Modern Jewelry Design from 1950 | Silver Bracelet News

by William

Take a tour of modern jewelry design and learn about the evolution of this artwork over the past several decades.

1950’s- The invention and explosion of the Atomic bomb influenced this period with designs of starbursts and sprays of diamonds. Jewelry was classified into day (gold with no adorning stones) and night (diamonds) wear. Florentine finishes, twisted rope, mesh, piercing, fluting, foxtail chain and braided wire became popular textures for gold jewelry. Cultured strings of pearls became fashionable for daywear and turquoise, coral and amethyst were the in vogue colors and gemstones for the period.

1960’s- Few restrictions in the groovy 60s brought a hybrid of gold, platinum, silver, natural gemstones and geode crystals. Faceted gems and round brilliant cut diamonds along with organic, abstract and jagged shapes dominated metalwork.

1970’s- In this feminist era, women saw fit to purchase their own jewelry and define their own style. New and different materials were used such as wood, ivory, rock crystal and coral were incorporated into jewelry design. The 50s austerity of diamond daywear and nightwear was abolished and diamonds again saw the light of day. Other prominent stones were onyx, lapis lazuli and coral and other non-precious materials. Theme bracelets or charm bracelets are introduced, with add-on attributes and purchased separately.

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