Dating Jewelry Tips
Dating Brooches
- First patent for safety clasp in July 13, 1909 by A. O. BURGESS - Safety Catch Patent
- Modern fold-over safety clasp invented in the 1920s
- Trombone clasps used mostly in the late 1800s, sometimes on European jewelry from the 1940s.
Dating by Rhinestones
- Aurora Borealis coating invented by Swarovski in 1956
Dating by Signature
- When was the company in operation? Find out in Marks & Designers
- Many companies changed signatures over time, when was yours used?
- Jewelry marked with the copyright symbol was probably produced after 1954.
Dating by Metal
- Most jewelry with rhodium plating was produced after World War II, helping determine the age.
- During WW2, many jewelry designers used sterling silver to make their jewelry as other metals were needed for the war.
- Jewelry between 1906 and 1961, jewelry may be only marked '925' or 'sterling'.
- After 1961, jewelry should also have a makers mark.. but it should be noted that not all manufacturers didn't follow the law and some later pieces are simply marked 925 (when sterling silver).
Dating by Clasp
- Fold-over clasp - First used in the 1940s.
- Hook and Tail - Popular in the 50s and 60s
- Lobster Claw - Widely used since the 1970s
- Hook and Box - Used mostly in the 1920s and 1930s
Dating by Decade
page revision: 25, last edited: 16 Jul 2014 19:53