Retro Jewelry
The International Exhibition of Arts and Techniques in Modern Life – 1937, Paris - signaled an end to the Art Deco Era. Jewelry exhibitors at this exhibition favored flowers, animals, and scrolls which were the antithesis of the prior geometric period. Because the onset of World War II limited the availability of platinum, jewelers compensated by using a lower karat gold alloy with copper resulting in the rose gold we now associate with the era. Choose from the Retro Era pictorial glossary below to explore further.
Historic Overview
Although the term “Retro” wasn’t coined until the 1970s, the jewelry of the late 1930s and 1940s was definitely different from its antecedents. The end of the Art Deco geometric aesthetic...
Vignettes
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...
Brick link consists of rows of abutted rectangular links, offset every other row, resembling a brick masonry pattern. Brick links can be found in necklaces and bracelets. Originally brick link was a Victorian...
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...
A cigarette holder is a rather elegant accessory for both ladies and gentlemen designed to hold a cigarette. These elongated tubular devices were made from a wide range of materials...
A dress clip is a type of brooch that attaches with a clip-style back. There are two types of clip backs, one is a double prong hinged clip with sharp points that can pierce...
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...