| lery comes from an old Latin language and is | | | | Retro Jewellery (1940’s to 1950’s) |
| pronounced ‘jocale’ in Latin. | | | | From the 1940’s to the 1950’s the |
| ‘Jocale’ means | | | | jewellery style is known as retro. The jewellery worn |
| ‘plaything’. | | | | became more colourful, bold and elaborate. Many call |
| 'Vintage' jewellery includes many different periods of | | | | this era of jewellery the golden age of Hollywood |
| time. The styles of each period are defined by the | | | | glamour. There was nothing subtle or demure about |
| manufacturing technology available and the skill of the | | | | the jewellery worn, as it was oversized, dramatic and |
| stone cutters of the era. | | | | asymmetrical. Commonly worn were large cocktail |
| Throughout the years jewellery has been worn for a | | | | rings, bracelets, watches, necklaces and charm |
| multitude of reasons including; to display wealth, for | | | | bracelets. |
| functional reasons like pins or clasps, to demonstrate | | | | Rubies were very popular, but also many |
| ones status or artistic display. | | | | semi-precious stones were used like aquamarine, |
| Art Deco Jewellery (1920’s to 1940’s) | | | | amethyst and moonstones. |
| Following the First World War economic and social | | | | The 1950’s |
| pressures brought a new mood for a rigorous and | | | | During the 1950’s economies embark upon an |
| clean-cut look. Art Deco was an innovative design | | | | extremely prosperous era. This is the time of the |
| style popular from the early 1920’s and | | | | “Dolce Vita”, punctuated by lavish |
| 1940’s. | | | | parties and a wanting to display affluence. |
| In this era jewellery was influenced by African, | | | | The jewellery was made with white and yellow metal |
| Egyptian and Japanese themes, it followed geometric | | | | and accompanied by pearls and precious stones in |
| designs like circles, squares and rectangles, sharp lines | | | | abundance. Stylised naturalistic motifs, floral designs, |
| and bright colours. | | | | waterfall pendant earrings and tapered necklaces. |
| Paris was the source and the trendsetter of Art | | | | The 1970’s |
| Deco, which was later named after the 'Exposition | | | | In 1970’s jewellery was influenced by ethnic |
| des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Moderns' | | | | motives, east, and India inspired design. Ornamental, |
| held in Paris in 1925. | | | | folk-style adornments became popular. Colourful |
| There were many different materials used in the Art | | | | cabochon cut stones, silver and basic metals were |
| Deco period like gold, pearls, rubies, plastic, chrome | | | | used along with forgotten corals. Wristwatches also |
| and steel. Platinum was the new luxury metal used. | | | | became a big part of jewellery art. |
| The main designers during Art Deco era were Coco | | | | The 1980’s |
| Chanel, Elsa Schiaparelli and René Lalique. The | | | | In the 1980’s earrings became a very |
| Cartier firm, founded in 1847, reached dizzying | | | | fashionable item of jewellery for male teenagers. Jelly |
| heights of Art Deco splendour under the direction of | | | | or thin metal bracelets/bangles worn in mass |
| Louis Cartier (1874 - 1945). Louis' fascination with | | | | quantities on the one wrist were also very popular. |
| Exotic motifs led to the creation of diamond, ruby | | | | Jewellery also became a way of showing a |
| and platinum earrings from which hung jade rondels | | | | women’s status again. Many women would |
| carved with elephants, or exotic gold and enamel | | | | wear designer jewellery, diamonds and pearls to |
| bangles with interfacing carved-coral heads. | | | | show their wealth and power. |