All that was old is new once more – at least when exploring historic trend-setting jewelry styles of the early 19th and 20th centuries. Current jewelry designs often reflect the same gems, shapes, and motifs of bygone eras, according to GIA, the world’s foremost authority in gemology. This review of eras illustrates remarkable resemblances between the epochs.

Victorian, 1837-1901

Art Nouveau, 1890-1914

French for “new art,” Art Nouveau was a radical departure from historic revival styles. Inspired by the natural world, it was characterized by imaginative and sinuous artistic expressions. Flowers, animals, butterflies, and insects were common, along with fantasy figures, such as fairies and mermaids. Themes of women being transformed into exotic creatures prevailed, characterizing the beginning of women’s liberation. Actress Sarah Bernhardt was a patron of Art Nouveau.

Edwardian, 1900-1915

Also known as the “Garland” style, Edwardian jewelry typically featured garlands of flowers tied with ribbons and bows. It was luxuriously flaunted among the affluent to purposely display wealth. Prominent society women, such as Princess Alexandra of Wales, wore jewelry in this decorative fashion, derived from 18th century ornamentation. Platinum often replaced silver. The greater availability of diamonds allowed for improvements in faceting, placing new emphasis on gem quality. Phenomenal gemstones – opals, moonstones, and alexandrites – were favored, along with exceptionally fine sapphires, emeralds, rubies and diamonds. Rare and expensive fancy colored diamonds in platinum mountings of exceptional workmanship distinguished the Edwardian theme.

Art Deco, 1920s and 30s

Emerging after World War I, Art Deco jewelry demonstrated a strong reaction against the ethereal sensuality of Art Nouveau and the delicate elegance of the Garland style. Strong geometric patterns in bold, contrasting colors reflected post-war pragmatism. Abstract features in sleek, streamlined designs were the trend until the outbreak of World War II in 1939.

Retro, 1940s

Marked by a short supply of gems, and with platinum conscripted for military use, Retro jewelry was typically fashioned in gold in the early 1940s. Bold, sculpted curves were often featured with sparingly set small diamonds and rubies (often synthetic). The late 1940s reflected the post-war return of prosperity, and more opulent uses of colored stones were seen. Designs were inspired by mechanical objects such as bicycle chains and padlocks. In contrast, floral and bow motifs expressed the feminine side.

New Millenium, Present

Today’s jewelry incorporates many of these historic themes all over again. Exceptional gemstone carvings, such as the superb works of Idar-Oberstein, are still appreciated. In fact, a number of modern artists specialize in using gemstones as a medium for abstract art, similar to the imaginative Art Nouveau era.

Prosperity in the 1990s, similar to that of the Edwardian period, renewed the fascination for rare diamonds and unusual gemstones. New high-tech cuts such as the princess and radiant cuts were introduced, and a revived interest in antique cuts – briolette, rose, old mine, and cushion cuts – emerged. The 1990s also ushered in new techniques for mounting gemstones, such as invisible and tension settings for diamonds. A unique mixture of gemstones in pavé settings was introduced in the late 1980s. Motifs of butterflies and dragons, similar to Art Nouveau, returned.

Feb. 3, 2003

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