Similarly in hand with the Georgian Era, the Victorian Era took inspiration from history and rulers as well. Queen Victoria’s day to day style formed this era into what it’s known for; grand & symbolic. Split into three separate eras, romantic, grand, and aesthetic, Queen Victoria held direct responsibility for a majority of England’s style. Victorian jewelry was marked by an eclectic mix of floral motifs that mirrored the era’s evolving tastes and societal values, commonly assigning flowers for specific reasoning, allowing one to express themselves through jewelry. Inspiration was drawn from different historical periods such as the Renaissance, Gothic, and ancient civilizations like Egypt and Greece in order to create pieces. It is notable during this period that after the loss of her husband, Queen Victoria entered a long mourning period, jewelry from this time was often darker and morbid. While this did not go on forever, & the aesthetic period followed, it left a long lasting impression on many of her people. Gold and silver remained the most popular metals in Victorian Era Jewelry. Stones popular during this time were garnets, amethyst, turquoise, sapphires, pearls, and diamonds- motifs involving animals, especially snakes were also very popular.

Art Nouveau was known for reflecting the movement’s large departure from traditional jewelry conventions. Common stones in Art Nouveau pieces included opals, moonstones, and pearls, chosen for their ethereal, iridescent qualities that mimicked the play of light found in nature. This era is known for it playful & flowy linework, Platinum was still widely used, but gold and sterling silver was being used more commonly again as well. Settings like the three stone & enamel work became very popular during this period. Common motifs in Art Nouveau jewelry were characterized by a profound celebration of nature’s beauty along with the embrace of asymmetry and fluid, organic forms. This movement drew inspiration from the natural world, featuring motifs like sinuous vines, flowing water, insects, and exotic flowers. The emphasis on curvilinear lines and the rejection of rigid symmetry marked a significant drift from the previous styles of the time, giving rise to new jewelry pieces that were not only gorgeous but also highlight individuality.

The Retro Era concluded with the end of World War II, the style was heavily inspired by the war and the victory that followed. Common metals in Retro era jewelry included yellow gold, often used in chunky designs that conveyed a sense of boldness and luxury, rose gold also made a resurgence, adding a warm and romantic hue to many pieces which hadn’t been seen often before. Colored gemstones like amethysts, aquamarines, citrines, and sapphires, often showcased in very large, eye-catching settings. These gemstones added a glamorous and colorful dimension to the Retro style. The combination of richly colored stones and bold and heavy metalwork created jewelry that exuded a sense of post-war optimism. Hollywood’s glamour was also another key inspiring factor to the style during this time, with the need and desire to celebrate life after a period of severe hardship. Post war optimism was very visible in this era as everything became very futuristic and hopeful.