How to Tell If Jewelry Is an Antique

Know what to look for when trying to determine if a piece of jewelry is an antique. This helps you get the best possible price for your piece if you are selling, and it can save you money if you are buying. Examine these features as indicators of antique value: the materials used; intricacy of the clasp; gem cut and style; and the craftsmanship of the piece. Knowing what styles of jewelry were popular in different eras is also important when identifying genuine antique jewelry.

Instructions

1. • 1
     Identify the materials used in the piece of jewelry. For example, jewelry made in the 18th and 19th centuries (from the late Georgian to the Victorian era) was often made out of silver, which has a metallic, earthy scent. Yellow gold and pinchbeck pieces were also made during this time. Semiprecious stones and enamel were frequently used during the Art Nouveau period (1890-1915) and non-traditional materials such as bone, horn, copper, shell, ivory and carved glass were also popular. Diamonds and pearls set in platinum were popular during the Edwardian era (early 1900s), and platinum and precious stones were used during the Art Deco period (1920-1935). Gold, semiprecious and synthetic stones characterized Retro jewelry (1935-1950).
   • 2
     Look at the type of fastener used on the piece. Brooches made in the 1800s generally have "C" catches on the back, while screw-back earrings came about in the 1890s. Riveted hinges on pins and lever-back earrings were not developed until 1900. Tongue-in-groove clasps were designed in 1910 and barrel clasps came along in the 1930s.

     
     
   • 3
     Study the cut of the gem, if applicable. For example, old mine cut diamonds are irregularly shaped and appear lumpy, but are brilliant under low lighting, and were very popular during the 18th and 19th centuries. European and rose-cut gems are often seen in antique pieces. Gems were hand-cut until the 1800s, when machines were invented to do the cutting. A modern cut is a reliable indicator that a piece of jewelry is not an antique piece.
   • 4
     Look at the style and craftsmanship of the piece. Jewelry was handmade until the mid-19th century, and the sides of jewelry pieces made during that period are not generally identical. The back of a piece of antique jewelry is just as intricate and ornate as the front of the piece, and antique jewelry that is a well-made piece is smoothly finished on the front and the back. You should be able to run your fingers over the front and back of a piece without feeling your fingers "catch" on anything.
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   Read more: How to Tell If Jewelry Is an Antique | eHow http://www.ehow.com/how_7712564_tell-jewelry-antique.html#ixzz2UuOXpsUx

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Welcome to PegsVinatgeJewellery ~ Unique Vintage Jewellery
Please check out some of my vintage treasures . My true passion is vintage costume Jewellery and have been collecting for about 20 years . Would love to share some of my great treasures with you . Most of my pieces are one of a kind , also some being handcrafted 

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Turned My Passion Into A Online Home Business

I love all vintage but vintage jewellery is my real passion . I have been collecting for many years ,I also love to restore pieces of vintage jewellery that can no longer be the piece it once was and make a new creation .I want to share my treasures and friendship with other vintage jewellery lovers . Every day is a new and exciting one . So here I am on this great Etsy site ready to have fun ! I hope you stop in ,check my shop out and see what I am talking about and say Hello !
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12 Home Products for Cleaning Jewelry

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Alka-Seltzer
Drop your dull-looking jewelry in a glass of fizzing Alka-Seltzer for a couple of minutes. It will sparkle and shine when you pull it out.
See more uses for Alka-Seltzer.
Aluminum Foil
To clean your jewelry, simply line a small bowl with aluminum foil. Fill the bowl with hot water and mix in one tablespoon of bleach-free powdered laundry detergent (not liquid), like Tide. Put the jewelry in the solution and let it soak for one minute. Rinse well and air-dry. This procedure makes use of the chemical process known as ion exchange, which can also be used to clean silverware.
See more uses for Aluminum Foil.
Ammonia
Brighten up your gold and silver trinkets by soaking them for 10 minutes in a solution of 1/2 cup clear ammonia mixed in 1 cup warm water. Gently wipe clean with a soft cloth and let dry. Note: Do not do this with jewelry containing pearls, because it could dull or damage their delicate surface.
See more uses for Ammonia.
Baking Soda
To remove built-up tarnish from your silver, make a thick paste with 1/4 cup baking soda and 2 tablespoons water. Apply with a damp sponge and gently rub, rinse, and buff dry. To polish gold jewelry, cover with a light coating of baking soda, pour a bit of vinegar over it, and rinse clean.
Note: Do not use this technique with jewelry containing pearls or gem-stones, as it could damage their finish and loosen the glue.
See more uses for Baking Soda.
Beer
Get the shine back in your solid gold (i.e., minus any gemstones) rings and other jewelry by pouring a bit of beer (not dark ale!) onto a soft cloth and rubbing it gently over the piece. Use a clean second cloth or towel to dry.
See more uses for Beer.
Club Soda
Soak your diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds in club soda to give them a bright sheen. Simply place them in a glass full of club soda and let them soak overnight.
See more uses for Club Soda.
Denture Tablets
Has your diamond ring lost its sparkle? Drop a denture tablet into a glass containing a cup of water. Follow that with your ring or diamond earrings. Let it sit for a few minutes. Remove your jewelry and rinse to reveal the old sparkle and shine.
See more uses for Denture Tablets.
Ketchup
Let ketchup do the work of shining tarnished silver. If your ring, bracelet, or earring has a smooth surface, dunk it in a small bowl of ketchup for a few minutes. If it has a tooled or detailed surface, use an old toothbrush to work ketchup into the crevices. To avoid damaging the silver, don’t leave the ketchup on any longer than necessary. Rinse your jewelry clean, dry it, and it’s ready to wear.
See more uses for Ketchup.
Toothpaste
Put a little toothpaste on an old toothbrush and use it to make your diamond ring sparkle instead of your teeth. Clean off the residue with a damp cloth.
See more uses for Toothpaste.
Vinegar
Make your silverware — as well as your pure silver bracelets, rings, and other jewelry — shine like new by soaking them in a mixture of 1/2 cup white vinegar and 2 tablespoons baking soda for two to three hours. Rinse them under cold water and dry thoroughly with a soft cloth.
See more uses for Vinegar.
Vodka
In a pinch, a few drops of vodka will clean any kind of glass or jewelry with crystalline gemstones. So although people might look at you askance, you could dip a napkin into your vodka on the rocks to wipe away the grime on your eyeglasses or dunk your diamond ring for a few minutes to get it sparkling again. But don’t try this with contact lenses! Also avoid getting alcohol on any gemstone that’s not a crystal. Only diamonds, emeralds, and the like will benefit from a vodka bath.
See more uses for Vodka.
Window Cleaner
Use window cleaner to spruce up jewelry that is all metal or has crystalline gemstones, such as diamonds or rubies. Spray on the cleaner, then use an old toothbrush for cleaning. But don’t do this if the piece has opaque stones such as opal or turquoise or organic gems such as coral or pearl. The ammonia and detergents in the cleaner can discolor these porous lovelies
http://www.rd.com/home/cleaning-organizing/12-home-products-for-cleaning-jewelry/

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