I love mixing vintage and antique pieces with contemporary jewellery. The lines between them start to blur, and they lift each other in such a natural way. It doesn’t feel like separate categories; it just becomes part of how I dress. I often stack antique or vintage rings with more modern ones, which keeps things feeling effortless rather than over-styled. I tend to wear antique diamond rings or necklaces with more everyday clothes; I like that contrast. And I always reach for vintage costume jewellery earrings when I want to add something a bit stronger. It’s not about dressing up, it’s about wearing things in a way that feels easy and natural.
When it comes to styling vintage jewellery, don’t overthink it. I think good jewellery adds focus – it can pull a look together or shift the whole mood of an outfit. I often wear more tailored or minimalist clothing before adding one strong piece to make everything feel more intentional. Jewellery can deliver either structure or softness, depending on what you choose. And when a piece has age or is particularly well made, it carries its own presence; it adds depth, even when everything else is quite pared back.
One of the things I love most about vintage jewellery is that it’s not perfect – at least not in the polished, modern sense. You’ll often find pieces that are truly one of a kind, or at least incredibly rare. They reflect the time they were made, both in style and technique, and it’s those details that make them so interesting. Wearing them feels like a quiet way of honouring the past while making it part of your everyday life. Plus, it’s a chance to express your style in a way that feels unique.
I source vintage and antique pieces through a mix of trusted dealers, private clients, auctions and fairs. Most are in the UK and Europe, some come through long-standing relationships, while others are unexpected finds. The process can be quite addictive, whether I’m searching for something specific or stumble upon something I didn’t know I was looking for. There’s usually a fair bit of research involved, and I have specialists I can call on if I need to confirm the finer details.
The UK is one of the best places in the world for sourcing vintage jewellery. You can find everything from Georgian pieces to ones from the 1980s, often in great condition, and there’s still a real chance of discovering gems in unexpected places. Scotland, in particular, has a lot to offer. There’s a strong tradition of jewellery here, and things still turn up privately or through regional auctions. We have a small capsule of vintage pieces that we will show in August during our Fringe exhibition: Icons of Scottish Jewellery.
Changing the perception of antique jewellery is something I care about deeply. Thankfully, with the rise of second-hand, re-wearing, and buying with longevity in mind – vintage and antique jewellery feels more relevant than ever. I try to show clients the contemporary pieces they can buy or have remodelled – it’s a way to wear something completely unique. You’re not buying into a trend; you’re choosing something with its own story or reshaping that story to fit with a more contemporary feel.
Style today feels more fluid and relaxed than it ever has. Mixing old and new is second nature now, and that makes vintage jewellery feel more wearable. That shift away from formality has made vintage and antique jewellery feel much more approachable.
