A Tiny history of Jewelry in the Western World

Georgian: The beginnings of Empire in Britain ushered in an Age of travel, wealth and trade unforeseen in the centuries before. As the English garnered wealth, they became enthusiastic consumers and collectors of elegant jewelry in specific styles and materials.
Rose cut diamonds mounted in silver topped gold, cameos, garnets, pearls, turquoise and pink topaz graced the necks, ears and wrists of women, and men were heavily ornamented, too, with fobs, rings, golden quizzing glasses, walking canes, and bejeweled buttons.
In America, France, Spain, Italy, and India, Styles influenced one another, and we see for the first time, an emergence of communication, trade and artistic exchange, fueled by economic expansion a quest for beauty and display.

Victorian: The 19th century was dominated by the power of Britain, and its influence on markets worldwide. The snake, symbol of Eternal love mixed with other sentimental, classical, and romantic themes, evolving into a style of heavier gold jewelry, set with colored stones, in symbolic motifs, evoking literature, myth and legend.
The untimely death of Prince Albert threw the British Empire into a mourning period for decades, and brought the concept of mourning jewelry and accessories from a necessary personal situation into a public display in jet, hair jewelry, bog oak, enameling. The requisite tour of Europe which prepared young men, and later young women for a life of culture and refinement also brought more riches of coral, cameos, and granulation from Italy, enameled gold from France, garnets from Bohemia, Renaissance revival jewels from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Moghul Diamond and colored stone jewelry from India, Jade from China, Ivory and Diamonds from Africa, silver and agate from Scotland, filigree from Spain, pearls from the Indian oceans and the south seas, and, from America, Jewelry mined from the gold hills of California and Alaska, and fabulous designs from the burgeoning artistic melting pot and industrial centers which specialized in the beautiful as well as the practical. The growing educated upper middle class, demanded more jewelry, both affordable and striking, and the growing demand was readily and eagerly met by production and distribution-what we now know as the family jeweler and their suppliers. The diamond industry, with its newfound riches, cutting expertise, and distribution ability, selected a handy quote from the Poem, "the Fairie Queen", and convinced people worldwide that opals are bad luck and the diamond is the only stone for an engagement ring-not a bad plan, as opals are a bit soft, but perhaps not the greatest act of integrity in the newly emerging advertising industry-but definitely a hint of things to come.
Art Nouveau The later 19th Century brought about a renewed philosophical interest in nature and the classics, The Pre-Rafaelite movement in art Appealed to jewelers who brought about new ideas of production and design in the arts and crafts movement, gothic revival and the swirling, waving asymmetry of Art Nouveau, In the United States, factories and designers sprang up in the Northeast and middle Atlantic states, often in harmony with Silversmiths, and the great French art houses took their place at the head of the design movement.

Edwardian: 1901 ushered in a new century, and a new, enlightenment, with progressive ideas about child labor, voting and property rights, and the literal "Loosening" of women's clothing, society's rules, and other social progress, the market for jewelry expanded at an increasing pace, tools and machinery improved, when platinum became practical in the first decade of the 20th Century, the look of Jewelry lightened up, lacy designs set with the newly available volume of South African diamonds and the resultant cutting techniques opened up a revolution in jewelry accessibility, supply, and wear ability.

Art Deco: The Jazz age, with cars for the masses, buildings that scrape the sky, votes, cigarette, short hair, and revolutionary clothing for women, raced into the mass consciousness with ideas and images of industry and progress as savior, and the jewels of the ear reflect that optimistic star struck, progress crazy concept. Diamonds shown from Symmetrical, architectural platinum mountings, marquisate substituted in Silver for those who could not raise the funds, and the Names Cartier, Mauboisson, Became legendary.
The other silver that changed the world of jewelry was the silver screen. Stars became idols, and were copied by the rich and poor. Even the Crash of 29 and the ensuing world depression did not kill the Hollywood glitz and Busby Berkeley inspired masses worldwide with the Art Deco ethos.

