History of Jewelry

Jewelry has been worn by people for so long that it’s difficult to distinguish how this form of accessory began and progressed throughout the years. Some forms of jewelry have come in and out of style along the way and others have been forgotten about completely. Below you will find a general timeline illustrating different eras in time as well as the most popular forms of jewelry associated with each period:

1800 – 1850

In the beginning part of the 1800’s there was a lot of focus on nature related types of jewelry. This type of jewelry consisted of flowers, leaves, insects, and feathers. Brooches were also popular at this point in time, especially cameo brooches. Pearls, turquoise, and amethyst were the trend in the early 1800’s but as time progressed, the dominant styles of jewelry began to focus on animal prints and multi-colored pieces of gold jewelry. In the mid 1800’s there was more of a gothic feel which made enameled jewelry popular with a large portion of the population.

1850 – 1900

In the mid to late 1800’s, colored stone jewelry became the most popular types of jewelry on the market. At this point in time sea shells, fringes, and rosettes also prevailed and became a very popular style in this era. Towards the end of the 1800’s there was increasing popularity in heavy lockets, chains, and cuff bracelets. Brooches remained popular right through into the 1900’s.

1900 – 1950

In the early part of the 1900’s, diamonds quickly became the most highly desired form of jewelry. As time passed birds, insects, and animal themes were the focus of many popular pieces of jewelry. Home-made jewelry also became very popular at this time and many jewelers made their own unique pieces. These pieces were often made of stone and featured colors which were bright and intense. In the early to mid 1900’s, art nouveau jewelry became more and more popular. Birds, insects, and serpents remained the focus of many popular pieces. In the late 1930’s and early 40’s, art deco jewelry became the center of attention and created a whirlwind of popularity in geometric shapes which remain popular today.

1950 – Present Time

In the early 1960’s there was very little focus on any particular form of jewelry and there were many types which were equal in popularity. Individuals would wear anything from gold and silver to platinum, gemstones, and crystals. This was considered an “anything goes” period of time. In the 1970’s, precious materials such as rock crystal, woods, coral, and ivory became very popular, mostly because they were such affordable types of materials. In the late 1990’s and early 2000’s colored diamonds and pearls were the rage. They continue to be very popular along with stainless steel and designer jewelry.