Jewelry Eras Over Time
Ancient
Refers to artifacts that serve as inspiration for revivals such as Egyptian and Etruscan. Relics are from early civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Rome, Eygpt, Greece, and Etruria.
Georgian
An era of jewelry spanning over a hundred years from early 18th century into the 19th century. Jewelry style was florally sumptuous and heavily influenced by royal aesthetic. Pieces were comprised of high karat gold or silver featuring paste and foil back gemstones accented by rose cut diamonds.
Victorian
Queen Victoria influenced fashion during her lengthy sixty-three-year reign from 1837 to 1900. This era was broken into three time periods, each curated by their own aesthetic trend. Jewelry production was at an all-time high thanks to the technological revolution and higher demand from the newly formed middle class.
Victorian Romantic
1837 to 1860 featured high karat gold and hand form pieces with a popularity of cameos and sentimental jewelry such as lockets and hair fabrication.
Victorian Grand
1860 to 1885 featured inspiration from excavation and re-discovery of other time periods such as the Etruscan, Renaissance, and Middle Ages. Jewelry was elevated and for celebrating life.
Late Victorian
1885 to 1901 features a more reserved fashion and more refined taste reserving diamonds for special occasions. Hearts and honeymoon brooches became more prevalent while whimsical animal and sport-inspired jewelry were also popular.
Mourning
A jewelry style popular during the Georgian era and for the duration of the Victorian era. Early mourning jewelry was coined 'memento mori' or "remember death." Black was used in prominence with urn and skeleton motifs. Later, Victorians moved away from the morbid and chose to celebrate life. Mourning jewelry was brighter and more hopeful, utilizing blue and white coloring. Hair was a commonly used material throughout mourning jewelry.
Arts & Crafts
Art movement from 1880 to1920 that focused on hand fabrication to create one of a kind works that challenged the increasing popularity of production jewelry.
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The dreamy time-period of 1895 to 1915 where there was a movement to embrace the mystical with an emphasis on nature. Jewelry was sinuous and organic featuring moonstones, enamel, and mother-of-pearl.
Belle Époque
French to mean 'beautiful era,' this was a period of peace. Dating from the end of the Franco-Prussion war up to the clash of World War I expanding from 1871 to 1914. Jewelry was typically platinum with very ornate detailing. Typical motifs were stylized florals and bows.
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The start of the 20th century marked a time of wealth and extravagance for the upper class. The invention of the acetylene torch caused platinum to became the metal of choice. Jewelry was opulent featuring bows with lace-like design and scalloped edges lined with old European cut diamonds.
Art Deco
The 1920s was a new age ushered in with bold geometric lines and pops of color. Dinner rings and line bracelets gained popularity with brooches and earrings exhibiting flared, dramatic, silhouettes.
Retro
The 1940s was touched with war diminishing accessibility to precious materials, but this did not impede creativity. Instead we saw the emergence of rose gold and a popularity in 14 karat gold, scrolled motifs, and florals.
Mid-Century
The 1950s emboldened the sleek floral designs from the Retro era, instead of a smooth polished finish, designs were heavily textured and finely rendered. Designs welcomed dramatic energy, and diamonds were now marketed to every class due to DeBeers' "Diamonds are Forever" campaign. This ushered in the age of the four C's and diamond engagement rings as an important relationship milestone.
Contemporary
Modern jewelry from the 21st century that are often still in production or have recently been in production. Designs are relevant to trending fashion.
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