What counts as vintage jewellery
Vintage jewellery generally means pieces between twenty and a hundred years old, which in our shop covers everything from 1920s Art Deco vintage rings through to the gold and gemstone vintage jewellery of the 1970s and 80s. Vintage jewellery sits between antique jewellery, which is over a hundred years old, and modern jewellery made today, and each decade of vintage jewellery has its own recognisable character: the geometric platinum settings of Art Deco vintage rings, the scrolling yellow gold of 1950s vintage jewellery, and the bolder, more tactile vintage jewellery designs that followed in the 60s and 70s.
What draws collectors to vintage jewellery, and to vintage rings in particular, is hand-finished craftsmanship that is simply not produced the same way now. Filigree work, millegrain edging and hand-set claws on a vintage ring take time that modern production rarely allows, and the diamonds themselves - often old cut stones with warmer, softer light than a modern brilliant cut - give vintage jewellery a character that new jewellery cannot easily replicate.
Styles in our vintage jewellery collection
Our vintage jewellery collection spans vintage rings, vintage pendants, vintage brooches, vintage earrings and vintage necklaces, with particularly strong representation from the Art Deco period. Vintage ring jewellery makes up a large part of what we offer, from statement vintage diamond rings and vintage gemstone rings to more delicate vintage dress rings, many featuring intricate filigree, millegrain settings and enamel work typical of the finest vintage jewellery of their era.
Alongside vintage rings, our vintage jewellery collection includes vintage necklaces and pendants, vintage brooches, and vintage earrings sourced from across the twentieth century. Many of our vintage jewellery pieces are inspired by, or date directly from, the Art Deco period, with the geometric patterns, symmetrical designs and luxurious diamonds and coloured gemstones that define vintage jewellery from those years.
Buying vintage jewellery: what to look for
Authenticity and dating matter as much with vintage jewellery as with older antique pieces. Every item in our vintage jewellery collection is checked by hand for hallmark accuracy, construction method and stone security before it goes on sale, and we date each piece of vintage jewellery as precisely as the evidence allows rather than guessing. Where a date is approximate, we say so clearly in the vintage jewellery listing.
Condition varies across any vintage jewellery collection, and vintage rings in particular are handled more than most other vintage jewellery, so claw and setting wear is worth checking closely. We examine every vintage ring and every other piece of vintage jewellery individually rather than assuming condition from age alone, and we are always glad to talk through the history, craftsmanship and condition of a specific piece of vintage jewellery before you buy.
Visit us or browse online
Our vintage jewellery collection changes regularly as new pieces come in, so it is worth checking back if you do not see the right vintage ring or vintage jewellery piece today. If you are searching for a specific style, era or gemstone within vintage jewellery, our team is happy to help you narrow the search - contact us directly or visit our shop at 29 High Street, Battle, East Sussex, open Monday to Saturday, 10:15 to 17:00.
