Throughout the history of mankind, people have adorned themselves with precious metals and stones. Today's realities allow you to have more than one piece of jewelry in use. However, antique products can emphasize the status of a person or even become his talisman in life. What are the features of antique jewelry, what should I pay attention to when choosing?
Distinguishing feature
Antique jewelry is distinguished by its age - it must be over 75 years old. If the jewelry is younger, it is vintage, also old, but not so unique and expensive. Particularly valued are those jewelry that were made before the appearance of the first jewelry factories that produce products in large quantities. In those distant times, jewelry was made to order by a jeweler, who always left a name brand on the product.
In most cases, antique jewelry has already had one or more owners, but this only adds to its significance. Antique jewelry is a product with a history,which sometimes has more value than the product itself.
Value generation
As is the case with modern jewelry, the cost of antique jewelry depends on the precious metal from which it is made, the number of stone inserts, and the size of the product. In addition, the fame of the jeweler who made the jewelry significantly affects the final price.
Age also matters and influences pricing policy. For example, a piece that is 200 years old will be significantly more expensive than one that is only 75 years old. However, each case should be considered individually, because much depends not only on the age of the piece and the name of the jeweler, but also on the history of the piece and its former owners.
How to choose
When choosing antique jewelry, you should pay attention to the following recommendations:
- The product must contain elements of style that were inherent in a particular era. If the description of the jewelry lists one historical period in which it was made, and the appearance says otherwise, then most likely it is a fake.
- Vintage jewelry can't be cheap, especially when the exact names of the jeweler and previous owners are listed.
- When buying, you can ask the seller for an expert opinion on the value of the metal and stones that were used in the product. If the purchase is made in an online store, the administration must send scanned copies confirming the authenticity of the jewelry.
When choosingjewelry as an ornament, you should listen to your own feelings when examining one or another option.
Varieties of antique jewelry
Experts categorize vintage jewelry as follows:
- Silver items. In the old days, many items of ladies' toiletry were made from this metal, which today can be considered jewelry. These were all kinds of powder boxes, pocket mirrors, hair combs, cream jars. Items were rarely decorated with precious stones, but jewelers decorated them with natural minerals, enamel, and filigree.
- Products with precious stones. Antique jewelry with diamonds or other expensive minerals was made mainly from gold. The jeweler approached such items especially responsibly, since most often they were made to order. Accordingly, on these ornaments the nominal brand of the manufacturer was put. It should be noted that precious stones in the old days were fixed in two ways: metal was adjusted with shackles or under them so that it firmly clasped the stone.
- Hair jewelry deserves a place in its own category. At the beginning of the last century, they were at the peak of popularity, so every jeweler tried to do his work as efficiently as possible in order to get sophisticated and refined things at the end. To date, you can find many perfectly preserved hair ornaments in the form of hairpins, decorated with enamel and stones, combs.
- Rings and rings. antique jewelrywith diamonds and other valuable stones were a great success for both men and women. Many unique items from well-known and not so famous masters have survived to this day.
- Pendants and brooches were in the collection of any noble lady of the century before last. At the same time, the pendants opened, so they often kept a lock of a loved one's hair, and a photo was inserted a little later.
The classification of antiques is very conditional and is intended only to divide things into familiar categories.
Wearing rules
Most people who aren't collectors buy antique gold jewelry for personal use. It is worth noting a few unspoken rules for wearing such products:
- It is not recommended to mix metals. For example, if your choice fell on a silver ring, a brooch or earrings must be purchased from the same metal.
- It is important not to mix items from different eras, if in doubt, only one piece of jewelry should be preferred.
- When choosing a massive piece of jewelry, emphasize its uniqueness with a simple cut of clothing.
The most important thing in wearing antique jewelry is relevance in this case, because a massive necklace or brooch in the office will look ridiculous.
Energy of jewelry
There is a belief that a thing is able to absorb the energy of the former owner. The same applies to jewelry, since precious metals and stones have been considered since ancient times.good conductors of subtle energies. No wonder so many urban legends are associated with antique jewels whose owners were killed or unhappy in life.
Superstitious people are often afraid to buy antiques, so as not to bring trouble on themselves. As you know, most problems are rooted in the subconscious, so when choosing antique jewelry, prejudice should be discarded. If the desire to possess a unique thing is great, but borders on anxiety, experts recommend performing a simple cleansing ritual, which is designed to calm the person.
Where to buy?
It will not be difficult to buy antique jewelry in Moscow, because there are many antique shops, auctions and shops in the capital. In smaller cities, this is more problematic, but here online stores come to the rescue, which send the item you like to any part of the country and beyond. At the same time, it is important to carefully check the seller or trading platform before buying. Today, instead of genuine antiques, there is a risk of getting a good quality modern fake if you do not check the relevant documentation.
Besides, in the "flea" markets you can sometimes find a unique little thing, the cost of which will be an order of magnitude lower than in the store. However, even here, without a thorough check, you can buy antique-styled items.
Acquisition reviews
People who take the risk of buying a unique antique are often satisfied and even proud of owning an interesting piece. Vintage jewelry often becomes personal good luck charms or family heirlooms that are passed down to generations to come.
As a rule, antique jewelry is purchased by those who want to look status and original (and can afford it), because an exquisite little thing gives charm to the image, makes it unique, and is also able to raise self-esteem and mood. The main thing is that the purchase is meaningful and carried out with skill.
