Archive for April, 2011

There are many trends that we don't want to come back ever again, like maybe mullets and mom jeans! However, there are those that just keep coming back, either because of nostalgia or just because they simply look good on people. The bellbottoms, for example, is making its comeback once again. It could be due to the resurging '70s culture with TV shows and movies being remade, or it could simply be because these jeans are more flattering to the bodies of a broader range of people, than say, skinny jeans. The same goes with antique jewelry pieces – the wide selection of different designs from different eras of the past make them a recurring trend for fashionistas as well as inspiration for contemporary aesthetics. So what is the appeal of antique jewelry and why is the new generation embracing the designs of the past?

Vintage jewelry consists of beautiful timeless pieces of accessories that elevate the look of anyone who chooses to wear them. Think of elegant chandelier earrings and intricately designed necklaces studded with different gemstones, worn by royalties of the past – what is there not to like?! Of course, there are some pieces that not everyone might appreciate. A vintage brooch, for example, may not be everyone's cup of tea. At the same time, overly stylized baubles may not be a highly versatile piece and can only be worn during special events. However, antique jewelry comprises such a long period of time and many eras that an individual is bound to find a style that will fit their persona.

If you are into elaborate and romantic pieces, the Victorian period may just have the right pieces for you. Baubles made from intricate golden filigree and precious gemstones littered the era, reflecting the Queens penchant for all things pretty. For one-of-a-kind pieces that took inspiration from flora and fauna, baubles from the Art Nouveau period are exquisite and were great representations of the movement against mass produced jewelry. If you're more into sleek pieces with geometric patterns, vintage jewelry from the Art Deco era may just be what you are looking for.

Besides being just beautiful, the appeal of antique jewelry is its ability to transport you to a different time and place. The thrill of purchasing a vintage bauble is finding out about its past – who was it made for? When was it made? What was the story behind it? You become intrigued by the engravings and markings inside the gem, imagining the lovely lady who once wore it in a breathtaking gown as she waits for her lover, or maybe a flapper girl that paved the way for female empowerment in the early years of the twentieth century. Whatever story is attached to your jewelry, just being able to have a piece of the past is a thrilling feeling.

The comeback of antique jewelry has many designers clamoring to create contemporary designs with a vintage feel. Rose gold, popularly used during the Victorian period, is returning as the season's "it" metal, found on several celebrities on the red carpet. The element was seen on runways in different forms, from necklaces to cocktails rings studded with precious gemstones. At the same time, many fashionistas who are always in search of a personalized style opt to pair antique jewelry pieces with more contemporary baubles and modern apparel, creating a contrast that's appealing to many.

The appeal of antique jewelry is in its beauty and timelessness, without a doubt, so choose a piece that will reflect your personality and enhance the jewelry pieces that you already have. 

Who knew that digging in your backyard could bring about a treasure chest full of priceless antiquities?

According to Austria's national antiquities department, the trove had more than 200 pieces of antique brooches, rings, gold-plated platters and other ornaments. Although specialists have yet to assign any form of monetary value to the precious pieces, they are believed to be about 650 years old. The Associated Press adds that the statement from the Federal Office for Memorials gave no other details about the pieces.

The office, however, described the ornaments as "one of the qualitatively most significant discoveries of medieval treasure in Austria."

Andreas K., the man who found the amazing pieces, told the weekly publication Profil that he found the trove in 2007 but did not report it until recently when he rediscovered it in his basement, the news outlet explains. He then posted some pictures online only to have collectors contacting him about the potential value of his collection.