If there’s a specific decade we can thank for today’s gorgeous, affordable jewelry, it’s the Roaring Twenties. This was a time when excess, romance and decadence ran rampant. A time when huge changes swept through society, and women cast aside the constrictive conventions of the Edwardian era.
Jewelry was a big-time player during this exciting period, and the styles persist even today. Let’s explore the enduring appeal of flapper jewelry and celebrate one of history’s most uniquely intriguing decades.
What Was the 1920's Jewelry Style?
Twenties fashion tells the tale of a truly transcendent age. People were intrigued by the exotic and fascinated by the allure of “the new.” These interests translated to a desire for angular shapes, foreign materials, and bright colors. In short work, a new style was born: That of the daring, flamboyant and androgynous flapper.
Reflecting the vibrancy of the Jazz Age, bright colors became the new aesthetic of the Twenties. During this time, the perfect accessory was anything that accentuated an exposed back, neck or bare arm. This included long pearl necklaces, large gemstone brooches, bracelets and bangles, as well as sparkling filigree rings -- all iconic staples of the Roaring Twenties.
Historic Trends and Their Origins: What Accessories Were Popular in the 1920’s?
The glitz and glam of the Twenties come from many sources, including Coco Chanel, who popularized so-called "costume jewelry" to contrast with the simple, straight lines of her fashion designs. Angular jewelry pieces decorated women's brooches, belts, hair clips and sautoir necklaces, adding intrigue and flair to the fashions of the time.
Flappers commonly donned Art Deco-inspired brooches on their cloche hats and fur collars. They also proudly flaunted continuous strands of long pearls or round beads, as well as lariat necklaces with tasseled ends. Memory wire and cuff bracelets were also popular, as were thick gem-studded bracelets with plenty of color. Black, teal, orange, sage and red were all trendy colors for beads and gems in daywear jewelry. But for the most part, it was all about ornate gem brooches, oversized pearls, plenty of fringe and gorgeous filigree rings.
1920’s Jewelry Trends
Ok, so you know the basics of flapper jewelry, and you’re thinking about ways to incorporate the style into your look. You’re in good company! Twenties jewelry has seen a resurgence in popularity as modern fashionistas embrace the compelling glamor of such a celebrated bygone era. But where to start? Let’s look at some key characteristics of 1920’s jewelry.
Earrings Styles
When it came to 1920’s earring styles, it was all about accentuating the skin. Earrings were typically long, sparkling drops that caught the eye as they cascaded down the neck. Beautifully fashioned Art Deco-inspired pearl earrings were another popular choice during the twenties, as were long, pendulous earrings that attracted attention to the slope of the neck.
Necklace Styles
During the 1920’s, necklaces hung loosely and were seemingly without end. Popular choices included dangling pendants and big fringed bib necklaces. Very long (up to 60 inches!) pearl necklaces were also in fashion, while shorter versions began to show up in the latter part of the decade. In some cases, the string of pearls would end in fringe or a gemstone that could be situated in the center of the chest, positioned behind the back, or casually draped over a shoulder.
Ring Styles
The 1920’s introduced a revolutionary era in ring design with modern faceted stone cuts, bold color contrasts, symmetrical patterns and geometric shapes.
Twenties ring styles were largely influenced by the Edwardian and Art Nouveau eras. Early designs adopted Art Nouveau-inspired floral motifs but in sleeker ways. Informed by the Edwardian era, 1920’s rings included platinum and diamonds for engagement rings, but in geometric styles, with straight lines and distinct shapes instead of the curvy, flowing Edwardian-style rings.
Bracelet Styles
In terms of bracelets, the Twenties philosophy was “more equals better.” Layer after layer graced the wrists of fashionable ladies. Often colored green, red, or black, 1920’s bracelets were made from materials such as plastic, shell, metal and even bone. Essentially, it was all the rage if it resembled African art or something rare or one of a kind.
Inspired by the look and feel of the 1920’s, Helzberg Diamonds has curated all sorts of flapper-inspired jewelry designs. Get ready for the new Roaring Twenties.
