Antique Jewellery Revealed

 

Are you interested in eighteenth century jewellery? Do you know what pieces were important during that time? Collecting eighteenth century jewellery can become both a fun hobby and a secure investment.

Jewellery has had various uses at different times throughout history and divergent significance for different people. Jewellery has been used to show rank for some people, and for others it is a way to flaunt their wealth. At times, jewellery has had religious connotations or significance. Usually, however, jewellery is a way to adorn oneself to fit in with traditional custom or fashion. Jewellery style can vary widely from one continent to the next, or even from one country or state to another. Eighteenth century jewellery was no exception.

While the earth’s earliest human residents may have used jewellery consisting of such things as flowers, nuts, berries, seashells, bones, feathers, attractive stones, teeth, metals and similar items, styles changed much over the centuries. People began to use increasingly valuable materials such as gold and precious gems. Centuries ago, Egyptians used many emblems in jewellery making, and incorporated those emblems into collars, armlets and anklets. Ancient Romans began making cameo jewellery, the Celts made gold jewellery designed in Celtic knots.

Different cultures around the world used and designed jewellery in assorted ways. The 1300s introduced glass beads. Later on enamels, brooches, girdles, necklaces, bracelets, pendants and all sorts of other jewellery appeared. Prior to the 17th century, jewellery settings were nearly forgotten because most jewellery was so loaded down with stones that little of the style or setting could be seen. Fortunately, it was about that time that gaudy, conspicuous display of precious stones gave way to the more appealing styles of lapidaries and jewellery designers.

By the time the eighteenth century rolled around, jewellery styles had changed drastically in Europe and the United States. While bracelets were once popular, they lost some of their appeal in the eighteenth century. The reason was not so much that women didn’t appreciate beautiful jewellery about their wrists, the change was due more to the long-sleeve dress styles worn by most women. Bracelets would have been a waste of money because the sleeves would have hidden any wrist adornment. Some still wore bracelets, but they weren’t as plentiful as they previously had been.

Instead of bracelets, eighteenth century jewellery was largely comprised of earrings, brooches and necklaces. Strings of pearls, decorative buttons, pocket watches on gold chains, fobs and snuff boxes represented some of the leading style statements of the day. For the wealthy, adornments such as stomachers attached at the waist, and sprays of diamonds worn in the hair were popular at formal events. For the less well-to-do, necklaces made of seed beads were popular in certain circles.

Collecting eighteenth century jewellery can be a lot of fun, and it can be an inflation-fighting investment. As you study the history of eighteenth century jewellery, you’ll be surprised at how much you can learn about the history of your own country and ancestors. There are several books available to introduce you to the subject, as well as many online sites.

If you are looking for something distinctive for that special someone, check out Celtic gold jewellery. The symbolic image of the heart we know today takes its shape from Celtic art created in the middle ages, a noticeable accomplishment for a design that originated thousands of years ago.

The Celts spread across Europe, introducing iron and their sophisticated and distinctive style of art wherever they went. It seems only natural that they would dabble in the design of gold jewellery. Many Celtic gold jewellery items were both complex and highly ornamental. Although some of the jewellery had the appearance of animals and plants, much of it took on the geometrical shapes now known as Celtic knots. Such art appeared not only on jewellery, but also became surface decorations for pottery, weapons, religious artifacts and household goods.

Some of the most popular of the ancient Celtic designs used today are Celtic knots. Most Celtic knots look like endless intertwined ribbons or bands. Although scholars have been unable to assign any religious or other specific significance to the knots, it seems only natural to believe that such knots represent the eternal make-up of the universe. There is no beginning and no end. Celtic jewellery with a heart design symbolizes the limitless bounds of love between two people. Celtic artisans designed other knots into spirals, stars and umpteen other patterns.

Of all the Celtic items that have survived the ravages of time, Celtic gold and bronze are among the most numerous. Eventually, outside influences overwhelmed most Celtic artistic styles, but the Celtic knots remain uniquely and unequivocally Celtic in origin.

Although it is nigh to impossible to obtain ancient Celtic gold jewellery for your own collection, several prime examples of Celtic workmanship can be found on display in British museums. Fortunately, however, you can still purchase top quality pieces of Celtic gold jewellery from modern Celtic designers, although the jewellery is not so ancient in origin. Although much of today’s Celtic gold jewellery imitates the timeless patterns originated by the ancient Celts, you can also find many original modern patterns as well.

Today, not only can you find standard designs in Celtic gold jewellery, you can also purchase products with Celtic knots in crosses, quilts, dishes, artwork and scores of other items. Celtic gold, however, is likely to remain the master of all Celtic artwork for decades to come.

What’s so great about antique jewellery? A better question might be ‘What isn’t great about antique jewellery?’

The popularity of vintage jewellery never wanes. Instead, it seems to grow with each passing year. Rings, brooches, necklaces, charms, bracelets, lockets and other adornments quickly become families’ most precious heirlooms as they pass from one generation to the next.

What makes antique jewellery so admired? Is it love’s conquest? The glimmering mystery? Jewellery's radiant elegance? Perhaps it’s all of these things and more. What is more awe inspiring to a young girl than to poke about in her grandmother’s jewellery box searching through the wondrous treasures contained therein? The memories alone of such ventures, coupled with the historical accounts of each item of jewellery, can endear grandparents to their descendants in unexpected ways, forming close personal ties forever.

The astonishing thing about antique jewellery heirlooms is that such items don’t need to be created from expensive materials. Even inexpensive trinkets can bind lives and hearts. Cheap beads can become a woman’s most cherished possession if they once belonged to her mother, her grandmother or her great-grandmother.

Antique jewellery doesn’t have to be a family heirloom to seize the imagination. Visualize the stories a mind can forge when a person examines a piece of jewellery created two hundred years ago somewhere deep in Europe, the Middle East or Asia. Thankfully, you don’t have to know the entire history of a given piece of jewellery for it to spark mental imagery of the people who once owned and donned it for formal or not-so-formal settings.

Of course, although antique jewellery can be fun to flaunt in front of friends, family and associates, it can also be a great investment. Even if the component parts of jewellery have little inherent value, it can become something of value by virtue of its maturity. Jewellery can become valuable just by surviving to a ripe old age. Can you imagine what 14th century beads would be worth today? Jewellery designs and styles change regularly. Many people love to smarten themselves up with jewellery from various periods such as Edwardian, Art Deco, Retro and Art Nouveau, or even older when it can be found.

There are people all over the world willing to sell you pieces of antique jewellery. If you plan to make purchases from jewellery dealers, make sure you use reputable ones. There are unscrupulous dealers who will make false claims about the products they are trying to pawn off on you. On the other hand, with reputable dealers you can be more certain that you are buying authentic pieces.

If you want to check out yard sales and estate sales, you may be able to find some nice antique jewellery items. However, if you aren’t a jewellery expert you may be disappointed with some of your purchases. Some items may not be as valuable as you hope. Still, much of the pleasure comes with the search. Take a friend or relative with you. It’s double the fun.