What Is Vintage Jewelry?

Vintage jewelry has become more popular recently due to the trend of thrift shopping, with more and more people purchasing vintage pieces. But what makes a piece of jewelry truly vintage, and what are characteristics that shoppers can look for?

How Old Is Vintage Jewelry?

The Jeweler's Manufacturers Association states that jewelry can be considered vintage if it was made between the years of 1935 and 1981. Jewelry from within this time frame can have drastically different appearances in keeping with the trends of the time, and certain decades will present certain qualities. The 1930s and 1940s promoted a lot of brooches, particularly floral and bow motif, as well as synthetic stones, which combine to give a retro aesthetic. In contrast, the 1970s and 1980s were defined by bright colours and gaudy accessories. Vintage jewelry originating from this time period will likely have glitter, rhinestones, or feathers. Even though these are cheaper materials than other eras of vintage jewelry, the pieces are still considered to be vintage due to time of their creation.

How to Shop For Vintage Jewelry

Because the characteristics of true vintage jewelry aren't commonly known, sellers will oftentimes attempt to sell a fake piece at a high price, claiming it to be vintage.

For those that are interested in purchasing vintage jewelry, here are a few things to look out for:

Seek out trusted sellers: Look for individuals online or stores with excellent reviews, and potentially certificates of authentication for more expensive pieces.

Buy individual pieces: Bags containing vintage jewelry in bulk for a lower price may seem like a great deal, but it's unlikely that there will be more than a few true vintage pieces in the bag.

Know your era: Do research beforehand into the era of jewelry you're interested in, and seek out jewelry with similar qualities when you're shopping.

If you're looking to purchase vintage jewelry, reach out to Cynthia Findlay Fine Jewellery & Antiques so they can help you find vintage pieces you're sure to love!

What Makes A Diamond Sparkle

Diamonds are famous for their distinctive glitter and glow, but what really makes a diamond sparkle?

The short answer is the diamond's cut. It is therefore important to understand what a diamond's cut is, and how the sparkle is created.

What Are The 4C's Of A Diamond?

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) came up with a broadly acceptable industry standard for evaluating the quality of diamonds.

Consequently, diamonds are evaluated based on these certain set of parameters called the 4C's. The components of the 4C's are:

Colour

Clarity

Cut

Carat weight

So, as you can see, Cut is a component of the evaluation matrix of diamonds. Yet, according to GIA, Cut is the most important indicator and predictor of a diamond's worth and value.

So, what exactly is a diamond cut?

What Is A Diamond Cut?

Contrary to what you may think, a diamond's cut has almost nothing to do with the shape and form of a diamond.

Instead, a diamond's cut is a measure of how the diamond's facets interact with light. The diamond's facet is the flat, even exterior on a gemstone.

You can think of a diamond's facet as a diamond's face. A typical diamond has about 58 facets, or mirror-like faces.

So, how exactly does it work?

How Does A Diamond's Cut Affect It’s Sparkle?

We've seen that a diamond's cut is all about the symmetry and evenness of its facets.

It's these facets which—depending on how well polished and symmetrical they are—absorb, reflect, or refract light in a way that will make diamonds sparkle.

The way light will behave after hitting the facet is what will determine how sparkly the diamond will be.

And in short, the behavior of light is determined by the quality (and workmanship) of the facet. This quality and workmanship of a facet is what is referred to as a cut.

That's how a diamond's cut influences the degree to which a diamond will sparkle!

If you want the best cut diamond, for the best sparkle and glow, contact us today for a journey towards elegance and glamour.

25 Stunning Vintage Engagement Rings for Every Unique Bride

Discover These Stunning Vintage Engagement Rings Styles for Brides

1) Edwardian Diamond Ring - This intricate ring dates back to the Edwardian era. With a unique diamond display set in platinum, it offers the perfect amount of sparkle combined with old world charm.

2) Vintage Purple Sapphire and Diamond Ring - Rebel against tradition and trade in a diamond centre stone for a radiant purple sapphire. The bright colour paired with dazzling diamonds creates an unforgettable vintage moment. 

