How To Know If Vintage Jewelry Is Real
A nice piece of vintage jewelry can really make an outfit pop. You're not the only one who thinks so! Many designers agree, which is why so many of them have begun making faux vintage jewelry. This new jewelry, made to look vintage, can pair well with an outfit, but it's not authentic, and it's not worth nearly as much as real, vintage jewelry. Howeve, there are some simple ways to judge the authenticity of a piece of jewelry. Here are a few key ways to tell the difference between real vintage jewelry and faux jewelry.
Detailed Markings
Years ago, whenever jewelry makers created a piece, they would stamp it with specific details including the type of metal used, the metal content, and sometimes the designer's name. Modern costume jewelry is not usually stamped, or if it is stamped, it usually only has the designer's name or company name on it. Stamps on vintage jewelry can be very, very tiny, so you might want to bring out a magnifying glass and take a really close look at your pieces. Focus on the backs of earrings and necklaces, the insides of bracelets and rings, and the clasps of jewelry with fasteners. If the piece is stamped with a material name or metal content (such as 10K or 925), then there's a very good chance it's real vintage.
Wear and Tear
Jewelry is strong and durable, but it does develop wear over the years. If the edges of the jewelry seem to be a bit flattened and worn, then you're probably looking at an older piece that has had a lot of use over the years. Newer, faux jewelry won't have been around long enough to show this wear. This strategy is not foolproof because some vintage jewelry might have sat in a drawer for years without being worn — but it's a good tool to have in your toolbox, nonetheless.
Magnetic Attraction
Vintage jewelry was made with gold or silver. Neither of these materials is magnetic. Some new, faux-vintage jewelry is made with magnetic metals. So, if you hold a magnet near a piece of jewelry and it is attracted to the magnet, then you know that piece is not real vintage. (Some older vintage jewelry does have magnetic clasps and fasteners, though.)
Telling the difference between vintage jewelry and faux vintage jewelry is not always easy, but the strategies above are pretty dependable.
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