Vintage and Antique Estate Jewelry Information

Vintage Jewelry

Estate jewelry does not just refer to jewelry that has come from an estate, but includes wonderful pieces that have been previously owned. Wearing vintage jewelry is a highly fashionable and covetable look — a huge fashion trend on the runways as designers, looking for something new, hark back to the past for inspiration.

Shopping for fine vintage jewelry is fun and exciting. It's great to chance upon gorgeous, antique items from the past — an antique necklace, an art deco vintage bracelet, or even an antique engagement ring.

Ross-Simons has an unrivalled estate jewelry collection on our web site as well as in our retail stores.

Estate Jewelry: How Did The Idea Emerge?

The idea of wearing vintage jewelry developed in the late 1960s. The fashion revolution at the time paved the way for individuality and 'unique' and 'cool' became the buzzwords. Tastes became more varied, and styles from different eras more widely accepted. People embraced the estate jewelry trend by scouring retro boutiques, and vintage jewelry was the perfect accessory.

Vintage Jewelry Is Cool

Recently, there has been a strong trend towards vintage fashion and antique jewelry. On today's red carpet, retro designs regularly rub shoulders with the latest Couture pieces from Christian Dior, Christian Lacroix and Chanel.

Barbra Streisand was one of the first celebrities to wear and perform in vintage fashion and jewels. Sharon Stone, Wynona Ryder, Nicole Kidman and Chloe Sevigny are other high profile celebrities who have discovered the allure of vintage jewelry.

Vintage Jewelry Accessories Are In

Estate jewelry completes the sentiments of today's fashions. Vintage is unique. Each antique jewel is a reflection of the intricate designs, elegant artistry and craftsmanship of a bygone era. Whatever era you favor, you are inspiring to a wonderful creation of unimagainable beauty.

Are you looking for an antique and sentimental Victorian necklace or a pair of symmetrical, streamlined Art Deco earrings from the 30s? How about the cool elegance of an Edwardian filigree brooch? Ross-Simons has it all.

Antique Jewelry Fashion Trends

Today's jewelry designers are more often than not, harking back to the past and plundering the archives for design inspiration.

As a result, the vintage bracelet that you are sporting is probably the height of fashion. And since no one is likely to have the exact same piece, you are in possession of a custom original with plenty of exciting and secret history behind it.

Is Estate Jewelry An Investment?

Currently, jewelry, particularly antique diamond engagement rings, from the Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco periods is quite rare and highly sought after. It could make thousands of dollars at auction — depending on the quality and condition.

Care of Vintage Jewelry

Part of estate jewelry's charm is in its previous ownership and history. This is often reflected in minor wear. But look after your vintage jewelry collection, just like any other heirloom, keep it in good condition and it will grow in value with time. The best part about estate jewelry is that you get to wear your investment and enjoy it too!

Ross-Simons Promise

Ross-Simons scours the globe to bring you the most finely crafted, beautifully detailed estate jewelry at the great prices you expect from us. We stand by the quality and authenticity of all our estate pieces. All are hand selected and backed by a 30-day return policy.

Enjoy!

Victorian Jewelry: 1837-1901

Sentimentality is synonymous with Victorian Jewelry.

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Hearts, flowers, birds and bows proliferate in a spirit of tenderhearted nostalgia, while hand engraving and filigree reflect the expanding techniques of the era's finest jewelers.

The magic of romance and the allure of gemstones are embraced by the poetry of Tennyson and Browning, and the Victorian jewelers embody the artistic trends with ever-more romantic and intricate design.

Richly toned rose and yellow gold are the favorite metals, often set with semi-precious stones such as garnet, amethyst, seed pearl, coral and opal (one of Queen Victoria's particular favorites.) Precious stones are not uncommon — especially diamonds, whose availability grows with the discovery of new mines around the globe.

Heavier black jewelry in jet, enamel and onyx become the height of fashion after the death of Victoria's husband, Prince Albert. Today, Estate jewelry pieces from the Victorian mourning period are back in vogue — rare and highly collectible.

Art Nouveau Jewelry: 1890-1915

A celebration of style, exquisite craftsmanship, and sinuous lines epitomize Art Nouveau Jewelry.

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While jewelry artisans have always celebrated the beauty of precious stones and valuable metals, Art Nouveau jewelry gives center stage to the design itself. Asian and mythic themes are expressed in characteristically sinuous lines — as are the nature motifs of dragonflies, poppies, snakes, water lilies, irises, and butterflies.

The symbol of a female head adorned with flowing tresses is an Art Nouveau icon — often found in wonderful vintage pendants and brooches.

