Jewelry Periods

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About Victorian Jewelry

The Victorian (c1836-1901) jewelry period follows the reign of Queen Victoria in Great Britain from 1836 to 1901. Queen Victoria's love for her husband and children inspired Victorian jewelry that reflected a romantic and sentimental outlook.

Flowers, hearts, bows and birds inspired beautiful pieces of Victorian jewelry which showed the craftsmanship of the Victorian age. Serpent motifs were also popular in Victorian jewelry. Yellow gold and silver were the metals of choice as Victorian jewelry artisans did not learn to work with platinum until very late in the period. Gemstones were often used in Victorian jewelry and helped keep jewelry affordable for the mass market. Garnets, amethysts, corals, turquoise, and seed pearls were in style. Opals were increasingly popular as Queen Victoria adored them. Diamonds were discovered in South Africa in 1867 and became popular during the Victorian jewelry period. Human hair was also incorporated in jewelry during the Victorian period. This jewelry was given as a token of love and also worn as mourning jewelry.

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About Art Nouveau Jewelry

The Art Nouveau period began circa 1890 and ended around 1919. This period represents the turn of the century and the coming of the "modern age".

The feminine form was highly celebrated, as were soft curves, sinuous lines, and pale colors. The representation of the female head with long flowing hair is prevalent during the Art Nouveau period. Nature motifs also remained strong. Butterflies, dragonflies, snakes, poppies, orchids, irises and water lilies prevailed in jewelry design. Jewelry which was created during the Art Nouveau period embodied art for the sake of art, as well as a dramatic trend in fashion. Free flowing asymmetrical lines were important and emphasized the designers innovative skills. Because materials were not as important as design and craftsmanship, a number of varied gemstones were popular. Amber, opals, moonstones, citrines, and peridots were used along with other interesting materials like horn, copper, tortoise-shell, ivory, carved glass, shells, pearls, and gemstones cut in cabachon.

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About Edwardian Jewelry

The Edwardian jewelry period lasted from 1901 to circa 1920. Edward VII and his lovely Danish bride, Alexandria, brought a cosmopolitan flair to fashions and jewelry during this exuberant time in history. Edwardian Jewelry resembled lace and complimented the fashions of the day

During the Edwardian jewelry period, jewelers used platinum and diamonds to create intricate and delicate filigree patterns that resembled lace. Light and airy designs became hallmarks of Edwardian jewelry. Alexandria wore a choker type necklace called a "dog collar" which became popular during the Edwardian jewelry period. Pearls were quite fashionable, along with jewels for the hair, or "tiaras" combined with beautiful dangling earrings. King Edward enjoyed sports and encouraged the use of sporting motifs. He also helped make his good luck stone, the peridot, very popular. The elegance, beauty and superb craftsmanship of Edwardian jewelry has remained unparalleled through the ages.

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Art Deco Jewelry

The Art Deco jewelry period, which began in 1920 and ended around 1935, produced dazzling jewelry which was in sharp contrast to the jewelry of the previous periods.

With Art Deco jewelry, the emphasis shifted from soft colors and flowing lines to bold, bright colors and straight lines. Pearls and long earrings were popular, along with diamond watches, beads, and cocktail rings. Women cut their long locks and began wearing their hair short and boyish during the Art Deco jewelry period. This was the era of Jazz and flappers and Art Deco jewelry complimented the flamboyant and playful attitude of the day. Egyptian influences were strong and motifs like the falcon, sphinx and falcon were popular. New geometric cuts for gems went hand-in-hand with the symmetry and streamlined look of Art Deco jewelry. Emeralds, sapphires and rubies became the gems of choice in Art Deco jewelry. Synthetic gemstones were popular and were often used instead of the more expensive natural gems.

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About Retro Jewelry

The Retro jewelry period spans the years between 1935 and 1950. This was war-time in Europe and America and women joined the work force to lend their support. Women's wardrobe fashion dictated a severe silhouette with tight fitting jackets and skirts so jewelry designs were the exact opposite with feminine motifs and soft curves.

Jewelry during the Retro Jewelry Period became bolder, brighter and more whimsical. Gold regained popularity during the Retro period as platinum was being used for the war effort and was not available to jewelry craftsman. It was during the Retro jewelry period that different colors of gold became popular -- yellow gold was combined with rose gold and green gold in striking combinations. In Retro jewelry, everything was bigger and bolder. Gemstones like aquamarines and citrines were fashioned in rectangular cuts and massive proportions. Hollywood glamor and glitz favored anything that was big, bold, colorful, and exciting. Cocktails rings were all the rage along with oversized bracelets, watches and rings. Colored gemstones were favorites along with synthetic rubies and sapphires.