What is the difference between antique and vintage jewellery?

Antique jewellery is generally defined as any piece that is 100 years old or more, meaning it was made before the 1920s. Vintage jewellery typically refers to pieces that are at least 20-30 years old but less than 100 years old. At Antique Jewellery Boutique, we specialise in both, covering eras from Georgian and Victorian through to Edwardian, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and mid-century vintage.

How do I know if antique jewellery is genuine?

Authentic antique jewellery typically carries hallmarks stamped by assay offices, which confirm the metal type and purity, and in many cases the year and location of manufacture. British gold and silver pieces almost always carry Birmingham, London, Edinburgh, or Sheffield hallmarks. Our collection is curated by a GIA Diamond Graduate, bringing internationally recognised gemmological expertise to the authentication process.

Is antique jewellery a good investment?

Antique jewellery has historically held its value well, particularly pieces with strong provenance, fine gemstones, or rarity of design. Unlike mass-produced modern jewellery, antique pieces are by definition finite - no more can be made. We always encourage customers to buy pieces they love, rather than purely for investment purposes, but our GIA-trained team can advise on the characteristics that tend to support long-term value.

Why choose an antique engagement ring over a modern one?

Antique engagement rings offer genuine history, hand-crafted detail, and uniqueness. Many feature old cut diamonds - rose cuts, old mine cuts, and old European cuts - which have a warmer, more romantic brilliance than modern brilliant cuts. An antique ring is also an ethical choice: no new mining is required, and the piece already has its own story to tell.

What is an old cut diamond?

Old cut diamonds are diamonds cut before the advent of modern laser-guided machinery, typically pre-1930s. The main varieties are the rose cut, the old mine cut, and the old European cut. Old cuts tend to have more personality than modern cuts, playing beautifully with candlelight, and are increasingly sought after in antique and vintage engagement rings.

Can antique engagement rings be resized?

Most antique rings can be resized, though some intricate designs require more care. We offer a professional ring resizing service taking 7-10 days. Resizing is complimentary on rings purchased over £1,000. For rings under £500, a resizing fee of £60 or more applies. We will always advise you of any challenges before any work is undertaken.

Where is Antique Jewellery Boutique located?

We are based at 26-27 High Street, Hungerford, Berkshire, RG17 0NF. We are open Monday to Saturday 9:15am-5:30pm and Sunday 11:00am-5:00pm. We have been established in Hungerford for over 25 years and warmly welcome visitors.

What is your returns policy?

We offer a 100% no-quibble money-back guarantee on every item. If you are not completely happy with your purchase, return it within 7 days for a full refund. For gifts purchased between 1st December and 24th December, we extend our exchange and refund period through to 31st January.

Do you offer free delivery on antique jewellery?

Yes - we offer free UK delivery on all orders. Items are packaged securely and sent via a tracked, insured service. We also offer the option to collect from our Hungerford shop by appointment.

How do I care for antique jewellery?

Avoid exposing antique jewellery to harsh chemicals, perfumes, and cleaning products - always put jewellery on last when getting ready. Clean gold jewellery with warm water and a soft toothbrush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners for pieces with fragile settings, enamel, or antique foil-backed stones. Store pieces individually in soft pouches or a lined box to prevent scratching.

Do you buy pre-owned jewellery?

Yes — we are always interested in purchasing pre-owned jewellery. As a family business with over 25 years of specialist experience and a GIA Diamond Graduate on our team, we are well placed to assess and make offers on antique, vintage, and quality modern pieces. Please get in touch at enquiries@antiquejewelleryboutique.com or call 01491 640 877 to discuss your pieces.

July Birthstone - Ruby

Oct 8

Written By Antique Jewellery Boutique

Rubies are such a fabulous gemstone, having been used in jewellery for thousands of years. There are many myths surrounding rubies, with wearers believing that the stones bought them protection in battle, great passion and overall good fortune.

Rubies have been around for hundreds of years, with mentions going back to the Chinese Silk Road in 200 BC. They are mentioned explicitly in the Bible four times, and has been the gemstone of choice for royalty across the world over the ages.

The Sunrise Ruby is one of the most famous and holds the record as the world’s most expensive ruby. Originating from Burma, the ruby weighs 25.59cts and was set into a ring sold in a collection of Cartier jewels sold at Sotheby’s in 2015. It went for more than double the estimate at $30.3 million to an anonymous Swiss bidder.

The great news for us is that the stones are only 1 point less than diamonds on the Moh scale, which means we can wear them every day!