Vintage Jewelry - Lasting Impressions of 1950 and 1960 Through the 1970's

The 1950's mark the beginning of the jewelry era we find ourselves in today. Jewelry split into two main branches, traditional and modernist, with several influences governing each. Fashion and the economy, as always, influenced jewelry design, but for the first time, pop culture, such as television, rock and roll, and the beatniks also came into play. Traditional design stayed close to the retro look, with large stones and yellow gold for most pieces other than diamonds (which remained popular), but they took on a more delicate appearance now, with fine, airy settings and textured metal such as braids and twists surrounding the stones. Sets, such as matching earrings and necklaces, became popular, as well as short strands of pearls, which went well with the flowing, feminine fashions of the day. Simultaneously, modernist design was producing all sorts of creative, abstract pieces, drawing on ideas from pop culture, philosophy, and modern art. This movement is sometimes called "Jewelry as Art" or "Wearable Art," and while it is not for everyone, the creativity and individuality that define it ushered in a new era that produced some truly unique and exquisite pieces; it has also had a lasting effect on jewelry design in general.

The social upheaval of the sixties brought radical change to every aspect of our culture, including jewelry design. Popular jewelry now had every imaginable pop-culture influence. There was hippie jewelry: love beads, flower-power pieces and the rustic, homemade-looking necklaces and brooches. There was Mod jewelry: black-and-white jewelry and long strands of day-glo plastic beads. There was Lucite jewelry: huge hoop or ball earrings and chunky plastic bracelets in brilliant colors. There was Ethnic jewelry: East Indian, Asian, African, and Native American, often with elements that combined two or more of these at once. There was also a revivalist movement, with remakes of Medieval, Victorian, and Art Deco pieces commonly seen. These diverse trends continued into the seventies and beyond, and while traditional jewelry styles will always remain popular, the influence of pop culture that began in the fifties will probably continue indefinitely.