Vintage items are all the rage these days, and antique jewelry is no exception. Don't let the word antique fool you - although technically any item more than a year old qualifies as vintage, many people use these word interchangeably. This means that most pieces of vintage jewelry, especially of the costume variety, are really antique pieces under a different label. Antique jewelry is usually of a higher quality than most contemporary consumer goods, which is why it's managed to last so long. Pieces of antique jewelry are typically made of materials that aren't used very often anymore, such as pearl, ivory, and precious stones. They always have a classic look that transcends distinct eras to remain stylish decades or even centuries later. Lots of hobbyists collect antique jewelry while other consumers just prefer it to newer items. Believe it or not, jewelry has its own timeline. Georgia jewelry is some of the oldest you will find outside of museums. It dates from 1714-1837 and is very expensive because it's so aged. Romantic jewelry stems from about 1790-1850 and is characterized by its ornate, elaborate designs. It is also costly due to age. In fact, two of the most famous jewelry companies, Tiffany and Cartier, opened during this time period. Mid-Victorian jewelry is notably distinct from early Victorian pieces because it is far more subdued and tends to come in darker hues. Late Victorian jewelry represents a return to elaborate colors and patterns. Art Deco pieces are more contemporary styles that emerged after World War I. These have a flapper feel and often incorporate large geometric shapes and patterns. Vintage/Retro jewelry (proper) dates back to the 1940s. It is famous for being unusually large in terms of stones, shapes, and glitz.
