Jewellery styles tend to come and go as much as with any other fashion, but throughout the ages there are always certain classic looks that come back again and again. Accessories can be a great way of updating a look to match the current trend, while classically styled jewellery can tone down an eye-popping outfit.
1. Classic Contemporary Jewellery
Whether it's an engagement party, a night on the town or walking the red carpet, simple shapes fashioned in metallic colours give a fantastically modern twist to any outfit - think square bracelets, twisted rings or stainless steel pendants. Metals can be treated in new and charming ways to give an innovative look to classic designs, while asymmetrical designs look modern or even futuristic. Charm bracelets and dangling earrings certainly fit into this category, and as for gemstones, contrasting colours provide a beautiful relief from the norm. A modern twist on the old, contemporary designs change with new materials and methods, but the futuristic-styling never disappoints.
1. Classic Contemporary Jewellery
Whether it's an engagement party, a night on the town or walking the red carpet, simple shapes fashioned in metallic colours give a fantastically modern twist to any outfit - think square bracelets, twisted rings or stainless steel pendants. Metals can be treated in new and charming ways to give an innovative look to classic designs, while asymmetrical designs look modern or even futuristic. Charm bracelets and dangling earrings certainly fit into this category, and as for gemstones, contrasting colours provide a beautiful relief from the norm. A modern twist on the old, contemporary designs change with new materials and methods, but the futuristic-styling never disappoints.
2. Art Deco Jewellery
Art deco began in Paris in the 1920s, when simpler, yet elegant and opulent-styled jewellery became popular: founded on basic shapes, it is notable for using brightly contrasting colours and designs influenced by Ancient Egyptian civilisations. Art Deco Jewellery uses non-traditional materials such as plastics, aluminium and especially chrome for a startling and beautiful effect ideal for echoing your personality.
3. Vintage Jewellery
The term 'vintage' covers a broad area of time: Georgian to Victorian, Art Nouveau to Retro. Vintage jewellery is popular for a variety of reasons, the most common being the age and quality of the pieces. The age of the piece means that it is far less likely to find a duplicate piece at a function or party. The quality is, on average, far greater than what would be found today. Of course, the design of the pieces is a huge selling point also: Georgian jewellery - a very rare type - featured Memento Mori pieces with skulls and coffins, while Art Nouveau pieces were full of curves and natural designs such as flowers and birds.
4. Victorian Jewellery
Victorian pieces were often heavily designed around gold, with careful etchings. Daytime jewellery featured lockets and brooches, while coloured stones were popular in the evening. Garland necklaces make for a beautiful addition to formal dress even today. The Victorian age was the age of exploration, and the jewellery worn during the period reflects this: the upper classes would visit Italy and Greece, returning home often with jewellery as mementos. Later in the Victorian era, darker metals and gems became popular as Queen Victoria's husband died; they allowed the wearer to express the mourning of a loved one. These so-called 'mourning' pieces have inspired a lot of gothic pieces popular today.
5. Tribal Jewellery
Bold, bright and cheerful, tribally-styled jewellery heavily features feathers, flowers and natural designs. Leather fringing is popular in tribal designs, as are earth-stones and wooden features. Dangling ear rings, wooden bib-necklaces and beautifully etched leaf-styled pendants work to reflect the nature around us and turn the wearer into a nature goddess. Beading is also very popular in this styling. Tribal jewellery is very popular with the current eco-friendly trend, and the materials used in its fashioning are simple and economically sound: no blood diamonds, just plain metal, bone and semi-precious stones.
Mandy Walters has written many articles for Past Times and other retails outlets. If you are interested in Art Deco Jewellery or any other vintage gift items, please view have a look at Past Times for more information.