Jewellery has been a part of people's life for as long as there have been people! However, in the history of jewellery there have been a number of key stages.

1720 – 1820 Georgian Period     
Georgian jewellery refers to jewellery made during the years when the four King Georges ruled Great Britain. This period encompassed most of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century. During the early Georgian period (George I, 1714-1727), the French Rococo style dominated the arts. There wasn't a specific 'British' style of jewellery during this period, like there was in the Victorian period. Jewellery of this period was made in the popular styles following the trends in architecture and interior decoration, including Rococo, Greek and Roman, Pompeian, Gothic and Neoclassical Designs focused on Cameos, intaglios, mosaic, acorns, the Greek key, Urns, Doves, Phoenix, Wheat, and plumage were all popular Georgian motifs. Also nature pieces were very popular including designs with birds, flowers, leaves, insects, and feathers. Most pieces were encrusted with gemstones, and the type of metal used to create pieces was of secondary importance. The most popular motifs of this time for diamonds were baskets of flowers, sprays of foliage, and feather plumes.

1837 –1901 Victorian Period      
The romantic image of the young Queen Victoria and her beloved Prince Albert saw jewellery fashions change. Seed Pearls, Shell Cameos, strands of Pearls and small Coloured Stones, such as Garnets, Amethysts and Topaz were fashionable. Cameos were also plentiful and carved from many materials including stone and shell. The mid-Victorian Era lasted from 1860-1885. This period started with the death of Prince Albert. This was the mourning period for the Queen of England and her subjects. This was a sombre time and the jewellery had much jet and onyx stones along with hair jewellery.The late Victorian or the Aesthetic Period started with the rise of silver jewellery for daytime wear. This included heavy Victorian chains, Victorian lockets and Victorian Bracelets. Stones were used less as silver jewellery had new designs, engravings and motifs to dress up the metals. With women going out in the work place and the opening of the Universities, jewellery was worn all the time. Very elaborate jewellery gave way to more tailored designs. Diamonds became more popular as this Era ended.

1890 –1915 Art Nouveau Period   
A theme of Art Nouveau is its romantic light-hearted glory and flowing, swirling, dainty, curved lines. Slim figures appeared in art as well as jewellery. An Art Nouveau trademark is the head of a girl with a wispy, dreamy expression and swirling hair. Art Nouveau also favoured the use of peacocks with their iridescent colours and dragonflies with their long delicate transparent wings and stylised floral themes. Lots of enamel and Plique A Jour were also used. Plique is the pulling of enamel through wire to give it a stained glass look.

1901-1920 Edwardian Period   (Filigree)
When Queen Victoria's son, Edward became king, joyous times returned with a flamboyant return to elegance in styling, clothing and jewellery. Jewellery complimented the laces, silks and feathers worn by Edwardian ladies. Diamonds were in profusion, either alone or with coloured stones. Pearls were also very popular. Because of the metal strength of Platinum, Yellow Gold was replaced as the metal of choice for jewellery. White Gold was used for the first time. Edwardian jewellery was an engineering marvel as delicate filigree work could now be fashioned to resemble lace. Filigree jewellery was everywhere, including Brooches, Bracelets, Earrings, Tiaras and beautiful delicate and lacy Diamond Rings. With King Edward's love of elegance, fashionable men's jewellery came into its own.
The Edwardian (or Filigree) period ran concurrently with the Art Nouveau period and its popularity was mainly a result of King Edward.

1920's – 1930's Art Deco Period   
Jewellery produced in the 1920's and 30's was inspired by the French and their "Art Decorative" movement. It was born in an era when women started to take the place of men in factories and express their liberation through jewellery as the men were going off to war. The soft tones of Art Nouveau were replaced geometric Art Deco Jewellery which had bold and modernistic designs utilizing sharp lines, and striking colour combinations. Filigree was still used in the Style of Art Deco Rings; it was just configured in geometric pattern. New York's Empire State Building is a perfect example of the Art Deco Era. The Art Deco Diamonds rings and the Art Deco Bracelets were designed in White Gold and Platinum and they had beautiful clean Gemstones and Diamonds. The Art Deco Bracelets of the 1930's came set with Diamonds there were art Deco Bracelets with Diamonds and Sapphires and Rubies and Emeralds.

1940's –1950's Retro Period
Luxury production halted in Europe because all Platinum and most Gold and Silver were needed to fund World War II. During this period, people wanted escapism and file stars became more influential as people wanted to emulate their idols. Influenced by Hollywood stars, the Jewellery produced in the 1940's and later in the early 50's, took on new characteristics. The Retro Jewellery was large and had heavy designs in rose or pink and yellow gold with Rubies and Diamonds or combinations of gold and multicoloured precious and semiprecious stones. Jewellery became flamboyant and huge stones in oversized creations emerged. After the United States entered the war, jewellery that was still being made was less romantic but still outsized. This trend continued until after the war when styles again softened. One distinct trend to emerge after the war was the use of Yellow Gold. Yellow Gold was now being used in the whole item instead of just as an accent. Pins, bracelets and other baubles were now starting to made of Yellow Gold. Circle pins and elaborate animals and flowers can be traced to the 1950's.

1960 – 2000 Modern Period
During this period, jewellery has been usually made of Yellow Gold such that some Diamonds and all coloured stones were set in Yellow Gold. The beautiful Edwardian, Filigree & Platinum Rings were being exchanged for Yellow Gold. Platinum & White Gold mountings were melted or scrapped. The biggest trend of this Modern Period was Tennis Bracelets in Yellow Gold. One of the 'in things' during this time was Channel set engagement rings.

2000 + Present day
Silver Sterling Jewellery is part of everyday life and an excellent way of expressing your style. The rest will become history, which you make….