What does it mean to call something vintage? Many people mistakenly believe that antique items are vintage. This is often true but it is not a universal truth. Vintage items can be from any period or era, even the last year. The word vintage simply refers to the date or period of origin of an item. A vintage, however, is a piece of jewelry that has been in existence for at least fifty years. We will be discussing vintage jewelry and how to protect it.
Jewelry, like most collectibles appreciates in value, especially if it’s vintage jewelry. Antiques from different eras are the most valuable types of collectible jewelry. The most important periods for jewelry design were Early Victorian, Georgian, Edwardian and Art Nouveau.
A professional jeweler or serious collector could quickly identify the era of vintage jewelry. The Georgian Era was the first era of vintage jewelry. This meant that each piece was unique. Many of the designs were inspired by nature and featured lots of leaves and birds. Jewelers also used precious stones to embellish them. These pieces are often more than two hundred years old. They are very rare and expensive, it is obvious.
Women who have rare pieces of vintage jewelry should not keep them in a drawer, as you might imagine. These pieces can easily be damaged by dust, debris or just by being jostled around. Many collectors store their vintage jewelry safely in a safe. A good jewelry organizer is the best option for women who want to share their collection with friends, or even to wear one or two pieces on special occasions.
There are many types of organizers available, from the traditional jewelry box to the more practical jewelry armoire. The size of your jewelry collection and the type of organizer you need will determine the type of organizer you need. Standard organizers have separate compartments for earrings and rings, broaches, bracelets and necklace hangers so they don’t get mixed up.
A specialty organizer might be a good option if you collect only certain types of jewelry like necklaces or earrings. Earring screens that fold, revolve, or tie earring holders offer greater protection and storage space for your specialized collection. These organizers can hold hundreds of pairs of earrings and are safe to display. Necklace hangers and trees are great ways to organize your collection if you collect vintage necklaces.
Most collectors don’t have specialized collections. Vintage jewelry collectors tend to collect pieces from all eras and periods. Some may be drawn to Art Nouveau, Early Victorian, or Art Deco jewelry. They will often require organizers that can store a variety of jewelry, from necklaces to broaches to earrings, regardless of the time period.
The upright jewelry valet is the most popular organizer for the house. The valet can be placed on top of a dresser, or on top of a vanity like the standard jewelry box. The valet is approximately twice as large as a standard jewelry box, and can hold small to medium-sized collections. The standard upright jewelry valet contains four to six drawers that can be used for earrings, broaches and pendants. You may find hooks inside the swinging doors to hold bracelets and necklaces. We recommend that you have a lock and a key for safety reasons.
The jewelry armoire is the next level up from the jewelry valet. These organizers are for those who have accumulated a large collection over the years. There are two types of the armoire organizer: one that can be mounted on a wall and another that can be freestanding.