If you prefer to have something different and unique rather than follow the crowd when it comes to jewellery and accessories, you’re certainly not alone. More and more women are looking for jewellery pieces that match their personality, rather than one that matches the current runway trends – although there’s no denying that some of them are beautiful, too. When it comes to jewellery choices, there is such a huge range to look through until you find that special piece that is perfect for you. Whether you are looking for necklaces, bracelets, rings, watches or even a special wedding or engagement ring, there are tons of reasons why picking antique and vintage jewellery is a good choice. Here are just some of the top reasons why you should consider unique, vintage pieces for your next jewellery purchase.
More Affordable
When it comes to price, vintage and antique jewellery can often be found at bargain prices. Whilst you’re probably not going to find rare, precious gems such as those worn by members of royal families and other celebrities at an affordable price, there are plenty other curated jewelry options that will definitely be much more interesting than buying something similar from a high street, mainstream jewellery store. Vintage, and antique jewellery can be found at varying price ranges, with something to fit every budget whether you are looking to spend a few hundred or a few thousand dollars. Vintage jewellery that has been well-cared for is often as good as new, but you’ll still pay much less and get more for your money.
Ethical Choices
As beautiful as they may be, rings, necklaces and other pieces of jewellery – especially those that contain diamonds – can often come with a lot of ethical issues attached to them. Whilst many steps have been taken in order to address a lot of the ethical problems with diamond sourcing, these processes can often fail and you can never be sure whether or not your diamond purchase is funding unethical sourcing procedures elsewhere. Buying vintage is an excellent, ethical alternative to purchasing brand new diamond jewellery. Antique and vintage jewellery is becoming more and more popular, especially when it comes to engagement rings, with many soon-to-be brides shying away from the traditional diamond in favour of rings which are unique and quirkier.
Pieces of History
Wearing an antique piece of jewellery can often be like wearing a tiny piece of history around your neck, wrist or ring finger. There is an undeniable romantic aspect in wearing a historic family heirloom, such as your grandmother’s engagement ring. Whilst not everyone may be lucky enough to have a ring or other piece of jewellery passed down the family, purchasing vintage jewellery can be a great way to connect yourself to history and wear a piece of jewellery that you can take pride in, knowing that you’re not the first person that it has given feelings of happiness and joy to.
They’re Unique
One of the best things about vintage jewellery is that you can pretty much guarantee that nobody else will have the exact same piece as you. Very old jewellery pieces were almost certainly hand-made or even custom-made, and in many cases, you won’t find one in the world that is exactly the same. This is just one of the reasons as to why vintage jewellery is becoming a huge hit when it comes to engagement rings – after all, who wants to wear a ring that somebody else has too? Vintage jewellery is often the product of skilled craftsmanship, and some pieces have intricate designs which were painstakingly done by hand. With so many different vintage jewellery pieces to choose from, you’ll easily be able to find your perfect, unique piece.
Timelessness
Following design trends in jewellery can often be fun, and there’s no denying that some of the jewellery trends that we see are absolutely gorgeous. But, they don’t last forever – trends come and go, and if you’re not careful, you could end up wearing jewellery that went out of fashion last year. However, when you invest in a vintage piece of jewellery and choose carefully, you can purchase a timeless piece that has and isn’t likely to go out of fashion. Classic jewellery pieces from any era are much more likely to stand the test of time than those which are designed based on current trends, regardless of whether it’s a subtle, conservative design or something flashier that makes a statement.
Do you love vintage jewellery? Tell us why in the comments.
Lauren Topor is a lifestyle writer based in the Southwest who spends her days writing about food and health, fashion, fitness and entertainment.