Make A Personal Style Declaration With The Help Of Vintage Jewelry When picking an outfit for the day, few additions can give your ensemble that extra bit of pop quite like the correct accessories. Even belts and scarves, though functional and funky, can't do what vintage jewelry can do for a personal fashion statement. The wearer's fashion point of view or an appreciation for classic designs can be revealed or for use as a conversation starter with a stranger in the coffee shop, unique pieces, such as broaches, necklaces or eye-catching rings do the trick. How Can You Tell If A Piece Is Vintage? Because the meaning of “vintage” is usually fairly broad, sometimes it is difficult to know how it relates specifically to jewelry. Plus, the use of similar terms such as “antique” and “estate” when describing jewelry can further muddy the waters. Generally speaking, an item has to be at least 100 years old to qualify as “antique,” while “vintage” typically refers to an item that is more in the range of fifty years old. To further establish it as "estate" jewelry, the piece will more than likely have been owned by someone else. "Vintage" often means different things to different people which is of important note. The term could make reference to an item clearly tied to a specific design style, for instance Mid-Century, but not a specific age as some would say. It’s critical that one identifies a piece’s era before claiming an item is vintage or before purchasing jewelry labeled as such. On the Hunt for Quality Pieces It is always a smart idea to do a little research prior to handing over money for a piece of jewelry as is the truth with any preowned item. There are a few things that can be useful in this process including knowing a particular designers’ marks or a company’s icon and having an understanding of the styles from different eras. It is ideal if you can recognize identifying traits like if an item’s patina or gem-setting method can help peg it to a period of time. Older, preowned jewelry usually is one of a kind, so if a store is displaying five rings of the identical style, those are new pieces rather than vintage. Although a piece may look old, it might have been manufactured a week ago and treated to appear aged. Reputable sellers will be able to show that their jewelry isn't just authentically vintage, but also that gemstones or metals on the pieces are genuine. Buyers should not hesitate to ask questions prior to making a purchase. Caring for a More Mature Jewelry Collection For individuals who would like to wear vintage jewelry on a daily basis, it’s essential to store and clean the collection properly. All pieces need to be arranged so that they aren't bumping into or scratching one another, and any items that are strung, like pearl necklaces or jewelry with
Gray & Sons
Page 1
Make A Personal Style Declaration With The Help Of Vintage Jewelry beading, should lie flat so as to prevent stretching. Since they can cause glues to break down or metals to pit, high heat and moisture should be avoided. Jewelry should be removed before one uses household cleaning chemicals. There are many jewelry cleaners that may be used on vintage items. Glass cleaner, if used carefully, is acceptable as well. Jewelry should be totally dry before it is tucked into its storage pouch or a curio cabinet regardless of which is used. Stylish, classic items are an ideal addition to any jewelry wardrobe. By knowing vintage characteristics, shopping intelligently and taking good care of items, owners can enjoy their unique statement pieces for a long time. At Gray & Sons, you'll discover unique vintage estate jewelry that can be a stunning gift for your significant other. For additional info on Gray & Sons, see their webpage at http://www.grayandsons.com/.
Document Tags: vintage estate jewelry, vintage jewelry http://www.grayandsons.com/
Gray & Sons
Page 2