an antique jewellery section with lots of Victorian Jewellery.
Vintage Jewellery Christmas
Posted by: | CommentsEvery Christmas I like to select a few special pieces of vintage jewellery which are especially suitable for gifts this year. Today I am looking at pieces that you might like to ask Santa to bring for yourself, pieces that are all wearable, stylish and could well be a good investment too. Here’s a few tips on what to look out for this year. Cameos and pearls seem to be very popular this year and being timeless are an essential part of every jewellery lovers collection. A charm bracelet which still has space for you to add some special charms of your own, a couple of brooches and amazing cocktail rings to add a touch of glamour and sparkle during the party season.
Cameos
What to look for in a piece of cameo jewellery, first and foremost does the picture appeal to you? Do you like the subject and is it well carved. With shell cameos they should be free of cracks, the carving lines should be smooth and natural rather than rough and angular. No look at the frame , does it suit the picture in proportion and do you prefer gold silver or costume jewellery? Although they are popular pieces of jewellery and I do sell them, I am not a great fan of shell cameo rings as I think the shell is a little soft to stand up to much wear. If you would like a cameo ring look at a hardstone cameo rather than shell . Alternatively just reserve your cameo ring for very special occasions. For wearing more regularly a cameo brooch or earrings are more durable.
Designer Brooch
Pearls
What to look for in a piece of pearl jewellery. At a reasonable price you can choose between cultured pearls or faux pearls. Cultured pearls have been grown inside an oyster cultured pearls are entirely man made. Either way you have a choice of colours but a creamy or white colour is most classically associated with pearls. If choosing round pearls look for them being well matched in your piece of jewellery in size and shape. The most classical pieces of pearl jewellery are a necklace or earrings. In the past it was usual to wear your pearl necklace together with pearl earrings , this gives a very classy look reminiscent of the 1950s. Pearls do not wear well in rings so if you do want a pearl set ring then please just wear it on special occasions.
Charm Bracelets
Here the choice is normally silver or gold depending on your colour preference and budget. The great this about a charm bracelet is that you can start off simple and then add more pieces over the years. The bracelet will then be totally unique to you . Charm bracelets traditionally were worn fastening with a heart shaped padlock and having 13 charms. Most folks these days like to have many more than 13 charms – they can become quite bold and chunky pieces of jewellery. If you are thinking of filling the bracelet with charms then I suggest you look for one which has a sturdy central chain. Charm bracelets with finer central chains are better for fewer charms or a daintier look.
Look at size, colour, age / style , material and maker /designer for your vintage brooch choice. For most brooches the choice is set by the size colour and material . Brooches by a named designer or maker are for collectors as they attract a premium price. Select you brooch in a size and colour to suit most of your outfits. A brooch in an interesting shape and made from just silver or just gold will go well with most pieces of clothing. Do you want a large statement piece of jewellery – brooches up to 6/7 cms are readily available and are most suited to wearing on heavier weight fabrics. A smaller pin type brooch at one or two centimeters across will add a point of interest and can be attached to lightweight fabrics but beware may leave a hole in the most delicate materials.
Cocktail rings
A true cocktail ring is meant to be big, loud and showy. It is a piece of glamour jewellery for party and occasion wear. Look for a ring with large and colourful stones. A cocktail ring is not meant to be worn every day and can be made from gold, silver or costume jewellery. AntiquesAvenue offers you a wide choice of these special pieces of vintage jewellery. Which finger are you looking at wearing your cocktail ring on? Maybe they are to big for a little finger? Look for a cocktail ring with stones in a colour to match or contract with your party wear.
Cocktail Ring
Why not make sure you get the piece of vitnage jewellery you want for Christmas this year? Leave nothing to chance, find the piece on AntiquesAvenue.co.uk and either print off the page and leave it where your loved one can see it or be even more bold and e.mail them a link to the piece of jewellery on the website.
Happy Hunting
Anne x
Rare and Unusual Vintage Jewellery
Posted by: | CommentsIt occurred to me today that I seem to be describing almost every other piece of vintage jewellery I add to my site as either “rare” or “unusual” or ” desirable” in some special way. They cant all be rare or unusual can they? And what constitutes “rare”, “unusual” or “desirable” when it comes to jewellery?
Many of my pieces of vintage jewellery are rare and unusual because that is the type of jewellery I seek out for my shop, making a special effort to try and buy what is not available on every other website you can find. Some are rare because not many of them were ever made, or perhpas not many of them have stood the test of time. Some are rare because they were made my a specific named designer , or made from an unusual material. Seeking out rare and unusual piece in this way means that you are never going to be caught wearing an identical piece of jewellery to someone else.
How rare is rare? I deal in jewllery ever day and have done for many years now. I believe if I have never seen one before it must be quite rare. If I have 5 similar pieces on my site already I could hardly call the piece rare.
What is unusual, well perhaps if I have not seen a particular material used in a special way before. For example, I have just come across a Lucite charm. I regularly find Lucite brooches and would only describe on of those rare or unusual if it had a very special design . But a Lucite charm? This is the first I’ve ever seen ( coming soon to antiquesavneue.co.uk).
Lets take a look at some factors which can make a piece of vintage jewellery rare or unusual:
Size Brooches vary in size although ones under about 1.5 cms long often get called “pins”. An average size brooch would be 3 to 5 cms along the longest edge. This Wedgwood cameo brooch is rare because of its size, it is simple huge at 7.5 x 5 cms
Shape Standard shapes, are round, oval, oblong, square. Animal shapes and other figurals are more unusual as are 3d brooches where some stones stand above others.
Form Many pieces of vintage jewellery have stones of uniform shape, size and colour. When you get lots of variation in the same piece it it much rarer and more interesting.
Material Gold, silver, gold tone, pearls, diamante, diamonds and sapphires are all examples of matirials which are commonly found in jewellery. Much rarer ( although not necessarily more expensive ) would be jade, Lucite, fossils, wood or ceramic for example.
Maker/ Designer Names pieces are much rarer than unmarked jewellery with no makers name on them. And some makers are rarer and more desirable than others.
I hope this little look at rare and unusual vitnage jewellery has given you some food food for thought. Next time I come to call a piece rare or unusual I am going to try and explain why .
Happy Hunting
Anne x