Then there is the age factor – many people love the history that radiates through antique jewelry.

Buying antique jewelry can be a great way to obtain high-quality stones and pieces that are dazzling, rare and hard-to-find in contemporary retailers. You can also find great deals, though buyers should be wary of any deal that seems too good to be true.

In this article, we’ll cover the basics on how to protect yourself when purchasing antique jewelry and what to look for in a good piece. So, if you want to learn more about antique jewelry shopping, keep reading.

So, is it antique or vintage?

There’s actually a distinction between vintage pieces and antique pieces. Typically, a vintage piece of jewelry may be about 30 to 70 years old, while an antique piece could be hundreds or thousands of years old (in which case it should be in a museum).

What are the most popular antique jewelry pieces?

Most dealers offer a range of antique pieces, but collectors tend to prize pieces from the Victorian era and the Art Deco period of the early twentieth century. Jewelry from the Victorian period (1837-1901) tends to exude grace and history, while still exhibiting modern craftsmanship and quality. Pieces from earlier periods tend to be cruder and the stones of a lower grade, which is why jewelry collectors focus on the Victorian age.

Meanwhile, the antique jewelry from the Art Deco design era (1920-1930) attracts a lot of attention thanks to its unique shapes and overall style. Because of the industrial aesthetic, these pieces are distinct and highly valued amongst collectors.

What about modern “antiques?” What are they?

Because these styles are so popular, many jewelers are carrying pieces that look like antiques, but are actually made today. They’re not original Victorian brooches or Art Deco bracelets, but they’re made to look like it. These can be a great option for someone who wants the wearability and durability of a modern piece, but the look and style of an antique.

If I’m buying an antique, how can I be sure it’s real?

Always get every aspect of the piece in writing from the retailer, including the stone carats and quality. Then, have the piece appraised by an independent appraiser. If it doesn’t match the description given to you by the retailer, return the item for a full refund or ask to renegotiate the purchase price.

To prevent potential fraud or misrepresentation problems, always deal with reputable and respected dealers who offer a clear and easy-to-understand return policy.

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Purchasing Guide For Beautiful Antique Jewelry

That’s Crude

During the Badari and the Naqada era in ancient Egypt, Egyptians were known to wear jewelry make up of simply natural materials such as shells, bones, beads plant branches and the like. These simple natural materials were arranged or strung using cow hair or threads of flax. Since the Egyptians were just starting to learn the art of jewelry making at that time, the designs of these first generation ancient Egyptian jewelry were not really that good.

That’s Better

During the First Dynasty, Egyptians started to master the art of making jewelry. At this time, Egyptians learned to paint stones with glass substances to bring out the natural beauty of the stones. Later on, they learned to make pieces of jewelry from solid semiprecious stones and metals like gold and silver. Some brilliant jewelry makers in Egypt also came up with some of the ancient world’s most intricate jewelry designs.

According to historians, the art of jewelry making peaked during the Middle Kingdom era in ancient Egypt. At this time, the Egyptians were able to master the techniques in melting precious metals and turning them into lovely jewelry pieces. To get all the necessary materials for jewelry making, the Egyptians were know to sent regular missions to Nubia and the Eastern Desert to extract precious stones and metals.

The Royal Family

The rulers of ancient Egypt were known for their love for ancient Egyptian jewelry. According to experts, the Egyptians consider jewelry as a kind of talisman that protects them from evil. Jewelry also defines the lineage or the economic status of the person in the ancient times. It was not uncommon for royalty to deck their bodies with several pieces of jewelries. The women and men of noble birth usually adorn themselves with several pieces of precious stones and metals.

Ancient Egyptians believe that jewelries can help the dead navigate to the next world that is why most tombs of ancient Egyptian royalty are filled with treasures. In most cases, several pieces of ancient Egyptian jewelry are placed on the body of the deceased to help him or her transcend to the next world.

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Ancient Egyptian Jewelry

The Charm Of The Past

There are plenty of exceptionally expensive and beautiful jewelry all around you from diamonds to the latest designer label items; nonetheless, when you look at any antique jewelry your heart stops in its tracks. The beauty of these vintage items leaves you breathless and speechless. Have you ever wondered what makes them so attractive?

