There are definitely clues that can be used in deciphering how old your jewelry is. The older and more rare the piece of jewelry, the more valuable it will be. There are many more clues than just five, but these are quick and easy ways to help determine the age of your jewelry.
The invention of different earring findings will help date your jewelry. Jewelry findings are ready made pieces that jewelers use such as clasps, pin stems, hinges, etc. Fittings refer to the parts that can be custom-made for a piece. This drawing shows the styles when they were introduced into the market.
In order of date, the styles are named as follows: Some of these styles are still made today. Thread stud earrings from are thicker in diameter and the nut is much heavier than those that are made today. Screw-back non-pierced earrings that were made in are still made today but they are not that common on newer pieces.
Kidney wires were invented in the s and are also still used today. The shape has been modified in the modern earring. Knowing the difference between all of these can be helpful when determining the date of your jewelry. Most answers to understanding jewelry can be found by looking on the backs or undersides. Brooches have evolved over one hundred years, and the backs provide much of the information we need to date the piece. Again, this drawing shows the different types of clasps used on brooches or pins with the approximate date as to when they first appeared.
I have found that the trickiest thing about dating a brooch is not necessarily the kind of clasp, but an altered back. Look for any suspicious solder. Pools of solder would only be on a piece that has been altered or repaired.
Another thing to look for are oval or round metal pads where the pin has been attached to the back of the brooch. This is also a sign that the piece has been altered. When I first started buying jewelry I came across this unusual 14k gold filled piece with a "c" clasp pin and a "hook" on the backside of what looks to me like a pendant. After some research I learned what it really is.
5 Clues to Help Identify the Date of Jewelry
Is this a brooch or a pendant? Have you seen this before? Take this poll and leave a comment. Black jewelry can be found in abundance at flea markets, estate sales, and antique stores. Identifying what the black material is can make a big difference in determining when it was made and how much it could be worth. Black jewelry most likely made of one of the following: There are ways to test each one of these materials to determine what it is. Auctions on eBay are fun to watch. I like to look up different styles and periods of jewelry to see what comes up and how much it sells for.
This helps me to understand the market better. Then when I shop at estate sales, auctions, and antique stores, I have a better idea of what I am looking at. I also come in with a price in mind. The use of color gemstones and enamel correlates to architecture and decorative art of the times. For example, color in the Renaissance was almost gaudy, while the use of color during the Victorian Era was somber because the death of Prince Albert caused Queen Victoria to declare an extended period of mourning. After the Victorian Era, the period of Art Nouveau utilized soft and delicate colors with rich gold and silver metals.
This was short-lived as the Art Deco era moved to the forefront with its use of bolder colors and geometric designs. A devil-may-care attitude influenced the look. Color palettes dominated different time periods throughout history. Knowing which color gemstones were predominant at certain times in history goes a long way in helping to date a piece of jewelry. Hallmarks and markings are an important clue to help date a piece of jewelry. Most often these marks are hidden on the inside of a shank on a ring, the inside of a bracelet, or on the inside back of an earring. Using your loupe, you will often find some kind of mark identifying the jeweler, designer, retailer, or manufacturer.
If you bring this to a jeweler, they may be able to date the piece based on the marks. These marks can also make a tremendous difference on the value and collectability of the jewelry. Remember that the value is not always about the intrinsic value. The trademark can also provide information about when and where a piece was made. Good sources for this information can be found at: The photo shown here is a sterling silver filigree camphor glass necklace. Dated about , it features the "Order of the Eastern Star" in the center. The center star has five enamel points and with five different images.
However, this piece is not all authentic. The open center panel has been taken off and replaced with this rectangular piece. You can see how it does not fit perfectly. Look on the outer edges and you will see the inconsistency of the space around it. On the back is a small screw that attaches this shape from the frame.
Morning Glory Antiques & jewelry
I showed this to my jeweler. He said these pieces were designed so that different pieces could be changed out. It is bothersome that the center shape does not fit properly within the framed shape. This does affect the value and aesthetics. This is a great introduction to some of the best vintage costume designers to be on the look out for. Sign in or sign up and post using a HubPages Network account.
5 Easy Clues for Dating Antique or Vintage Jewelry
Comments are not for promoting your articles or other sites. Wish I would have seen this years ago it would have been helpful. I love collecting beautiful jewelry. I'm not sure what is giving people the impression someone will be appraising their jewelry, or even answering their questions, as nowhere is it even suggested - much less stated - that these services will be provided.
The reason you are not getting responses is because you are posting them in a "comments" forum. The author is asking for your comments on her article: What would you have liked to learn about? But, I'm confused about something that is probably under my nose, so to speak. I see all these posts for help, but I don't see any responses.
The Clasp diagram is great! Is there a way to know how long each style was used? Only the 's indicates it's still used. Does anyone have information on the designer or mark "Vero. All I know is that Vero jewelry, I think only brooches, was made in the s, as late as the 80s. I have 2 Halloween brooches, which I haven't seen anywhere else: I have a old ring that I bought for my sixth birthday. It had alternated stones of light and dark yellow stones the entire ring with these circle stones in atotal Val total shape with and adjusted band pending printed what is it worth???
I have a signed YSL black runway cuff bracelet that I wish I could find someone to authenticate and date it. I had a local YSL store look at it, they couldn't but sent a picture to their Paris store and they couldn't either. Said its too old and they don't have data back to the early 60s to look at.?
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Were can I go that someone may know about it. I can take picture if you would like to see it. I have what i believe is an old ring. Ita a birthstone ring with five stones and a silver band holding them in.
The band is screwed in. If i sent a picture would you know when this style was used? I don't know the particular name for it, but I do actually own some because of ebay auctions. I'm pretty sure that I have seen them worn in in period movies set around the 's or so, usually on a longish, medium-heavy chain, and then pinned up to the side so that the chain is made to 'dangle' in some sort of artful display. Or, maybe it's just as simple as to give the owner a choice: Hmmm, pendant or brooch? My previous post described a brooch or pendant that could also be worn on a chain and it's heavy metal.
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It's not the thin open heart of Luchenbooth hearts rather solid with intricate designs and I can't find any kind of lettering on it at all. Can someone please help me. I have a gold heart brooch with crown on top of it with what resembles a family crest of a crown with cross at top of crown on a green colored background and it has a c clasp.
It is thicker than a modern post - even a screw back.
Thoughts That Have Crystallized!
To be able to wear the earrings I am going to have to get the posts replaced. How will this affect value? I received an old brooch from a relative. I don't know who it belonged to or where it came from.