From the naturalistic designs of the 1920’s through to the extravagance of the ’90’s, Jewellery fashions have evolved dramatically over the past century.
Read on as we explore and celebrate the past 100 years of jewellery and the stories behind the trends.
1910s Jewellery Trends: Art Nouveau
Design trends of 1910s jewellery
- Asymmetrical motifs inspired by nature
- Animals and leaves featured prominently
- A ‘white on white colour scheme was popular with the combination of pearls and diamond
- The ‘negligee’, a long necklace with irregular length tassels at the end, was a particular favourite
- Enamel and glass began to make an appearance
Precious stone trends in the 1910s
- Diamonds were the fashion
- Sapphires, aquamarines and demantoid garnets also made an appearance
- Metal was often ‘scalloped’ or lightly engraved
Materials used in jewellery in the 1910s
- Milgraining – accenting with platinum beads – became popular
- Natural materials were sometimes used, including peacock feathers and lotus blossoms
- The ‘negligee’, a long necklace with irregular length tassels at the end, was a particular favourite
- Enamel and glass began to make an appearance
Why were these styles so popular in the 1910s?
- A reflection of the ongoing industrial boom
- Designers sought a more naturalistic aesthetic to counter a trend toward manufactured’ styles
- Designers such as René Lalique and Philippe Wolfers were renowned for using the natural world as inspiration Innovations in production allowed for the use of platinum
- Platinum was highly prized from 1914 due to wartime scarcity Changing necklines for women meant bigger emphasis on necklaces
1920s Jewellery Trends: Art Deco
Design trends of 1920s jewellery
- Geometric pendants
- Linear style of gemstones and overall design
- Stacked bracelets were common
- Costume jewellery such as pearl strands e
- Asscher cut diamonds, with square facets, were introduced
- Jewelled headwear was also popular
Precious stone trends in the 1920s
- Pearls and diamonds in fashion
- The calibre cut, involving stones sitting flush next to one another, was popular
- Sapphires, rubies, black onyx, red coral and emeralds added splashes of colour
Materials used in jewellery in the 1920s
- White gold was popular substitute for platinum
Why were these styles so popular in the 1920s?
- The post-World War I economic boom ushered in an age of lavish spending on jewellery
- Distinctive ‘flapper girl’ styles came into fashion with exceptional jewellery to match
- Now-iconic jewellery designers such as Tiffany & Co, Cartier and Harry Winston began to influence trends
1930s Jewellery Trends: Hollywood Glamour & Retro
Design trends of 1930s jewellery
- Bold, three-dimensional styles
- Bright, vibrant colours were increasingly sought
- Emerald cut stones, which were rectangular in shape with cropped corners, became popular as dramatic centrepieces
Precious stone trends in the 1930s
- Amethyst, aquamarine and citrine were the gems of the time
- Large stones were often complemented by smaller, calibre cut diamonds, rubies and sapphires
- Marcasite or rhinestones were used to add colour
Materials used in jewellery in the 1930s
- Highly polished yellow, rose and green gold
- Plastics, such as lucite and plexiglass, were sometimes used for pieces of costume jewellery
Why were these styles so popular in the 1930s?
- Heavily inspired by the glamour of Hollywood
- Plastic was introduced, allowing for lightweight pieces featuring bold and bright jewels
- Moonstones and other inexpensive gems made the latest fashions more widely available
1940s Jewellery Trends: Glamour & Diamonds
Design trends of 1940s jewellery
- Elegant, flowing ribbons and bows e
- Wide, gold bracelets
- Oversized dress clips
- Earrings worn high on the lobe
- Brooches were a common accessory in the early ’40s
Precious stone trends in the 1940s
- Diamonds were once again the fashion
Materials used in jewellery in the 1940s
- Gold was the metal of choice
- This was often highly polished
Why were these styles so popular in the 1940s?
- De Beers Diamond Company’s A Diamond is Forever’ campaign inspired an enthusiasm for diamonds
- Hollywood continued to lead fashions of the time
- Marilyn Monroe’s famous song ‘Diamonds Are a Giri’s Best Friend’ further glamourised the stone
- Due to World War II, platinum became rare and gold was again the metal of choice
1950s Jewellery Trends: Ultra-Feminine Glamour
Design trends of 1950s jewellery
- Jewellery sets of full ensemble pieces
- Engraved finishes and braided rope features
- Dramatic and extravagant designs
- Light and textural, contrasting with the polished look of the ’40s
- Brooches were a wardrobe staple
- Bracelets became wider rather than stacked
Precious stone trends in the 1950s
- A variety of gemstones with an emphasis on diamonds
- Classic pearls and brooches
Materials used in jewellery in the 1950s
- Lucite found popularity in costume pieces
- Platinum often married with diamonds
- Gold toned jewellery still remained the most popular
- Copper began to make an appearance
Why were these styles so popular in the 1950s?
