Whether you’re obsessed with broaches from different decades or love following the current fashion fads, you deserve a collection of jewelry that’s as unique as you are. What’s the key to making that dream come true, you ask? Buying vintage jewelry at your local antique mall, of course!
But where do you start? What decades suit your style best? Once you get one going, how do you care for your collection? Learn the right questions to ask, and a few tips and tricks on how to sort through the glitz, glam, and glitter in the glass showcases to find exactly what you’re looking for.
Why Do People Collect Antique Jewelry?
The thrill of the hunt isn’t the only reason people adore collecting vintage jewelry. In a time where earrings, necklaces, and rings all seem to be copycat dime-a-dozen designs, investing in unique pieces is more important to people than ever. Not to mention that most antique jewelry prioritized craftsmanship above all else, using forgotten techniques to ensure superior quality.
Some collectors have a more personal tie to the type of antique jewelry they choose to collect. Whether they appreciate the historical value each piece represents or have an emotional connection to a particular era, sentimentality is known for driving sales at a Florida vendor mall.
Depending on the rarity, design, and age, antique jewelry can also be considered a valuable investment. These people tend to collect pristine pieces in the hope they appreciate over time. Whether you’re looking to spend $20 on costume jewelry or thousands on designer brands, you’re in luck—antique stores are known for having a little bit of everything.
Vintage vs. Antique Jewelry
Though the terms are often used interchangeably, real jewelry connoisseurs know that it’s important to understand the difference. Technically, antique jewelry must be over 100 years old, while vintage jewelry is at least 20 years old.
Being made a bit more recently, vintage designs tend to have a more recognizable modern aesthetic than their antique counterparts. Both have a time and place in Chicago antique malls, as well as different design eras within the time frames, so make sure to look closely at the labels and papers provided with each piece to determine an accurate date.
What is Costume Jewelry?
Costume jewelry is another term you’re bound to hear when shopping for accessories at a Highland antique mall. These pieces are designed to be affordable imitations of fine jewelry from different eras. Costume jewelry uses less expensive materials like brass, copper, aluminum, glass, plastic, and synthetic or semi-precious stones to create an elegant look for a fraction of the price.
The Most Popular Eras for Antique Jewelry
When it comes to antique jewelry, the world is your oyster—even if they’re not a pearl-based piece! Explore these different popular eras to discover which antique jewelry suits you best.
Victorian Era Jewelry (1839-1901)
The antique jewelry from the Victorian era is best known for romantic motifs and colorful gemstones such as amethysts, emeralds, and opals. Charms, lapel pins, and lockets gifted between sweethearts often featured hearts, flowers, butterflies, and serpents, the symbol of eternal love. Though they would later become costume jewelry favorites, cameos carved from high-quality agate or onyx became all the rage amongst those who could afford them.
Edwardian Era Jewelry (1901-1914)
If you’re searching for an era of antique jewelry that feels luxurious, the upper-crust designs from the Edwardian era are the way to go. Known best for the intricate lace-like patterns, filagree techniques, floral designs, and ribbon and bow motifs, these designs have an especially feminine and delicate appearance that remains popular to this day. Platinum, diamonds, and pearls were used to create the popular all-white aesthetic.
Art Nouveau Era Jewelry (1890-1915)
All Art Nouveau collectibles are known for their nature-inspired motifs—especially when it comes to the antique jewelry of the time. With free-flowing lines, bright color palettes, and enameling techniques, these pieces often depict insects, flowers, vines, mythological creatures, and nude forms. If you think you’ve found one at a Melbourne antique mall, look closely at the materials, as they often used opal, moonstone, ivory, amber, enamel, and glass to accomplish these designs.
Art Deco Era Jewelry (1920-1935)
Contrary to the fluid shapes and nature symbolism in the Art Nouveau period, Art Deco designs are best known for clean lines, symmetrical patterns, and geometric shapes. In this era, glamour was everything—and the most popular gemstone choices proved it! Emeralds, sapphires, diamonds, rubies, and onyx were all used to create extravagant pendants, earrings, necklaces, and more.
Mid-Century Modern Era Jewelry (1940s-1960s)
When it comes to antique malls, mid-century modern designs will always have a fan base. Vintage jewelry from this time was seen as a form of self-expression, and as women’s rights grew, their styles got bigger, bolder, and more colorful.
Vibrant gemstones, clip-on earrings, asymmetrical shapes, and exuberant designs were on trend in this post-war period. As a result, costume jewelry was also forced to become more sophisticated to ensure that the everyday woman could afford to keep up with the latest fashions.
7 Important Questions to Ask When Buying Antique Jewelry
Whether you’re stopping into an Algonquin antique mall in search of costume jewelry or the missing piece to a vintage jewelry set, there are a few questions you should ask yourself, the staff, and maybe even the vendors before you buy. When you find a piece you love, consider the following queries:
1. When Will You Wear the Vintage Jewelry?
It’s easy to get caught up in the shiny details of a gorgeous piece of vintage jewelry, but if you want to actually wear your collection, it’s best to avoid buying just based on looks. When you find a design, consider if and when you would actually wear it.
Is the costume jewelry ring subtle enough to be worn with your everyday outfits? Would you reserve that authentic Art Deco diamond necklace for special occasions? Picture the piece in the context of your closet and lifestyle to see if it’s actually worth purchasing.
