The appeal of a pre-loved engagement ring or pair of jeans may not be obvious to everyone, but keep reading. In this article, we’ll explain what makes vintage goods so special, share some popular vintage jewelry styles, and give you a few tips on how to incorporate antique pieces into your wardrobe.
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Why Is Vintage Jewelry Popular?
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Popular Vintage Jewelry Styles
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Tips For Incorporating Vintage Jewelry In Your Wardrobe
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Levy Jewelers Has Vintage Jewelry Near You
Why is Vintage Jewelry Popular?
Whether you’re a style icon or a casual fashionista, you’re probably tuned into the discourse on sustainable fashion. But sustainability isn’t just a buzzword, and this is far more than a passing fad. Consumers are shifting away from the dizzying cycles of fast fashion. Instead, they’re investing in high quality new pieces that will last a long time, or purchasing vintage items to keep old treasures from getting lost in a landfill.
It’s not just the eco-friendliness that makes vintage goods appealing. Vintage and antique items are also valued for their craftsmanship, their uniqueness, and the history behind them. For instance, vintage and antique jewelry was often produced in small batches. Artisans and designers paid close attention to every detail, crafting quality pieces meant to be passed along for generations. Many designers custom made jewelry for one personSo, if you’re lucky enough to own a piece of vintage jewelry, there’s a good chance that it’s truly one-of-a-kind.
The history behind vintage items is just as fascinating as their unique look. Depending on where you shop, the seller may know the full history of every piece, or you may have to fill in some blanks for yourself. One thing is for certain: each piece comes with a story, and when you invest in vintage jewelry, you get a chance to write a new chapter.
Popular Vintage Jewelry Styles
Unique Vintage Engagement Rings
We understand the appeal of purchasing a brand new ring for your proposal, but hear us out: there’s something magical about a vintage engagement ring. Out of everyone in the world, you and your special someone found your way to each other. Such a rare and beautiful thing is worth celebrating, and what better way to celebrate your one-of-a-kind love story than with a one-of-a-kind engagement ring?
If you’re concerned about your chances of finding a vintage ring with modern appeal, don’t worry. The vintage rings available at your local estate jewelry store have stood the test of time thanks to their classic designs. Plenty of jewelry styles that were popular fifty, seventy or even a hundred years ago are still beloved today. Explore the estate jewelry stores near you, and you’ll find a wide variety of unique vintage engagement rings to choose from.
Vintage Gemstone Rings
If you’re in search of more colorful pieces to add to your wardrobe, look no further than vintage gemstone rings. Statement rings featuring vibrant, sparkling gemstones have been popular throughout many eras of fashion, with each generation putting their own spin on this classic style.
Diamond cluster rings, in which a halo of glittering diamonds surround a center gemstone, were a popular design in the Victorian era. Edwardian rings favored white gold and lacy filigree designs. Art Deco cocktail rings boasted geometric gemstone cuts, with sapphires and emeralds abound. You get the picture–whatever your style, there’s a vintage gemstone ring out there for you!
Vintage Pearl Necklaces
It’s true that pearls never really went out of style–and they never will–but lately, they’re back at the forefront of fashion, and it’s easy to see why. The pearl’s iridescent glow has captivated people for centuries. It’s all the best of Mother Nature’s beauty, wrapped in a shimmering package.
Nothing symbolizes elegance quite like a strand of exquisite pearls. Thanks to style icons like Coco Chanel, who famously wore long pearl strands with nearly every outfit, these gems are synonymous with grace and sophistication. You, too, can capture both old-world charm and modern style with a vintage necklace.
Vintage Earrings
Given the diversity of vintage earring styles, there’s something for everyone out there. It’s worth taking your time to explore the world of vintage earrings, whether that’s online or at your local jewelry store. Here are a few of our favorite vintage earring trends to get you started:
Filigree Earrings
Filigree is an ancient jewelry technique, dating back as far as Ancient Egypt. This design involves twisting thin gold or silver wires into elegant, intricate patterns. Filigree earrings have a lacelike appearance, embodying a dainty beauty that is sure to add a touch of class to any outfit.
Pearl Drop Earrings
Add more trendy pearls to your jewelry box with effortlessly elegant pearl drop earrings. This irresistible earring style is exactly what it sounds like: a small hoop or fish hook earring with a dangling pearl at the end.
Diamond Cluster Earrings
The only thing better than a diamond is a cluster of multiple diamonds. This earring style, popular in the Victorian era, typically featured one central diamond surrounded by a cluster of smaller diamonds. The results are often reminiscent of a flower. Diamond cluster earrings are a great way to add a romantic touch to any of your outfits.
Tips for Incorporating Vintage Jewelry Into Your Wardrobe
Vintage and current pieces don’t have to clash. In fact, there are many ways to pair your vintage jewelry with your modern wardrobe. When incorporating vintage jewelry into your outfits, don’t focus too much on the age of your pieces. Instead, approach it as if you’re styling clothes and jewelry from the same era. Just use your fashionable eye to find complementary colors, aesthetics, and designs.
Knowing the historical context of your vintage jewelry can help you pair it with your current styles. If you have a pair of Art Deco era earrings, consider building your outfit around an Art Deco theme. You don’t have to go out and buy century-old clothing: it’s easy to find elements of vintage style in even the most modern of closets. Art Deco, for instance, emphasized rich colors, fluid forms and geometric design. If anything in your wardrobe matches that description, have fun pairing it with your vintage jewelry for a fun and creative ‘throwback’ look.
Caring for your vintage jewelry will look different than caring for your newer jewelry. Though jewelers do their best to restore vintage pieces to prime condition, they still require delicate handling. Be sure to keep your vintage pieces away from any other jewelry or objects that could scratch it. Vintage jewelry with intricate detailing, like filigree designs, will be more prone to breaking, so take caution when wearing, transporting or cleaning it. Take your vintage pieces to a professional jeweler for occasional maintenance and cleaning–don’t try to fix the problems on your own.
Levy Jewelers Has Vintage Jewelry Near You
By now, we hope you’re feeling prepared–and excited–to hop on the vintage jewelry train.
We encourage you to visit your local jeweler to start exploring unique, elegant vintage pieces. Whether it’s an engagement ring for the love of your life or a pair of pearl drop earrings just for you, vintage jewelry is a great choice for its sustainability, sentimentality, and timeless style.
If you happen to live in the Savannah, Georgia area, you’re warmly invited to visit us here at Levy Jewelers. Our estate and vintage jewelry cases are filled with incredible pieces for you to discover. And no matter where you’re from, you can always check out our estate jewelry collection on our website.