What’s the Difference Between Antique and Vintage Jewellery?

At Parkin & Gerrish, we are often asked: what exactly is the difference between antique and vintage jewellery? These terms are frequently used interchangeably, but they actually have very distinct meanings. Understanding the difference not only helps you appreciate the age and style of a jewel, but it also has implications for collecting, value, and even international shipping.

Antique Jewellery

The word antique applies to jewellery that is 100 years old or more. As of 2025, this means any jewel made before 1925 is classified as antique.

Antique jewellery spans some of the most romantic and fascinating design periods:

• Georgian (1714–1837) – rare handmade jewels, often with foiled gems, closed-back settings, and sentimental motifs like hearts and snakes.

• Victorian (1837–1901) – jewels rich with symbolism, from lockets and mourning pieces to romantic serpent rings and posy bands.

• Edwardian & Belle Époque (1901–1914) – delicate platinum, diamond, and pearl jewels inspired by bows, garlands, and lace.

Antique jewels are, by nature, rarer. They were entirely handmade, often with techniques no longer used today, and each piece is a small survivor of its time.

Vintage Jewellery

The term vintage applies to jewellery that is over 20 years old (25 years to some people). In practice, anything made pre-2000s is usually described as vintage.

That means a bold pair of 1980s gold earrings, a chic 1970s Italian chain bracelet, or a 1990s sapphire cluster ring all fall into the vintage category.

Vintage jewellery is more modern than antique, but it still carries history, character, and charm. It often reflects the fashion of its decade — from the Art Deco revival designs of the 1960s, to the sculptural cocktail rings of the 1980s, to minimalist 1990s styles.

And what about the true Art Deco jewels of the 1920s and 1930s? These sit right on the cusp. Some are now just over 100 years old and technically antique, while others remain vintage. Either way, they remain some of the most glamorous and collectible jewels of the 20th century.

Why the Distinction Matters

This isn’t only a question of vocabulary — the distinction between antique and vintage jewellery has real-world implications.

• HS Codes & Customs
  Antique jewellery is formally recognised by UK and international customs authorities, with its own HS (Harmonised System) code. This recognition simplifies global shipping, duties, and VAT for pieces over 100 years old.

Vintage jewellery, however, has no such classification. It is lumped in with “modern jewellery,” which often means higher import duties, inconsistent tariffs, and more complicated paperwork — even though vintage is historic, sustainable, and fundamentally different from newly-made jewellery.

• Sustainability
  Recognising vintage jewellery with its own HS code would be a simple yet powerful step forward. It would acknowledge that buying and wearing vintage is a form of sustainable luxury — re-wearing and re-loved jewellery, rather than creating new environmental impact.

At Parkin & Gerrish, we believe it’s time for governments to catch up with what collectors and jewellery lovers already know: vintage matters.

In Summary

• Antique jewellery = 100+ years old (pre-1925).

• Vintage jewellery = 20+ years old (pre-2000s).

• Art Deco jewels from the 1920s–1930s straddle both definitions.

• The difference matters for collectors, shipping, and sustainability.

Whether antique or vintage, every jewel we select is chosen for its craftsmanship, symbolism, and the story it carries — ready to become part of yours.

✨ Jewellery is never just decoration. It is always a story — whether told through a Georgian diamond ring or a 1990s chain bracelet.