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Defining The Period Of Jewelry Eras & Their Categories

Posted on July 27th, 2020 by Joe G

When you are looking to sell jewelry in Chicago know that as a jewelry buyer in Chicago we specialize in buying antique jewelry and vintage jewelry.

Styles & Eras

We see many styles and eras of jewelry that gets presented to us for purchase here in our store. Some are Antique & Vintage, and the rest would be Modern or Contemporary. There are valuable modern pieces by renown designers like Van Cleef & Arples, Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Georg Jensen, Buccellati, Webb, David Yurman, and then there is the more common jewelry that is not signed or in the designer class. Much of the unsigned regular retail department store jewelry consists of chains, bracelets & rings that usually are only worth their weight in gold. Then there are the Antique and Vintage pieces that can be considered wearable works of jewelry art. These Antique pieces fall into several categories:

  • GEORGIAN 1747 – 1837
  • VICTORIAN 1837 – 1901
  • ART NOUVEAU 1890 – 1910
  • EDWARDIAN Turn of the Century
  • ART DECO 1920 – 1935
  • MID-CENTURY 1935 – 1965′

Each had their own characteristics for the era:

  • Georgian jewelry used colored stones with rose cut and old mine cut diamonds
  • Victorian jewelry used rose gold, silver & yellow gold with intricate designs
  • Art Nouveau was often inspired by natural forms such as the sinuous curves of plants and flowers, winged women, dragonfly’s and were beautifully highlighted and enameled.
  • Edwardian overlapped eras at the turn of the century Filigree designs, lace work and intricate details
  • Art Deco was futuristic, geometric and angular forms many with diamonds and sapphires, rubies, emeralds
  • Mid Century 1935 – 1948 employed pink gold and rubies swirls on hunting case wrist watches & rings, white gold scrolls with diamonds then as it moved into the 1950’s & 1960’s became more minimalist yet large scale Hollywood

These pieces are collectible and at Chicago Gold Gallery we are always looking to purchase them when you are ready to sell jewelry in Chicago.

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Cashed in some silver coins and received a very fair exchange. Joe and Chris, were very friendly, and comfortable to deal with. Came back with some jewelry, and received a rough appraisal...again no pressure.


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1236 W. Devon Avenue
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Phone: 773-338-7787 Email: chgogoldgallery@aol.com

Hours: Mon- Fri: 10:15am-6pm, & Sat: 10:15am-5:00pm

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