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What is a Vintage Finding?

Finding

The term finding is a generic word that encompasses all of the items that make up a piece of jewelry. Sometimes it is used to refer to clasps, or pin backs, or earring backs, and at other times, it refers to the blanks that make up a piece of jewelry, such as a holder for a cameo cabochon, or a piece of metal which is then cast into a brooch or pendant. These latter pieces might more correctly be called blanks.

The Edwardian period is often called the "Gilded Age" of jewelry making. Diamonds and other precious gems were often used, and platinum was a favorite metal.

If you collect or resell vintage jewelry, a good knowledge of vintage jewelry findings is important because it can enable you to determine the age of a piece more accurately. For instance, the locking style of C clasp was invented in 1901, so any piece with this type of clasp would have to have been made after that date. Pierced earrings with a threaded screw back for the post were common about 1880, so if your earrings are this style, it might indicate that you have an older piece of jewelry. Since all types of findings have been used in the production of jewelry for centuries, knowing the difference between the various types can be important.

Modern jewelry findings can be purchased from many retail stores and businesses online. Getting true vintage findings can be quite a daunting task. Many people who repair or remake jewelry will often buy up old collections of broken jewelry and harvest just the findings, so that they will have them to use on their next repair or remodeling job. This will insure that the age of the piece is preserved.

Here are some examples of Vintage Findings. All photos courtesy of B'sue Boutiques

To view other articles on other vintage words, please visit the word of the week archives.

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