| The Victorian era was from 1837-1901. This was the | | | | period that many have not heard of because of the |
| reign of Queen Victoria of England. | | | | two great periods before,(art nouveau) and after(art |
| In that time people would wear whatever she | | | | deco). |
| thought looked good. | | | | Diamonds were a staple of Edwardian jewelry. They |
| In the beginning, Victorian jewelry purer 18-22 karat | | | | were made to look delicate to be able to blend in |
| gold. In 1854, gold was standardized and had 9, 12 or | | | | with lace, feathers and silk. Princess Alexandra had a |
| 15 karats. It had to be stamped and hallmarked. The | | | | huge impact on the periods fashion. In this period |
| other metals used if not gold were electric gilt, | | | | jeweler's progressed in gemstone cutting. Platinum |
| mercury gilt, pinchbeck and silver. | | | | was used a lot and sometimes made to look like |
| The design of Victorian jewelry came from nature. | | | | hand made lace. |
| Birds, flowers and trees with detailed engravings. | | | | Art deco is a style that relates to 1920's-1930's, |
| Repousse were large solid pieces that had fluted and | | | | which ended about 1935. The Art deco movement |
| raised edges. Cannatille jewelry used strands of gold | | | | was mainly an American thing. The style of jewelry |
| wire that were twisted and wound into intricate | | | | had strong lines, bright contrasts of color, geometric |
| designs. | | | | shapes, they also used bakelite. Symmetry and |
| Near the end of the Victorian era, Egypt, Greece and | | | | geometry were at the center of art deco. |
| Italy styles had big influences in design. This was | | | | Influences in the design of the jewelry were |
| because of archaeological expeditions that uncovered | | | | Japanese, Paris, the machine age, Egyptian, jazz, |
| lots of ancient jewelry. | | | | cubism and Russian. Also art deco was influenced by |
| When Queen Victoria died, new jewelry designs | | | | the art nouveau and Edwardian periods. Taking the |
| rushed into the market. Because of the | | | | style and grace from art nouveau, diamonds and |
| conservatism, jewelers could not push the boundaries | | | | platinum from Edwardian and turning them into a |
| of design while she was still alive. This surge in | | | | geometric, symmetrical array of diamonds and |
| techniques of manufacturing and design eventually | | | | platinum. |
| brought about the art nouveau period. | | | | Art deco had great vibrant colors, sapphires, |
| Art nouveau jewelry was expressive, exotic and | | | | emeralds, coral, rubies and turquoise were heavily |
| exuberant. They say the appreciation of it may take | | | | used. Black and white was also used a lot. Cocktail |
| time and art nouveau means "new art" in French. | | | | rings, long pendants, brooches and bangle bracelets |
| Imaginative and mystical jewelry, art nouveau was | | | | were all the rage. |
| from 1890-1910. | | | | Cigarette cases and compacts of the time were |
| With pale colors and gentle curves, art nouveau | | | | covered in jewels. The movement of art deco halted |
| jewelry used amethyst, moonstone, peridot, opal, | | | | because of WWII and the depression. |
| citrine and pearls. Copper, ivory, shell, horn and glass | | | | The 1930's and 1940's brought about the retro period. |
| were also used. | | | | Large gemstones were being used. Topaz, citrine and |
| Flowers like lilies, irises, orchids, bugs and animals, | | | | aquamarine were popular. Even synthetics were |
| even human forms were put into the designs. | | | | starting to become popular. Platinum was replaced by |
| Mythical beats or enchanted women were common. | | | | rose gold. |
| Enameling was used throughout the art nouveau | | | | Today everything from vintage jewelry to simple |
| period. | | | | elegance is in. Going back to the old stuff and mixing |
| The Edwardian period was from 1901-1910. The | | | | it in with new pieces and designs. |