Although most people today have fairly firm ideas of what types of fashion jewelry they prefer, the heritage of designs and pieces from the past has a huge impact on today’s fashions. Regardless of the type of jewelry piece you are looking for, you can find pieces from almost any era reproduced in today’s looks. This allows you to find fashionable rings, necklaces and pins both in the antique or second hand boutiques and in the modern jewelry studio.
Hand-crafted Georgian jewelry is a great example of historical pieces that can still be found occasionally in estate sales today. This era of jewelry featured garnets, emeralds, diamonds and sapphires as gemstones. Settings of silver holding faceted stones became a popular design. Georgian jewelry was worn both men and women. The Georgians wore an astonishing amount of jewelry at the same time. It was bold and heavy.
Victorian jewelry tends to be more romantic and flowery. There are many dainty examples of the jewelry of this era. Cameos, hair ornaments and chokers were popular designs. Women today still select beautiful Victorian engagement rings because of the sentimental designs. Victorian jewelry is more delicate and ornate. Viewing many of the pieces will make you think of lace.
The Art Nouveau period of jewelry provided may examples of a different style jewelry. Many of those pieces are still available today. Popular stones were the lower cost gemstones such as lapis lazuli, moonstones, opal and other colored stones used to dramatize designs. These designs might include sunbursts, female figures or botanical items, even insects or plants.
Hand-crafted jewelry items once again became popular during the early years of the 20th century. Small studios that designed and produced unique and individual designs were popular as a departure from mass-produced jewelry. The small production facilities could not turn out as many pieces, so these designs are not nearly as available. This movement in fashion only lasted about thirty to forty years.
Ornate, and ostentatious Edward jewelry favors platinum and diamonds. The design is as lavish as the court of Edward. Setting for this type of jewelry all but disappeared. The gemstones floated in increasing numbers with no visible settings.
When Art Deco pieces became popular, it made use of alternative materials such as Bakelite. Art Deco is more likely to use angles than curves. The look is clean, but with a strong emphasis from Africa, the Caribbean and the Far East.
Retro jewelry is particularly popular in the United States. It is the large, bold and often flamboyant look favored by the Hollywood stars of the 1930s and 1940s. Base metals were more common than precious metals. Charm bracelets are an example of popular pieces. The pieces can still be found today and they are popular with someone who wants an attractive and unique look.
Choosing fashion jewelry today can reflect your own tastes from all the historical periods. Romantic Victorian rings or flamboyant retro pieces are both available to buyers. You put together your own favorite look from all the previous eras in fashion.
A.Moosa is founder of Outfit Additions, a California based women’s fashion accessories retailer. View the collection of belts, unique bead necklaces, and a variety of fashion jewelry at the store.
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