A Love Letter to Vintage Jewellery

I love vintage jewellery. Every day I wear two vintage piececs that mean the world to me - my engagement ring and a ring passed down to me by my nan. They came to me with a history of their own, and now we're making a new one. I find it magical that I've become part of their story, and they've become part of mine.

Only my Carrie Elizabeth pieces rival the stash of vintage and antique treasures I’ve collected over the years!
But there are only so many jewels a girl can keep for herself, and it brings me so much joy to share some of my incredible finds with you through our Vintage collection.

Whether you’re already a vintage-magpie (like me!) or you’re curious about dipping your toe into vintage jewellery, this is for you…

How it begins: pulling together a Vintage jewellery release

I love nothing more than scouring markets and antique fairs for stand-out finds, but I’ve also got a little black book of expert contacts, who know to call me first when they stumble on something extraordinary!

I have a strict wish list: solid-gold, dreamy gemstones and detailing that makes my heart skip.

Most of the pieces I see don’t make the cut: only jewels that feel truly special make it into a Carrie Elizabeth drop.

Every treasure I unearth is assessed for authenticity and condition, from the gemstones to the metal. When looking at vintage jewellery, it's particularly important to check all settings and fastenings, to make sure they're secure.

Vintage pieces have already had one life, and we want them to be able to live another with you. A little wear - from patina to light surface texture - is all part of their charm, but you can rest assured every piece in our Vintage collection is clean, secure and ready for its next chapter!

Because our sourcing process is so exacting, we release our vintage pieces only in small quantities a few times a year.

We love to theme our releases, so you really get a sense of the story and history behind the jewels. One launch might be symbolic pendants, the next might be diamond and gemstone cluster rings. 

Our Vintage drops are carefully curated and hotly anticipated: when they’re gone, they really are gone. That’s the joy (and the jeopardy!) of real vintage…

Why I love vintage jewellery

There’s a unique charm to vintage jewellery that makes it a beloved part of my jewellery styling wardrobe – alongside my favourite Carrie Elizabeth pieces, of course!

Intrinsically individual, vintage and antique jewellery often features gemstone cuts or design details quite unlike modern jewellery. Vintage jewellery is often worn or patinaed in its own singular way, so it helps bring personality to any look.

Vintage jewellery is also undeniably romantic. Each piece is a little time capsule, holding secret stories and showcasing the style and craftsmanship of its time.

When we sell a piece from our Vintage collection, I can't help wondering about the new chapter it is going to begin with you...

Vintage jewellery - my styling secrets

Over the years I’ve developed a few vintage jewellery styling strategies to wear my pieces in an effortlessly modern way.

I love mixing eras and styles. Think an antique cluster ring, a 70s medallion, a pair of forties sapphire earrings, all layered up with my current favourite pieces from our collections.

Mixing vintage with modern is an amazing way to create a totally you look that no one else has. It's an approach I personally take to my home, my outfits and my jewellery.
 
Pairing old with new ensures your look never feels like a costume, but instead feels like a thoughtful curation of styles and stories.

I’m not precious about what I wear my vintage pieces with. Don’t save your vintage for best; it plays just as well with denim as silk!

A sweet vintage ring paired with a great pair of jeans or an everyday dress is such a timeless look.

Although you should be a little mindful about where you wear your vintage jewels (please, don't wear them to the gym!), incorporating vintage jewellery into your everyday outfits is a great way to create your own signature look.

Finally, layer textures and colours to create a look full of visual interest. 

A vintage pendant packed with dainty detail looks super-sleek hung from a simple, modern chain. Add gemstone rings to a stack of polished bands. Pair a vintage charm bracelet with gemstone beads.

Contrast is a pro-styling secret for creating layered looks that feel characterful and sophisiticated. When you're shopping for vintage jewellery, look for unusual details - such as star-settings, milgrain, and mixed-metals - that will complement modern styles. 

If you’re excited to begin or add to your vintage jewellery collection, make sure to download our app and sign up to the mailing list - Carrie Elizabeth insiders get to shop first.

You’ll find pieces from our latest drop (and the occasional one-off treat!) here:

Taking the doubt out of shopping vintage jewellery

Wearing vintage jewellery is fun, but I know shopping vintage can sometimes feel daunting. I’ve been buying vintage jewellery for many, many years, and it's so important to feel confident you're investing in authentic and great quality pieces.

I hope our handpicked vintage curations, personally sourced and selected by me, help you feel excited and comfortable to claim a vintage treasure of your own! I’ve popped some of the key questions you might have below – so all you need to worry about is which piece to choose...

Vintage Jewellery FAQs

Do vintage pieces come with a warranty?

They do! Our 12-month CE vintage warranty covers manufacturing or pre-existing faults. Accidental damage, third-party resizing or alteration voids the warranty.

What is the difference between vintage and antique jewellery?

The terms 'vintage' and 'antique' are sometimes used interchangably, but it's an important distinction. Vintage jewellery describes anything at least 20 years old, while to be described as antique jewellery a piece must be 100 years old or more.

We sometimes have antique jewellery, such as 1920s rings, in our collections. But we most often have vintage jewellery in our drops, so that's the term you'll usually hear us use.

The ring I want isn’t in my size - can I resize it?

Some vintage rings can be resized, depending on style. A resize is often possible up or down by one UK size. Email hello@carrieelizabeth.co.uk with the item link and your required size, and we’ll advise case-by-case.

The piece I wanted sold out! Can I get another one?

Oh no! With our vintage jewellery being one of a kind, this sometimes happens. If you’ve missed out, or your favourite piece wasn’t in your size, our bespoke team would love to help design a vintage-inspired piece just for you. Feel free to reach out to the bespoke team here.

You can also explore our main collections - we have many vintage-inspired designs for you to fall in love with!

How do I care for my vintage pieces?

With just a little care, your vintage jewellery will shine on, every day and forever! You can follow our solid gold care instructions here. Be aware that delicate stones such as pearls should not be cleaned with water, and we do not advise using chemical or ultrasonic cleaners on vintage jewellery.

Please be mindful that these are authentic vintage pieces, having had a life before this one. They are not ‘new’ - which we believe adds to their character! Although we have carefully evaluated each piece, we advise all vintage items should be worn and handled with care, as their age makes them more delicate.

Can vintage pieces be returned?

If we’ve engraved or resized a piece for you it is non-returnable, otherwise our standard 14-day returns policy applies to vintage pieces. You can find full details here.

Can I use my discount code on a vintage piece?

If you’ve got a discount code to use - lucky you! All codes can be used on vintage jewellery, just enter at checkout as usual.

When will the next vintage drop be?

We release curated vintage drops about four to five times a year, but only when I’ve got something exciting to share with you! The secret to getting first dips on these vintage treasures? Download our app and sign up to the mailing list to make sure you hear first.