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.

Close-up of a woman with curly hair wearing a silver satin shirt and layered gold necklaces, standing in front of a metallic background.

Beautiful Antique & Vintage Jewellery

We have been established in our Hungerford location for over 25 years, specialising in beautiful antique, vintage, and second-hand jewellery. During that time, we have built a reputation for expertise, integrity, and a carefully curated collection that reflects both quality and history.

Today, we are proud to offer one of the largest selections of antique and vintage jewellery in the region, spanning a wide range of periods, styles, and gemstones — from Georgian and Victorian through to Edwardian, Art Deco, and mid-century vintage. Every piece is chosen for its character and individuality, whether it is a delicate Victorian bracelet, a classic diamond solitaire, or a striking Art Deco engagement ring.

We believe that vintage jewellery tells a story — of design, materials, and the era in which it was created. Our aim is not simply to sell jewellery, but to preserve and pass on pieces of lasting beauty, craftsmanship, and historical significance.

Whether you are discovering antique jewellery for the first time or searching for something that will hold history and sentimental meaning for generations, we are committed to offering knowledgeable guidance, transparent information, and a collection you can trust.

Our Family

We are a family-run jeweller, with the business working in partnership across three generations — all sharing a genuine passion for antique and vintage jewellery. Being closely involved at every level allows us to curate our collection with care, consistency, and a deep personal commitment to the pieces we offer.

That family involvement means that every ring, necklace, bracelet, and pair of earrings we sell has been personally chosen by someone who cares about it. We do not buy in bulk or stock items by catalogue. Each piece has been selected individually, assessed for quality, and prepared for its next home with the same care it received when it was first made.

Our jewellery is spread across a number of locations, so if you would like to learn more about an individual piece, or would like to arrange a viewing, please do get in touch — we would be delighted to help.

Our Expertise

Our collection is curated and assessed by a GIA Diamond Graduate — a qualification awarded by the Gemological Institute of America, the world's foremost authority on diamonds and coloured gemstones.

The GIA Diamond Graduate programme is widely regarded as the most rigorous and respected diamond grading qualification in the world. It covers the scientific principles of diamond formation, the internationally recognised 4Cs grading system (cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight), advanced gemological laboratory techniques, and the identification of treatments and synthetics. Earning this qualification requires both formal study and practical examination — it is not simply a certificate of enthusiasm, but a mark of genuine professional expertise.

What this means for you, as our customer, is straightforward: when we describe a diamond as an old European cut of good colour and eye-clean clarity, that assessment comes from trained, internationally accredited expertise. When we tell you a piece dates to the Edwardian period, that judgement draws on years of handling and study. And when we say a ring is in excellent condition, we mean it has been examined with a trained eye for the details that matter — stone security, claw integrity, hallmark authenticity, and shank thickness.

We are also proud members of the GIA Alumni Association, a global community of gemmological professionals committed to the highest standards of integrity and knowledge in the jewellery industry.

In a field where expertise varies enormously, we believe our customers deserve to know exactly what they are purchasing. We will always be transparent about what we know, honest about what we don't, and happy to answer any question — however detailed — about any piece in our collection.

Buying With Confidence

We know that buying antique jewellery — particularly online — requires trust. Here is what we offer every customer to make that as easy as possible:

100% money-back guarantee. If any piece is not right for you, return it within seven days for a full refund, no questions asked.

Free UK delivery. All orders are sent via a fully tracked and insured service.

Ring resizing. We offer a professional in-house resizing service, complimentary on all pieces over £1,000.

Personal service. We are a small family business, not a call centre. When you contact us, you speak to someone who knows the collection personally.

Close-up of a woman with shoulder-length brown hair wearing a striped button-up shirt layered with 18ct gold vintage gold necklaces, some set with diamonds.

Person wearing rings and a light gray jacket, with a white dress underneath, standing indoors with metallic panels in the background.