2. What is the Condition of the Antique Jewelry?
When it comes to investing in antique jewelry, condition matters significantly in determining whether or not it’s worth your money. Since most vintage jewelry designs were worn by previous owners, the majority of pieces do show wear and tear (at various degrees).
Major scratches, missing stones, broken settings, and other details requiring significant repairs would decrease the value. But even the most well-cared-for costume jewelry could have a few scratches or tarnish—that’s okay!
In general, the better the condition of the piece, the higher the price tag. If your priority is near-mint condition pieces, you’ll ensure that your collection remains valuable and appreciates over time. But if you don’t care about perfect appearances and would prefer buying pieces that speak to you, you’re welcome to buy visibly worn designs. They may even add a little bit of character to your collection!
3. Can the Damaged Vintage Jewelry Be Saved?
The best part of shopping for secondhand accessories is the sustainability of it all! The same principle applies to vintage jewelry pieces that have seen better days. If you come across a design with loose settings, scratches, or other minute damage, don’t be afraid to buy it and take it to a professional to get it repaired or reset into a custom design.
The Many Ways Experts Can Restore or Revamp Vintage Jewelry:
Replating layers of metal
Polishing scratches
Replacing stones
Preserving original design
Resoldering loose pieces
Redesign to a modern look
4. What is the Material of the Vintage Jewelry?
When shopping for antique or costume jewelry pieces, you should always inquire about the materials used in the design. This can be an incredibly crucial question if you’re allergic to certain lower-quality metals or have a general preference for the pieces in your collection. If a design is un-dated, it could also be a good clue as to which era it was made from, as every decade had its own go-tos.
The metal used in antique jewelry designs can affect the overall shine and style of the piece. Some have held up well over the years, keeping their sheen, but others may have deteriorated over time, requiring professional polishing. If a piece looks a little dull, don’t discount it until you can determine if it was made out of a metal worth saving!
Popular Materials Used in Vintage Jewelry:
Platinum
Palladium
Copper (on its own or alloyed with others)
Gold
White gold
Celluloid (exclusively used in costume jewelry)
5. Is the Vintage Jewelry Available Within Your Budget?
It can be easy to be swept up in the brilliance of beautiful antique jewelry, but it’s important to be realistic about what you can afford. Luckily, whether you’re after vintage jewelry or costume jewelry, there’s something available within every budget. It doesn’t matter whether you set aside $50 a month or $5,000—you can find something at any price point in an Indiana antique mall.
Pro tip: At some secondhand stores, you can even buy bulk mystery bags for an affordable price—talk about a fun surprise! Others offer the occasional antique jewelry deal (especially near annual sales or holidays), so you can really get a bang for your buck.
6. Do You Trust the Vintage Jewelry Vendor?
The vendor-customer relationship is crucial when investing in antique jewelry, especially if you plan to sell your vintage jewelry collection to the highest bidder one day. Finding a reputable vendor or booth you trust at an antique mall is the best way to ensure every purchase you make is appropriately priced.
The most trustworthy vendors will have paper trails. Authenticated antique jewelry should always come with appraisal papers that track ownership, value, and damage so you know exactly what you’re spending your money on (and how it will appreciate over time). If the Illinois antique mall is run by employees and not vendors, get to know your antique jewelry dealer virtually or through social media to learn more about where their wares are sourced from, how pieces are valued, and any other pertinent information.
7. Is the Piece of Antique Jewelry in Your Size?
Take it from us—never buy antique jewelry without trying it on first! Older designs leaned smaller, and sizing standards have changed over the years. If you’re a size 8 in rings now, size 8 costume jewelry rings from decades past probably won’t fit you. If you’re shopping in person, ask to don the vintage jewelry pieces you’re interested in to avoid any mishaps.
Pro tip: This is an especially imperative question when shopping online for antique jewelry, so make sure to take a look at the details and description of the costume jewelry piece for size information. If none is listed, don’t be afraid to message the vendor and ask directly.
How to Look After Vintage Jewelry
The key to enjoying your vintage jewelry collection for years to come is learning proper maintenance. For day-to-day care, it’s recommended that you gently wipe it clean with a soft cloth right after wearing it. When the pieces need a deep clean, avoid harsh chemicals and opt for a gentle scrub with a soft brush, mild soap, and warm water. When they’re completely dry, use a polishing cloth to remove the tarnish or fingerprints before putting it back in the box.
Since costume jewelry is made from lower-quality materials, the care instructions differ slightly. If a piece of costume jewelry needs cleaning, you can use the same soap and warm water combination. But since they’re made from less precious metals, you can get a little crafty with your cleaning methods. Baking soda can be used to remove tough stains; toothpaste can polish pieces, and some can even be soaked in lemon juice to bring costume jewelry back to its original glory!
The Best Ways to Store Vintage and Costume Jewelry
Some people store their vintage jewelry in the original boxes, but others display their costume jewelry proudly in their homes! Choose a storage method that works best for you and your collection:
Necklace wall hooks
Velvet-lined jewelry boxes
Back-of-the-door organizers
Vintage ring dishes
Homemade mesh earring organizers
Whether you’re searching for a one-of-a-kind antique ring for your proposal or diamond look-alike costume jewelry for a special occasion, you’re sure to find it at an America’s Antique Mall near you. Stop in, consult your list of our expertly compiled questions, and get to shopping!