Retro: Every British Mustang that took off, was constructed with radiator tubing made from platinum, so the precious metal became rare, even before it was commandeered for war work, so grandmother's gold came out of the vault to be transformed into a new look in jewelry long before the new look in fashion. Large polished surface of gold, or look-alikes graced jackets, wrists, and accessories for the thoroughly modern woman of the 1940's. Lorraine Day, Loretta Young, Betty Grable and Rita Hayworth sported witty brooches, and cleverly designed Cigarette cases, made famous by the now dethroned Duke and Duchess of Windsor and their set. The tragedies of war ravaged every aspect of the Jewelry trade, increasing the migration of large elements the industry out of Europe, and to Britain and the United States. At the end of the War, the redistribution of borders, wealth, and commodities resulted in huge changes in the economics of the jeweler's art and trade. Anti-trust regulation in the US made the monopolistic activities of organization like DeBeers illegal, and the GI bill, suburban expansion, and the explosion of a middle class market for engagement and wedding rings demanded mass merchandising in all price categories. Hollywood continued to influence America's taste in Jewels, with platinum returning, and a new generation of designers with novel ideas

The Movements Moderne

Mexican: Taxco Mexico sits on an enormous deposit of silver, and attracted designers, workers, and eager tourists buyers as early as the 1920s. Inspired by designers worldwide, William Spratling added his own inimitable flare and, in turn, inspired a community of remarkable silversmiths whose work is still timeless and extraordinary. Artists including Margot de Taxco, Antonio Pineda, Los Castillo, Hector Aguilar, and added their designs to the mix, creating a wave of creative inspiration and an extraordinary legacy of home furnishings, table accents, jewelry for men and women, and a truly modern aesthetic in silver, copper gold, stones and wood.

The modern jewelry movements drew their inspiration from the human form, ideology, architecture, and nature. Using a variety of materials and technological innovations, artists like Wendy Ramshaw, Ed Weiner, express eternal themes in jewelry with strength and passion.

The expert sales staff at Things Finer would be happy to help you find just the right pieces from any era to compliment your personal style and aesthetic…or to find it. Appearance isn't everything, but great confidence can come from accessorizing with the perfect jewelry choice-jewelry, in which you feel comfortable, but maybe a bit more together, maybe a bit more you.


Contemporary Jewelry Collections

John Hardy Canadian born jewelry designer has created a sensation worldwide with his famed silver, gold, and stone jewels handcrafted in Bali with skill and distinction.

Vendorafa, Milan designers and craftspeople work in yellow and white gold, with diamonds, thoroughly modern, strong and soft at the same moment, Vendorafa exudes an elegant, casual air-for anytime, anywhere.

Teslar, Not just for jetsetters, the Two time zone Philip Stein Teslar watch protects your body from the effects of electronic Pollution-improving sleep quality, recovery time at the gym, concentration, and general well being. With diamonds or without, in two sizes and a variety of band and face colors, the Teslar watch is fashion, health and common sense, all appearing on the same stage at the same time.

Elle Nothing says young and gutsy style like the designers at Elle. And Elle Jewelry, premiering in Combinations of silver, gold and color, each piece set with the Elle signature ruby, expresses a savvy and style heretofore unexplored in this price range. A great look, coordinated for today's fashions, financially accessible, in the highest quality of design and craftsmanship.

Silver

Table Silver: Whether you prefer Simple Adam Lines, or the Complexity of Repousse, and Victorian elegance Things Finer stocks flatware and fishsets, carving and baby sets. We can commission engraved Bolivian 18th Century Style Service Plates, and Silver items by Reed and Barton, Georg Jensen, and Royal Copenhagen.
Holloware: Tea Sets, Claret Jugs, Trays, Waiters, Vestas, Humidors, Card and Cigarette cases, Candlesticks, Vases, Object of Vertu,
Spanish Colonial Frames, statues, Baby Gifts, Ecclesiastical Silver, Including Chalices, Monstrances, and Ciborium

Decorative Accessories Russian Icons, Santos, Sculptures, Paintings and Prints, Ormolu,
Furniture, Rare Rugs, Fine Tapestries, and a plethora of objects compliment any taste or style. We can order modern items, or search the world all over for that special antique that is your heart's desire.

Purchasers of Fine Jewelry and Decorative Items
We purchase any and every era of fine jewelry, silver, crystal, and home furnishings.
With independent appraisals available, Things Finer is happy to acquire your family treasures at a fair price, and turn them into someone else's cherished possession-you may not like an item, or it simply may not fit into the lifestyle you desire, or you may have a need for additional funds, and some lovely items you aren't using. Whatever the reason, locating a trusted firm to handle the timely and discreet conversion of your items into cash needn't be a problem. We purchase single items, entire estates, and everything in between.