Antique? Vintage? Estate? Answer Revealed

Antique Jewelry
     100 years old or older.  This hasn't changed.  Some folks will try to say anything "old" is an antique.  There is no gray area.  The rule is;  to be an authentic antique, the item must be at least 100 years old period.
     This includes jewelry from the following eras;  Art Deco, Edwardian, Belle Boroque, Art Nouveau, Victorian, Georgian, and even earlier.

Vintage Jewelry
     To be classified as a vintage piece, 20 to 30 years old.  Right now that means anything from the 1980's and earlier rightfully can be called "vintage".
     The eras falling under the "vintage" classification would be; Modern, Mid-Century Modern, Retro and Art Deco

Estate Jewelry
     This definition will surprise most I think.  It's not very old at all.  Anything second-hand or used. I think a lot of folks thought that, "estate" meant high-end (expensive).  The era represented here would be Contemporary.

Know Your Platinum

PLATINUM FAST FACTS
Did you know that platinum is: 

• So flexible that one gram of the metal can produce fine wire more than a mile long.
• Used in many other applications, notably catalytic converters in most cars worldwide.
• So rare that 10 tons of ore must be mined before producing a single ounce of platinum and the process takes eight weeks.
• Immortalized by the ancient Egyptians in their most precious works of art dating 2,500 years ago.
• More resistant to wear and tear than gold or silver, due to its heavier weight and density.
• So versatile it is used in medicine and industry for its catalytic, physical, and hypoallergenic properties.
• Found in Africa, Russia, and North America in deposits three-quarters of a mile deep beneath the earth’s surface.
• So dense that a six-inch cube of platinum weighs 165 pounds!

1. 
   
   
   Platinum is a chemical element with the chemical symbol Pt and an atomic number of 78. Its name is derived from the Spanish term platina, which is literally translated into "little silver". Wikipedia Symbol: Pt
2. Electron configuration: [Xe] 4f14 5d9 6s1
3. Melting point: 3,215°F (1,768°C)
   Discovered: 1735
   
4. Atomic number: 78
5. Discoverer: Antonio de Ulloa
6. Atomic mass: 195.084 u