Wealth. Economic growth. Railroads, Industrialization.
The Gilded Age was an era of success, excess… and fabulous diamond jewelry, of course!
If you are a fan of period drama, you will have to watch the new 2022 HBO series The Gilded Age, which was written by Downton Abbey creator, Julian Fellowes. You’ll have the opportunity to marvel at the stunning period jewelry worn by the actresses, which will, no doubt, spur the kind of resurgence enjoyed by the amazing Art Deco and Vintage Jewelry shown in the 2013 movie The Great Gatsby.
The Gilded Age was a tumultuous time between the Civil War and the turn of the century. It officially lasted in the U.S. from about 1870 to 1900 but the term came into use in the 1920s and 1930s Art Deco period and was taken from Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner’s 1873 novel The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today. The book satirized the social ills apparent at the time which were described as masked by a thin gold gilding.
Nevertheless, some of the world’s finest jewelry was made during this time period. Vast fortunes were being made in mining, railroads, manufacturing and finance. Corporate growth was led by a few captains of industry or ‘robber barons’ as they were often called. Through their monopoly on steel, petroleum, and transportation industries the mega-rich such as John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, Cornelius Vanderbilt and J. P. Morgan became immensely powerful. The newly wealthy treated their wives to spectacular jewelry made from extravagant materials such as platinum, gold and lots and lots of diamonds. A third of the country’s millionaires lived in Manhattan, and theater and opera-goers at the time attended performances just to catch a glimpse of the glittering jewelry worn by wealthy society ladies.
Jewelry from this era includes tiaras, vintage diamond brooches, diamond necklaces and antique gold earrings. It was said that if you upstaged a superior society lady by wearing a tiara that was higher than hers – you would be immediately ostracized. Jewelry was a way of claiming your status and making sure everyone recognized it.
Some of these amazing pieces have come into their own again, enjoying a second, third or even fourth life. Their design and appeal have lasted over a century, yet they are still as wearable, versatile and popular today as they were then. Art Deco and Gilded Age jewelry has become not only a great investment but one of the strongest fashion statements of recent years.
The biggest stars in Hollywood and in the music and fashion industries are wearing Art Deco and Gilded Age pieces. Naomi Watts, Charlize Theron, Camilla Belle, Julianne Moore, Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Biel, Mila Kunis, Evan Rachel Wood, and queen of the fashion world, Anna Wintour are all devotees of antique jewelry.
It is our privilege to introduce you to our collection of Art Deco, Victorian and Edwardian jewelry. We specialize in the finest antique and vintage jewelry purchased from or consigned by private sellers and estate sales from all over the world.
Here are some pieces we particularly love:
- This spectacular vintage Art Deco diamond, emerald and platinum starburst bracelet is typical of the Art Deco style – with geometric lines reminiscent of an ancient Egyptian design.
- The next bracelet is an antique Art Deco emerald and onyx and platinum link set with Old European cut diamonds.
- Another piece typical of the Art Deco era is this no heat sapphire cocktail ring, no doubt worn back in the day by a flapper girl in an illegal speakeasy.
- This vintage Edwardian and Gilded Age era diamond and platinum brooch may well have graced the lapel of an imposing society lady at the opera.
- It’s not hard to imagine these antique Edwardian natural Burma ruby and diamond earrings making a splash at a society ball. They must have been the envy of everyone there.
- This is a beautiful antique Victorian sapphire and diamond bracelet in 18k yellow gold, which will look equally good with jeans and a tailored blazer or a cocktail dress.
The Gilded Age is no more. The Art Deco era has passed. But due to the beauty of the jewelry from those times, its craftsmanship and investment appeal, it lives on – on famous new wrists, necks and ears!