Antique
an·tique | (ˌ)an-ˈtēk
adjective
Any object which was created at least 100 years ago
There are several terms used to describe used pieces of jewelry, including estate, vintage, and antique. Antique in particular must be at least 100 years old, and is the oldest of the three designations. That means that anything made before 1920 could be classified as an antique piece of jewelry. There are, however, some items that might be designated as “antique style” which means they are designed to look like older pieces but may not be antiques themselves. There are generally guidelines, and in many cases, laws that indicate if an item is an antique. It’s important, when evaluating used jewelry to know the differences between estate, vintage, and antique pieces and to ask for provenance information before making a purchase.