1730-1810

Georgian jewelry was meticulously handmade, designed to sparkle under the soft glow of candlelight.

Motifs: Characterized by themes of nature and love, including intricate flowers, leaves, birds, bows, hearts and the enigmatic "lovers' eyes" (miniature portraits of an eye). Classical influences from ancient Greece and Rome were also prominent, appearing in designs like laurel wreaths and cameos.

Materials: Gold was the predominant metal, often paired with silver to set rose-cut diamonds to maximize their brilliance. Diamonds were popular, often foil-backed to enhance their sparkle. Colored gemstones included garnets, topaz, amethyst, emeralds, rubies, sapphires and pearls. High-quality paste (glass) offered an affordable yet beautiful diamond alternative.

1837-1901

Victorian jewelry styles evolved significantly throughout Queen Victoria's long reign, often reflecting her personal life and telling a story.

Early (Romantic) Period: Motifs featured symbols of love and nature such as hearts, serpents (representing eternal love), clasped hands, romantic flowers (like roses) and birds.

Mid-Era (Grand/Mourning) Period: Following Prince Albert's death, widespread mourning jewelry became prevalent. Motifs utilized somber symbols like urns and willows and often incorporated human hair of the deceased. Historical Revival styles were inspired by ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman artifacts (e.g., scarabs). Later, Celtic knots appeared.

Late (Aesthetic/Celestial) Period: Motifs became lighter and more delicate, featuring crescent moons, stars and ethereal insects like butterflies or dragonflies.

Materials: Gold (yellow and rose) were the predominant metals. Dark materials like jet, onyx and black enamel were heavily used for mourning pieces. Natural seed pearls were consistently popular. Diamonds became more prominent later in the era, often set in silver or early platinum. Colorful gemstones included garnets, rubies, sapphires, amethysts, turquoise, emeralds, coral and opals (gaining popularity later).Victorian jewelry styles evolved significantly throughout Queen Victoria's long reign, often reflecting her personal life and telling a story.

Early (Romantic) Period: Motifs featured symbols of love and nature such as hearts, serpents (representing eternal love), clasped hands, romantic flowers (like roses) and birds.

Mid-Era (Grand/Mourning) Period: Following Prince Albert's death, widespread mourning jewelry became prevalent. Motifs utilized somber symbols like urns and willows and often incorporated human hair of the deceased. Historical Revival styles were inspired by ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman artifacts (e.g., scarabs). Later, Celtic knots appeared.

Late (Aesthetic/Celestial) Period: Motifs became lighter and more delicate, featuring crescent moons, stars and ethereal insects like butterflies or dragonflies.

Materials: Gold (yellow and rose) were the predominant metals. Dark materials like jet, onyx and black enamel were heavily used for mourning pieces. Natural seed pearls were consistently popular. Diamonds became more prominent later in the era, often set in silver or early platinum. Colorful gemstones included garnets, rubies, sapphires, amethysts, turquoise, emeralds, coral and opals (gaining popularity later).

1890-1905

Art Nouveau jewelry was highly artistic and rejected the rigid lines of mass production in favor of flowing, organic lines and natural forms.

Motifs: Characterized by deeply organic forms, featuring stylized dragonflies, butterflies, moths and bees. Orchids, lilies and vines appeared with graceful, wavy lines and an emphasis on the female form. Pieces often had a fantastical, asymmetrical and dreamlike quality.

Materials: Gold and silver were utilized, often enameled or textured. Enamel was a key material employed in techniques like plique-à-jour (resembling stained glass) to create luminous artistic effects. Opals and moonstones were particularly popular. Diamonds were typically used sparingly as small accents.

1901-1918

Edwardian jewelry is renowned for its opulence, elegance, and distinctively delicate feminine style, often referred to as the "Beautiful Age."

