Style & Inspiration

Through our 25 years of experience buying, selling, & trading vintage jewelry we have touched many fine examples of various time periods. It seems like a missed opportunity to make these items disappear simply because they now live in someone's personal collection. Be inspired to find your own version of vintage or find a true vintage piece that fits just your style.

Georgian Era (1714-1837)

The Georgian era was a period in British history from 1714 to c. 1830–1837, named after the Hanoverian kings George I, George II, George III and George IV. The definition of the Georgian era is also often extended to include the relatively short reign of William IV, which ended with his death in 1837.

Named after the first four Hanoverian kings of Great Britain: George I, George II, George III, and George IV - the Georgian period (1714-1830) saw a significant change in style. The voluptuous, ornamental rococo design popular in Renaissance jewelry gave way to the simpler, more refined forms of the classical revival style, inspired by archaeological discoveries at Pompeii.

Stylistically similar to but often more ornate than Victorian Jewelry, the Georgian-inspired jewelry shown here highlights filigree and granule work and intricate mounts representative of the period. Garnet, pearl, peridot, and of course Georgian Diamond Jewelry are some of the gemstones available in Europe as worldwide trade began to flourish.

Victorian Era (1837-1901)

the Victorian Era was the reign of Queen Victoria, from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. Slightly different definitions are sometimes used. The era followed the Georgian Era and preceded the Edwardian Era, and its later half overlaps with the first part of the Belle Epoque era of continental Europe.

The end of Georgian Jewelry came with the coronation of Queen Victoria in 1837. Just 18 when she took the throne, and over the next 64 years she became known for both her sense of fashion and for being beloved by her subjects.

The Victorian Era was a period of great transformation and prosperity for the British Empire, which is reflected in the grandiose styling of the earrings, necklaces, rings, and brooches of the day. Many of the styles reflect ancient motifs- a nod to the archeological excavations and treasures they unearthed which endlessly fascinated the public. Gothic and mourning jewelry came into vogue, in part because of Queen Victoria's somber reaction to the death of Prince Albert.

While Victorian England calls to mind images of frail, fainting women, stern men, and traditional values - it was an energetic time, rife with cultural change.

Art Nouveau (1890-1910)

Art Nouveau's organic, undulating, rhythmic line was a deliberate attempt to uproot the imitative historicism that dominated much of the 19th century art.

Starting in the late 1880's, Nouveau emerged as a break with formal structured mathematical artworks - breathing organic life into the victorian jewelry that had become a disciplinarians endeavor. Nouveau and subsequent eras birthed flowing shapes, pewter and enamel coating and floral motifs.

Period examples are plenty - in part because Nouveau is such a recent and collectible movement, and in part because Art Nouveau transcended borders; translations for the movement vary widely. We use the french term meaning New Art, the German Jugendstil translates to In the Style of Jugden [Magazine], the Spanish Arte joven to Young Art, and the Russian means Contemporary Art, but all describe the same movement.

Edwardian Era (1901-1915)

Edwardian jewelry, is renowned for its light, refined designs that often feature platinum and intricate lace-like patterns. Both the Art Nouveau movement and Queen Alexandra's sense of style had a significant influence on jewelry during this time period.

Art Deco (1920-1945)

In 1925, when L'Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes opened in Paris, art deco was born. Deco - which lasted until the second world war in 1939 - saw grand revolutions in building and architecture, in fine arts, advertising, posters, crafts, and industrial design. Fast, bold, oversized, and unique - the Museum of Jewelry's reproduction deco jewelry characterizes the best of the era.

Our art deco jewelry collection prominently features bold combination's exploring combinations of shape and color. The use of pearls and enamel is abundant.

The present resurgence of deco designs is only one of many such happenings - both the '60s and the '80s saw similar revivals. Art deco might be said to come in popularity and never go - as an era its stylistic tendencies are continually and forever reborn.

Retro Era (1939-1950)

Jewelry of the 1940s and early 1950s—later coined the Retro era—is characterized by bold, colorful, and innovative designs. The light airiness of platinum Art Deco filigree was discarded in favor of voluminous yellow and rose gold jewelry with sweeping, rounded edges and large, multicolored gemstones. Popular Retro motifs include over-sized bows, scrolls, and ribbons, as well as flowers and birds. Big, juicy rubies paired with accent diamonds became a quintessentially Retro look for earrings, cocktail rings, and brooches.

Mid Century Era (1950-1970)

In the 1970s our lines were pioneering in both their design and manufacture. The concept which has become known as fair trade was quite novel at the time. Nevertheless, we sourced local artists to hand manufacture our cloisonne pieces in very remote corners of the world.

Because of the fashion-forward designs and intricate hand manufacturing, our pieces were featured on the cover of Vogue, among other publications. Many of them were quite iconic of the era.

Retro Period