Handmade Semi-precious Jewellery Victorian And Modern

Jewellery has always been popular and was at one time only worn by the very wealth

until the Victorians brought in the fashion for wearing less expensive pieces and these designs were able to be afforded by the middle classes. The unique and original jewellery designs of the Victorians can be seen as influences of modern designs that are being crafted by modern designers and today vintage designs are very fashionable.

The Victorian era went from 1837 to 1901 and this was called this because this is when Queen Victoria reined Great Brittan and pieces of jewellery that was handcrafted between these years is referred to be in the Victorian style. When Queen Victoria was young she was very romantic and was known to design her own pieces of handmade jewellery and these designs were then copied and became very popular with everyone. It was in the early years of her reign that she married Prince Albert and he was her soul mate and one true love and many of the designs symbolised this love and this time has been called the romantic period. Designs of handcrafted jewellery found crafted in the time would have many romantic symbols in their designs like love hearts, clasped hands, love knots and semi-precious stones would be added that had a special symbolic meaning. Lockets were one of the most worn pieces of jewellery and in this would contain a picture of a loved one or a lock of their hair. There was a lot of filigree gold work in these designs and many lovely coloured semi-precious stone and these reflected how happy Queen Victoria was at this time.

In 1861 Queen Victorias world was devastated with the death of her much loved husband Prince Albert. The Queen went into mourning for 20 years and during this time handcrafted jewellery designs became very dark and sober and quite gothic in design. This is when pieces that had been crafted from Whitby jet became very popular and semi-precious stones like Black Onyx, Garnets and Obsidian were evident in the unique and original design. There were also many designs that were created from black enamelling.

In 1980 the Queen started to come out of her mourning and handmade jewellery designs were on the turn. They started to shine with diamonds and symbols of life like butterflies, flowers, dragonflies and other natural themes were used in abundance in these designs and this is where jewellery designs started to make big changes. People were travelling more and European and Middle Eastern influences started to be seen in these designs.

With the death of Queen Victoria in 1901 designs started to change and also the materials that were used to create these adornments. Today we see a growing fascination for these designs and there are many Victorian influences that can be seen in modern designs and antique pieces that were created during this time are fetching high prices as the demand for them grows.

Today we are able to buy these designs of the past that have been recreated from modern materials and with modern methods so that they now are affordable to us all. You will find pieces that are crafted from plated gold and plated silver instead of the pure precious metals and semi-precious stones have replaced the precious gemstones. These designs have been labelled vintage by the fashion designers and you will find these pieces in many of the fashion magazines and worn by your favourite celebrities.

So now when you go looking around the jewellery stores for new earrings, bracelets, pendants and necklaces you will find designs that are very similar to those that were worn by our Great Grandmothers.

by: Danno

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