Vintage Jewelleries

A detailed explanation of various Jewellery Eras

If you want to wear a part of history, vintage jewellery can quench your thirst for your desire. Indeed, each piece tells us a story. It is not only about the person who used to wear it, but it also familiarizes us with the era from where it comes. Over the years, the demand for vintage jewellery has increased for all the right reasons. After all, who would not want to keep a piece close to their heart that depicts the cultural, social, and artistic trends of an era that we can never find again? However, it is essential to understand the various eras of these vintage pieces.

At Artest Foundation, we celebrate these unforgettable jewelry pieces and make the wearer feel proud of their possession. Meanwhile, here is a guide to some of the most influential jewellery eras which you should know before making a purchase.

The Victorian Era (1837-1901)

The jewellery of this era had a romantic, sentimental, and symbolic style. As you can imagine, it was named after Queen Victoria of England. During this age, all the handcrafted jewellery had a deep personal attachment. The common pieces included lockets, cameos, and some mourning motifs, which reflected both love and loss.

Among the key features, the heart motifs, floral patterns, and lockets stand out from the others. Jet, garnets, seed pearls, and turquoise were extensively used at this time. Later, the mourning jewellery became a fashion statement after the death of Prince Albert. Similarly, hidden messages through jewellery primarily using gemstones was also rather common in the Victorian era. Even at the present day, Victorian pieces have rich emotional value. People still consider them as treasured items for romantic gifts.

The Edwardian Era (1901-1915)

The Edwardian era boasts of delicate, lacy, and ultra-feminine styled jewellery. The era, as is evident commenced just after the Victorian era, tried to shed off the heavy symbolism of the earlier period. The focus was mainly on crafting elegant and artistic pieces. During this period, technological advancements also helped the craftsmen to work with other metals like platinum.

Platinum filigree work that resembled lace is one of the unique works that is evident even today. The use of pearls, diamonds, and soft pastel gemstones was also on the rise. The motifs now had shapes like bows, garlands, and ribbons. This jewellery looked charming when the wearer paired it with silk gowns and opera gloves. Edwardian jewellery remains special as it highlights the time just before the outbreak of World War I. Things were about to change drastically after that.

The Art Deco Era (1920s-1930s)

It was the era that saw the evolvement of bold, geometric, and glamorous jewellery. The designing aspect took a dramatic shift in the Art Deco era. The World War 1 naturally had a severe effect on everyone and everything. The era witnessed a rise in creative excellence, which perhaps redefined luxury and architectural aspects. This era thus demonstrated how self-expression and modernization could blend and be crafted in these awesome pieces of jewellery.  

The bold geometric shapes and symmetrical designs captured the attention of everyone. To add to the vigor, bold color contrasts like emerald, ruby, and sapphire add flair to the jewels. We can also find enamel work and machines being used for designing jewellery. Long earrings, cocktail rings, and various forms of bracelets ruled the fashion world during this era.

The Retro Era (1940s-1950s)

The Retro era saw daylight during World War II, inspired by the previous era, the jewellery designs were glamorous. During the war, restrictions were imposed on materials like platinum. Thus, the designers/craftsmen had to look for other options and they turned to yellow and rose gold. Together with these two materials, they produced some of the best-looking designs.

Oversized brooches and bold cocktail rings were the highlight of this era. Furthermore, the use of synthetic stones became prominent. As if remembering the war, tank-style bracelets and scrolling motifs symbolized the devastation the world saw when the wars were ongoing. Floral designs and stylized bows were also popular. A new perspective emerged too, and it was inspired by Hollywood. Jewellers were in awe looking at some of the leading actresses of that time and came out with exclusive designs to suit them.

The Mid-Century Modern Era (1950s-1970s)

Innovating newer styles was now on the cars, and this era witnessed a rapid transformation of jewellery making both in style and design. It was time now to reflect on the freedom, rebellion, and changing values of the modern world. The designs, as expected became more expressive than ever, and the introduction of newer materials, and colors took center stage.

We can find a wide array of textured gold and mixed metals of this age. The designs boasted abstract and modern designs that blend beautifully. The use of organic shapes, free-form lines, and colorful enamels also became prevalent.

Recognizing jewellery by era

Presently, hallmarks and expert opinions can help, but when you learn the styles that were used in specific eras, you can easily distinguish the jewellery from one era to the other. The outline above should explain everything related to locating them.

When you know the era of a piece, it will not only help you determine its value, but also lets you maintain a deep connection with it. For instance, after reading about all these eras, you fall for a specific age in particular. When you spot a jewellery from that period, you will naturally feel a deep emotional attachment to it. Be it a delicate Edwardian pendant or an Art Deco bracelet, you are minutes away from owning a part of history.