Get a bunch of vintage jewelry enthusiasts in a room together talking about how vintage jewelry is defined and determined, and you'll get answers all over the place. But for the purpose of at least having a general agreement as to what makes up vintage jewelry, most accept it to be at least 25 years or older to qualify.

We also have to keep in mind that the definition of any antique is if it's over 100 years old, so someone may call what we think of as vintage jewelry - antigue jewelry, because of that distinction.

There are a number of periods of jewelry identified by the industry, beginning with the Georgian period, and following the Georgian was the Victorian periods (early, mid and late; 1837 - 1900), then the Arts and Crafts (1894-1923), Art Nouveau (1895-1915), Edwardian (1901-1910), Art Deco (1920-1935), and Retro (1940s).

These different periods simply identified changes in emphasis and jewelry fashion, while also using different stones and other elements in the making of the jewelry.

There's one thing about vintage jewelry you've got to watch out for: once you start getting into it, it captures you, and you're hooked. You start enjoying certain types, and pretty soon you find another, and then another. Too late! There's no way out, you're a fan for life.

Of course we're going to call our acquisitions an investment, using collectibel vintage jewelry as an excuse to load up our boxes and storage areas with it, while taking out our favorite pieces to show off once and a while.

After all, we've got to lie to ourselves about this, that's part of the fun.

Just like modern times, jewelry from the past was set aside for special occasions, and they were built with that in mind.

So in the next part of this article, we'll talk a little about some of the favorite occasions or jewelry that was created in response to the many demands of the times. It won't surprise you to find out much of what was considered important then is still considered important today, and we'll look at that with the first theme: vintage wedding jewelry.

The one thing about wedding jewelry, if it worked for a wedding, then it would work for many other formal and special occasions too.

One of the most important jewelry pieces for the wedding is a necklace, and I've included an exquisite piece in the photo below, which showcases 7 prong set square emerald green stones.

The inclusion of the hook clasp allows for lengths that can be adjusted, and you can of course get necklace extenders if they don't fit.

Along with weddings, these are still great to use for parties, evening wear, conventions, or any place or event that warrants this type of look.

Vintage wedding jewelry has a very solid core following. 

One special occasion that always justifies some relevant jewelry pieces is Christmas time. The pieces created for this holiday favorite are anywhere from dainty to gaudy. Many are very colorful and loud, while others really fit into the fashion of that time of the year.

Her I wanted to show some vintage Christmas earrings that are really cute, and would go with almost any Christmas outfit.

I love the holly bells and ivy, and the red, enamel finish gives off a nice color.

Christmas time was a favorite for jewelry makers, and the many themes that go with that special season make the theme rich with a large variety of choices.

Vintage Christmas jewelry is just fun. 

When it comes to Avon, the number of collectables surrounding the genre are endless, and in most cases they're the type that attract a number of different collecting crowds because of their cross-collecting appeal.

That's no different with vintage Avon jewelry, which in and of itself is vast in number. But add the various themes and figures included with the jewelry, you have many pieces attractive to a lot of different collecting groups.

This is the reason I put the Avon owl pendant necklace up, as it targets several collecting groups. The first is obviously vingtag Avon jewelry collectors, the second is Avon collectors in general, third is owl collectors, and fourth would be those collecting necklaces.  

I've always liked the look of vintage jewelry rings, and always prefer them to most modern styles.

Because one of my favorite colors is purple, and the look of this particular ring includes a lot of what vintage jewelry represents. Everything about this ring exudes vintage, and although rings have as

many differences as any jewelry type, I mean the style in general for vintage jewelry is represented in the style of this ring. I really like it. 

Another favorite of collectors and the ladies is vintage earrings.

Because I like earrings that dangle, I thought you'd enjoy these earrings, which include the Harry Iskin mark.

These are especially hard to find, because Iskin produced many more retro brooches than he did earrings, and so something like these Iskin earrings which has a amethyst chaton with the fan with three gorgeous dangles hanging below to top it off, aren't easy to come by.

I wish I had these!  

When it comes to vintage rhinestone jewelry, my thoughts first go to pendants and emerald, and that shows in this magnificent piece, which really includes two interchangeable pendants.

The vintage brooch is made up of oval emerald green art glass, the sapphire aurora borealis round stones and the emerald green marquise shaped rhinestones. The stones of the earrings match the brooch.

The piece can be worn as a brooch or a pendant.

What I wanted to point out was just how beautiful the emerald green looked on the piece. Rhinestone has its own unique look, and fits in on many occasions.

While, I could go on and on and write 20 books on the vintage jewelry subject and barely scratch the surface of the numerous types that were made and still exist.

I think I'll revisit this in the future and write in much more detail about certain themes, styles, periods and the many materials and stones included in vintage jewelry.

This is kind of a vintage jewelry primer to get you hooked. Like I said, once you're in, you're never going to get out. And when it comes down to it, who wants out? It's just too fun to want to stop ... um ... unless you're running out of room and have to start selling it. Some of us may be in that position, but we're not going to admit that are we?

Anyway, hope you enjoyed this little foray into the appreciation of vintage jewelry.

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