Motifs: Garlands, bows and ribbons were exceedingly popular, forming intricate, delicate designs. Openwork patterns mimicking lace and fine wirework filigree gave pieces a light, airy appearance. Stylized delicate flowers, leaves and moths/butterflies were also common. Milgrains (tiny beaded edges) added a signature delicate sparkle.

Materials: Platinum was the defining metal of this Era, allowing for incredibly fine, intricate openwork and enhancing the brilliance of diamonds. While white gold was still widely used in engagement rings, platinum dominated for high-end pieces. Diamonds were the most prominent gemstone, set to maximize sparkle in signature "white on white" designs. Pearls were also extremely popular for necklaces often combined with diamonds. Sapphires were frequently incorporated for a deep blue contrast; rubies and emeralds were also seen.

1905-1917

Arts and Crafts jewelry championed handmade artistry and the natural beauty of materials, a direct rebellion against machine-made goods.

Motifs: Characterized by stylized nature designs, including flowing flowers, leaves, insects like dragonflies and birds. There was also a romanticized nod to Medieval and Celtic styles, with intricate knots. Designs often had a simple and honest feel, sometimes even showing the marks of the artisan's tools.

Materials: Silver was the most common metal, often with a hammered or matte finish. Copper and brass were also popular. Gemstones were typically cabochon-cut (smooth and rounded) to highlight their natural color rather than sparkle. Moonstones, opals, amethysts, turquoise and garnets were frequently used, as were natural, irregularly shaped pearls. Enamel was a key decorative element. Organic materials like horn and shell occasionally found their way into these handcrafted pieces.

1918-1948

Art Deco jewelry was bold, modern, and sleek. It was characterized by strong geometric shapes and vibrant color contrasts, reflecting the energetic spirit of the "Roaring Twenties."

Motifs: Defined by geometric shapes, including squares, rectangles, circles, zigzags and stepped patterns. There was a strong preference for symmetrical designs and clean, sharp lines. Global influences, particularly from Egyptian and Asian art, were emerged. Bold contrasts were achieved with opposing gemstones or enamel. Large, eye-catching "cocktail" rings and geometric brooches were highly popular.

Materials: Platinum remained the primary metal, perfectly suited for the sharp, geometric designs of the era. Diamonds were the dominant gemstone, with baguette cuts (rectangular) particularly favored for linear designs. Colored gemstones, especially sapphires, emeralds, rubies and black onyx were used for striking contrast. Enamel, particularly black, was very popular for creating crisp lines. White gold gained popularity as a more affordable alternative to platinum.

1930-1940s

Retro jewelry emerged as a response to World War II. It is known for its big, bold and chunky designs. Due to wartime metal restrictions on metals like platinum, retro jewelry is often characterized by the prevalent use of yellow and rose gold.

Motifs: Featured large, thick and sculptural forms, often with dramatic curves or swirls. Stylized buckles, belts, links, and oversized puffy bows were iconic. Large, dramatic flowers and leaves were also common. Some pieces incorporated patriotic themes during wartime, such as flags or "V-for-Victory" signs.

Materials: Mixed gold tones (yellow, white and rose) were the primary metals, and were often used generously to create volume. Large, brightly colored stones like rubies, aquamarines, and citrines were popular as central stones.

1950-1960s

Mid-Century jewelry, often overlapping with the Retro period, continued the trend of bold and textured designs, blending earlier chunky styles with more organic and flowing shapes as platinum became available again.

Motifs: Characterized by textured gold (often brushed or with a "bark" finish) and more free-form, organic and sometimes abstract designs. Animals and nature motifs were popular, often featuring designs of detailed birds, lions, leaves and flowers. Later in the Era, "Space-Age" influences led to starbursts and Sputnik designs.

Materials: Gold (yellow, white, and rose) remained popular and were frequently textured. Post-war platinum made a significant return. Diamonds were popular, often in brilliant cuts. Pearls remained a classic choice. Colorful gems like sapphires, rubies, emeralds, turquoise and large amethysts were common.