What is the difference between estate jewelry and vintage jewelry?

The biggest difference is that estate jewelry describes ownership, while vintage jewelry describes age and style.

Estate jewelry is any piece of jewelry that has been previously owned, regardless of when it was made. An estate piece may be only a few years old or more than a century old.

Vintage jewelry is a term commonly used to describe older jewelry from a previous era that reflects the design and craftsmanship of its time. While there isn't a single universal age requirement, vintage jewelry is generally several decades old and often includes pieces from periods such as Art Deco, Mid-Century Modern, Retro, and other historic design movements.

Because of this, many vintage pieces are also estate jewelry—they've simply had a previous owner. However, not all estate jewelry is vintage, as some estate pieces are contemporary designs.

At Maine Gold & Silver, you'll find a carefully curated selection of estate and vintage jewelry, from timeless classics to one-of-a-kind treasures. Every piece is professionally inspected for authenticity, quality, and condition, so you can shop with confidence.