Fashion jewelry today can be actually created in the past or can use past designs to present an entire modern and desirable look. Pins, hair ornaments, necklaces and rings were common throughout history, but the designs looked much different in the different historical eras. If you want a particular type of design, you can visit flea markets, consignment shops, estate auctions or second-hand stores. If you want something that looks old but is new, look online or in jewelry boutiques of today.
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 is an example of fashionable pieces from a bygone era. When thinking of this type of jewelry, women visualize cameos, chokers and hair ornaments that have great attention to detail. Victorian engagement rings are still popular today. They tend to be more ornate than some of the more modern designs and yet never look heavy or clumsy. Victorian lace is well translated into jewelry pieces from the period.
The era that is known for Art Nouveau jewelry provides some interesting and attractive jewelry pieces. The gemstones are lower in cost than for the earlier periods. Sunbursts, female faces and figures in languid poses are popular motifs. Opals, moonstones and various colored gemstones were used to surround and enhance the design rather than to be the focus of the setting.
The arts and crafts movement in jewelry and art was occurring at the same time as Art Nouveau. Instead of the machine made pieces of the industrial age, artisans in small factories or establishments produced beautiful and intricate handmade pieces. The volume of such pieces was limited, since they were one at a time creations and the time period in which they were produced was short, only about three to four decades.
Edwardian jewelry is heavily into the use of diamonds and platinum. The style tends to be lavish, ornate and even ostentatious by today’s standards. The development of thin settings made the gemstones almost appear to be unsupported.
Art Deco jewelry designs used alternatives to traditional materials and designs. There was strong influence from the Caribbean, Africa and the Far East. Bakelite was a popular construction materials and angles were more popular than fluid curves.
Retro jewelry was most commonly found in America. The pieces made popular by the Hollywood set were often flamboyant, over-sized and bold in concept. Synthetic gemstones became more popular and the use of base metals was more common. Charm bracelets were a hit, especially with the younger set.
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, gemstone necklaces, and a variety of fashion jewelry at the store.
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