| Looking back over the past centuries, it is very | | | | sculptured ribbons, bows and folds that resembled |
| evident that jewelry has been a vital part of our | | | | fabrics. After the war the jewelry became much |
| society. Beginning with ancient Greece, jewelry | | | | less romantic and took on more of a militaristic |
| has been worn by men and women alike. More | | | | look. |
| recently, during the Georgian period from the | | | | It was during the 1950s that the use of abstract |
| early 1700s to the mid 1800s, jewelry designs | | | | sprays of diamonds in mixed cuts and starbursts |
| were predominantly nature themed with flowers, | | | | were first introduced. Textured gold was also |
| leaves, insects, birds and feathers engraved or | | | | introduced and the look virtually dominated the |
| carved. Gemstones were favored during this time | | | | 1950s with Florentine finishes, twisted rope, |
| along with agates, intaglios and cabochon cut | | | | braided wire and meshing. During this decade it |
| stones. | | | | was customary to wear gold jewelry without |
| Later in the 1800s, during the early Victorian | | | | gemstones during the day while diamonds and |
| Period, scrollwork, floral sprays and animal themes | | | | other stones were worn for evenings. Amethyst, |
| were the dominant style. | | | | turquoise and coral were among the most popular |
| These styles were intermingled with multi-colored | | | | colored gemstones. White cultured pearls were |
| gold and many pieces of enameled jewelry began | | | | also becoming highly popular for both day and |
| during this period. The late Victorian Period up to | | | | night wear. |
| 1900 brought diamonds into popularity. Bird, insect | | | | Jumping ahead to the 1970s, jewelry took on a |
| and animal themes were set in metal and many | | | | complete new look. Jewelry designers looked to |
| pieces began implementing the use of spring | | | | create a unique and different approach to jewelry |
| mechanisms. Delicate pendants of colored stones | | | | styles. Non-precious metals such as rock crystal, |
| and pearls were also highly popular during this | | | | ivory and coral were being used more widely. |
| time. | | | | Baguette diamonds were also designed into |
| During the time from 1900 until 1950, the styles | | | | solitaires and were worn during both the day and |
| and designs of jewelry changed rapidly and | | | | night. |
| substantially. Early in the 1900s jewelry became | | | | During the 1980s glitz and glamour were a desired |
| very delicate and feminine. Bows, ribbons, urns, | | | | look. While the wedding of Princess Diana to Prince |
| starts and small flower garlands were seen widely | | | | Charles gave women all over the world the desire |
| during this time. Platinum on yellow gold with | | | | for jewelry with a classy and sophisticated |
| diamond trim or large diamonds with smaller | | | | elegance, television shows such as Dallas had |
| diamonds for accents became very popular during | | | | women yearning for a more glamorous approach |
| this era. Art Deco also became popular during the | | | | to their jewelry. Colored pearls were highly |
| early 1900s. During this time diamonds and | | | | popular and the overall designs of jewelry ranged |
| platinum were used widely without any regard to | | | | from large and chunky to small and elegant. This |
| their cost. Stones were cut into triangles and | | | | is also the decade in which the pierced ears with |
| other shapes along with colored gemstones such | | | | up to five different earrings in one ear began. |
| as rubies, sapphires, emeralds and onyx to create | | | | Many of these same jewelry styles and trends |
| beautiful and contrasting combinations. | | | | are evident today. Typically jewelry never goes |
| During World War II much of the gold and silver | | | | out of style. Many antique pieces from decades |
| and all of the platinum were needed to fund | | | | past are still highly fashionable and can be worn |
| military spending. | | | | today without much notice. Jewelry has been part |
| During this time the American jewelry market | | | | of our lives since nearly the dawn of time and it is |
| burst into its own. Colored gold in beautiful yellows, | | | | highly evident that it will remain so for many |
| pinks and greens were developed. Designs were | | | | years to come. |
| also developed that used three dimensional and | | | | |