Some manufacturers were in operation up until a specific year, and other manufacturers change their company hallmark over time. Jewelry stamps or hallmarks on the piece often help determine an item's origins, or even the year it was made. In the UK, however, 9k gold is very popular and this is a common indicator that the item was manufactured there.Ī modern palladium ring. As an example the United States does not consider anything less than 10k (41.6%) gold to be considered gold jewelry. Prior to that, jewelry from previous eras were set with old, hand-cut gems, such as the rose cut for Georgian and Victorian jewelry and the European cut for Edwardian and Art Nouveau jewelry.Ĭountries have different standards for their metals as well, which will allow you to figure out where your item is from. Even stones can be affected machine stone cutting was introduced in the early 1900s, which created the round brilliant cut that is still the most popular diamond cut today. Incredibly intricate, small, and lacy filigree work, in combination with white gold or platinum, will often point to Edwardian or Art Deco jewelry. For instance, hand engraving is indicative of a piece dating at least to the 1900s, especially if it is on a signet ring. While manufacturing methods drastically vary, certain components and details are very telltale when it comes to dating the jewelry. This Black Hills ring shows off the signature multicolored gold look, with grape leaves. The rise of the cameo, or a hard material carved into a portrait, is also attributed to the Victorian era. Other styles include acrostic jewelry, or jewelry that spelled out messages with the first letter of the types of stones: REGARDS (ruby, emerald, garnet, amethyst, diamond, and sapphire.) Towards the later part of the Victorian era, a fad for archaeology was responsible for the creation of Egyptian and Ancient Greek designs. Not everything was gloomy, however Queen Victoria owned a bright and cheerful bracelet with enameled hearts, which inspired jewelers to experiment with enamel in their own creations. After his death, the public joined her method of mourning by wearing black jewelry, set with jet, onyx, and other somber gems such as garnets. During the first years of her marriage, a snake ring that was given to her by her husband, Prince Albert, became wildly popular. Victorian (1830-1900): Named after the reign of Queen Victoria, this style of jewelry was highly personal to the beloved queen, who was a style-setting icon of her time.Due to age, many of these pieces are quite expensive.

Most pieces were part of a set that could include necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, brooches, and even crowns.

While this style tends to fluctuate due to the lengthy period of time, it is known for its elaborate designs, colorful precious gemstones, and love of yellow gold.

Georgian (1700-1830): As one of the oldest and still commercially available styles of jewelry, Georgian jewelry is named after the four kings that ruled England during this period.Here's a brief breakdown of the most popular jewelry styles by era: One of the most telling ways to identify your jewelry is by its style, which can correspond to a specific time period or area. This means that there are many different types of vintage and antique jewelry based on fashion trends, manufacturing styles, popular materials, and jewelry stamps. Vintage jewelry is jewelry that is at least 30 years old, while antique jewelry must be older than a century. Maybe you've inherited something from your grandma, or you've recently been into thrift shops- you want to know more about your jewelry, and the only thing that you're sure of is that it's old.īut where to start? Well, check out our antique jewelry identification guide below.

Navy double sided earrings