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100
Beaded Necklaces
90,000 years ago bead necklaces constructed from shells were strung together with twine most likely as charms.
Website: http://www.lushaejewelry.com/History -
500
Egyptian Jewelry
Egyptian jewelry is known as the dawning period for our modern form of jewelry. It was during this time that the manufacturing of jewelry became a profession and techniques and skills evolved to create a wide variety of styles and adornments. -
Jan 1, 1095
Egyptian Jewelry
Symbols such as the sacred Egyptian scarab also formed an important part of jewelry and were also believed to carry certain powers. -
Jan 1, 1200
Greek and Roman Jewelry
Greek and Roman jewelry was often created to symbolize legends and gods and later popular cultural beliefs. During this time metal working techniques evolved and jewelry pieces became more intricate and delicate. These techniques resulted in the increased popularity of earrings and other pieces which required more delicate construction methods. -
Jan 1, 1310
Greek and roman jewelry
stones metals are used as the predominant construction materials. -
Jan 1, 1439
Greek and roman Jewelry
The cameo is a piece of stone carved to create a portrait of a leader or god. This form of jewelry remains popular today and has enjoyed a number of resurgences throughout history. Initially Greek jewelry craftsman created highly detailed portraits of Alexander the Great. No other portraits were permitted by law until the later part of this period. -
Jan 1, 1564
Jewelry during the middle age
As the majority of world adopted Christianity cultural styles began to converge. Precious stones and metals were once again reserved for the wealthy and were even for lower classes during certain periods. -
middle age jewelry
Jewelry during this time was used primarily as a form of symbolizing Christian faith.
Website: http://www.lushaejewelry.com/History -
Georgian Period
Jewelry designs of nature featuring flowers, leaves, insects, birds, feathers, and ribbons. Engraved gemstones and intaglios were favored along with agates and cabochon cut stones. During the early nineteenth century, cameo brooches and earrings became popular. Garnets, turquoise, amethyst, and particularly pearls were the rage.
Website: http://www.joden.com/educate.shtml -
Early Victorian Period
The dominant style of the 1840's featured scrollwork, floral sprays, animal themes and multi-color gold work. There was a surge of deep religious feelings which gave way to a Gothic Revival Movement. This movement brought about a renewed interest in enameled jewelry. -
Mid Victorian
Heaviness and dark colors dominated jewelry themes.
Hair was worked into Mourning jewelry
Jet, Bog Oak, Gutta Percha and Vulcanite were popular mediums for jewelry -
Late Victorian
Jewelry as well as fabrics become lighter with curves and straighter lines.
Jewelry became smaller than the past era.
Diamonds and pastes are popular as evening wear.
Cultured pearls are introduced to the market in 1893. -
Art Nouveau Period
Art Nouveau jewelers used flowing feminine and fantasy figures, stylized flowers, vines, leaves, scrolls, birds, serpents and insects in beautiful enamels. Plique-a-jour enamel was commonly used which is a transparent enamel with out a metal backing. Cabochon gemstones as well as pearls were incorporated into the designs along with the scrolling gold work. Rene Jules Lalique led the French in Art Nouveau jewelry, while Louis Comfort Tiffany was the American Jeweler best known for his Art Nouveau -
Arts and Crafts Movement
Arts and Crafts jewelers rebelled against the mass production brought on by the Industrial Revolution. They formed the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society in 1888. These jewelers were opposed to any specialization of their craft. They worked mainly in silver using uncut and cabochon stones. Color was very important and many pieces were brightly colored. -
Edwardian
ewelry was delicate, light and airy - in opposition to the previous era of heaviness & dark colors.
Pierced filigrees, bows, ribbons and baskets, diamonds (or pastes) were mixed with pearls. The garland style with flowers and leaves were worked into swag and wreath designs.
Chatelaines were resurrected, sautoirs, as well as lavaliers and even tiaras were at the height of fashion. -
Art Deco
1920s - Richly-colored, extreme geometric patterns
1930s - More elegant designs with rounded geometric forms.
Use of a cooler pallet of colors such
as pastels is popular. -
Retro Period
The late 1930's and early 1940's saw Europe going from the Great Depression directly into W.W.II. All of the platinum and much of the gold and silver were needed to fund the war. It was during this period that the American jewelry market finally came into its own. Colored gold (yellow, pink, and green) sometimes combined in bi-colored or tri-colored pieces, was back after several decades of white metal dominance.
Website: http://www.joden.com/educate.s
Website: http://www.joden.com/educate.shtml -
Age of Rhinestones
Heavy use of rhinestones in various colors.
Aurora Borealis became popular
Big beads in many colors also popular.
Dresses, purses, trinket boxes, smoking accessories, etc.
were also studded with rhinestones. -
1980-1990's
The 1980's saw women gaining equality in the workplace. The televisions shows such as "Dynasty" and "Dallas" created a demand for glitz and glamour, while Princess Diana's wedding triggered a graceful, refined fashion emergence. Colored pearls were fashionable in long or short strands with diamond clasps that could be worn in the front or back. In the 1990's, tanzanite became popular along with aquamarine, and retro designs from almost every period. Jewelry designs could be large and chunky, -
Egyptian Jewelry
Egyptian's used Gemstone and metal color as being their greater importance than any other attribute. Gold was used extensively but this is primarily because it was readily available and very easy to work with. Many expensive gemstones we consider precious today like diamonds were very rarely used simply because they did not exhibit the color or symbolism of other gemstones.
