subject: Famous jewelry designers List | Jewelry Design [print this page] Famous jewelry designers List | Jewelry Design
The title of Paul Scott's novel, The Jewel in the Crown, set in the period of the British rule in India, was derived from an allegorical painting depicting Queen Victoria, sitting regally on the throne of India, and receiving the Koh-i-noor, which was considered the largest diamond in the world once, as homage, representing India itself. The diamond was later set into Queen Elizabeth's crown, and is still part of the British crown jewelry, which is worn on formal occasions.
Jewelry has been a favorite form of adornment since time immemorial. There is evidence, for instance, of the skill the Greeks and Etruscans displayed in the precious metals they worked on. In fact, most of the modern jewelry that is created today still copy the designs of such antique jewelry. The Romans also displayed a great fondness for jewelry and wore it freely, as did the Victorians.
The pieces of antique jewelry that are available these days are timeless classics that never go out of fashion. With their delicate grace and ethereal charm, they remind us of a bygone era. Jewelry is considered antique if it has been made in the 1900s or before. Imbued with unique character, displaying exquisite craftsmanship, and often surrounded by a whimsical aura, antique jewelry stands out from all other jewelry, irrespective of how expensive or beautiful it may be. Antique jewelry, in fact, is prized mostly for the classic understated elegance that is inherent in their styling and design.
For instance, the turn of the century from 1890 to 1910 was an era of great innovation and change. After about 65 years of the reign of Queen Victoria, even the Victorians, who loved tradition, were ready for new things, and in the realm of jewelry, this pursuit for novelty gave rise to two extremely beautiful and very different schools of jewelry design Art Nouveau and Edwardian.
