What Metal is Vintage Jewellery Made Of?
Metal is Vintage Jewellery
Whether you’re searching for a piece of costume jewelry or a precious gem, determining what metal is vintage can help you determine its value. This is particularly important if the piece was made before large-scale manufacturing processes became popular in the middle of the last century.
Gold is a common element found in vintage jewellery. It can be used in a variety of purities (affecting cost) and colours. To determine the purity of a piece, look for a ‘925’ stamp on it. Silver is also a common element in vintage jewellery and is identified by a ‘925’ stamp. Silver is often plated with copper, nickel or other metals to make it more durable and affordable.
If you’re unsure of what metal your piece is made from, check its craftsmanship and style. Was the piece handmade by a skilled artist? Large-scale manufacturing only became popular in the mid-century, making it more difficult to create jewelry by hand. This doesn’t necessarily mean a piece isn’t vintage, but it can help you avoid paying for something that was not hand-crafted.
The look of the piece can also give you clues about its age. Do the colors appear bold and bright or more muted and subtle? The 1920s era is known for being more flamboyant, with geometric shapes and bold designs. The use of exotic stones, like sapphires and rubies, is common for this era as well.
In contrast, pieces from the 1950s tended to be more feminine and delicate. This era saw the rise of designers like Kenneth Jay Lane and Miriam Haskell. Their jewelry was often adorned with flowers, fairies and dragonflies and featured whimsical motifs.
What Metal is Vintage Jewellery Made Of?
Another way to help pinpoint a vintage piece is by examining its clasps. The type of clasp on a bracelet, necklace or brooch can indicate what era it was created in. C clasps, trombone clasps and box clasps were all commonly used in previous decades, while lobster clasps weren’t even introduced until the 1970s.
Plastic is also a common material used in vintage jewellery. This can be confusing to many people because it’s often described using the terms celluloid, bakelite or lucite, but these are actually different groups of materials! Vintage plastic jewellery can be divided into six groups: celluloid, casein or cellulose acetate; phenolics which include bakelite and acrylics.
Other pieces to keep an eye out for are any certificates or paperwork that came with the piece. If you purchased it at a thrift shop or from a family member, the original certification paperwork could still be around and will help to verify its authenticity.
If the piece isn’t certified, you can try to track down its original owner or seller. Search through old papers, ask your relatives or even call the place where you bought it to see if any paperwork exists that can help authenticate the piece. While this method is not foolproof, it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to identifying vintage jewellery.