Estate Jewelry

Estate jewelry is emblematic of the changing times and values in Western history. While some people may purchase it for its beauty and drama, others appreciate vintage bracelets, rings and earrings as tokens of cultural evolution. Fine estate jewelry is considered more precious due to its relative rarity today. When it was created, in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, only the very wealthy could afford shows of such expense.

The Components of Vintage Estate Jewelry

In the early eras of Western jewelry making, the available technology for mining, purifying and cutting limited which materials could be used. During the Georgian (1780-1830) and Victorian (1837-1901) periods, throughout the nineteenth century, popular materials included:

• Diamonds
• Other estate jewels, such as sapphires, rubies, emeralds or natural pearls
• Yellow gold
• Silver
• Cut glass

After the turn of the century, by the Edwardian period (1901-1915), platinum became useful as a setting that was durable and would not tarnish. The platinum diamond ring began its long march toward omnipresence. Antique estate diamonds are in high demand now, due to their distinct character and delicate settings. Many can be fully restored by a professional to compete with today's brilliant cuts.

Later influences, such as Art Deco and Retro styles, sprang from changing cultural values and restricted wartime metal supplies. These estate pieces may be less delicate and more angular, and designed to conserve materials. Fine vintage jewelry from select sources is available at Single Stone, serving Los Angeles and Santa Barbara.