Silver Pendant

Jewellery history and the giving of Jewellery Gifts, goes back many centuries, evolving from shells, animal teeth, and other objects used as adornment in prehistoric times. Jewellery making started in Egypt, Italy, China and South and Central America approximately 5000 years ago.   Over the centuries it came to be a sign of social or religious rank.

 By 1860, industrialization in Britain brought jewellery within the reach of the middle class by creating mass production processes. Changing social conditions and the onset of the Industrial Revolution also led to growth of a middle class that wanted and could afford jewellery. As a result, the use of industrial processes, cheaper alloys, and stone substitutes led to the development of paste or costume jewellery, a process that is still going on today.

During the 1920's, the Art Deco style developed, featuring geometric shapes, linear design and bold patterns and colours.  Big, massive stones, surrounded by multiple diamonds set in yellow gold were popular during all the Vintage period. New materials such as plastic and bakelite were widely used in custom jewellery. By the 1960's and 70's, people preferred ethnic motifs, Eastern and Indian inspired design. Wristwatches became part of jewellery art.

 One word can define the jewellery of 21-st century; that word is 'eclectic'. All styles are acceptable, and yellow gold is slowly coming back. Custom jewellery reaches very high quality and low price. Look at our site www.myjewellerystore.co.uk for examples of unusual jewellery from some of the best known retailers in the UK!