Antique jewellery is a term applied to jewellery that is over a hundred years old. There is a charm to older jewellery, a sense of old-world elegance and sense of regality this aspect of antique jewellery is making a comeback in fashion. Ideally vintage jewellery and items are treated as family heirlooms that is passed down from one generation to the other. However, given its demand, jewellers are crafting Heirloom-quality jewellery inspired from the Victorian, Edwardian, art deco periods. These can act as perfect gifts of rare jewellery piece that can be preserved by the receiver.

Among the antique jewellery pieces that are ideally favoured are engagement rings, studded necklaces, bracelets, brooches, pendants, lockets alongwith other timeless pieces that project the art and beauty of a bygone era.

Apart from designing antique jewellery, they are usually acquired from antique jewellery auctions, fairs and sales that are patronized by the jewellers to bring customers pieces that portray an air of extraordinary charm and elegance. To maintain transparency for its authenticity, some of the jewellers do mention the age of the displayed antique jewellery. For example, some may state that they keep antique jewellery that dates back to the 1900 to 1950 – Edwardian, art deco and retro jewellery. Some may possess heirloom pieces that are two centuries old viz. late Georgian jewellery or Victorian jewellery.

What is the advantage of creating antique jewellery pieces or even possessing it have on the jeweller? The advantage is not just the price that comes with creating antique jewellery. There is a history associated with antique jewellery and this provides the buyer and the jeweller about the history and culture of the stated era to which the antique jewellery belongs. In this manner one is let into the trends of those times, why they wore specific jewellery with a specific outfit etc. Pendants with miniature paintings of family members or loved ones were also predominant during the late-Georgian era. The jewellery from each era provides a view of the changing times and long with it the changing fashions. Hence, every piece of antique jewellery, whether created or procured from various sources come with it some interesting anecdotes attached to it.

Antique jewellery is not just favoured by the older generation, its charm has found its way into the hearts of many a younger generation too. Also, as students of jewellery design it is important to understand trends of every era. This provides a basis for inspiration and also shows that old is definitely gold! Learn all about the jewellery from different eras by enrolling in our 1-year Diploma in Fine Jewellery Design offered at one of the well-known jewellery designing institutes in Bangalore.

Antique Jewellery – A timeless tale of elegance and glory