- A more liberal approach to fashion allowed women greater choice of jewellery
- The post-war boom drove a taste toward lavish styles
- Simple and classic clothing fashions placed the focus on jewellery, making sets of complementary pieces popular
1960s Jewellery Trends: Functionality & Practicality
Design trends of 1960s jewellery
- Bright colours and bold patterns were essential
- Layered necklaces often made from beads
- Stacked bangles in a variety of colours
- Stacked cocktail rings
- A return to floral motifs
- The princess cut, with an inverted pyramid shape and square or rectangular face, was also introduced
Precious stone trends in the 1960s
- Milk glass allowed for bolder colours to dominate
- Pearls remained popular
Materials used in jewellery in the 1960s
- Plastic jewellery became popular
- Non precious materials such as glass and crystal were used
Why were these styles so popular in the 1960s?
- Handcrafted accessories became popular
- Plastic jewellery was lightweight, allowing for larger pieces of jewellery to be stacked e
- Lively colours accompanied the rise of the Bohemian movement
- East Indian, Asian and Egyptian influences inspired more exotic styles
- Style icons such as Jackie Kennedy heavily influenced jewellery trends
1970s Jewellery Trends: Subdued But Bold
Design trends of 1970s jewellery
- Striking statement pieces
- Deeper, richer colours than the ’60s
- Beaded jewellery
- Large, golden earrings
- Barion cut, a family of cuts incorporating kite and triangular shaped facets, was introduced
Precious stone trends in the 1970s
- Diamante jewellery continued to be in vogue
- Coral, lapis lazuli, coloured quartz and turquoise was also fashionable
Materials used in jewellery in the 1970s
- Mixed materials including leather
- Plastics became more popular towards the end of the ’70s
- Gold was the metal of choice
Why were these styles so popular in the 1970s?
- Towards the end of the 1970s, the disco movement brought with it flamboyant statement pieces
- Bohemian fashions drove a taste for natural materials such as wood
- A wide variety of cultural influences led to increasingly international styles
- Glam rock arrived and popularised plastic as a material that could be layered into elaborate pieces
1980s Jewellery Trends: Big & Beautiful
Design trends of 1980s jewellery
- Defiant punk rock styles became popular
- Mixing and matching jewellery allowed for bold statements of individuality
- Oversized necklaces and earrings
- Brooches made a re-appearance, continuing the trend towards big, striking pieces
Precious stone trends in the 1980s
- Faux pearls and gemstones were used for costume jewellery
- Crystal and cut glass beads were widespread
Materials used in jewellery in the 1980s
- Gold maintained its popularity, often plated over other metals
- Malleable plastics were commonly used for bangles
Why were these styles so popular in the 1980s?
- From hairstyles to clothing, big was beautiful
- A fierce drive for individuality saw an increase of mixing and matching and multi-purpose jewellery
- Celebrities such as Princess Diana exemplified this by wearing a choker as a headband
- Lighter and cheaper materials allowed for a range of creative expression without prohibitive costs
1990s Jewellery Trends: Fun & Fiesty
Design trends of 1990s jewellery
- Choker necklaces reached a peak
- Colours were varied depending on the style
- Body jewellery began to make an appearance
- Male jewellery was on the rise, from necklaces to engagement rings
- Floral motifs enjoyed a resurgence
Precious stone trends in the 1990s
- Glass or quartz was used to create colour-changing stones for more dynamic pieces
- Beads particularly popular for bracelets
Materials used in jewellery in the 1990s
- Tasteful silver became the metal of choice
- Plastic was also commonly used
Why were these styles so popular in the 1990s?
- Two styles of jewellery were popular in this decade
- Influence from alternative rock music put subdued colours and silver in vogue
- Pop music lent its inspiration in the form of brighter, more energetic styles
- Influencers such as David Beckham began to popularise male jewellery
2000s Jewellery Trends: Flashy & Bold
Design trends of 2000s jewellery
- Large hoop earrings e
- Layered chain necklaces
- Cuffs became popular as a bracelet style
- Cocktail rings also began to make an appearance
- Personalised jewellery became sought after
- Choker necklaces remained popular
Precious stone trends in the 2000s
- Rhinestones made an appearance
- Diamonds in great quantities made jewellery sparkle
Materials used in jewellery in the 2000s
- Gold and silver were both in fashion in the ’00s
- Plastics and wood enjoyed a renaissance with the rise of Boho-chic
- Platinum was the metal of choice for hip hop fans
Why were these styles so popular in the 2000s?
- The rise of hip hop made itself felt in the styles of the decade
- ‘Boho-chic’ remained popular
- African and Middle Eastern inspired pieces were showcased by the likes of Victoria Beckham and Liz Hurley
2010s Jewellery Trends: Contemporary
Design trends of 2010s jewellery
- Bold embellishments
- Bright colours
- Bold costume jewellery still playing a role
- Stacked bracelets are commonly seen
- Multicultural influences continue to be prominent
- Men’s jewellery continues to grow in popularity
Precious stone trends in the 2010s
- Coloured gemstones have begun to return to fashion
- Sapphires, topaz, rubies and amethysts are amongst the most popular
Materials used in jewellery in the 2010s
- Paste and resin have become popular materials
- Platinum is fast becoming the metal of choice, particularly for wedding rings
Why were these styles so popular in the 2010s?
- Gem choices and even production processes exhibit diverse international influences
- New innovations have brought all-new materials into fashion
- Men’s jewellery collections from prestigious designers suggest that men’s jewellery will continue to bloom