Antique jewelry is beautiful because of its past. Look at any antique piece or hold it in your hand and you will feel history talking with you. It is like you could close your eyes and imagine this wonderful piece of jewelry worn by kings and queens of yesteryear, experiencing with them their bygone life styles, their joys and disappointments; it is like the jewelry has a life of its own. It is this backdrop that makes the antique jewelry so magnetic, besides the fact that each vintage item is a masterpiece in its own class.

Find Out What She Would Prefer Before You Buy

Men and women have often totally opposite perception of beauty, so do not assume that you know what she would love to wear. The best would be to get her choose her jewelry herself. However, this would not be as much fun as surprising her with it. In this case you would have to trick her into telling you what she likes without her realizing that you are seeking her choice.

The best way to do this is to ask her to accompany you for window shopping, allegedly for your mother or sister. Ensure that you show her all that is available the Victorian (1830-80) style jewelry, the Edwardian style (1901-15), the Art Deco (1920-35), the Art Nouveau (1890-1919) and watch her expressions. Her face would light up when she finds something that touched her heart and you will know what to buy for her.

Double check by choosing and showing her the antique jewelry you would be planning to buy for her and watch her reaction. If she looks longingly at it with a smile on her face, she loves it. If she just glances at it and nods her approval, you need to search some more.

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Antique Jewelry

Learn What The Symbols Say To You

The most popular of all Celtic symbols in jewelry is the Claddagh or the wedding ring. You will find on this type of ring three symbols, which are a heart, a crown and two holding hands, each one signifying the pillars of marriage. The heart points to the love that a marriage should be blessed with, the crown indicates the loyalty that spouses should have for each other, and the joined hands signify friendship, which should be the basis of all marriages.

Another very common symbol you will find among Celtic jewelry is the spiral, which symbolizes eternity. Anyone who gifts you a Celtic ring (or any other piece of jewelry) with a spiral on it would want to tell you that they are yours for ever. The spiral also has many other meanings, such as everlasting life.

The cross is also a very common and loved symbol which dates about two hundred years before the Christian cross was known and worn as jewelry. This symbol indicates power to deal with adversity as well as knowledge and fortitude in the face of trouble. The person who receives a gift of Celtic cross jewelry is wished success in whatever they are doing.

There are many other symbols that you would find among Celtic jewelry such as dragons and serpents. Looking up the legends that make the background of these symbols make this type jewelry a joy to gift and receive.

Makes An Excellent Gift

If you want to say something in the most poetical and romantic fashion there is nothing better than this type of jewelry. Their history and symbolism make this jewelry stand out as a personalized gift that says it all without exchanging one word. Whether it is a ring, a pendant or a bracelet charm the Celtic symbols make excellent gifts for that special person in your life.

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Celtic Jewelry

Finding fine jewelry is fairly easy these days, thanks to the internet. Companies that are renowned for their fine jewelry have on-line sites that let the consumer browse through different styles and designs and then order. There are also unique designers that are able to showcase their own line of fine jewelry.

Companies To Check Out

Turn on any show that features celebrities and the names of classic jewelry designers will spill out. Many of these companies have been in business for years and have established themselves as dependable and reputable for making fine jewelry.

Harry Winston is a well known American jeweler that began his journey when he acquired a collection of jewelry owned by Arabella Huntington, the wife of a railroad magnet. Harry Winston took the jewels and redesigned the settings, and launched his career as a designer. Harry Winston is very well known for his fine jewelry designs that are worn by movie stars and the wealthy from around the world.

Catier is another well known and respected name in fine jewelry design. Cartier was founded by Louis-Francois Cartier in 1847, in 1874 one of his sons took over the business and the family continued to expand the jewelry business. The company is known for its jewelry and even makes watches and leather goods.

Both of these companies have web-sites so that even if you don’t happen to live close to one of their exclusive stores, a consumer can still purchase their fine jewelry. Isn’t the Internet truly magical?

Fine jewelry can also be found at nearby stores too. There are many jewelers that produce fine jewelry in local areas. These designers may not have the world famous appeal of a Harry Winston, but they do make beautiful and original pieces that can be a jumping off point to starting a collection.

In fact, a personal relationship can develop and designs can be tailored made for customers by fine jewelers, locating a local jeweler can be a great way to establish this type of relationship that is beneficial to both parties.

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Fine Jewelry