Vintage vs. Antique Jewelry

Ever wondered what the difference between vintage vs antique jewelry is? We get this question all the time! Let’s break down the difference once and for all.

What is the difference in antique and vintage?

Famous Vintage Piece: Princess Diana’s/Dutchess Kate Middleton’s Sapphire Engagement Ring (Source: Popsugar.com)

Both may mean “old”, or “not new”, rather, but the difference between antique vs. vintage jewelry lies in how old the piece actually is.

How old does jewelry have to be to be considered vintage?

If a piece is vintage, it’s at least 20 years old. Examples of vintage jewelry include Georgian, Victorian, Art Deco and Art Nouveau.

What’s the difference between retro and vintage?

Anything that looks “old school” can be considered “retro”. Something can be brand new, but have a retro style.

What does antique mean?

If a piece is an antique, it’s at least 100 years old. Antiques are favored for their historical look/value.

How do I know if my jewelry is vintage or antique?

Antique/vintage jewelry will have a couple clues that will lead you to its worth. You can learn more about that in our previous post: How Much is My Jewelry Worth?

What is my antique jewelry worth?

With the definition of “antique” spanning back 100 years, the value of a piece of antique jewelry can vary greatly. But if your antique jewelry is authentic and kept in relatively good condition, it could be extremely valuable! Some antique jewelry can sell for thousands of dollars.

When it comes to antique jewelry worth, you’ll also need to consider the type of jewelry it is and the exact time period it came from.

What is my vintage jewelry worth?

The worth of vintage jewelry really depends. So long as it’s not costume jewelry, it could have some value.

Similar to antique jewelry, the condition, time period and type of jewelry you’re selling will come into factor. Whether or not the style is popular or in demand should be considered, too. For example, vintage engagement rings are very popular. You’ll probably get more for something like that than a vintage tiara or broach because it’s likely to sell sooner.

But, at the end of the day, you never know if you have a real treasure in your chest. You might have something really rare, so it’s always a great idea to get your jewelry appraised by a number of third-party professionals.

Want to know how much your jewelry is worth? You can schedule a free appraisal with us!