| The 1950's mark the beginning of the jewelry era we | | | | truly unique and exquisite pieces; it has also had a |
| find ourselves in today. Jewelry split into two main | | | | lasting effect on jewelry design in general. |
| branches, traditional and modernist, with several | | | | The social upheaval of the sixties brought radical |
| influences governing each. Fashion and the economy, | | | | change to every aspect of our culture, including |
| as always, influenced jewelry design, but for the first | | | | jewelry design. Popular jewelry now had every |
| time, pop culture, such as television, rock and roll, and | | | | imaginable pop-culture influence. There was hippie |
| the beatniks also came into play. Traditional design | | | | jewelry: love beads, flower-power pieces and the |
| stayed close to the retro look, with large stones and | | | | rustic, homemade-looking necklaces and brooches. |
| yellow gold for most pieces other than diamonds | | | | There was Mod jewelry: black-and-white jewelry and |
| (which remained popular), but they took on a more | | | | long strands of day-glo plastic beads. There was |
| delicate appearance now, with fine, airy settings and | | | | Lucite jewelry: huge hoop or ball earrings and chunky |
| textured metal such as braids and twists surrounding | | | | plastic bracelets in brilliant colors. There was Ethnic |
| the stones. Sets, such as matching earrings and | | | | jewelry: East Indian, Asian, African, and Native |
| necklaces, became popular, as well as short strands | | | | American, often with elements that combined two or |
| of pearls, which went well with the flowing, feminine | | | | more of these at once. There was also a revivalist |
| fashions of the day. Simultaneously, modernist design | | | | movement, with remakes of Medieval, Victorian, and |
| was producing all sorts of creative, abstract pieces, | | | | Art Deco pieces commonly seen. These diverse |
| drawing on ideas from pop culture, philosophy, and | | | | trends continued into the seventies and beyond, and |
| modern art. This movement is sometimes called | | | | while traditional jewelry styles will always remain |
| "Jewelry as Art" or "Wearable Art," and while it is not | | | | popular, the influence of pop culture that began in the |
| for everyone, the creativity and individuality that | | | | fifties will probably continue indefinitely. |
| define it ushered in a new era that produced some | | | | |