| naissance began in Italy during the 1300's, it | | | | pendant was called en suite. |
| spread to England, France, Germany, the | | | | Portraits were carved with babies and angels, |
| Netherlands, Spain, and other countries during the | | | | sculpted with such fine detail as to the point of |
| 1400's and ending in the early 1600's. This | | | | miraculous. Irregular pearls called baroque would be |
| movement reached a height in the 1400's and the | | | | set in a design that made their unusual shape flow |
| early 1500's when achievements had become | | | | and become a necessary part of the piece. |
| some of the greatest in history. | | | | Diamonds were often fashioned into triangular |
| This movement was considered a rebirth of the | | | | chips embellishing the piece with extraordinary |
| ancient works of art, literature, and philosophy. | | | | beauty. |
| The Europeans studied these three endeavors of | | | | During this time gems were thought to contain |
| ancient Greece and Rome following the great | | | | special powers for the body, so these were |
| scholars and artists, becoming themselves great in | | | | designed into the piece to touch the skin. |
| continuing and even advancing these areas. | | | | Salamanders were said to represent passionate |
| During the Renaissance jewelers achieved | | | | love and cupids were often times given as gifts |
| breakthroughs in shop tools, working areas, | | | | to enhance a special meeting. |
| methods, and advanced techniques. Successful | | | | Output of South German and Hungarian mines |
| artists came from serving in strict apprenticeships | | | | worked at a fevered pitch to meet the massive |
| or grew up working with family or close friends in | | | | demand for gold in this period. The Hungarian |
| the trade. | | | | mines also produced opals and precious stones |
| Jewelry was in high demand during this period in | | | | which were imported from the Oriental regions. |
| history. In Florence, Italy there were over forty | | | | Sea coral was used for carving which came from |
| shops dedicated to producing the finest jewelry | | | | off the shores of Italy. |
| the world had yet ever seen. The style before | | | | In the making of the pieces casting was |
| the Renaissance was called Gothic which was | | | | performed, many times in two or more sections |
| thought to have expelled all of the possible works | | | | or portions. After casting, various pieces were put |
| from it and had given in to the new more | | | | into different combinations bringing about different |
| elaborate style. | | | | designs. |
| During the end of the fifteenth century western | | | | Opaque white enameling would be done with care |
| Europe had become united in many ways and | | | | as to not completely cover all the metal. Carefully |
| artists freely traveled about expanding their craft. | | | | applying enamel to recessed areas with deep cuts |
| During this time of international freedom, French, | | | | or cells of metal then sanding the metal down to |
| Spanish, Italian, German, and Hungarian jewelers | | | | the level of the enamel was called champleve'. |
| developed their style at an equal pace. This made | | | | Adhesive used for precious gems was black wax. |
| it difficult sometimes to distinguish from which | | | | The wax was used if metal drawn over or |
| country the jewelry was made during the | | | | embracing the precious stone detracted from the |
| Renaissance period. | | | | overall design of what the artist envisioned. |
| Italy was considered one of the greatest at the | | | | There were a few methods used for making tiny |
| time for many forms of art including jewelry. | | | | sculptures. Some of these included wax modeling |
| Throughout Europe Italian jewelers were sought | | | | which was accomplished then careful casting of |
| for their advanced techniques and amazing | | | | the tiny art piece then melting out the wax. Small |
| methods for extracting the finest detail. | | | | sheet metal shaping and pressing was also done if |
| The technique at the time was very disciplined | | | | the piece required it. |
| and defined. The overall piece would often have a | | | | Rings were the most popular, then pendants, and |
| central theme with incredible detail and precision. | | | | then necklaces. Pendants were worn by men, |
| The designs would be incredible stretches of the | | | | women, and children. Men and children wore them |
| imagination, ships, galleons, mermaids, mermen, | | | | around the neck. Women wore them around the |
| salamanders, sea horses, and cupids would be | | | | neck or pinned or tied with ribbon on the dress or |
| laced with beautiful diamonds and other precious | | | | sleeve. |
| gems. | | | | The jewelry of the Renaissance with all of its |
| Brooches, pendants, and ropes were sculpted | | | | passion and romance continues on as talented |
| from onyx, silver, gold and laced with pearls, | | | | artists embrace and study this great period. |
| opals, and rubies. Necklaces were normally made | | | | Keeping it still yet alive with their own |
| to end part way around the neck with looped | | | | masterpieces influenced by this era of artistic |
| ends and linking done with threading applied to | | | | achievement. |
| backings in some cases. A necklace with a | | | | |