Fifties Jewelry
The Fifties represent a jewelry era that encompasses, to excess, what came before. Chunky gold jewelry textured to highlight the sumptuousness of the metal was popular, diamond jewelry in platinum and white gold displayed rivers of various diamond shapes, and jewelry suites of matching pieces dominated the period. Select from the pictorial glossary below to explore Fifties Jewelry.
Historic Overview
As the austere and world-weary 1940s morphed into the fabulous and affluent 1950s, gold jewelry retained its popularity but with a twist, a tassel or a texture. Ribbons and bows,...
Vignettes
Modernism is an umbrella term used to encompass all the diverse artistic movements throughout Europe and America from circa 1880 to circa 1960 and beyond. Artisans of the late nineteenth...
Diamonds are the gemstone most commonly associated with engagement rings, but that has not always been the case. They first made their appearance in betrothal rings circa the fifteenth century but...
A signet ring features an intaglio gem, or decorative carving that is engraved with a monogram, coat of arms or, other heraldic or personal symbol. Throughout history, signets were used as...
Earrings are much more than just decorative jewelry for the ear. Gods and goddesses, symbols, talismans and amulets have all been depicted in the designs fastened to or suspended from the ear...
A necklace can be defined simply as an adornment designed to encircle the neck. Upon closer examination, they are actually so much more. Having existed ever since our ancestors began...
Terms & Definitions
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A boule ring is a ring with a domed head which is usually set with pave set gemstones. It came into fashion around 1935. See also bombé. The term boule (from...
A cigarette case is a box or pouch designed to hold cigarettes. During the 1920s through the 1950s smoking accessories were very popular. Elaborate gold, silver, platinum boxes, often studded with gemstones, were created...
Mid-Century Asscher-Cut Diamond Engagement Ring. Mid-Century Diamond Engagement Ring. Mid-Century Diamond Wedding Set. Mid-Century Diamond and Platinum Cocktail Ring. Mid-Century Diamond and Platinum Cocktail Ring. Mid-Century Marquise Diamond Dinner Ring....
A Florentine finish is a textured surface decoration on metal composed of intersecting sets of parallel lines. A flat graver that cuts a series of lines is used for this technique.
An illusion setting is a prong setting designed to make a diamond look bigger than it actually is. This is accomplished by a ring of metal surrounding the girdle of the diamond that is often bright cut....
Invisible settings, also known as serti invisible, are comprised of stones that have been calibrated to very close tolerances and are cut with grooved girdles that are locked into a thin wire...
In jewelry, a keeper ring is a close-fitting ring of simple design which is worn on the finger to prevent another – more valuable – ring from sliding off that finger....
A lipstick case is designed to hold… lipstick! Most lipstick today comes prepackaged in a plastic tube or pot but that was not always the case. Lipstick manufacturers went to...
Millegraining is an extremely tiny beaded detail that finishes an edge on a piece of jewelry. The detail is applied as a fine beaded texture, usually on platinum. The millegrained...