What Is Antique and Vintage Jewelry?

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Whether you’re shopping for an engagement ring or a simple necklace, arming yourself with knowledge is the greatest way to shop effectively. Learning and memorizing basic jewelry terminology will save you time, money, and most importantly – stress! By knowing what the different terms mean, you’ll be able to confidently ask questions and make choices that are best for you.

Vintage Jewelry

In a formal sense, vintage jewelry refers to second-hand jewelry (and sometimes timepieces) that’s older than 20 years but younger than 100. This includes the Hollywood-inspired 1940s jewelry, Jacqueline Kennedy’s elegant 60s pieces, and the dramatic designs of the 1970s and 80s.

Antique Jewelry

In the jewelry business, a ring is considered to be an antique if it’s older than 100 years old. However, some jewelers use the term “antique” to mean any ring that’s over 80 years old. Be sure to ask your jeweler if you’re not sure what they mean by the term “antique”! You don’t want to end up purchasing something that you thought was a classic antique when it is actually an old piece.

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