Antique jewelry is over 100 years old, while vintage jewelry is over 20 years old. Fine jewelry is made with precious metals and gemstones, while costume jewelry is made with base metals and semi-precious or glass stones. The Art Deco period is the last period considered antique, while later periods are considered vintage. Costume jewelry became popular in the 1930s and is often associated with Art Deco and Retro styles.
The difference between vintage and antique jewelry is mainly age. By strict definition, an antique is an object that is 100 years old or older. Vintage pieces are generally over 20 years old. In the realm of jewelry collecting, these dating systems are not always strictly adhered to, as pieces slightly under 100 years old are often referred to as antique. The stylistic period of the jewelry is important in differentiating between the two, and jewelry from the Art Deco period and earlier is considered by many collectors to be antique jewelry.
Antique and vintage jewelry generally falls into two broad categories based on cost and original materials. The first is fine jewelry, which is made with the precious metals of gold, silver, or platinum. Real gemstones were used in its manufacture. The difference between fine antique and vintage jewelry pieces is one of age. Less expensive antique and costume jewelry, the second category, was created primarily from base metals and semi-precious or glass stones and is generally characterized by the styles of the era in which it was produced.
The manufacture of relatively cheap costume jewelery began in the 1700s, offering an alternative to expensive gold, silver and precious stone jewellery. Few pieces of antique costume jewelry from the early Georgian period, 1714 to 1837, still exist. Later Victorian costume jewelry, 1837 to 1900, is relatively abundant and considered highly collectible. Victorian pieces of costume jewelry were often made of glass or paste instead of precious gems, man-made resins instead of jet or amber, and based on brass and other base metals instead of pure silver or gold. Pieces from this period are considered antique jewelry.
Stylistic periods after the Victorian era, including the Art Deco period, may be considered vintage or vintage by different collectors and dealers. The Arts and Crafts period, 1890 to 1920, featured handmade copper and bronze jewelry, often hammered or enamelled. Edwardian and Art Nouveau jewelry is from roughly the same time period as the Arts and Crafts style. Various stylistic features distinguish jewelry from these periods. The Art Deco period, 1920 to 1935, is the last period that jewelry collectors could classify as antique.
Beginning in the 1930s, costume jewelry was mass-produced and widely available, causing its popularity to flourish. Most vintage costume jewelry dates from now on. It was designed to match the latest styles, and its relatively cheap cost allowed almost everyone to own this fashion accessory. Typical styles of vintage jewelry include Art Deco and Retro. Many famous designers specialized in costume jewelry, and Hollywood actresses often popularized various styles.
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