Jewelry--All That Glitters Can Be Gold (A Brief History of Jewelry)

Written by Larry Denton


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The art of jewelry-making was refined duringrepparttar Victorian period in Europe, and exquisite pieces such as lockets and cameos made their first appearance. Jewelry was being worn by nearly everyone byrepparttar 130201 middle ofrepparttar 130202 nineteenth century. But, instead of being individually crafted, quality pieces could be stamped out and molded. Rather than unique pieces, jewelry could be created to a standard that was able to be duplicated. The new affordability brought quality jewelry torepparttar 130203 middle-class consumer forrepparttar 130204 first time. Platinum came ontorepparttar 130205 jewelry scene atrepparttar 130206 end ofrepparttar 130207 20th century. Duringrepparttar 130208 early 20th century, industrialization, increasing job opportunities and rising family incomes brought jewelry within reach ofrepparttar 130209 middle class. Large scale firms, created by jewelers such as Carl Faberge and Louis Tiffany achieved great success and amassed great wealth by making fine pieces forrepparttar 130210 newly wealthy.

The Roaring Twenties has been portrayed as a decadent era:repparttar 130211 time of prohibition, gangsters, speakeasies andrepparttar 130212 Charleston. Women wonrepparttar 130213 right to vote in 1920, and they asserted their new equality with radical fashion changes. Long dangling earrings, long strands of pearls or beads, diamond watches cocktail rings, and multiple bracelets on both upper and lower arms became rage. Platinum and precious stones, particularly diamonds, were wildly popular during this Art Deco period.

The Thirties were a decade of economic depression, both inrepparttar 130214 U.S. and Europe, andrepparttar 130215 Forties brought World War II. It was inrepparttar 130216 1940's that flamboyant curves and bows in large pieces of jewelry became known as Retro Modern. Yellow gold regained prominence during these years, since wartime restrictions made platinum unavailable torepparttar 130217 industry. Semi-precious stones and man-made rubies and sapphires became more popular due torepparttar 130218 high wartime luxury taxes. Cocktail rings, bracelets, watches and necklaces were massive. Many of today's consumers would consider this style to be quite gaudy and flashy.

Platinum made an enormous comeback inrepparttar 130219 early 1990's and such pieces asrepparttar 130220 tennis bracelet andrepparttar 130221 diamond solitaire pendant made their first appearance at this time. Men began to wear bracelets, necklaces and even earrings in larger numbers asrepparttar 130222 Twentieth century drew to a close.

Today, jewelry is increasingly worn by both men and women. From bracelets and toe rings, to necklaces and tongue studs, jewelry continues to be a popular adornment forrepparttar 130223 human race and most body parts have been pierced to allow forrepparttar 130224 wearing of such.

Larry Denton is a retired history teacher having taught 33 years at Hobson High in Hobson, Montana. He is currently Vice President of Elfin Enterprises, Inc., an Internet business dedicated to providing valuable and accurate information and resources on a variety of topics. For a treasure chest full of additional information about jewelry please visit http://www.JewelryJaunt.com


Fashion Trends Spring 2005

Written by Lisa Jay


Continued from page 1

Clothing – It is once again fashionable to be feminine and lady like. Skirts will be loose fitting, fuller and patterned. No longer arerepparttar longer pencils skirts stylish, atrepparttar 130199 knee or just aboverepparttar 130200 knee are allrepparttar 130201 rage. Blouses will have a lower neckline making room for some fabulous necklaces. You can kiss those low ride pants goodbye because they are history. Formal wear will be long and flowing in rich colors.

Shoe – Out gorepparttar 130202 big chunky heels and in gorepparttar 130203 thin, tall spiky heels. Women want comfort sorepparttar 130204 round nosed toes will be appreciated. Embellished shoes with stones, studs and patterns will dominaterepparttar 130205 market. Sandals will have a Greece flare. The wedge heel is going to be a big fashion in sandals.

Coats, Jackets — A huge item this spring for your wardrobe will berepparttar 130206 trench coat; this time around it will be cinched atrepparttar 130207 waste with a sash. Say goodbye torepparttar 130208 Poncho. It looks like that was a one-hit wonder.

Lisa Jay is a freelance writer and the jewelry designer behind Lantana Designwear. You can visit her websites at http://www.LantanaDesignwear.com and http://www.JewelryMakingHQ.com Be sure to sign up for her newsletter at http://www.LantanaDesignwear.com/signup_newsletter to receive information on jewelry, fashion and womens issues.


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