Dating antique earrings

How old are antique earrings?

Most often, however, they date somewhere between the late-Victorian era (from around 1880 to 1900) to modern reproductions of older styles. Keep in mind when evaluating and dating earrings you believe to be antique that styles have been recycled through the decades.

How can I tell how old my earrings are?

Look at marks and hallmarks. The invention of different earring findings will help date your jewelry. Jewelry findings are ready made pieces that jewelers use such as clasps, pin stems, hinges, etc. Fittings refer to the parts that can be custom-made for a piece.

How to identify vintage and antique jewelry?

This means that there are many different types of vintage and antique jewelry based on fashion trends, manufacturing styles, popular materials, and jewelry stamps. 4 Ways of Identification 1. Figure Out the Jewelry Style One of the most telling ways to identify your jewelry is by its style, which can correspond to a specific time period or area.

What are the different types of vintage earrings?

Antique and Vintage Earring Styles 1 Drop Earrings. Photo courtesy of Alpha and Omega Jewelry on RubyLane.com Using the term drop in reference to an earring style is somewhat of a catch-all term since there have ... 2 Girandole Earrings. ... 3 Pendeloque Earrings. ... 4 Top and Drop Earrings. ... 5 Stud Earrings. ...

How old does jewelry have to be to be vintage?

Vintage Jewelry Jewelry has to be at least 20 to 30 years old to be considered vintage. This could be anything made during the 1990s or earlier. Vintage is probably the most common term of the three since it encompasses a large collection of periods when jewelry was mass-produced.

What is the best vintage for earrings?

VINTAGE 0.80 CARAT DIAMOND SOLITAIRE EARRINGS CIRCA ... VICTORIAN 18CT GOLD PAIR CORAL DROP EARRINGS ... ANTIQUE EDWARDIAN PINK PASTE DROP EARRINGS SILVER ...

What are antique earrings made of?

Most antique earrings made in this style are fine jewelry made of precious metals and genuine gemstones, but many interpretations of made with paste stones (essentially the European name for rhinestones) set in base metals with or without plating have been made since 1900 or so.

How old are non-pierced earrings?

Screw-back non-pierced earrings that were made in 1900 are still made today but they are not that common on newer pieces. Kidney wires were invented in the 1870s and are also still used today. The shape has been modified in the modern earring. Knowing the difference between all of these can be helpful when determining the date of your jewelry.

What are antique earrings back?

Antique Earring Back #2: The Clip Back Earring - These are the types of earrings you probably spied in Grandmas or Great-Grandmas jewelry box. A metal clip on the back of these antique earrings is hinged. By opening the hinge, the earrings can be slipped over the lobe. Closing the hinge secures this type of earring tightly against the ear.

What are the most classic earrings?

The most Classic types of earring have endured the test of time and look just as fashionable today as they did decades ago. These timelessly popular earrings are the perfect accompaniment to your office couture, date nights outfits, and Sunday best. There is no earring style more beloved or timeless than elegant diamond stud earrings.

What are vintage earrings with hooks called?

Vintage Earring Back #1: Shepherd Hooks - Vintage earrings and antique earrings with this type of backing have a curved hook in the shape of a shepherds staff that slips through the lobes piercing. Shepherd hooks are also sometimes referred to as fish hooks.