When purchasing fine jewelry such as brooches and pins, one thing to consider is buying antique and vintage items. These gorgeous and unique pieces of jewelry double as great investments. Check out this guide to learn how to identify and date antique and vintage brooches and pins.

Look at the small details

When you go shopping for antique and vintage brooches and pins, it’s important to check the small details of the items for clues as to when they were made. Look at any clasp or hinge and try to identify what era the style was popular in. The less mechanical a clasp or fastener looks, the older the brooch is. Also, thicker pins tend to indicate an older item, as they were designed to fit through multiple layers of thick fabric. The pins and brooches of today don’t need to cling to more than one or two thin layers of fabric to stay put correctly, and therefore do not require as thick a pin.

Check out the overall style

Another telltale sign of an antique or vintage brooch or pin is the overall style of the piece. Different eras favored different styles of jewelry and cuts of stones. If the piece adheres to Art Deco design trends, there is a higher probability that it came from the roaring 20s. If the design is more simplistic and uses several multi-colored gemstones, however, you may have a piece from the 60s on your hands. You can also ask the jeweler you’re working with to show you identifying style markers and ask their opinion on when they believe the item was made.

Examine for signs of past repair

Examining the item for signs of past repair is another way to help determine if you are looking at a piece of value. The best pieces for investment will have no evident repairs. If the item was repaired, the value will be much lower. Regardless, it may still be a beautiful piece that you may want to consider adding to your collection. You can also pay attention to any engraved markings that provide clues as to who the original maker was, the material used to make it, where it was made, and unique identification numbers.

When looking to buy antiques online, you want to shop with a dealer you trust, such as Solvang Antiques. Browse our wide selection of vintage and antique brooches, pins, and more today.