| With the economy still sluggish, and the emphasis on | | | | vintage parts is the wonderful history that comes |
| recycling and living green, a new style is emerging in | | | | with the age of the vintage jewelry. Vintage means |
| the jewelry industry that is both extremely | | | | history, and it is fascinating to consider what journey |
| interesting, and eco-friendly. Jewelry that is made | | | | the jewelry has had to bring it to you today. Where |
| from authentic vintage components is becoming | | | | did the jewelry originally get made? Who bought it |
| more and more popular. | | | | originally? What happened to them during their |
| There are several advantages to buying jewelry | | | | lifetime? These are the types of questions vintage |
| made from vintage jewelry components. The most | | | | items can make us think about. |
| obvious advantage is the style. Vintage is funky and | | | | Because most jewelry is made of metal or stone, |
| fun, made from materials and styles that are no | | | | vintage jewelry is usually in excellent condition even if |
| longer available. Vintage is one of a kind; no one else | | | | it is antique and over 100 years old. You may find |
| will have the exact same jewelry you have, especially | | | | some wear and tear on gold and silver items that are |
| if you made it yourself. And vintage style is in right | | | | worn for many years on a daily basis, but metal |
| now, so you will be cool, artistic, and in style all at the | | | | jewelry is made to hold up well over time, and |
| same time. | | | | therefore, chances are that you will find that the |
| But besides the style advantage, vintage is | | | | antique jewelry you are buying is in as good of |
| eco-friendly. By using vintage materials to make your | | | | condition as it was new. |
| jewelry, you are recycling at its best. Reusing vintage | | | | You will most likely have to clean your new vintage |
| parts, keeps the vintage jewelry out of the landfills, | | | | jewelry. Check carefully what materials the jewelry is |
| where it would sit for a very long time. So you can | | | | made of. If your jewelry is made of metal--silver, |
| feel good about saving the earth by wearing and | | | | gold, copper--you should be able to use regular |
| recycling vintage jewelry. | | | | jewelry cleaner that you use on your regular jewelry. |
| Another advantage is that many vintage jewelry | | | | Precious stones can be cleaned with mild soap and |
| items are cheap, especially compared to new jewelry. | | | | water and a soft rag. Do not use anything with |
| Metals used to make jewelry are at an all time high | | | | bristles to clean jewelry. You will find that bristles can |
| price, and that means that jewelers have to charge | | | | damage or scratch both precious metal and some |
| more for their work. By shopping carefully for vintage | | | | precious and semi-precious stones. If you take good |
| jewelry, you can find some excellent bargains, and | | | | care of your vintage finds, or your remade jewelry, |
| create something new from something old. | | | | you will be able to keep it for a lifetime and pass it |
| The best thing about wearing jewelry made from | | | | on to someone that you love. |