HIDDEN GEMS

What makes antique and vintage jewellery so uniquely popular?

Traditional thought dictates that one should be looking to spend three month’s salary on an engagement ring for that special someone. This is a figure large enough to cause palpitations in even the steeliest of lovers’ hearts but, increasingly, modern couples are choosing a less formulaic approach in order to achieve their dreams, satisfy their tastes and stay within budgets.

Antique jewellery provides the opportunity to own beautiful stones at a fraction of the price, without sacrificing quality in the process. In fact, when considering the upswing in popularity of antique jewellery pieces, and their associated history, many now regard them as superior.

For Pontus Silfverstolpe, co-founder of online auctioneers, Barnebys (barnebys. co.uk), the market for antique jewellery has been on the up: “Jewellery has been extremely strong in recent years with new records set year-after-year. There is a new generation who choose to buy vintage pieces as something more unique for their wedding rings. It is hardly surprising that a growing number of couples come to auction houses to shop for engagement rings as the choice is much greater and prices are competitive.”

This is something that high street retailers are also finding, Mark Smith from York’s historic Cavendish Jewellers (cavendishjewellers.co.uk), reports an increase in interest surrounding antique jewellery, in particular from millennials and those of

It is hardly surpring that a growing number of couples come to auction houses for engagement rings, as the choice is much greater and prices are competitive us remarrying: “The rise in popularity of secondhand jewellery can be attributed in part to the rise in millennials’ more costconscious and individualistic shopping habits and their demand for more ethical sourcing of products.

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