Vintage Style Jewelry

What is vintage jewelry?

Vintage jewelry is jewelry crafted between 1900 and 1970. This covers a broad range of fashion trends and styles including retro style jewelry, pre and post war style jewelry as well as hippie style jewelry. Old jewelry is considered antique jewelry.

Art Nouveau Jewelry 1900 – 1910

Our vintage jewelry styled on this era features the long flowing, organic lines, beautifully coloured gemstones and highly creative shapes. Art Nouveau jewelry features curves which are often described as whiplash curves. The style originated in Paris and London and quickly spread throughout Europe. This period also saw the rise of Edwardian style jewelry which is similar concept to Art Nouveau style pieces.

Art Deco Jewelry 1920 – 1940

Considered to be the most lavish of vintage style jewelry, art deco styled jewelry was popularised in a time of rapid change. Exotic materials and design methods were used during the post WW1 era as a form of celebration contrasting the bleak economic conditions and social turmoil. Designs are smooth, well structured and feature expensive materials. The style once again has it grass roots in French design.

Retro Jewelry 1935 Onwards

Retro style jewelry often appears similar in style to Art Deco styles but typically features less opulent materials. During WW2 Jewelry makers had little or no access to expensive materials and manufacturing processes. Retro style jewelry is often more delicate, during this period semi-precious stones became quite popular, a trend which continues to this day. Designers were mindful of impressions, utilizing techniques which resulting in many pieces appear larger (and hence more expensive) than they actually were.