Antique vs Vintage

Depending on local laws, customs and cultures, there used to be clear definitions for these words. Vintage meant that an item had to be at least fifty years old and antique a minimum of a hundred years. Ancient relics also qualified as antique.

Today both of these words get tossed around quite freely in an attempt to add panache. You'll often see shops in a mall or flea market touting these attributes. Upon closer inspection, you may find yourself staring at a Mason jar or velvet Elvis painting! To make it even more confusing the meaning and age associated with antique and vintage changes according to whether you are discussing automobiles, clothing, wine or beads!

In the bead world vintage can refer to several different things. It can mean that an item is no longer in production, in which case, if you snooze you lose! So hurry up and buy it if you like it. Vintage can also mean that old stock (such as glass cane to make millefiori) is still being used up or recycled into a new glass bead.

When you see the word antiquing or antiqued in relation to metal, it can also refer to the darkening or tarnishing of metal to bring out its details. Oxidation and patination are synonymous.