Jewellery Glossary
The world of jewellery is filled with technical terms that may not always be familiar to the general public. For vintage jewellery enthusiasts, navigating through auction catalogues can be quite daunting. But fear not, as we present here a comprehensive yet handy glossary of key terms to help you navigate through it all. Following Art Nouveau, in the early years of the 20th century, natural forms synthesized, heralding the geometric shapes of the 1920s. Jewellers drew inspiration from Empire and Louis XVI styles to create sets where platinum often appeared, allowing for finer and more flexible mounts. Black and white, onyx and crystal introduced bolder contrasts, while the use of lapis lazuli, jade, and coral gave rise to colourful jewellery. It was a period where designers enjoyed combini...