3) Vintage Asscher Cut Diamond Ring - This vintage beauty highlights a show stopping 1.00ct. Asscher cut diamond surrounded by 10 round brilliant cut diamonds for an unbeatable sparkle. 

4) Vintage Emerald and Diamond Ring - Fall in love with this stylish ring, featuring the ever classic green and gold colour combination with a touch of diamonds to really catch your eye. 

5) Vintage Old Mine Cut Diamond Ring - The hand-crafted elegance of Old Mine Cut diamonds makes them one of our favourite antique stones, and this graceful vintage ring is no exception.

6) Vintage Diamond Solitaire Ring - A sleek solitaire silhouette is a timeless classic, and an ideal option for the traditional bride. 

7) Vintage Diamond Ring - Showcasing a 1.21ct Old Mine Cut diamond framed with an ornate 14kt. yellow gold setting, this ring is the epitome of glamour. 

8) Vintage Diamond Ring - 31 round brilliant cut diamonds of all different sizes - how romantic! 

9) Antique Diamond Solitaire Ring - With a tasteful polished modern style band, you’d be surprised to learn that this antique ring dates back to 1907. Perfect for the bride who wants the best of both worlds. 

10) Vintage Emerald and Diamond Ring - If you’re searching for something more than a diamond, look no further than this luminous vintage emerald.

11) Vintage Pearl and Diamond Ring - This sensational 1950s ring featuring 2 pearls is a superb choice for the eternal romantic.

12) Vintage Sapphire and Diamond Ring - Uniquely yours, this eccentric pear facetted cut sapphire is for the fashionable, non-traditional bride who wants to pay homage to the past.

13) Art Deco Diamond Ring - Opt for a more geometric feel with this striking Art Deco piece. Crafted in France 100 years ago, and still taking centre stage. 

14) Vintage Aquamarine and Diamond Ring - Vibrant colours are the best way to show off your personality, and this vintage aquamarine statement can double as your “something blue” too.

15) Vintage Marquise Fancy Brown Diamond and Diamond Ring - This fancy brown diamond will stand out in any crowd and is definitely the kind of vintage ring that will spark conversations. 

16) Victorian Diamond Ring - Featuring 5 impressive old European cut diamonds framed with 8 accent diamonds and set in 18kt. yellow gold, this Victorian ring exudes opulence.

17) Art Deco Style Sapphire and Diamond Ring - Nothing grabs your attention quite like an intensely blue sapphire, especially when paired with an Art Deco style halo.

18) Vintage Ruby and Diamond Ring - This delicious red centre stone ruby surrounded with diamonds screams vintage grandeur. 

19) Vintage Yellow Diamond Engagement Ring - Choose glitz and glitter with this 1.00ct. yellow diamond. It’s no surprise that fancy colours are an extraordinary option.

20) Vintage Emerald and Diamond Ring - 1 oval mixed cut emerald and 58 round brilliant cut diamonds come together to create a glamorous statement piece. 

21) Vintage Pear Diamond Solitaire Ring - Clean and classy, yet breathtaking. This 1.16ct. pear brilliant cut diamond goes with just about anything.

22) Vintage Diamond Engagement Ring - Hailing from the 1930s, in the late Art Deco period, this engagement ring features an old European cut diamond complemented by 2 square baguette and 2 round brilliant cut diamonds. 

23) Vintage Pear Diamond Ring - Less is more with this simple and feminine platinum ring, boasting a 1.00ct. pear brilliant cut diamond and baguette diamond shoulders. 

24) Vintage Ruby and Diamond Ring - C’est magnifique! This French ring marries a 2.03ct. ruby with 1.00cts. of round brilliant cut diamonds for an effortlessly romantic look. 

25) Art Deco Diamond Ring - Art Deco truly never goes out of style. With baguette, princess, and old European cut diamonds set in platinum, this engagement ring will always steal the spotlight.