Jewelry Styles and Periods
The word “jewelry” is derived from the Latin word jocale, meaning “plaything.” The Old French word “jouel” was anglicized during the 13th century to become “jewel.” The word “jewelry” (spelled jewellery in European English) is used to describe a precious item used for adornment.
Jewelry made more than one hundred years ago is considered “antique,” and jewelry from twenty to one hundred years old is considered “vintage.” Jewelry manufactured within the last twenty to thirty years is considered to be “contemporary.” More information can be found on each of these subjects by following the links below:
Antique Jewelry | An Overview of Techniques, Designs, and Settings
Vintage Jewelry | An Overview of Techniques, Designs, and Settings
Contemporary Jewelry | An Overview of Techniques, Designs, and Settings
Antique Jewelry Designs & Settings Authentic jewelry from antiquity is very rare and valuable. Many of these jewels reside in museums and state collections. If a quality antique piece does appear on the market, it demands high prices, especially if it features large gemstones or has an unusual history. The history of jewelry design […]
Vintage Jewelry Designs & Settings With the dawn of a new millennium, some have begun to classify jewelry from the and periods as antique instead of vintage. Two other well-known vintage styles are and . Vintage styles are highly collectable among connoisseurs, and fine pieces can command prices far in excess of the value of […]
Contemporary Jewelry Designs & Settings With the dawn of the 1950s, the world was entering a new era focused on much more rapidly changing fashion and trends, and a manufacturing sector that could keep up with the heightened demands of society. People wanted to put the horrors of the recent two world wars behind them, […]