Fabulous Facts
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How Stones got their names and meanings

What does Retro, Vintage and  Antique mean in jewelry?

There are volumes written on these subject and the pieces and components; beads, findings etc. But here's a  brief overview:

Retro: The word ''retro'', from the french,  like the word ''antique''  only refers to the age of an item it does not define quality. Its usually referring  items 10 -49 years, most common reference are the 1960s to 1980s.
Pieces created in the style of a a past era are sometimes called retro style, though  not necessarily using the same materials or fabrication methods used.

Vintage: 
was probably first used to describe the year wines  were bottled.
In jewelry and beadwork, ''vintage'' is most-often used to indicate a jewelry  piece or component that is a product of quality from a previous time frame (usually 25 to 99 years), and  can be noted for enduring appeal.   ''Vintage'' jewelry tends to be from approximately 1980 and back to 1915. 
Vintage-style refers to an item which is created to replicate a previous timeframe, not  necessarily made in the same materials or fabrication methods.
Antique is the only term having a legal definition. the U.S. customs services says it is an item being at least 100 years old at the time of purchase. It defines age, not quality.