Semi-precious stones such as moonstone, opal, citrine, peridot and freshwater pearls are widely used by turn-of-the century ateliers, while such non-traditional materials as horn, bone, copper, shell and carved glass are rendered into the strikingly graceful forms that are the essence of Art Nouveau Jewelry style.

Louis Comfort Tiffany, the American jewelry designer, is the toast of New York, Newport and the world-over for his pioneering work in Art Nouveau jewelry designs. Many are so intricate; they are considered works of art. His craftsmanship graces extravagant theater productions and his jewelry is worn by the likes of Sarah Berhardt — Today, Art Nouveau jewelry treasures are coveted by museums and estate jewelry collectors alike.

Edwardian Jewelry: 1901-1914

The Belle Epoque... life's necessities begin with fashion and fine Edwardian Jewelry.

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Wealth flourishes during the Edwardian period and clothing fashions reflect the mood of frivolity with light, decorative layers. The finest Edwardian jewelry mirrors the effect with filigree and decorative swag, tassel and floral garlands — typical of the neo-classical and decorative Rococo influences of the time. Look for impressive Edwardian Necklaces and Rings with roman influences.

The white-on-white look predominates, with rich combinations of pearl, platinum and diamond. Edwardian diamond jewelry is still considered the best of its time, created to very high standards. Edwardian pendants reflect the daring of an exposed neckline in evening fashion, while chokers (a favorite of King Edward's Queen Alexandra) speak to the high collars worn by day. Long strands of pearls or precious metal ending in a tassel, often worn along with feather ornaments in the hair, capture the fascination with the Maharaja Princesses.

All things exotic, luxurious, and embellished explode in Edwardian jewelry — a highly collectible and sought-after estate jewelry period with excellence in artistry and exquisite hand-craftsmanship. Look for Millegrain pieces (a method of fusing thin bands and tiny grains of platinum to make settings appear invisible.) The Negligee pendant is another hot Edwardian estate jewelry trend where two stones or pearls hang at different lengths from a central diamond.

Art Deco Jewelry: 1920-1935

A time for change. Symmetry and ornamentation prevail in Art Deco Jewelry.

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From the Roaring Twenties to the Great Depression — radical changes in lifestyle bring dramatic change in fashion, dress and jewelry. Long and streamlined Art Deco Jewelry designs mirror the 'flapper' girl effect with her cropped hairdo.

As Impressionist and Modern artists collide, the Art Deco jewelers take inspiration with medleys of colored, jumbled gemstones that are interspersed with striking color combinations of turquoise and sapphire or coral and diamond. Art Deco Jewelry echoes the Art Nouveau style with its highly ornamental color and motifs, while Cubist inspired geometric jewelry comes into play post-1925.

This strong sense of streamlined symmetry prevails in Art Deco jewelry. Look for geometric cuts such as triangle, caliber and baguette for diamonds. The discovery of King Tutankhamen's tomb in 1922 fuels the strong fascination for jade, ivory and Egyptian motifs in Art Deco jewelry design.

The flamboyant and the fashion-conscious designers from the period include Gerard Sandoz with his stark geometrics and Jean Despres, a gifted goldsmith. Both the works of Rene Lalique (glass) and Cartier under Louis Cartier, reach dizzying heights of splendor during this golden age of decorative arts and are much sought after in the vintage jewelry market.

Retro Jewelry: 1935-1950

Escapism and the return to romance and femininity in Retro Jewelry.

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Romance returns to jewelry with flowers and fans, ribbons and ruffles — all in contrast to the harsh world realities. Romance and femininity are the perfect escape — whether captured in the romantic movies on-screen, or off-screen with the Duke and Duchess of Windsor (just think of the Duchess's jewelry!).

Gorgeous sunny citrines and cool blue aquamarines from South America become new favorites in Retro jewelry design as trade routes open up and other highly prized gems fall from under wartime restrictions. Look for startling rectangular brooches, bracelets and cocktail rings of massive proportions inspired by the rise of Hollywood flamboyance. The return to white metals and diamonds in waterfall and cascading motifs bear all the hallmarks of post-war prosperity in the finest jewelry.

The enduring appeal of the charm bracelet, still coveted today, is a favorite Retro look. Fabulous and delicately detailed diamond engagement rings are set in illusion settings for added impact. These vintage engagement rings from the 1950's command significant prices at auction today. Retro jewelry is highly collectible; with standouts from the houses of Boucheron, Van Cleef, and Lacloche. And even the simplest pieces of fine jewelry with good design fetch far more today than when they were first introduced.