ANTIQUE & VINTAGE JEWELLERY TIMELINE

ANTIQUE & VINTAGE JEWELLERY TIMELINE

Georgian Jewellery (1714-1837)

Georgian jewellery is very rare and most collectable . Inspired by nature . Most distinctive jewellery of this period is Memento Mori jewellery (meaning 'remember you will die') and was quite morbid, featuring skull motifs and coffins. Mourning rings, pendants and brooches were also worn inscriped with a loved ones death date and included concealed locks of the deceased person’s hair. Seed Pearl were also used frequently.

Early Victorian, Romantic Jewellery (1837-1855)

Nature inspired designs were popular and intricately etched into gold. Lockets and brooches were popular everyday jewelry during the early Victorian era .Gemstones and diamonds were worn for the evening.

Mid-Victorian, Grand Jewellery (1856-1880)

The Grand or Mid-Victorian era  was marked with the death of Queen Victoria’s husband, therefore many jewelry pieces have solemn. Also Known as mourning jewelry, the pieces feature heavy, dark stones particularly Jet, black onyx, amethyst, and garnet . The jewelry also became especially creative during this period. Creative designs with more colorful designs were born out of this sober period and featured shells, micro- mosaics . Marcasite jewllery also became poplular during this period.

Late Victorian, Aesthetic Jewellery (1885-1900)

Bright gemstones such as sapphire, peridot, and spinel were popular during the Late Victorian Aesthetic period, with the more frequent use of diamonds . Star designs were popular . Intricate hat pins were also popular items of jewellery during this period .

Arts and Crafts Jewellery (1894-1923)

As a reaction to the mass manufactured Industrial Revolution, many jewelry designers  returned to designs that were handmade and emphasised craftsmanship. Simple featuring uncut stones.

Art Nouveau Jewellery (1895-1915)

Art Nouveau movement jewellery was inspired by nature featuring organic shapes and decoration such as flowers and butterflies.  A romantic and etheral period in jewlelery design. Floral designed pieces were made using enamelling techniques and were widely available. 

Edwardian Jewellery (1901-1915)

 During this period, expensive gemstones such as diamonds, emeralds and rubies and designs were the fashion.

Art Deco Jewellery (1915-1935)

Art Deco period in jewellery was inspired by geometric forms from early Egyptians, Greek and Roman periods.  Platinium, diamonds and sapphires were used for elaborate geometric shaped jewellery . One of the most popular and copied periods for its timeless style. Costume jewellery became popular with demand for fashion jewellery made from paste , rhinestones and using base metals like white silver, 

Retro Jewellery (1945-1960)

Inspired by Hollywood, retro jewelry is colorful, bold and elaborate. Commonly worn were large cocktail rings, bracelets, watches, necklaces and charm bracelets.The discovering of plastics such as bakelite saw this introduced into costume jewellery designs.

1960s -1980s

The changing social revolution saw a much greater free expression with jewellery designs and with cheaper mass production costume jewellery came into its own - reflecting ever changing styles and individuality.