Defining Estate, Vintage, and Antique Jewelry in Washington, DC: A Guide from Charles Schwartz & Son Jewelers
Charles Schwartz & Son, Washington D.C.’s oldest jeweler, is here to shed light on the often-confused terms: estate, vintage, and antique jewelry. We here at Charles Schwartz & Son take great pride in our extensive jewelry knowledge and
experience as the oldest jeweler in Washington, DC. We have over 125 years of experience handling antique, vintage, and estate jewelry in DC. Our legacy has been passed down through the family for over a century. Our specialists have first-hand knowledge under their belts and can help you with all your jewelry needs ranging from buying, selling, or appraising your pieces.
DC estate jewelry: Timeless treasure
Jewelry is considered “Estate” if the piece of jewelry in question has a previous owner. However, contrary to common belief—the previous owner of a piece of estate jewelry may very well still be alive. Another common misconception in the world of estate jewelry is—age has nothing to do with whether or not a piece of jewelry is classified as “Estate”. Although many estate pieces on the market today may be 50, 100, or even 150+ years old, age is not a determining factor when it comes to classifying estate jewelry.
Vintage jewelry in Washington DC
A piece of jewelry is considered “vintage” if it is between 50 years old and 100 years old. Unlike antique jewelry, vintage pieces are often worn and displayed, as they are less likely to break. Vintage jewelry designs are also easier to incorporate into fashion-forward outfits to create unique statements—as vintage jewelry designs are relatively current, and easily paired with today’s modern trends, allowing you to create unique and personalized looks.
We purchase fine vintage jewelry and heirlooms from a variety of jewelry eras, including:
- Art Deco Era (1915-1935)
- Retro Era (1945-1960)
Vintage jewelry are great era piece to add to your collection to add variety, with a touch from the past. We have an extensive vintage jewelry collection to shop from at Charles Schwartz & Son, and if you’re looking to sell, contact us to learn more!
Antique jewelry in DC: A tale as old as time
A piece of jewelry is considered “Antique” if it is over 100 years old. In general, antique jewelry is crafted with superior craftsmanship from higher-quality materials, compared to modern pieces found on the market today. However, due to the relative scarcity and sheer age of jewelry by the time it can be classified as “antique”, the majority of antique jewelry is too valuable to be worn or at times even displayed.
Antique pieces are held very high for jewelry collectors. Those who are more fascinated by the makeup of the pieces themselves are opposed to wearing them to be styled. DC antique jewelry and gems come from a variety of jewelry eras, including:
- Georgina Era (1717-1837)
- Victorian Era (1837-1901)
- Arts and Crafts Era (1894-1923)
- Edwardian Era (1901-1915)
- Art Nouveau Era (1895-1915)
