Antique jewellery is crafted at least 100 years ago or more. Antique jewellery periods include The Georgian Era (1700-1836), Victorian Era (1837-1900), Belle Epoque Era (1891-1900), Edwardian Era (1901-1910), and many early Art Deco Era (1911-c.1940) pieces as well. Vintage jewellery is generally considered to be crafted at least 20 years ago and is less than a century old. Vintage jewellery periods include later Art Deco Era pieces, Retro Era (1941-1960) and Contemporary/Modern Era (c.1960-present).

There are many reasons for the rise in popularity of antique jewellery, but it mainly comes down to changing consumer trends. It seems that the general public has been a lot more cautious with their spending habits since the 2008 recession, as the price of gold raised to a historical high leading to many people looking for more cost-effective products. This, along with the many benefits of shopping second-hand that had previously been overlooked, has led to a huge boost in the popularity of used, high-quality jewellery. One of the joys of owning a piece of antique or vintage jewellery is imagining the stories that come with it, and becoming part of that history. Not only is buying an antique or vintage piece a sustainable way to shop but you are also buying a one-of-a-kind piece of jewellery that connects you with its history.

A piece of jewellery is usually considered ‘vintage’ if it is over 50 years old. Antique jewellery is any jewellery that is more than 100 years old.

Not all antique and vintage jewellery should be cleaned using the same methods. There are different procedures to follow based on the metal and stone type. Some customers may prefer an aged look or patina/oxidization to older jewellery, and the specific detailed cleaning method of choice is left to the buyer. Please be careful when cleaning antique and vintage jewellery. Each metal and stone has a different chemical composition, which may cause various effects depending on the solution used. Every cleaning solution should be carefully considered. It is recommended to consult with a professional that specializes in cleaning antique & vintage jewellery if you are unsure what procedure is appropriate for the item.

Pragnell offers a comprehensive Jewellery cleaning and polishing service. See more details in our Polishing and Cleaning Guide or Enquire for more details.

At Pagnell we make sure all of our antique and vintage jewellery pieces are in excellent condition before offering them for sale. All antique and vintage jewellery collectibles have been previously owned and cared for, but some pieces may show more signs of wear or age than others. Pragnell strives to only provide quality collectible jewellery that is ready for wear without needing extensive repairs. Antique and vintage jewellery will rarely be in a perfect unworn condition and natural patina/oxidization of metals often occurs over time with age.