From the earliest primitive rings and earrings to the magnificent tomb jewelry of Egyptian royalty, jewelry has told the story of civilization. That may be why antique jewelry is so popular; even here in Littleton, you can find spectacular antique jewelry from hundreds of years ago.

When you buy an antique necklace or ring, you're buying a piece of history. The individual pieces tell you about the local availability of metals and gemstones, and local tastes and styles. You may know that Colorado is home to many gold mines, but did you know that lapis lazuli, amethyst, sapphire, zircon, and tourmaline were also mined here?

Old Fashion Jewelry is Hard to Resist

Jewelry collectors can't resist antique and vintage pieces for their collections—just look at the popularity of Art Deco (1920-1935) and Art Nouveau (1895-1910) styles. Modern, cookie-cutter bangles and beads really can't match older pieces for craftsmanship and quality. Jewelry designers today, even the higher-end ones, create for the mass market and focus on stone size rather than any artistic aesthetic.

The details on antique pieces—hand-carved milgrain, calibre-cut (stones are cut so they fit snugly together, with no spacing)—and unique, handmade settings—are works of art on their own.

That's Okay Because It's a Higher-Quality

Back in the day, jewelry was handmade by metalsmiths who were usually carrying on the family business. They were highly skilled at their craft and created unique pieces that highlighted the metalwork as much as the stones. That's why antique jewelry looks so much more delicate and refined than modern pieces—the jewelers made each piece individually and took great pride in their work.

It's Also a Better Value BECAUSE IT'S A HIGHER-QUALITY

Back in the day, jewelry was handmade by metalsmiths who were usually carrying on the family business. They were highly skilled at their craft and created unique pieces that highlighted the metalwork as much as the stones. That's why antique jewelry looks so much more delicate and refined than modern pieces—the jewelers made each piece individually and took great pride in their work.

IT'S ALSO A BETTER VALUE

How is higher quality a better value? When you buy antique jewelry here in Littleton, you're really only paying for the final product. Someone else has already absorbed the cost of design and manufacture, the original jeweler's overhead, and other intangible costs. Many antique jewelry dealers sell out of multi-market showrooms or online, and those reduced costs are passed on to the buyers.

Jewelry is an outlier in the antique marketplace because the materials don't degrade over time, but the cost goes down. If you collect vintage records or dolls, you can't ever play the records or take the dolls out of the box—they lose value. Jewelry, it's meant to be worn so that you can enjoy your collection while retaining its value.

Antique Jewelry is Art History That You Wear

Antique jewelry also tells the story of industrial progress. As tools and machines grew more sophisticated, so were jewelers able to craft more delicate and sophisticated settings and cuts to gemstones. Old mine and European cuts are rare today, but collectors love them for their squarish shapes and inner fire. Old stones were cut for color rather than brilliance or size.

These pieces also offer a window into history. Returning WWII soldiers brought cameos, carved from Italy, but Pliny the Elder wrote about cameos thousands of years ago. Throughout history, they've been popular, with intricate carvings that depict everything from one's beloved to mythical creatures.

Older Pieces Are Genuine

The metals and stones used in old fashion jewelry are genuine, so you're getting authentic stones set in precious metals—that's why they hold their value when you buy antique pieces.

Antique is Eco-Friendly

You've probably heard of the problems with diamond mining, but mining for other stones and metals is just as bad for humanity and the earth. When you invest in antique jewelry, you can sleep better knowing that the components were mined sustainably—no heavy machinery stripping the land back in the 1800s! From the humanitarian aspect to the pollution of rivers and streams from mining runoff, the environmental impact of mining cannot be overestimated. Buying antique jewelry is definitely kinder to the earth.

Take a walk through time at Old Crows Antiques antique jewelry stalls

At Old Crows Antiques, we have over 45,000 square feet of retail space at our Littleton, CO antique mall, with antique jewelry around every corner. Our vendors offer lots more besides jewelry, so call (303) 973-8648 or contact us online today for more information about Old Crows Antiques. Don't forget to ask about our famous root beer bar and learn about upcoming events!

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Reasons to Buy Antique Jewelry