Eras

For over 300 years, each piece of jewelry in our collection has stood the test of time.

Georgian (1714-1830)

The Georgian era was a time of frenetic social activity, flamboyant fashion and fast-paced change throughout Europe and America.

Demand for jewels was high, so excellently preserved pieces can still be found today. The goldsmiths of the day were highly skilled and diamonds were popular, although a wide variety of materials and stones were used.

Popular styles of the day included stacked rings and large stones surrounded by small diamonds; diamond rivières (‘rivers of light’); châtelaines – the original ‘handbags’ – from which hung necessary day to day items; love tokens, incorporating mini portraits and locks of hair; mourning jewelry and elaborate buckles, buttons and hair accessories.

Shop Georgian jewelry

Victorian (1839-1901)

The Victorian era marked a time dedicated to religion and love. Hands, hearts, crosses and knots were common motifs in the jewelry of the time, as well as symbolism drawn from nature – birds, flowers, trees.

Snake jewelry was a popular representation of eternal love. Mourning jewelry was still very widely worn, particularly following the death of Queen Victoria’s beloved husband, Albert.

The gentlemen of the day were a far cry from the dazzling incroyables of the Georgian era. Those wishing to avoid the ‘fop’ label avoided outshining women and stuck to necessary jewelry only – cufflinks, stick pins, watch chains – although the odd love token snuck through, in a nod to the romantic mood of the time.

Shop Victorian jewelry

Edwardian (1901-1914)

Known in the rest of europe as ‘La Belle Époque’, the Edwardian era was a time of frivolity and wealth for the upper classes, led by the luxury-loving king edward.

In a move against machine-made jewelry, the style became ethereal and delicate, drawing inspiration from the 18th century. Traditional motifs such as bows, garlands, ribbons and lace took over.

Platinum became popular, strong enough to allow the creation of lighter, millegrained and diamond-encrusted ‘lace’ jewelry to compliment the fashionable pastels of the time.

Evolving necklines gave necklaces a new importance, ranging from popular ‘dog collars’ to long, pearl ‘chains’ worn full length, below the waistline.

Shop Edwardian jewelry

Art Nouveau (1890-1915)

Inspired by Japonisme – the simple, elegant interpretation of nature – Art Nouveau was a creative movement that celebrated decorative arts and defied the ‘fussy’ style of the victorian era.

Identifiable by its bright colours, natural motifs and curved lines, art nouveau jewelry contains materials that lend themselves to this fluidity – opal, moonstone, ivory, enamel, glass.

The beautiful, accomplished actresses and opera singers of the time inspired the ‘cult of the female figure’ – another rejection of Victorian thinking – and the nude female form is a popular motif of the Art Nouveau era.

Shop Art Nouveau jewelry

Art Deco (1920-1935)

The post-war Art Deco period brought a dramatic change in women’s fashion, to simple, elegant, practical styles that allowed women to participate in activities that were previously for men only.

The movement coincided with modern industry techniques which brought us jewelry innovations such as cultured pearls, gemstone mosaics, lacquer and invisible setting. The fluidity and animal themes of the Art Nouveau movement were replaced by a markedly clean, rigid, geometric approach to design as a whole.

Cultures around the world influenced the Art Deco era and introduced new jewelry fashions, from ancient Egyptian motifs to exotic, colourful materials such as lapis lazuli, turquoise and agate.

Shop Art Deco jewelry

Retro (1940s)

By the 1940s many magazines were in colour and the bright, bold and fun styles of women’s jewelry jumped from their pages – a much needed morale booster in the austere decade around World War II.

The heavier styles in women’s fashion required jewelry to match. Expensive materials and skilled labour were in short supply and costume jewelry became popular.

Plastic, glass, wood, enamel and synthetic stones were typical 1940s materials used to create the colourful, eye-catching designs of the era. Patriotic symbols and lockets were popular due to the war, and a Victorian revival saw styles such as watch pendants come back into favour.

Charm bracelets, cocktail rings and bold, stackable bangles were fashionable while animals, bows and flowers remained popular motifs.

Shop Retro jewelry

Mid-Century (1950s)

By the 1950s the wartime years were well and truly over and spirits were high, despite the slow recovery of wealth. While still bigger, bolder and more colourful than the pre-war era, jewelry took on a lighter tone, along with women’s fashion.

1950s designs reflected the growth of the upper middle class and the return of expensive materials such as platinum and diamonds.

Large, colourful gemstones surrounded by diamonds and long strings of real pearls were a popular choice for those who could afford them, while costume jewelry became more sophisticated to meet the demand of the masses and it could be hard to pick out the fakes.

Shop Mid-Century jewelry

Modern (1960s onwards)

The period spanning the 1960s onwards has brought huge shifts in popular culture and fashion, from psychedelia to the bold power dressing of the 80s.

The late twentieth century ideals of glamour and modernity were encapsulated by iconic jewelry designers such as Andrew Grima, Georg Jensen and John Donald. jewelry became increasingly closely linked with sculpture and design.

Shop Modern jewelry

Choosing the Perfect Engagement Ring

13 Celebrities Who Love Antique and Vintage Jewelry

Lauren Cuthbertson