| The Victorian era was from 1837-1901. This | | | | deco).Diamonds were a staple of Edwardian |
| was the reign of Queen Victoria of England. | | | | jewelry. They were made to look delicate to |
| | | | be able to blend in with lace, feathers and |
| In that time people would wear whatever she | | | | silk. Princess Alexandra had a huge impact on |
| thought looked good.In the beginning, | | | | the periods fashion. In this period jeweler's |
| Victorian jewelry purer 18-22 karat gold. In | | | | progressed in gemstone cutting. Platinum was |
| 1854, gold was standardized and had 9, 12 or | | | | used a lot and sometimes made to look like |
| 15 karats. It had to be stamped and | | | | hand made lace.Art deco is a style that |
| hallmarked. The other metals used if not gold | | | | relates to 1920's-1930's, which ended about |
| were electric gilt, mercury gilt, pinchbeck | | | | 1935. The Art deco movement was mainly an |
| and silver.The design of Victorian jewelry | | | | American thing. The style of jewelry had |
| came from nature. Birds, flowers and trees | | | | strong lines, bright contrasts of color, |
| with detailed engravings. Repousse were large | | | | geometric shapes, they also used bakelite. |
| solid pieces that had fluted and raised | | | | Symmetry and geometry were at the center of |
| edges. Cannatille jewelry used strands of | | | | art deco.Influences in the design of the |
| gold wire that were twisted and wound into | | | | jewelry were Japanese, Paris, the machine |
| intricate designs.Near the end of the | | | | age, Egyptian, jazz, cubism and Russian. Also |
| Victorian era, Egypt, Greece and Italy styles | | | | art deco was influenced by the art nouveau |
| had big influences in design. This was | | | | and Edwardian periods. Taking the style and |
| because of archaeological expeditions that | | | | grace from art nouveau, diamonds and platinum |
| uncovered lots of ancient jewelry.When Queen | | | | from Edwardian and turning them into a |
| Victoria died, new jewelry designs rushed | | | | geometric, symmetrical array of diamonds and |
| into the market. Because of the conservatism, | | | | platinum.Art deco had great vibrant colors, |
| jewelers could not push the boundaries of | | | | sapphires, emeralds, coral, rubies and |
| design while she was still alive. This surge | | | | turquoise were heavily used. Black and white |
| in techniques of manufacturing and design | | | | was also used a lot. Cocktail rings, long |
| eventually brought about the art nouveau | | | | pendants, brooches and bangle bracelets were |
| period.Art nouveau jewelry was expressive, | | | | all the rage.Cigarette cases and compacts of |
| exotic and exuberant. They say the | | | | the time were covered in jewels. The movement |
| appreciation of it may take time and art | | | | of art deco halted because of WWII and the |
| nouveau means "new art" in French. | | | | depression.The 1930's and 1940's brought |
| Imaginative and mystical jewelry, art nouveau | | | | about the retro period. Large gemstones were |
| was from 1890-1910.With pale colors and | | | | being used. Topaz, citrine and aquamarine |
| gentle curves, art nouveau jewelry used | | | | were popular. Even synthetics were starting |
| amethyst, moonstone, peridot, opal, citrine | | | | to become popular. Platinum was replaced by |
| and pearls. Copper, ivory, shell, horn and | | | | rose gold.Today everything from vintage |
| glass were also used.Flowers like lilies, | | | | jewelry to simple elegance is in. Going back |
| irises, orchids, bugs and animals, even human | | | | to the old stuff and mixing it in with new |
| forms were put into the designs. Mythical | | | | pieces and designs.Dave William G. runs , a |
| beats or enchanted women were common. | | | | website devoted to all things jewelry. From |
| Enameling was used throughout the art nouveau | | | | designs to gemstones we try and cover it all. |
| period.The Edwardian period was from | | | | So please visit us today. You can sign-up for |
| 1901-1910. The period that many have not | | | | our 7 part mini-course on diamonds while |
| heard of because of the two great periods | | | | you're there. may distribute this article, |
| before,(art nouveau) and after(art | | | | put on your site, etc. |