Estate Jewelry

The Modernist art jewelry takes after the Arts and Craft Movement in the late 19th century and early 20th century, where craftsmen worked together to complete a piece of jewelry, such as brooches, necklaces and rings.  Handcrafting was emphasized. In the 1930’s and 1940’s, the Federal Art program supplied a stipend to artists for their talent and work projects.  After World War II, veterans took advantage of the G.I. bill...

Amber, emerald, ruby, marcasite, ivory and bakelite were the most popular materials of the Art Deco Period. Amber is fossilized tree resin.  The trees grew along the shores of the Baltic Sea and during the Glacier Age, it caused these trees to be swept into the sea.  It solidified under ice and pressure.  Amber sometimes surrounds a dew drop and often has insects, petals of flowers, seeds or bark inside. ...

It was not uncommon for Victorian women to use locks of hair from a child held in a special compartment of a locket, brooch or ring.  This sentimental feeling brought about an increasing interest in hair jewelry. According to Godey’s Lady Book, in 1850 hairwork became a drawing-room occupation.  “By acquiring a knowledge of this art, ladies will be themselves enabled to manufacture the hair of beloved friends and relatives...

When Victoria came into power, cameos were already very popular.  In 1805, a school was started in Rome called “a Prix de Rome” founded by Pope Leo XII to learn the craft of cameo engraving. Although stone was used for the earliest cameos, shell cameos were later used to reduce its cost.  Cameos were designed in rings, brooches, earrings and bracelets.  Surprisingly, men also wore cameos as watch fobs, rings...