| With even more varieties than fine jewelry, costume | | | | and flowers were incorporated into the designs. |
| jewelry is considered of value due to its historical | | | | With so many artistic flows, photography procedures |
| significance. There are three periods best | | | | have to be flexible to represent Retro jewelry. It is |
| representative of this art, each with its own flair, and | | | | not always best seen with bright light or high detail, |
| each presents unique situations for photography. | | | | providing for entertaining ways to experiment with |
| The first phase was in the 1920's and 1930's, and it is | | | | props and backdrops. |
| called "Art Deco." This was an early attempt to | | | | The "Art Modern" period began around the mid |
| produce costume jewelry by mass production and still | | | | 1940's and continued to the turn of the decade in |
| present it as art. Coco Chanel introduced a line that | | | | 1960. The flamboyant jewelry of the Retro era was |
| was designed to go with the costume or outfit, thus | | | | gone, and faux jewelry began to better resemble |
| the name was born. | | | | the conservative designs of the present. |
| Art Deco characteristics were for more symmetry of | | | | Rhinestones, poodle pins, and Christmas jewelry |
| design rather than free-flowing curves. Some of the | | | | became popular. |
| types of jewelry expounded by this era were | | | | Jade, opal, and topaz were commonly used in design. |
| cigarette cases, long pendants, cocktail rings, and | | | | Again, photography has to be adjusted to fit the |
| bangle bracelets. Various metals used in production | | | | themes and characteristics of the period. Charm |
| lend differing shades that must be captured in | | | | bracelets were on the arm of every young woman, |
| photos. | | | | and they varied from small baubles to large and |
| When the Great Depression began, as well as the | | | | chunky ones. |
| early parts of World War II, the Art Deco era ended. | | | | Costume jewelry did not just begin in the 20th |
| A 15-year span between 1935 and 1950 was | | | | century. In fact, it probably dates to the 18th |
| christened the "Retro Period" in costume jewelry. | | | | century or earlier. There has always been a desire for |
| An American style of jewelry emerged during a time | | | | the less wealthy to have items to compliment their |
| when the United States was recovering from the | | | | formal attire, the same as with people of means. |
| Depression that most of the rest of the world was | | | | Much of the faux jewelry of three centuries past has |
| just entering. | | | | vanished due to its small worth. |
| There was also a strong influx of immigrant influence | | | | For the photographer, reproducing images of prior |
| due to the poor economic situations elsewhere. | | | | period jewelry represents a snapshot of the past. |
| During this period, Bakelite and other plastic jewelry | | | | Lighting, exposure, focus, and props need to follow |
| became commonplace. Jewelry was defined more | | | | faithfully the mood of the era of which they are a |
| elegantly, with sophistication and glamour. More bows | | | | part. |