- Older brooches usually have smooth backs, not patterned ones.
- Copyright symbols appear on jewelry made from about 1955 on, not before.
- Aurora borealis rhinestones did not appear until the mid 50's.
- Quality vintage rhinestone pieces are usually prong-set.
- Authentic vintage jewelry should show minor signs of wear, particularly in the clasp area. But maybe not if it was stashed away in some one's jewelry box.
- An older piece, more often than not, will have significant weight.
Have you ever wondered what they are talking about when they say "Juliana" jewelry? Well, Juliana jewelry was made for a relatively brief time in the 60's by DeLizza & Elster. It sold with paper hang tags and was unmarked. There are a few extremely recognizable pieces out there. I'm talking about the really colorful, beautiful "Easter egg" types. Aside from those, identification is largely based on speculation.
Estate Jewelry - second hand, garage sale, auction, high-end, Contemporary-era, not very old.
Vintage Jewelry - 20 to 30 years old, 1980's and earlier
eras - Modern, Mid Century Modern, Retro, Art Deco.
Antique Jewelry - 100 years old or older, 1920's are now considered antique.
eras - Art Deco, Edwardian, Art Nouveau, Victorian, Georgian and earlier.
A lot of descriptions of jewelry will list, for example, a piece as Art Deco style. Don't let this confuse you into thinking this is an older piece. They are talking about the "style" being copied from the era. In other words it looks like an actual Art Deco piece but it's not. This is done with all types of jewelry and any era.
Another deception quite often found in jewelry descriptions is easily discovered when the use of "like" is included. For example, "diamond like." If you pay attention you will discover others. It's meant to fool you into believing it's the real thing. Shame on them. But now you know and I have faith that you will make the right choice. Don't get me wrong, there is beauty in the costume jewelry as well. The vintage jewelry has proved this to be true. If you are going to pay the price for authentic, you should get the "real" thing and not a fake, "style" or "likeness." I'm sure you agree. 