What is Vintage Jewelry?

If you're new to the world of vintage jewelry or you're looking to clarify common terms used to describe old jewelry, this is a great place to start. 

The following glossary is a quick index of popular words used to describe old jewelry, dating from the 1900s to the late 1990s.    

Pictured, a curated selection of Vintage Jewelry by Hester Fleming.

Pictured above, is a curated selection of Vintage Jewelry pieces by Hester Fleming.  

  • Antique Jewelry (Jewellery): To claim an object is 'Antique', it must be at least 100 years old, and usually show a degree of craftsmanship or a a certain attention to detail.  Pieces dating from the 1920s are now considered, Antique. 
  • Vintage Jewelry (Jewellery): By definition 'Vintage' is at least 20 years old and, more often than not, refers to 20th-century design.  Most of the pieces curated by Hester Fleming Vintage are classified as 'Vintage'. It's hard to believe fashion, homewares and jewellery produced in the early 2000s, is now vintage! 
1940s Vintage Coro Necklace

From my personal collection, a vintage 1940s Coro necklace. I really enjoy mixing vintage jewelry with contemporary clothing styles. The dress is by Witchery. Purchased, winter season, 2022.    

  • Mid-Century Vintage Jewelry (Jewellery): An era of the 20th-century that typically represents the early 1930s to the mid-1960s.
Mid Century Trifari Necklace
Pictured, a mid century Trifari necklace. Circa, 1950s. This piece is part of the HFV curated collection available to purchase here
Here's a modern interpretation of how to wear this piece. Photo was taken at Round She Goes, Sydney. July 2024. 
  • Modernism/ Modernist Vintage Jewelry (Jewellery): A 20th-century design movement that promoted simple, angular, geometric forms. 
Modernist Brooch Design By Monet
Pictured, a modernist style brooch by Monet. Extremely versatile with contemporary clothing trends. You can find out more here.
  • Art Deco: The predominant decorative art style of the 1920s and 30s, characterized by precise and boldly delineated geometric shapes, combined with strong colours. 
  • Retro Style: A bold, chunky style of fashion, popular in the late 1930s and '40s, influenced by Art Deco's machine age forms.
Antique Eisenberg Brooch
Pictured, an early 1940s Eisenberg Brooch. You can find out more here.
  • Nostalgia: A sentimental longing or wistful affection for a period in the past. Currently, popular culture is reminiscing trends from the 1990s.  90s Preppy jewelry trends included, hoop earrings, chain bracelets and necklaces, chandelier earrings, cocktail rings, anklets, and hair jewels. You could also mix, match and stack, choker necklaces, bangles, bracelets, hoop earrings, gemstone pendants, and anklets.  You can check out the HFV 90s jewelry edit here.
Vintage 90s Link Chain Bracelet
Pictured, 1990s Classic Link Chain Bracelet. Find out more here.

 

The 20th century offers an exciting and diverse range of jewellery styles for everyone. If there's a style or piece of jewellery you're currently seeking and you would like some help, please contact me (Hester) via email, hester@curatedvintagejewellery.com

References for this blog post: How to Buy Vintage Jewellery and Accessories. Hester Fleming, 2019. Click here to purchase. 

If you would like to find out more about my background curating vintage jewellery, please click here.  Thank you for visiting! 

 

Back to blog