Difference between Antique Jewelry vs. Vintage Jewelry

The terms antique, vintage, and estate are thrown around freely within the old jewelry world. But is the actual difference between antique and vintage? In this article, Benjamin Khordipour (author, writer, and lecturer) will explain everything you need to know about these terms.

Benjamin will also show you examples of each type of jewelry and give you tips on identifying each type without expert guidance.

Antique vs. Vintage vs. Estate Jewelry

Vintage jewelry is jewelry older than 20 years, antique jewelry is jewelry older than 100 years, and estate jewelry is second-hand jewelry (regardless of age).

Here’s a chart that explains it clearly.

To elaborate: Something antique will always refer to something that is also vintage, but something vintage isn’t necessarily antique. Vintage refers to something that is from an earlier generation. Antique refers to something that is over 100 years old.

Explaining the Terminology of Antique, Vintage, and Estate Jewelry

The difference between vintage jewelry and antique jewelry is the age. Vintage jewelry is between 20 and 100 years old, while antique jewelry is older than 100 years.

Other than that, there are no other differences.

Keep reading to discover the differences between all four categories: vintage jewelry, antique jewelry, estate jewelry, and vintage-style jewelry.

What is Vintage Jewelry?

In a formal sense, vintage jewelry is second-hand jewelry (and often timepieces) that is older than 20 but younger than 100 years.

This includes jewelry from the 1930s and the Retro Era, Hollywood-inspired 1940s jewelry, Jacqueline Kennedy-inspired 60s jewelry, and even dramatic jewelry from the 1970s and 80s.

As of 2024, vintage jewelry is any piece that was created before 2004.

Here are examples of vintage jewelry:

What is Antique Jewelry?

In a formal sense, antique jewelry is second-hand jewelry (and often timepieces) older than 100 years. Antique engagement rings and jewelry will be from the Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, or Art Deco Eras.

As of 2024, antique jewelry is any piece that was created before 1924.

Important Note: Although antique technically means over 100 years old, you will commonly see jewelry listed as antique that is only 80 years old. This is a common practice in jewelry and has become accepted practice at this point.

Here are some examples of antique jewelry:

Estate Jewelry

Estate jewelry refers to an item that was previously owned. Usually, this refers to vintage jewelry, but it is possible (and also correct) to use it to refer to non-vintage jewelry.

Here are some examples of estate jewelry:

Vintage Style Jewelry

The fourth category is Vintage-Style Jewelry (including Victorian, Edwardian, and Art-Deco styles). Jewelry in this category showcases a vintage or antique diamond (like the Old Mine Diamond or Old European Diamond) set in a platinum or gold setting that borrows design influence from one of the aforementioned eras.

This category continues to grow as genuine vintage and antique jewelry becomes rarer. Additionally, many vintage jewelry enthusiasts love the vintage style but want their jewelry to be brand new. This category of jewelry satisfies both requirements.

Age of Vintage, Antique, and Estate

The terms and dates below are correct as of the year 2024.

• Vintage Jewelry: Jewelry made before 2004.
• Antique Jewelry: Jewelry made before 1924. (Although technically not completely accurate, rings that are 80 years old are also usually labeled as antique.)
• Estate Jewelry: Jewelry that is not brand new. Estate jewelry is usually also within the umbrella of vintage or antique.

Why These Definitions Are So Important

Understanding the difference between these terms can potentially save you a lot of money when purchasing a piece of jewelry. It will also help you decipher much of the information on the web. Age is very important to those who love vintage jewelry; these terms are their building blocks.

Knowing the definitions will also give you a tremendous edge as a buyer. If you see the terms used incorrectly, it is a great warning that something is amiss. Vintage jewelry buying hinges strongly on trust and education. If something is missing with a jeweler’s education, you may need to start doubting the trustworthiness of the jewelry piece.

Please note: As mentioned above, if a jewelry seller calls an 80-year-old ring an “antique,” don’t worry too much. In the jewelry trade, anything over 80 years old can be labeled as an antique. If, however, your seller calls something younger than 80 years old an “antique,” this should be a cause of great concern.

Jewelry definitions are also important because they will build your confidence as a buyer. Arming yourself with knowledge is the greatest way to buy effectively. Learn and memorize all the common jewelry terminology before you go shopping. You will save so much money, and you will also be able to make your purchase with so much more conviction.

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