How can you tell if your jewelry is vintage?

Jewelry holds untold sentimental value, but its material value can vary depending on a range of factors. Whether you’ve found some old pieces of jewelry when digging through drawers or you’ve inherited a jewelry collection from a loved one, it can be tricky to gauge its age and value. Before you give away, pawn or re-sell your old jewelry, ensure that you know what it’s worth - but how can you tell if you’re sitting on a potential goldmine? 

How to identify if something is vintage - Generally speaking, vintage jewelry is defined as that which is pre-owned and dated within 100 years - jewelry that dates back further than 100 years is classified as antique jewelry. There are many reproduction pieces out there, but how can you tell if you’re dealing with the real thing? One of the easiest ways to identify vintage jewelry is by checking for signs of wear, such as worn edges and flimsy clasps. Inspect your jewelry for distinguishing design features and check for maker’s marks, logos and other trade markings that can help you to gauge when and where the piece was made. If you’re unsure of the quality of gold, silver, diamonds or pearls, you should be able to get it checked by your local jeweler for free or for a minimal cost. 

How to date your vintage jewelry - If you can’t date your jewelry using inscriptions or trade markings, one of the easiest ways to gauge age is by researching vintage jewelry styles and seeing which era your piece fits best. Pay close attention to manufacturing methods and materials, which can be a dead giveaway of when the piece was crafted. Again, contact your local jeweler if you’re in need of clarification.   

How to clean vintage jewelry - If you want to get the best out of your vintage or antique jewelry, you’ll need to keep it well-maintained. Luckily, it’s easy and cheap to clean most jewelry at home - while you may need professional help for cleaning pearls, most stones, silver, and gold can be simply cleaned using everyday materials. Research the best cleaning solution for your jewelry before getting down to business. Silver can be safely cleaned using a baking soda solution, whereas warm water and a small amount of soap is recommended for cleaning gold.  

How to store your vintage jewelry - Storage is an important part of proper jewelry maintenance. Try to keep pieces of jewelry stowed away from dust and in a location where they’re protected from scratches. Keep jewelry away from direct sunlight and at room temperature - avoid storing jewelry in humid environments, especially silver. Consider insuring expensive items of jewelry just in case the worst should happen. 

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