“Antique” Jewelry refers to the materials used more than 100 years ago to 500 years ago – after this objects are referred to as “artifacts”. Items of 100 years or less are referred to as “Vintage”. Therefore “antique jewelry encompasses a terrifically larger variety and era. As the acquisition of wealth came into vogue in Europe society, the conspicuous consumption of luxury goods became the norm. Jewelry had a dual function: it was a means of demonstrating one's station in life, and it was a portable way of concentrating wealth in case there was a sudden relapse into the Dark Ages. The "Victorian era" as it has come to be known, started on June 20th 1837 with the crowning of Queen Alexandrina Victoria (1819—1901) as the United Kingdom's longest ruling monarch. The Georgian period was defined by the rule of the English kings Georg Ludwig George I (1660—1727) through king George Augustus Frederick George IV (1762—1830), as well as the American and French revolutions. This period was distinguished by its air of opulence, self-indulgence and quirkiness. Pieces from these time periods are very popular and retain their value.
