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Retro jewelry trends: 1940s

Retro jewelry trends: 1940s

A major trend of 2013 is the resurgence of vintage looks. From the Victorian era through World War II, jewelry design has tipped its hat to the creations that came before. The best part about this trend is that because these pieces were already en vogue and are popular once again, you know they are timeless.

The 1940s

Much of this decade was spent in WWII. Art, and subsequently fashion, stepped aside as nations fought against one another. As a result, clothing design became utilitarian. Fabrics were scarce as raw materials were being sent off to be turned into something useful for war. Nylon became parachutes and wool was used for soldiers' uniforms. In the U.S., families did all they could to contribute to the effort. Where the period before had lavish design, fashion during the war became streamlined. Women's clothing took design details - such as rigid lines - from menswear as more and more women worked to support the home while men were off fighting. Popular colors reflected the mood of the time: Gray, black, dark red and navy blue became common.

However, the end of the war became a time to celebrate. The arts exploded once again and fashion picked up where it left off. Some of the trends during the war continued on. More women started wearing pants, though skirts and dresses still dominated the fashion world.

The jewelry

Much of the jewelry trends of the​ '40s mirrored fashion. For example, as materials grew scarce during the war, jewelry designers had to seek alternative sources. Yellow and rose gold were typical metals used in jewelry design. These were used to set either small, scarce diamonds or larger gems such as citrine, amethyst and garnet. As prosperity grew after the war, big jewelry pieces sported fancy colored diamonds and gemstones. Women choose floral and bow designs to express their femininity.

The contemporary take

When designing custom jewelry inspired by the 1940s, you have two options. Small-cut diamonds inlaid in intricate metals dominated the jewelry scene during the early '40s. The later half of the decade was rife with gems and floral images. For an example of the more utilitarian mind of the early '40s, take a look at the Garnet Aqua Pendant. Garnets were widely used as an alternative to diamonds, as many women didn't have the money to buy them. For the later half of the period, choose shimmering pieces laden in diamonds. Tennis bracelets, such as the Pillow Tennis, are a great example as they encircle the wrist with shimmer.

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