Enjoy Life

Why antique jewellery is glittering

The rise in sales of antique jewellery can be seen as a knee jerk reaction to mass consumerism, with a need for products which are individual and out of the ordinary.

These days women are more interested in buying good-quality iconic pieces that are one-offs and not mass-produced.

Wearing antique jewellery has become more popular, with women cleverly combining modern and antique pieces. They are very versatile and play to individual taste. People now buy, say, an antique choker to wear with a modern chain or an antique ring to wear next to a modern ring with matching colours and stones.

If you want to invest in antique jewellery, the best advice is to go to antiques fairs, such as the upcoming London Art Antiques and Interiors Fair where great antiques dealers will sell their gems and jewels. It's perfect if you're looking for antique jewellery as the goods are vetted. The very strict vetting process means everything is checked by independent experts to ensure that every piece for sale is genuine and correctly labelled.

Be vigilant, however, as when there is no independent vetting, you need to be aware of older reproduction jewellery. Make a beeline for dealers who are members of trade associations LAPADA and BADA.

Buying from dealers who are members of a trade association means you can trust the quality. Not all antique pieces are as valuable as others, so always look out for good craftsmanship.

Of course, only buy if you know you will wear the piece, as this is the most important reason. If you love the piece, and the price feels right, do make the purchase. With these one-off products, once they are gone, they are gone.

Invest in one piece and the best you can afford. A retro gold bracelet makes a big statement and can be dressed up or down. However, also look out for jewellery from the important 'houses' such as Cartier, VCA, Boucheron, Bvlgari and Tiffany & Co.

Braacelets are popular now, especially wide-cuff ones from the Forties and Seventies. Vivianne Torun bulow, her original pieces are a perfect buy at the moment with the 50 year anniversary working with Georg Jensen. some believe, however, that every woman should have one or more pieces in her collection from the Art Nouveau and Art Deco era. Jewellery from the 19th century to the Thirties, and sometimes also the Forties, was created aat the height of jewellery-making, not only in the way that it was manufactured, but also in design. These eras of Art Nouveau and Art Deco are very special

Generally, women like antique pieces that contain attractive gemstones (be it Kashmir sapphires, Burmese rubies, old-mine emeralds, natural pearls or old cut diamonds), because these stones are rare, and the quality you can get in older pieces is generally not found in newer ones. so a combination of good gemstones combines with the intricate design and craftsmanship of the past, sometimes also by the famous makers that created these pieces, would be the best to look out for. People investing in engagement rings should always spend as much as they can afford at the time, as it could be the only piece of jewellery you will own for a while.

Generally, women like antique pieces that contain attractive gemstones (be it Kashmir sapphires, Burmese rubies, old-mine diamonds), because these stones are rare, and the quality you can get in older pieces is generally not found in newer ones. so a combination of good gemstones combines with the intricate design and craftsmanship of the past, sometimes also by the famous makers that crated these pieces, would be the best to look out for. People investing in engagement rings should always spend as much as they can afford at the time, as it could be he only piece of jewellery you will own for a while.

Earrings 'dress the face' and are a good investment option, too, as they are easy-to-wear pieces, which work from day to night. Brooches have become popular and are now being worn in various ways, such as on the hip or on a hat, or hung on a chain or choker. As well as the fashion for brooches, the trend is for vintage mid-20th century pieces where the effect is timeless and looks as modern today as in the Sixties.

And here is still a trend towards a silver or a space theme, with Bjorn Weckstrom Lapponia pieces, as worn by Princess Leia in the first Star Wars film, which looks set to thrive.

for the past couple of years, retro had been coming back into fashion, and it still is. We can now see the intricate work of the Victorian period becoming popular again. While retro covers bold and chic fashion statements. Victorian and Art Deco jewels cover the intricate and fine workmanship. Early Georgian jewellery is still charming and very collectable too.

Greg Turnbull, of the eponymous antique jewellery business, says: "Antique jewellery is very well made and offers great value for money.

"Whatever the customer decides purchase, they know they are getting a unique piece that cannot be bought in a modern-day jeweller's. It also gives customers an opportunity to begin a collection of similar pieces that they enjoy owning."

Ultimately, everyone is different and it comes down to personal preference and individual style, which is the beauty of antique jewellery. there are a wealth of pieces from different eras, so set a budget and dedicate yourself to hunting out that special one which catches the eye.